"Hale expects you for dinner in fifteen. Get dressed quick. She hates tardiness."
Tak tosses a pile of clothes into the tent with us, then lets the flap close behind him as he leaves. Kai strips and holds up a blue top and loose white pants in his size.
"Hale's dressing us now?"
"She's...very particular, isn't she?"
"At least they're clean, which is more than I can say for my other clothes."
Kai shrugs, then slips into the outfit. He smooths the wrinkles out and turns for me to get a full view.
"You look...wow. Maybe I should take these back off..."
I trace a finger down his exposed chest.
"Didn't expect you to be this turned on."
"What can I say? You look sexy and dignified..."
My hand continues down his body, but Kai grabs my wrist, stopping me. He uses his hold to tug my body flush with his.
"It's only fair you change too."
"I would kill for a clean set of clothes."
Kai retrieves the pink ombre dress picked for me, and I eye the silk chiffon with appreciation.
"C'mon...you're not going to deprive me of the chance to see you in this, right?"
I slip into the silky dress, but fumble with the ties at the back. Kai's eyes rake over every inch of me, drinking me in like a man dying of thirst.
"Let me help."
I turn my back toward him. He drops a soft kiss to my neck as his warm fingers brush against my exposed back...
"Ohh, that feels nice..."
"What about this?"
With a mischievous smirk, Kai runs his hand up my thigh along the skirt's slit...then finds its way between my legs. He teasingly circles my button, earning a gasp.
"Kai! "
He lavishes my neck with kisses as his fingers trace tantalizing patterns beneath my dress. I brace myself against him, my knees going weak... The promise of release builds inside me...but before I can reach the peak, he pulls his hand away and finishes tying my dress.
"What a tease."
"Maybe I—"
"Time to go. Don't make me drag you out here." Tak bursts out.
Kai gives me a comforting look as we step into the warm tropical night once more. Tak leans against a post just outside. He gives us both a quick once- over, nodding to himself.
"Good to see you both changed. Hale'll like that."
"We didn't do it for her, and we certainly didn't do it for you." I sternly inform Tak.
"He's just jealous Hale didn't give him a new outfit." Kai chuckles.
"That's not—"
"You're right, Kai. I guess Dr. Hale probably doesn't respect her employees as much as her guests."
Tak's face contorts in anger. He grips the hilt of the knife at his waist.
"Shut it and get moving."
We follow Tak across camp into a wide tent, where we find a dining table laden with island delicacies. My mouth waters as I breathe in the aromas of the hot, fresh food.
"Is this all for us?" I look to Kai.
"Mostly. My crew gets the leftovers after we're done." Tak rolls his eyes.
"How generous of you to share your scraps." Kai says sarcastically.
"We've been eating like this every night since we started working with Hale. The exotic animal business is a gold mine."
"That's a disgusting way to make money. Those animals belong in their natural habitats, not in gilded cages or black market products." I say.
"You were already low, but congrats on becoming the actual scum of the earth, Tak."
"Give me some credit. I'm a successful entrepreneur now."
"Don't you mean Hale is?" Kai smirks.
Tak grits his teeth, his hands balling into white-knuckled fists.
"You're right, Kai. He's Dr. Hale's lackey now. I bet Tak needs her approval to scratch his own—"
"ENOUGH!!"
Tak slams a hand on the table, rattling the dishes. As I take my seat at the table, I notice a large steak knife lying beside Tak's plate. The only utensils in front of me and Kai are plastic.
"Had enough truth for one evening, Tak?"
Tak shoots daggers at Kai before piling heaps of food onto our plates, topping it off with a simple pork and veggie skewer.
"Come on, eat. You've got to be hungry living off of coconuts, dragon fruit, and a few measly fish..."
"How do we know this food is safe? You could've poisoned it."
Tak lets out a hearty chuckle. He uses his steak knife to stab a piece of pork from my plate, then eats it without hesitation.
"If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't need tricks to make it happen."
"History tells a different story."
"It's rude to turn down what Hale and I are offering. Eat."
My stomach roars loudly as I stare at the large plate in front of me, considering. Without hesitation, I shovel forkful after forkful into my mouth, savoring the taste of pork and pineapple on my tongue.
