NOTE: Here is my attempt at adventure. I placed the story in this category, but it could fit in multiple categories. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy. A special thanks to my friends who served as my sounding board as I write this tale. This story is self-edited. All I ask is that you don't copy this story without asking. Please do not post it on any other sites. All of the characters in this story were created in my imagination and were not written to resemble anyone in real life. All of the characters involved in anything sexual are over 18.
I took some time and revised Stranded. I hope you enjoy the new version of the tale.
I certainly hope you are enjoying this story. Please continue to read and share your thoughts.
This is the last part of the story. I hope you enjoy.
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The morning dawned, and Haley asked to go see Brenda. She arrived at the Chief's hut, and his other wives let her in. Utoman lay on a bed with Brenda: His arms holding her securely. "Brenda," Haley whispered, startling the chief, and he jumped scaring the girl. He ordered her out as he rose and dressed. Soon Brenda rose and joined her friend. The other wives stayed close by.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Haley asked.
Brenda grunted, "Sick, tired, but Osaka's gone. So I'm not scared anymore."
Haley hugged her friend and sighed. "Brenda, I'm here. I know that doesn't mean much, but I'm here." She whispered.
Brenda hugged her friend and sighed. The other wives had duties and Utoman said Brenda could not work right now, so they left. Haley visited with Brenda for a while. They were concerned about the baby, but with no doctors they just had to wait and see.
More time passed and one cool day, Asi was out hunting. He was also thinking. This island was all he knew. He knew there was more in the world, but he had no desire to go there. Life here could be good, if the chief was a fair man. He was not. Utoman was devious and cruel. If they went against him and failed, surely they would die. He didn't want to risk Haley, or the women and children in the village. He saw a movement, and watched the trap Haley taught him to make. He kept contemplating. Then the trap sprang, catching a small animal that could be used for stew.
Asi continued hunting, and soon he was joined by others. The men caught four small animals and headed home in the evening. They cleaned and prepped the meat, taking it to the women. Asi looked for Haley and saw her preparing a sweet treat to accompany the dinner. He smiled, and she returned his smile. Brenda sat with her, gently rubbing her stomach where her child grew. The baby moved all of the time, so she knew the baby was unharmed.
Utoman changed. He no longer treated her cruelly. He took great pains to make sure she was comfortable and the other wives deferred to her at all times. Brenda didn't want to be head wife; she wanted to go home. She wanted to be free. She knew that would never happen. Years had passed since they took the cruise that took everything from them. She accepted her fate, and decided that like the other women she would accept things as they were and simply live.
As the women prepared the meats for supper, Susan got Brenda's attention and they noticed that Haley seemed off. Soon the men brought in the meat and she bolted. Asi saw her and soon followed. The women joined her as she was gagging while Asi rubbed her back wishing he knew what was wrong. Thus morning, the same thing happened, she had been ill several times in the last three weeks. Susan, Carrie, and Brenda shared a smile. The other women cheered.
Asi was confused. why were they so jovial? Haley was ill, yet they stood around laughing. Finally one of the village women spoke, and Asi and Haley were speechless. "Um babi" he whispered. Haley was pregnant. They had a child on the way. Haley cried and held on to him tightly. She would be a mother. Asi felt happiness, fear, excitement, and confused. Haley was giving him the one thing he never thought he'd have. He held her close, and smiled as Brenda came over and hugged her too.
The men all congratulated Asi. The Chief addressed him as well, and then in an uncharacteristic move, he embraced him. Soon, Chief Utoman and the elder gentlemen wandered off, leaving Asi and a few of the younger men. Asi talked with the men, and they agreed that things were better. Chief Utoman had changed, and since getting rid of Osaka he was a kinder leader. The villagers were happier. Ubdu had silenced Osaka, and his woman Carrie kept her in her place. Utoman was simply cruel, and they feared this reprieve would not last. Osaka was yet to be banned. The opposing villagers refused to take her. Ubdu grew weary of her, and Barrie was constantly on guard where the older female was concerned.
"Ubdu is like the chief. One day, he will tire of you and give you away. You are not from here, so you will perish." Osaka told Carrie on night as Ubdu hunted.
Carrie faced this hateful, vile woman. "You are getting what you deserve. You are mean-spirited, hate-filled, and vile, Osaka. Do I expect him to want me forever? No, but until the time comes, I will be loyal to him. He chose me; he had you dumped on him. No one likes you Osaka, just be grateful he lets you live." Then she walked away.
