Part 4
The Rescue
"We have to stay close to our assigned partners," One woman argued as a group of survivors discussed what to do now that they have made it safely to the beach.
"I understand that," Adam stated, trying to hide a bit of his annoyance. He was never that great dealing with over emotional people and in a stressful time like this, he had to deal with more than a few. "I'm not suggesting that everyone split up, just that some of us return to the ship in order to rescue any others that may need our help. I never even suggested you for the job, woman."
"The name's Janet," she called back with eyes narrowing. "I'm just saying that with us not knowing much about those monsters other than we have to have sex in order to keep them away from us, I don't think anyone running off on their own is a good idea. What about your partner there? Don't you think it's a bit unfair for her if you run off."
Adam looked over his shoulder to see Dixie crouched over the fallen man just out of earshot. He looked back at the woman... Janet.... And raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sure she can find a way to escape and hide if those things come back while I'm on the ship." He knew she could. He barely knew anything about her. She was just some young adventurous woman trying to act "cool" in front of her friends by bedding a random man. If she was willing to have sex with him under normal circumstances then he knew she would have no issues finding another partner if the creatures returned.
"Please excuse me," Adam said, trying to give his best friendly smile before stepping back. "There's someone that I must speak with. You guys figure out if you want to stay here on the beach close to the ship or if you would rather venture a bit into the concealment of the forest for camp tonight."
Before Janet could say anything else, Adam turned and stepped down the beach toward the four people standing off to the side. One of them knew what was going on and he was bound to find out as much information as he could so that he knew what he was dealing with. Any information would be better than what he had currently.
"I think you owe us an explanation Ms. Pena," the curly haired manager of the ship was saying just as Adam stepped up to approach them.
"That exactly what I was coming here to receive," Adam stated, causing all four people to turn to regard him as he approached.
"How many people made it off the ship," the skinny brunette asked in a tone that expected obedience.
"My name is Adam," he greeted in a tone of annoyance. "And you are?"
The woman seemed to be studying him for a moment before she finally gave up and spoke.
"I'm Sherri Pena," the woman said with a shrug. "And this is my assistant, Samuel Griff."
"I'm Jenna Kennedy," the manager stated with a smile that seemed to be hiding an emotional breakdown. "This is..."
"My name's Johnny," the other man said with a nod as he looked back to Sheri expectantly.
"Good," Adam said with a nod. "Now that we know each other's names, let's get back to where we were. You were about to explain what's going on here."
"I'll explain what I can once we get settled," Sherri began.
"You'll explain right now," Adam argued in a steady tone that left no room for argument.
"Be very careful, sir," Sam warned as he stepped in front of Sherri.
"I believe she is the one who should be taking that advice at this moment," Adam said, narrowing his eyes at the man in front of him. He could feel his heart pick up and squeezed his hands into fists in an attempt to calm himself. He never did like it when a man stood up threateningly to him.
"Is that a threat," Sam asked, his face reddening. He stepped closer and placed his index finger to Adam's chest. "I'm not going to warn you again. If you..."
With one single motion, Adam grabbed and twisted Sam's wrist, kneed him in the stomach and wrapped his tensed arm around his neck. He squeezed until he was satisfied that Sam couldn't breathe.
"Is this your partner, Sherri," Adam asked, keeping his tone calm as Sam struggled to get free. "Because you're about to have to go shopping for a replacement.
"Adam stop," Jenna gasped. "We need to remain calm."
"Don't I look calm," Adam asked, turning toward Jenna. "I will receive answers or this man will die."
Sherri's facial expression remained calm as she looked from the struggling Sam back toward Adam. Was she weighing out the decision?!
"Fine," She finally said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Let him go."
Adam released his hold and Sam fell to the sand, gasping for breath.
"Well," Adam asked, crossing his arms.
"A few years ago an ex-lover of mine vanished in a plane filled with hundreds of people. His disappearance didn't really bother me, considering we were merely friends with benefits at that point anyway. He was a good lay so I enjoyed keeping him around. Anyway, I got curious and began studying the flight information and its location just before it disappeared. Everyone assumed the plane had crashed into the ocean and the debris was swept away by the freak storm that had come out of nowhere. The more I studied the incident, the more things didn't make any sense so I kept digging. I used some leverage I had to get my hands on some more reports that had been kept hidden from the public. One thing after another and I ended up speaking with some tribes on an unnamed and unmarked island where I discovered a religion based around a dark storm that stole people as sacrifices for some demon's lives. I started looking into seemingly random vanishings similar to the one with the plane. Certain elements would have to be met as almost a calling to this storm. I found the likely next spot for the storm and found that this ship was heading right in its path so I decided to come along and see for myself."
"You mean you..." Sam began but Sherri quickly interrupted him.
"I didn't know exactly what would happen," she stated, eyeing Sam as if cautioning him to remain silent. "All I knew was what the tribespeople had told me and that their stories were eerily close to my research."
"How did you know about the sex thing," Adam asked. He could tell that he wasn't getting the full story.
"The tribe went everywhere in pairs," Sherri explained. "One woman for every man. They explained to me that at any time they might have to stop and have sex with their chosen partner to keep the monsters from taking them away. I never saw any of them while on that island, but they truly believed what they were telling me. Each and every one of them. The chief explained that their island was only some kind of visiting ground and that there was a home island for them where they gathered strength."
"That's a whole lot of effort from someone to find an ex-lover," Jenna stated, showing a bit of suspicion of the story on her own.
"I don't care about him," Sherri laughed. "The more I researched, the more obsessed I became.
"Any other survival tips you care to hand out," Adam asked. "Other than have an orgy when the monsters decide to pop in. You do have some kind of escape plan right?"
"Up until earlier today, I didn't even know if this was real," Sherri explained. "The tribe explained that there is one ruler and that the men who are caught are turned into monsters that will hunt for that ruler. The only advice I can give is don't get caught."
"So we don't even know where we are in the world," Jenna said in a breathless voice.