"I forgot how much I missed food."
Kai hesitates before taking his first bite...but once he gives in, he can't stop himself from devouring his food as quickly as me.
"Dammit. I hate how good this is."
"This is just a taste of the life you could have if you partner with me again."
"The last taste I remember from working with you is saltwater. You know, from when you threw me overboard."
"Water under the boat! You forget, I know you. You've worked hard for every scrap you have. I'm offering the chance to never want for anything... Never have to choose between gas or a hot meal. Life doesn't have to be so hard."
"You're right... Your way is easier."
"Don't listen to him... You're stronger because of what you've overcome. For better or worse, those struggles made you who you are. Don't give that up now." I tell Kai with a comforting smile.
Kai's jaw tightens as the sadness in his eyes turns to steely anger. He glares at Tak.
"Offer me whatever you want. I'd rather die than work with you again."
"I can arrange that too."
I lean in to whisper to Kai as Tak busies himself, cutting another portion of glazed pork.
"I don't know how much more of this I can take."
"What do you say we flip the script? We could make this dinner hell for Tak. Make him regret dining with us."
"I'm in. Whatever it takes to make this dinner more bearable."
Kai subtly nods. He laces his fingers through mine under the table while Tak turns to me, full goblet in hand.
"You're really missing out here, Kai. Look around you, I can offer you money, women, and a life on the sea."
"From what I see, Hale keeps you on a tight leash."
"I'm nobody's pet."
"You know, where I come from, people have a word for you..." I tell him.
"And what's that, little girl?"
"It's plain and simple. That's what you are...Brown-noser."
Tak's eyes narrow as he glares at me. Kai leans back in his chair, smirking.
"Brown-noser is a nicer nickname than what I'd give him." Kai chuckles.
"You're just jealous of what I've got here. I don't remember seeing a feast like this at your camp."
"We still had more there than you have here."
"Good company...freedom...basic human decency. That sort of thing." I smile at Kai.
With a dismissive click of the tongue, Tak stabs his knife into a piece of pork. He tears a hunk of the knife with his teeth. I sit in glowering silence as he chews.
"Money can buy freedom and good company. The rest is overrated."
"Then you won't mind if I do this..."
Almost before I realize I'm doing it, I reach across the table and knock his plate over! He rears up in disgust, looking at the ruined food on his lap.
"Hey!"
"Oops. I'm so sorry."
I grin at Tak's shocked expression as he wipes his soiled shirt. He turns to me and lunges.
"You little--"
Before Tak can reach me, Kai moves to shield me with his body. Take shoves him him away with a huff and sits back down.
"You'll pay for that. Believe me."
"We'll see, Brown-noser."
Tak retrieves the fallen plate from the ground, but doesn't refill it.
"I needed another drink anyway."
Tak reaches for the bottle of wine and pours a healthy measure into each of the cups on the table.
"No, thank you."
"Come on, loosen up. I bet you'll like me better after a bit of booze."
He raises his glass in a mock toast, waiting for me to do the same. I look to Kai, who eyes my drink with purpose.
"Why don't you make the toast, (Y/N)?"
"It would be my honor... Here's to Brown-noser... Getting everything he deserves."
Kai and I clink glasses. Tak's jaw tightens, and I can feel the anger radiating from his chair.
"I already have a ship, a business, a crew...and a lot of cash. What else do you think I deserve?"
"I'm so glad you asked... Should we clue him in, Kia?"
"Since he asked..."
I look at the full glass in my hand, considering. I set my glass down...slamming my elbow against the wine bottle in the process!
"Whoa--"
Tak leaps from his chair as the wine spills across the table and drips onto the floor.
"Oh no... Clumsy me strikes again."
Tak cleans up the mess on the chair, then takes a deep, calming breath...but I can see the murder in his gaze.
"And here I thought we could play nice..."
"We're not playing at all, Brown-noser. Stop treating us like your pawns." Kai glares
"I don't remember you having so much to say before. Your new friend is rubbing off on you."
Kai looks at me, a smile forming on his lips.
"Yeah, she is."
"You've ruined my dinner, my drink, my name... What else you got?" Tak says crossing his arms and leaning back.
