This is episode forty-five 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.
Soon, The Tramp Islander anchored one hundred yards offshore. Everyone was ferried from the island to The Tramp Islander. Only Trace, Sage, and Me’Ached remained on the beach when Adam returned for the last trip to the island.
“Let’s wait a few minutes,” Adam said. “I don’t want to leave anybody behind who doesn’t want to be left behind with this madman.”
“Don’t leave me here,” Me’Ached pleaded quietly to Trace.
Trace looked at Adam and Sage as if wanting advice.
“It’s your call,” Adam said.
Sage agreed with a couple of firm nods.
“By now,” Trace said, “a new leader has emerged. What will Omni tell him? If you trust in Omni, go back. If you trust me come with me.”
Trace looked out to The Tramp Islander. “It’s been about twelve hours since me, Sage, and Coyote ate. The most delicious bowl of rice ever. You must be getting hungry too,” he said to Sage.
“Makani gave me a cinnamon roll two trips ago,” Sage said.
“And you didn’t bring me one,” Trace said.
“Makani said he’d have a big breakfast ready,” Sage said.
“And you didn’t want to spoil it for me,” Trace quipped.
“Something like that,” Sage said.
“Ya know,” Trace said, “other than the vermin, this isn’t such a bad island.”
“Won’t hold cattle,” Adam said.
“Yeah,” Trace said, “I suppose you’re right about that.” He turned to Me'Ached. “You ever have cattle on this island?”
“We are vegetarians, except for fish,” Me’Ached said.
“There’s nothing like cutting into a good steak,” Sage said. “I’m sure you tried it a couple of times.”
“It is not good for you,” MeAched said.
“Yeah,” Sage said, “I’ve read the studies but, you ever think that’s what’s wrong with you, you just don’t want to be normal. You know, have the normal pleasures of life. When’s the last time you’ve had a big bowl of peanut butter chocolate chip ice cream? That’s rhetorical. But things like that change your whole outlook on life. Life is meant to be enjoyed. But I’m assuming you have never been able to figure out the difference between joy and debauchery. So you chose asceticism over joy.”
“You know something,” Trace said, “and that’s rhetorical too, but that’s about one of the smartest things I’ve heard you say.”
“I think I read that someplace,” Sage said, “I didn’t come up with it on my own.”
“Words of wisdom are like a good rifle,” Adam said, “you didn’t have to invent it to use it at the right time.”
“Geez,” Trace said, “I’ve had all this genius around me all my life and just now discovered it.”
They all chuckled except for Me'Ached.
Trace looked at Me'Ached. “You can’t live in our world, can you? That’s also rhetorical. So you built your own. Once a person really looks inside your world, they decide to leave. That is, of course, they were not like you. You can’t abide by those who think on their own. Thinking is one of the hardest things to do. Lazy people develop prejudices and strict laws to keep from thinking. A divergent thought is a threat to you. And I think the saddest of all is that you are afraid to think.”
Trace turned to Adam who was scanning into the palms and brush. “You about ready?”
“Yeah,” Adam said
“Climb into the boat,” Trace said to Me'Ached.
“Thank you,” he said.
“There’s a condition,” Trace said.
“What is it?”
“From this moment on you are Haywood Demeter,” Trace said. “On the boat, you will not answer to any other name. If you do, we set you afloat in a rubber boat.”
“As you wish,” Demeter said.
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