This is episode thirty-eight of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise
. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by.
Skinny Dippin'
Trace, Sage, and Coyote remained quiet in their cells. They rested on their cots and glanced at each other; sort of a secret communication.
Sage and Coyote sensed Trace had a plan. It was best not to disturb him until it had been worked out in his mind.
“He’s a planner,” Sage said to Coyote quietly.
“Just like his ole man,” Coyote replied quietly.
Trace stood and moved close to the bars. Sage and Coyote did the same. Trace whispered to them what had happened in Me'Ached’s sanctuary. And he related that at least three more besides Tom, the guard, wanted to escape.
“There’s an old saying,” Coyote whispered, “for everyone, that’s known, there’s three unknown. Counting the two who have already escaped, that might mean at least eighteen.”
“And that’s scientifically proven, right?” Sage said sarcastically.
“I’ve been huntin’ strays for forty years,” Coyote said. “Yeah, it’s as scientific as it gets.”
“How many are on the island?” Sage asked.
“From what I read, near two hundred,” Trace said.
“That’s one out of nine, if Coyote’s scientific calculations are right,” Trace said.
“I think you’re thinking what I’m thinking,” Sage said. “Getting those two off the island and saving our own skin is not enough.”
“We would be having some sleepless nights, if we didn’t at least try to get as many off who want to go,” Trace said.
“There’s only so many cattle that can drink from the same trough,” Coyote said. “But on the other hand, they ain’t cattle.”
“No problem,” Trace said. “I get your point and it’s scientific.”
“Sometimes,” Sage said, “things find a way of working themselves out. Just give us the best plan.” Sage grinned. “So, what’s your plan?”
“My plan is to wait until we are in a good position to make it to the hidden gear,” Trace said. “And to be in time to where Dad will be waiting for us with a rubber boat.”
“What about the guard and the three others?” Sage asked.
Coyote interrupted, “And maybe a few more.”
“I’ll have to get word to Tom,” Trace said.
“Are you sure he can be trusted?” Coyote said.
“Our odds are so slim that an untrustworthy guard is the least of our concerns,” Trace said. “But, yeah, I trust him.”
“What are we going to do first?” Sage asked.
“Let’s wait for a while,” Trace said. “We’ll know when there’s an opportunity. We know each other well enough that we can read each other’s hand in a poker game.” Trace glanced sharply at Sage and then Coyote. “If nothing comes up in an hour after sundown, I’ll get a guard to come in here with the keys. I’ll hold a gun on him. Get the other guard to come in. We’ll tie ‘em up, gag ‘em, we’ll get our gear, and run like a bat out of hell.”
“What about the others?” Sage asked.
“Guard!” Trace yelled. “Guard!”
One guard stepped inside.
“Can you get Thomas, the guard who brought me here,” Trace said. “I was told by Me'Ached, if I had anything for him, I could tell it to Thomas at any time. So can you get him for me?”
The guard said nothing. He existed and the crunch of gravel could be heard walking away.
“What are you going to tell the guard?” Coyote asked.
“I’m going to tell him to be ready,” Trace said. “Be ready at any time.”
They all sat on their bunks. Nothing was said, only blank stares.
“Funny,” Sage said, “ten years ago we were cutting classes and heading for some quiet place to dream about the future and drink a couple of beers. And here’s the future. Never dreamed it would be like this.”
“Are you regretting all this,” Trace said. “Do you wish I’d never call you?”
“You got to be kidding me,” Sage said. “I’ve lived a couple of lifetimes out here. We talked about doing stuff like this. One time we even said we might climb Mount Kilimanjaro. However, I could sure use a beer.”
“I thought it was Everest,” Trace said.
“You always did dream bigger than me,” Sage said.
“I don’t like heights,” Trace said.
“That’s why god made you with plenty of width,” Sage laughed. “Remember that one?”
Trace started laughing. “We were sophomores when you told Mrs. Carper that.”
“Yeah,” Coyote said. “I was called to school on that one and when the principal told me the whole story, I started laughing.”
“And then our principal, Mr. Kellogg, he started laughing,” Sage said.
“And Coyote told the principal he was suspended for three days,” Trace said.
“Ole Kellogg and I went back a ways,” Coyote said. “He was two years ahead of me in school. He always picked on me until I hit him in the back of the head with a shovel.”
“You did!” Sage said.
“It didn’t hurt him much,” Coyote said. “After he got up and stumbled around for a minute or two he was fine. Then we all went skinny dippin’.”
“Skinny dippin’, where?” Trace said.
“Ah, your dad was with us,” Coyote said. “Public pool.”
“Public pool!” Sage said. “Did you guys get arrested for indecent exposure?”
“Nah,” Coyote said, “it was after dark, maybe midnight, and in November. They hadn’t drained the pool yet.”
They chuckled. And reminisced some more.
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