I lean toward him with a calculated smile.
"Your whole illegal operation... Brown-noser."
Tak matches my challenging gaze with one of his own.
"Better off Brown-noser than dead."
Just then, upbeat music crackles to life nearby. We turn to see Dr. Hale standing beside a familiar record player. It's the same one we found.
"Where'd you get that?"
"I had my guards retrieve a few of your belongings. There's no need for a radio now that you're here with me."
"Are you afraid we'll ruin your plans?"
"If left to your own devices, I have no doubt you'd try. I'd rather not take chances."
"You can't keep us prisoners forever." Kai glares.
"I'd hardly call you prisoners. You're my guests. I've provided you with this lovely meal and appropriate attire..."
Dr. Hale casts her gaze on mine and Kai's clothes.
"I'm pleased to see you didn't reject my hospitality. I knew that color would suit you, (Y/N)."
"I didn't wear it for you, trust me. I'm just not going to turn down a fresh change of clothes. Though I noticed you didn't give Tak something to wear. I guess he's not as important to you."
"Yeah, I was wondering about that. If anyone deserves a new getup, it's me."
"Careful, Tak. Your jealousy's showing." Kai smirks.
"Quiet. Tak, we'll discuss this later."
Tak huffs, leaning back in his seat. Dr. Hale moves to the head of the table and sits, an air of regality in her movements as she rests against the hand- carved wooden back.
"Now that you've seen my facilities and methods, it's time you saw the results of my research."
"Nothing you show me will change my mind about the work you're doing on Moku." I tell her.
"Making assumptions without evidence? That's not very scientific."
Dr. Hale drops a folder on the table in front of me. I reluctantly pick it up and begin leafing through, and soon find myself engrossed in the data.
"My God...everything you're doing...it's working."
Kai leans over my shoulder to look at the documents. Tak continues silently watching Kai as he eats.
"So somewhere in here is a cure for those viruses in the lab?" Kai asks.
"More than that... These results indicate the potential for Dr. Hale's methods to eliminate any future viruses from the host." I add.
"The eradication of an entire branch of sickness. And the only price was the lives of a few doomed animals."
"I don't even see any of the negative side effects that come with overactive immune systems. This could change everything..."
My enthusiasm turns to shock and dismay when I reach the last page.
"Wait, these chemicals mentioned in your ecological impact system...they're causing severe environmental damage. The bright green runoff I saw during the storm. That was a byproduct of your work."
"Another reason I came to Moku. No one cares what you dump in a place on the brink of extinction. Even the gas treatments—"
"Gas treatments? I'm no scientist, but that sounds like a red flag."
"Wait, your cure can't be converted into an airborne form. Which means..."
"I aerosolized the viruses to spread infection throughout the animal population more expediently." Dr. Hale informs us.
"So it's in the air? You mean we could be infected too?" Kai asks with shock.
"Unlikely, given your lack of symptoms. But that's all the more reason for you to stay."
"This is bad... You've contaminated the entire ecosystem. I've been trying to understand what's been causing the strange mutations here...but all along it's been you."
"A few strange flowers is hardly a bad enough side effect to stop my research. My work is more important than some doomed plumeria."
"It won't stop with Moku. The toxins are a byproduct of your cure, which means this'll happen anywhere it's made."
"None of that will matter once I've saved thousands of lives." Dr. Hale smiles.
"Destroying the environment will kill more people than any virus."
"Dr. Hale, you have to see that what you're doing is wrong. It has to stop." I tell her.
Driving her fork down into a piece of fish, Hale grits her teeth.
"Clearly it doesn't matter what the facts are. Your minds were made up before you ever saw what I've accomplished. If you have no interest in working alongside me...well, you can still aid my research. Congratulations on volunteering for my first human trial."
"This has to be some kind of sick joke..." I blurt.
"Like hell we'll let you experiment on us!" Kai shouts.
Our protests are interrupted by the arrival of Tak's smugglers.
"Tak, Dr. Hale, there's been a problem."
"This'd better be important. The doctor warned you not to interrupt dinner." Tak snarls.
The moment Hale and Tak exit the tent, Kai snatches Tak's forgotten steak knife from the table.
