To Jessica it had not seemed like it had been a week since she left England. The long and tedious voyage combined with the constant "zig-zagging" of the ships in the convoy had made the days drift into one another with wild abandon. Perhaps it was not such a good idea to leave home so soon. She thought. Though in her heart she knew that if she could but make to her friends in America that her memories of this terrible war would be just that; memories. 1941 had not been a good year for her. She leaned over the railing and gazed out over the moonlit sea of the Eastern Caribbean, dreaming once more of a mysterious lover to take her away. Pining in her heart for a certain man whom she knew not. A man to hold her close and make the thoughts and nightmares of the madness back in London cease, if only for a moment. The felt the steamer jerk slowly under her feet as it made another turn in its awkward path to avoid the menacing U-boats that were always on the prowl for new victims in their game of destruction and death, a game that was too often 'played for keeps'. She wondered what it would be like to live for a night with out fear, to lie and think only of beauty. It was late and she knew she should be going to bed. But in bed the bad dreams came. In bed her mind went wild. In bed she sees "herself alone". Jessica sighed as she took pity on her situation and resigned herself to another night of tears and loneliness. She walked slowly to her cabin.
Jessica dressed in her nightgown and stretched out on the rough mattress. Turning on the antiquated ship's radio, she lay awake for many minutes as the gentle music of Glen Miller caressed her mind. She absentmindedly touched herself to thoughts of a lover to please her in the ways a woman should be pleased. Drifting off into a blissful and contented sleep, rocked gently by the sea and the rhythmic drone of the engines. Had it been an hour or a minute? Jessica sat up startled as a huge explosion lifted the steamer upward. She starred wide-eyed as glass from the porthole crashed to the floor. "Oh My God!" She was screaming. Jessica had but one thought, "Torpedo"! A second explosion threw her out of the bunk. She hastily grabbed for her lifejacket. Her mind in a haze of confusion as she heard the shouts and panic of the crew trying desperately to lower the boats and make their way to safety. Jessica opened the door to the cabin and joined the throng of crewmen making their way to the upper deck. It was as if she were caught in a huge wave as she was pushed along by the panic stricken. The night sky greeted her as she felt the crispness of the night airplay upon her body. She held fast to the railing and looked towards the stern of the steamer. What should have been a deck was now a mass of twisted metal and debris. Jessica was screaming at the horror. Terrified beyond words as she looked out over the waves and saw the darkened silhouette of a cursed U-Boat. Jessica stood transfixed, such fear she had never known. To be so helpless, and at the mercy of others who had but one thought in mind, the death of her ship. Her fear was cut short as the very air around her became a vacuum from another explosion. She felt herself being thrown in the air like a rag doll. Consummating in blessed silence as she fell into the sea, the rush of the water and her heart pounding the only sounds to hear as she swam madly for the surface. Jessica broke the waves gasping for air. She felt the heat of the flames on her face as the ship made surreal noises and plunged quickly to the bottom. Leaving her behind. She clung to wreckage breathing hard, held in a silence that was deafening, save for the gentle hum of the U-Boat as it drifted slowly away. The warm tropical seas teasing her body. The bright sun and dawn of a new day warmed her. Jessica awoke with a start lying on the white sands of a beautiful island. She sat up and knew she was quite alone. Litter from the night before dotted the beach here and there as she walked along the shore. Nothing of use. She came upon a scorched life preserver, its letters barely legible. Jessica sat beside it stared at the words "Portsmouth" and cried as though her heart would break. Jessica knew she had to be strong. She would have to rely on her wits and fortitude to see her through the days ahead. She composed herself and knew that crying would not solve anything. She knew she could not give the enemy the satisfaction of knowing they had ruined her life. She decided to make the best of the situation and persevere. "Yes" she thought, "I will survive". But first she knew she must explore. The island was a paradise. There were flowers and fruit trees in abundance. Jessica strolled through the undergrowth, and marveled at her new home. Birds called to her and the soft warm breezes made her feel renewed. Jessica came upon a small clearing and saw a large pool of fresh water. It was beautiful. A small waterfall fed the pond and it was surrounded by large flat rocks that begged for the attentions of someone to sun themselves on their warm dry surfaces. She slipped off the remains of her tattered nightgown and dove into the clear inviting water. Its cool sensations excited her body and she let the moment take her. She wondered if it was how it must have been in the Garden of Eden, as she lazily floated on her back admiring the blueness of the sky above. The islands new inhabitant finished her swim and lay upon a warm rock munching some fruit. Her naked body content and warm under the afternoon sun.
