Lost Paradise (The Savages of the Blue Lagoon)

35. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

After clearing up dinner, we gather once more around the crackling fire, its warmth embracing us in the cool evening air that suddenly hits the island—a welcome change from the humid nights we’ve been having.

As predicted, Astro appeared just as we started the grill, bringing with him a massive fish, which he already gutted and cleaned. I think it was his peace offering as he handed it directly to me without words.

Right now, the tension from earlier hangs between us, but no one mentions Astro’s previous outburst. Instead, there’s a silent agreement to find solace in the simplicity of this moment. Around us, the jungle murmurs with its nighttime chorus of insects and distant calls of nocturnal creatures.

Jack and Astro sit together, surrounded by the flickering glow of our small fire. The rest of us quietly observe as Jack, with a steady hand and a look of deep concentration, prepares his makeshift tattooing tools—a sharpened bone and a mixture of crushed berries and charcoal.

“Where did you find that bone? There aren’t any mammals on the island.” Byron asks.

But I have a feeling I know where my dark lover chipped it from, and the shady smirk he gives confirms it.

“No, you did not!” Zane exclaims, realizing it too.

“Where?” Foster asks, and it’s probably best that our Alpha never finds out what these two have been tampering with.

"You ready for this, Astro?" Jack asks, his voice low but confident. He isn’t going to tell Foster and I think it’s best.

Astro nods, his expression a mix of anticipation and determination. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Jack begins by marking the outline of the design on Astro's forearm—a swirling pattern that represents their bond and the journey they had shared. He works meticulously, the bone making precise incisions in Astro's skin. Astro winces occasionally, but his gaze remains fixed on Jack's movements, trusting in his skill and the symbolism of the tattoo.

As Jack finishes the outline, he mixes the crushed berries with black soot to create a deep, dark ink. Carefully, he fills in the lines. The scent of berries combined with the faint smoke of the fire infuses the air around us.

"There," Jack says finally, wiping away excess ink with a damp cloth we brought back from our trip. "All done."

Astro examines the tattoo with awe, running his fingers lightly over the fresh design. "It's perfect, Jack. Thank you."

Jack smiles warmly, his eyes reflecting satisfaction. "Now, it's your turn."

Astro nods and takes a deep breath. He retrieves a small tube made from hollowed-out bamboo, filled with squid ink—a deep, rich black that shimmers in the firelight. He picks up a sharpened bamboo stick to use as his tool, its tip carved into a fine point.

With practiced hands, Astro begins to sketch a design on Jack's upper arm. He says it’s a tribal symbol of guidance and wisdom, one he had designed for himself and had it tattooed on his ribs a while back.

I watch on with interest as the squid ink flows smoothly from the bamboo stick, creating intricate lines and patterns. Jack sits quietly, feeling the coolness of the ink against his skin and the gentle pressure of Astro's touch.

As Astro works, the fire crackles softly, casting dancing shadows around them. The process is slow, but Astro works with precision and care, ensuring the design is clear and meaningful.

"There," he says finally, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "It's done."

Jack studies the tattoo, his expression thoughtful. The squid ink has dried to a deep, glossy sheen, contrasting starkly against his skin. "It's perfect, Astro," he says softly, meeting his gaze with gratitude.

We all sit together in silence for a moment. The guys admire their new ink in the glowing firelight, the weight of their latest tattoos marking not just their skin but a deeper connection between them—a bond forged through shared experiences and mutual respect. Outside our camp, the jungle continues its nocturnal symphony, unaware of the quiet moment of friendship unfolding within our area.

Astro breaks the quietness of our group with a suggestion. "Maybe we should share our special talents," he says, his voice softer than usual.

Obviously, tattooing is his and Jack's. It’s something I find pretty cool, but I keep my thoughts to myself as I don’t need to pump Astro's already naturally inflated ego.

“What do you mean?” Zane asks curiously. “Like party tricks and stuff?”

“Yeah,” Astro offers.