"This may be our only chance to escape, Doc. We've gotta take it."
"I assume you have a plan in mind?"
"Well...half of one, anyway. Find something that'll pierce flesh. I'll take Tak, you get Hale."
"You want me to stab Dr. Hale? Why didn't you say so? She deserves that and more."
He tugs a napkin onto his lap to cover the blade beneath it. I look around for something inconspicuous to use as a weapon. My eyes land on the metal skewer from the kebob.
"Tak was so generous to put this on my plate."
I reposition the skewer on my plate so I can grab it at a moment's notice. My head whirls toward the entrance as I hear footsteps approaching...
"This'll only work if they let their guard down. Distract Hale with some science talk."
"About what? "
"You're the expert. You've never had trouble coming up with something to ramble at me about."
I fall silent as the tent flap opens, revealing Dr. Hale and Tak. They return to their seats.
"Trouble in paradise?"
"Everything's under control. But I'm touched that you were worried." Tak smiles in irritation.
"Dr. (YLN), I hope the moment of reprieve offered you a bit of perspective. If not, I'm sure Tak could escort you to the cages for the night... Especially now that I find a portion of them...conveniently empty."
"Actually, I was wondering... Exactly how does your ornithology research ties in."
"What game are you playing, Dr. (YLN)?"
Her eyes narrow. The room is heavy with tension as all heads turn toward me. Tak drums his fingers on the table to an ominous beat.
"No game. You've shown me your meticulous studies of the local avifauna, and I've seen what you use to trap them..."
"As a matter of fact, I hoped to use birds as a means of deploying the cure, since it can't be aerosolized like the virus."
"However, aren't you afraid a scientist would get hold of the external deployment device on the bird? They could easily replicate your work then..."
"Hm... You raise an excellent point. Perhaps there is a better way to transfer the cure widely..."
I can feel the tension in the room dissipate. Dr. Hale relaxes back against her chair while Tak grabs more food for himself.
"Now."
In a sudden burst of motion, Kai plunges the steak knife into Tak's shoulder, catching him off guard!
"AAAaaahh!"
"Take that, you bastard!" Kai yells.
Before Dr. Hal can move, I snatch the skewer off my plate. I drive the skewer into Dr. Hale's shoulder. She screams in pain.
"AHHH!!"
She clutches at the wound, blood gushing down her arm.
"Good luck experimenting on animals now."
"Good job, now let's go!"
Kai reaches for me as we both race out of the tent and into the humid air of the rainforest. A spray of bullets shreds the canvas of a nearby tent. I gasp as Kai tugs me to the ground, rolling me behind the cover of the lab.
"Follow my lead, and whatever you do, stay down."
I hang onto Kai's hand tightly as he leads me around the side of the laboratory. As we pass the window, I catch a glimpse of a guard inside.
"Kai, look at the map that guy's holding. Those big X marks look like trouble..."
Kai peeks through the window to get a closer look.
"Damn it all. Those are trap markers. Tak must've rigged this whole area after we showed up."
"There are dozens of them. We'll never be able to avoid them all."
"We will if we can get our hands on that map."
The guard rolls up the map and tucks it in his back pocket. He leaves the lab, passing a few feet in front of the hiding spot I share with Kai
"It's now or never, Doc. You in?"
"Before we do this, you can read a map like that, right? 'Cause it looks like a deranged pirate drew it."
"This is me we're talking about. Don't you trust me?"
"I've put my life in your hands more times than I can count. What's one more?"
"I'm not sure if that's your confidence in me talking...or recklessness."
"It takes a little bit of recklessness to trust you."
Kai shakes his head, but I can see the hint of a smile play on his lips.
"Come on. Let's grab this map before the guard gets too far away..." Kai urges.
"Wait. Before we go... I just wanted to give you a good luck kiss."
"Worried that you won't have the chance again?"
"More like...reminding you what you're fighting for."
"Other than our lives, you mean."
Rolling my eyes, I start to turn away, but Kai pulls me back to him and kisses me fiercely! He presses both palms against my back, holding me flush with him. His tongue parts my lips, causing me to moan...
"Ohhhh..."