The days drifted into weeks. Jessica explored her new home and became one with her surroundings. She was happy, save for the knowledge that she was not complete without someone special to share her world with. She spent her days lying naked on the beach, her body becoming tanned and natural. Her nights spent in a shelter by the pool listening to the myriad of birds singing her to sleep. Losing herself in thoughts once again of her special and mysterious lover. Praying as she did when she was at home that he would come and please her, take her, and make her happy.
Jessica made her way to the beach. Searching for bits of wood and anything that may be of use to her that had washed up in the night, when a familiar sound made her freeze in her tracks; It was a mans cough. She felt the fear rising as she cautiously made her way to the beach. Keeping a watchful eye and making each step as silent as possible. At the edge of the trees she saw the new visitor to her island paradise. "Oh God what have you done to me?" Jessica cried out softly. She watched the lone sailor crawl out of the waves. She saw the dingy white shirt and crushed cap of a U-Boat captain. His beard rough and sun glistening off the golden eagle of his visor. Her head was swimming with all the stories she had heard about the "Evil Germans" and what they would do to her if they ever caught her. But for a strange reason Jessica could not feel anything but pity for this stranger who was so helpless and tired. She knew the feelings well and wished them on no one. He lay collapsed on the sand, as she cautiously walked out on the warm sand. Standing over him she looked upon his face. His eyes shut his face covered in grime from oil and soot. Jessica was torn between wanting to run for her life and help the poor man. The captains eyes weakly opened and a light smile crossed his lips. He whispered to her with a voice as low and gentle as the soft breath of a kitten, something in a language she knew not. She knew he was not the threat she had imagined but she remained hesitant. Jessica smiled back and wiped his brow. His hand reached to her face and gave her cheek a soft caress as he moaned and sank into unconsciousness. Confusion gripped Jessica. She knew not why. There was something about this man that made her heart sing yet he was her enemy. She knew however that she could not let the man die. At least he would be company. She hurryingly made a stretcher out of branches and began the long and tedious chore of dragging the captain back to her small shelter by the pool. She sheltered him from the growing chills of the night and held her body close, enjoying every beat of his heart and comforted by the touch of another person. She soothed the night demons away from him when they came to his mind and gave him fresh water. At times she would hug him close as his body shivered and he called out strange commands in a language she did not understand. She knew it would be a long and torturous night. The sound of a parrot and the rays of a new day greeted Jessica awake. She stretched and smiled in the comfort of the morning. "Was it all a dream?" she thought. She looked beside her and saw the officers cap. But he was nowhere to be seen. Jessica became very afraid. After all she thought; "he was the enemy". She walked to the edge of the pond and sat looking into the clear water. Thoughts of having someone to share her island with were so pleasant but now he was gone. Jessica wept. Wept, as much from fear as the overwhelming feeling of loneliness thrust upon her once again. The snap of a twig brought her back to reality as she turned to see him. She tried to hide her tears but he knew. In his strong hands he had exotic fruits. She backed away momentarily as he reached out and offered her breakfast. "Danke Freulein" he said. He took off his shirt and draped it around Jessica's naked shoulders. She looked up at him and was met by his steel blue eyes, and smiling face. He pointed to himself and whispered "Mein name ist Erik". Erik was a strong man and a born leader of the great wolfpacks. But he was as lost in the mysteries of love as any other. He knew that for her to be truly comfortable with him, she must come to him under her own terms. He turned and walked away, leaving her to enjoy her meal in peace. He had much to do.
Over the next few days Jessica watched him from the safety of the trees, as he busied himself with making a signal fire and a small hut on the other side of the island. Occasionally he would see her and wave. She would timidly wave back but could not bring herself to rise above the fear and go to him. She always kept a safe distance.