Osaka stared at her retreating form and knew she spoke the truth. They hated her. She deserved their hate. However, she would not let them have the satisfaction of ending her; she would choose her own destiny.
Months passed, and Asi watched their leader. As predicted, his meanness began to resurface. He no longer mistreated Brenda, but Asi noticed that his mistreatment of Taroa was escalating. He never mistreated her in Brenda's presence because she would not allow it. He often took her off alone, and then she paid. Asi worried as Brenda grew closer to giving birth and Haley grew larger as well.
Asi still worked daily on a plan to help the women and children escape. Now he wondered if it was wise. He didn't want to send Haley and their child away. If Utoman could be reasoned with, maybe things did not have to change. He felt a chill and knew they had to get away. In secret he crafted a vessel. He took the trunk of a great tree and fashioned a huge boat. He made oars of reeds, and braided giant leaves and fashioned sails. If ever a time came, the boat could carry them away from this place.
He felt the tension in the air. The tribe was restless. Although Utoman had changed and treated all three of his women better, many of the men were tired of his rule. His marriage to Osaka damaged so many of them, and they were angry he let her live. Ubdu, mostly ignored the older woman, he had no desire for her at all. For years he watched her rule his father. He even witnessed the death of his mother at her hands. When Utoman offered her to him, he took her gladly. Before she was destroyed, she would know how she hurt him and his brothers.
Ubdu watched Asi hold his woman. All of them saw that he loved the girl. Asi was smart and Ubdu knew he was working on something. Months earlier he followed him into the forest and saw the vessel he had built. He desired to help, so he went back to where he found Asi as a babe, and searched the abandoned area for anything he thought Asi could use. He found rope and heavy material that could be used for covering. He took the items and placed them in the vessel.
He followed Asi and noticed his apprehension at finding the things, but soon he realized they could help secure the vessel. He watched as Asi worked until night, and then he carefully followed him home where she greeted him eagerly. Ubdu smiled; his woman Carrie made him feel the same. The woman he'd chosen accepted him, and he felt sad at having to send her away when the time came. He knew Asi made this vessel for them, and for that reason, he would make sure he had what he needed to complete this project.
One day as Asi returned to the village, Ubdu revealed himself. He spoke to him and told him, that he wanted to help. Asi was wary, but Ubdu revealed that he found the fabrics that he could use. Asi hesitated, but eventually agreed that Ubdu could help. In secret the two men build a small sailboat. The boat could hold quite a few people and supplies.
One night, as Asi lay with Haley, he told her to pack some dried fruits and vegetables for the dry season. She was confused, but he kissed her and asked that she trust him. For the next few weeks, Haley did as he asked. Asi was pleased, and he loved watching her as she grew heavy with his child. He just prayed that when the time came, he could send her and their child away.
Ubdu held Carrie close. He too, had her prepare food for the rainy season. Osaka watched them. Each day her hatred grew. Ubdu was not blind where she was concerned. He saw how she watched Carrie, but she'd breathe her last before she hurt his wife.
One night, as they slept, Brenda screamed, and all the villagers rushed to the chief's tent. The men were sent out as the women went in to help Brenda. After hours of excruciating pain, Brenda gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Utoman was proud and the men of the village cheered. Osaka was furious. She was banned from the Chief's tent and that fueled her jealousy even more.
As the village rushed to the birth of a new babe, Osaka escaped. Taking a sharp spear, she stalked Carrie. Ubdu felt strange and intervened just as Osaka pounced. Grabbing the hateful woman, he snapped her neck, ending her life. Carrie stood frozen. Ubdu looked at her, his eyes burning, angry. He spoke in his native tongue, and Carrie returned to help her friends. Ubdu lifted Osaka's lifeless frame, and carried her to a secluded part of the forest. Ere he dug a shallow grave and buried her remains. She was no longer a threat.
Haley sat with Brenda and she held her daughter. The baby was so small and precious. Brenda looked at her and cried. She knew that for now things were calm, but if Utoman changed back, she could not keep her safe. Haley sat with her friends and the other two wives joined them. The women understood Brenda's fears. They shared the same for their own children, but they swore to her that they would help protect the baby. Brenda smiled and realized that in this she was not alone. Utoman came in and saw his newest daughter. She was perfection but he had a feeling he didn't have long with her.
"She will be loved and protected." He promised Brenda. He then kissed his youngest wife and called for his sons.
Haley lay with Asi when he spoke. "Haley, when the time comes, I need you to follow me to the water. I will help you get away from this place."