But the fleeting kiss is over just as quickly as it came... Kai pulls back, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.
"This is what I'm fighting for. A lifetime of your kisses."
"I look forward to each one..."
"Now let's go. No time to lose."
We catch the guard continue his route along the raised platform...then dips into a tent, Kai signals me to follow. We wait in the nearby bushes as the guard rummages through the tent.
"She said it'd be here..." says one of the guards.
"Carefully and quietly." Kai whispers.
I nod in agreement, crouching as we slowly approach. I take a step forward and...CRACK!
"Oh no..."
Looking down, I see a broken twig beneath my shoe. The guard turns toward the direction of the sound.
I grab Kai by the shirt and drag him to the ground with me, flattening myself on my belly. I hope the tall bushes will be enough to conceal us.
"I swore I heard something..."
The guard steps to the edge of the tent, gun in hand. I don't even breathe as his boots come within feet of us.
"Hm... Must've been an animal..."
He returns to his search of the tent and I release a shaky breath.
"At least we're safe for the moment."
I look to Kai, the flickering light playing on his face. His brow is knitted, deep in thought.
"This is gonna be tricky. The guard'll be on alert now." Kai informs me.
"We're so close though."
I watch the guard bend over to dig through a lower cabinet, the map sticking out of his back pocket.
"Do you want to grab it or stay here and create a distraction? "
"You're faster. I'll draw his attention away from you. Good luck."
"I don't need it."
I hurry to the other side of the tent, near the opening in the canvas.
The guard's already jumpy. I bet he'd investigate another sound over here...
I pick up a nearby rock on the ground, then hurl it against the tent's canvas.
"I know I heard that..."
I slink back into the shadows as the guard peers out of the tent. He looks around, his eyes falling on a pinecone in front of him.
"Stupid tree... There's nothing there."
The guard shakes his head and returns inside. I quietly slink around the tent to meet up with Kai.
"Did you get it? "
"Of course."
He holds up the map triumphantly. I roll the map back up and tuck it safely away.
"Let's get outta here."
The bright lights of the camp fade behind us as we sneak toward the shadowy tree line... Only to hear a shout the second before we disappear from view.
"I see them! There!" Tak yells.
"Doc...run!"
Branches whip at our faces as we crash through the rainforest, clutching Kai's hand and trying not to stumble in the darkness. Kai holds the stolen map in front of him, expertly guiding us through the dense trees...
"This way."
"Do you think we've lost them?"
Instead of Kai's steady voice, I hear Tak growl a response.
"Think again."
Tak extends a hand, about to grab hold of Kai's arm when a piercing squeal echoes through the night. The large boar we rescued from Hale's cages shoots toward Tak, ramming into his legs with its curved tusks.
"Uggh!!"
"The force causes Tak to fall to the ground with a painful thud."
"Thanks, Papa Boar!"
As we race away, Kai points to a tiny shape emerging from the bushes.
"They came back for us."
"You must've left an impression."
Kai and I continue sprinting through the forest, gaining plenty of distance from Tak. I can't help but smile as I think of the boars free to run in the wild. We haven't made it much further when Kai grabs me, pulling against him.
"Careful, you almost stepped on a trap."
He points down at the ground, the map still open in his hand.
"Glad we avoided that. We can use this to our advantage. Tak and his crew will think they're going around the trap..."
"Heh, but if we move it, they'll run straight into it. I like it."
"I have my moments."
Carefully, Kai and I get to work relocating the snare, setting up the trap a few feet over.
"I wish we could stick around to see if it works."
"I'm sure we'll hear if it does. Now let's go, we don't have time to waste."
Several minutes later, we're sprinting through the forest when a loud holler echoes through the trees...
"AAAaaaaaiiiiiieeeeee! Who the fuck put that there?!"
"Music to my ears."
"That's one down...a lot more to go."
The camp is far behind us when we come to a sudden stop at a large cliff. I glance back and see no sign of Tak or the smugglers.
"No way back, no way forward... Where do we go?"
"(Y/N), no! "
Before I can ask what's wrong, Kai pushes me to the ground... A bullet rips through the foliage...and Kai collapses.
"Hkk!!"