• “What island did you and those sailors come off of, Rainsford?” asks the Captain.

    “Ship-Trap,” It is all I need say. The Captain looked stricken or at least grave. Night had fallen one hour ago. So it was hard to see anyone’s face.

    “Rainsford let me be clear with you. Do not speak the name of that accursed island.” The Captain seemed to be at interest even through his gruff vocals.

    “Who ever said it was cursed?”

    “Many of sailors have. Why I would expect you to know if it is cursed. Explain to me how it is not cursed.”

    I did my best to explain the story. Truth is I may have added a few more details to the death of the General. I believe that he believes me. He was the first man off to try to get the others and me off the boat. I stopped the story up to the point where I woke up in the General’s bed without the fear of killing me.

    “Captain, excuse me for I am tired it would be best for me to sleep. Are we to hit England anytime soon?”

    “Rainsford, a fascinating story, tell me how you escaped tomorrow. Not for two more days. Goodnight,”

    “Goodnight.”

    I lie in my hammock hoping it will just rock me to sleep. There is never silence on this ship. The overnight sailors were working to increase the stability of the ship in the large waves that had formed ever since we had gotten on the ship. The General is probably trying to remind us that we all are still his quarry, even after his horrid death. Slowly sleep engulfs me.

    The sun was still only waking up when I got on deck. Many of the sailors were smiling at the fresh smell of sea foam. Waves are still going strong. The sailors that helped my escape from the island were up deck. Jorge was taking his place near the masts, Lee had fallen in line behind the quartermaster, and Filipe was sleeping below deck. They were all very human, though they could not be considered intellectual on a hunting standpoint as they were going to be tested by the General. I walk up to where the captain is.

    “Ah, Rainsford what can I do for you?”

    “Captain, I believe it is more what can I do for you? I figured you wanted to hear the rest of my story since you seemed so interested.”

    “You are very much so right, Rainsford. I was interested last night,” He appears to have the sense of interest take over again.

    “Does last night include today?” I question.

    “Yes, Rainsford it does,” He says.

    “After I had awakened in the Generals bed and had gotten new clothes from the Generals bureau. While I was looking inside I found a gold encrusted pistol in plain sight. I took the gun; it is in my pocket right now. I went down the huge regal stairs that lead to the main level then headed for the dining room. The many animal heads seemed to be less menacing. I began to wonder what they felt just before they were killed by the General. On one of the tables there was a piece of paper, there were a list of names on it only three were not crossed out. The writing was in English luckily. So I-,” The Captain interrupted me.

    “Whose names were they?”

    “The names of all the men that he had in his quarry, the ones that were killed had been crossed out, including mine. Three remained, Jorge, Lee, and Filipe.”

    “How did you find where they were?”

    “I am getting to that, Captain. There was a human skull over the top of the door. A pretty big clue to where he kept the sailors. Probably because he had to help the half-wit Ivan remember where the prisoners were. I made my way quickly towards the door. It was locked; the wood was old and gnarled. I knocked it down easily with the full force of my foot. Just as the General had drilled me about the electricity of the island I looked for a string to pull. I found it after grasping at the air for about three minutes. Lights turned on one by one, as I made my way down stairs squeaking all the way. By the time I got to the bottom I heard a protest. ‘Go away Ivan you fat Cossack!’ “

    “I am sorry to interrupt again, but electricity on that island? That seems a bit farfetched.”

    “I have told you of the electricity before. Why do you question me now?”

    “Well, I just never thought that you could get a whole house with electricity on an island what would provide that much energy?”

    “I was unable to figure out where the electricity came from I am sorry to say.” I am still deeply curious at that.

    “Continue with your story, Rainsford.”

    “As I looked around the basement I saw three men chained in a row. The General had claimed that he had at least a dozen, but he was just gloating. Their feet were chained to one of their arms, so that they had to hobble over to get anywhere. ‘Help us out fellow.’ One of the men said quietly. I noticed that there was a key on a high floating shelf. Impossible for someone who is hobbled to get. I easily reached the key. Going over to the prisoners I unlocked them one at a time. When the cuffs and chains were taken off it was evident that they had been in those for a long time. The skin had been worn down and had scared over and over. “

    “Rainsford, it seems we have been hitting tough waves. Though I would love to hear the rest of your story I need to get something’s done and you need to eat lunch. We will talk tomorrow. “The Captain said reluctantly.

    “Good morning, Captain,” I greet him saluting.

    “Good morning, Rainsford. I am ready to hear so more of the story,” He salutes back.

    “After I got the three men out of the basement we exchanged names. The small Asian was known as Lee. Jorge was a Caucasian he was silent with malnutrition. Filipe was a healthy looking African man; he was the voice that I had heard yelling at ‘Ivan.’ We located the kitchen, and raided the pantry. Once we were full we began talking about how we were going to get off the island. I told them about how the General promised to drop me off on at neighboring community. So we could assume that he has a boat somewhere on the island.”

    “Rainsford, you said that the General did not promise to drop you off at a neighboring community. Since you didn’t promise to stay quiet about what happened on the island,” informs the Captain

    “You are right, but that does not denounce the fact that he did not have a boat on the other side of the island.”

    “You have shown me again, Rainsford. Continue,” He sighs.

    “We decided to scour the softer beaches it took about five days on such a large island we broke into two groups. Lee and Jorge found the boat on the Western side of the island. It took about three days to catch up with them since we were going around the perimeter of the island. The boat was in good condition, but it was to be paddled. We had a hard time deciding if we wanted to set out that day or stay on the island. The group agreed we would be stalling if we did not leave that day. Since the other three were sailors they easily knew how to get the boat out to sea. The sea was as tranquil as it had been the night I had arrived. When you found us we had been in the sea for four days, without a drink of water, we were dying of thirst. I would like to thank you again for rescuing us.”

    “Rainsford we are coming into port conveniently,” informed the Captain.

    Time had passed so quickly I had hardly noticed we were about fifty feet from docking. I had been consumed in remembering my story. This story will always be part of my life, inerasable. It seemed only fitting that it should end once I get off the boat. To begin a new chapter in my life, where there is no hunting and fear. I got what little I had and began to leave the boat, when I heard the last thing the Captain had to ask.

    “Rainsford, do you consider yourself a murder?”

    “No.” I don’t look back.