There's a hesitant pause as we exchange glances, unsure of where this will lead. Feeling a need to lighten the mood, I take a deep breath and decide to go first.

"Well," I begin, my voice uncertain at first. "I can do this thing…” my voice trails off, a little unsure.

“Come on, Princess, you can’t tease us like that. Show us,” Astro urges, and I look at the others who are silently waiting to see my trick.

I smile nervously. “You promise not to laugh.”

Each one says they won’t, and when my eyes land on Astro, I need his confirmation.

Especially him.

“I promise not to laugh, Princess.”

“Okay,” I say as I reach for a smooth rock near the fire and dip it into the soot that’s collected on the stones. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.” I shake my head in disbelief.

Everyone remains quiet and watches with curiosity.

“Normally, lipstick would be the thing to use, but resources are limited, so I’m using a makeshift alternative.” I position the rock between my breasts, making sure my bra holds both girls in place.

I can feel everyone’s eyes burning into me as I lower my head to my chest. The fire crackles softly, and a gentle breeze rustles through the palm leaves, causing them to flap against each other, yet no one speaks a word.

Pressing my lips against the makeshift lipstick, I draw a bold line with surprising precision. The soot stands out against my skin, creating an impromptu face paint. I lift my head up, my cheeks burning, hoping I haven’t made a fool of myself.

Everyone smiles and claps .

"That's actually pretty cool," Foster admits, and I feel a rush of relief.

“That’s great,” claps Zane with a bright smile.

“Alright!” Byron roars.

“I love red lipstick, but black is always my first choice!” Jack chimes in.

They all clap happily.

All except Astro.

His clapping is slow and deliberate, his hands meeting with exaggerated force. The sound is sharp and mocking, each clap spaced out as if he’s measuring the impact of his derision. His expression is one of amused disdain, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he continues his sarcastic applause.

"Bravo," he says, his voice dripping with irony. The sarcasm in his tone hangs in the air, a stark contrast to the genuine warmth of the moment. “Where did you learn to do that?”

I meet his gaze, trying to decipher the mix of emotions in his eyes. There’s something deeper there, beneath the mockery.

“Riding camp eighth grade,” I reply honestly.

“That was great, Eve,” Foster suddenly interrupts, his voice cutting through the rising tension between Astro and me. He throws a heavy glare at Astro, silently warning him to leave whatever crap he’s planning alone.

I nervously wipe the soot from my lips with the back of my hand. The rest of the group shifts uncomfortably, the brief silence threatening to bring back the earlier unease. But I force a smile and nod at Astro, determined not to let his attitude ruin the fragile peace we’ve found.

“My perception of you is completely shattered,” Astro sneers, his mouth twisting into a sardonic smile, eyes narrowing as he watches me. The malice in his gaze sends a shiver down my spine.

“You’re a twat,” Byron snaps, his voice sharp. “Lay off her.”

Astro’s expression remains chillingly calm. “I’m not the one mounting her at every given minute,” he says, his tone dead and uncomfortably even.

Zane moves his body forward, his eyes flashing with anger. “You promised you wouldn’t laugh at her, dickhead.”

Astro slowly turns his head towards Zane, disdain etched into his snarl. “ Am I laughing?”

“You’re a fucking prick,” Zane scowls, his fists clenching at his sides.

The air sizzles with tension, the firelight casting harsh shadows on Astro’s face, highlighting the contempt in his features. My heart races, but I take a deep breath, trying to hold my anger at bay.

“What the fuck do you care what I think, anyway?” Astro glares at Zane with pure bitter hate that scares me to the core. His eyes burn with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.

“I’m just some flippin’ criminal to you. Right?” he sneers, his voice dripping with venom. “I could disappear into the ocean, and it wouldn’t make any difference to you.” He turns his glare on all of us, his eyes cold and accusing. “To any of you.”

We remain silent, shocked into stillness by the raw emotion in his words. His bitterness feels like a physical force pressing down on us, making the air heavy.

“I may as well not even exist,” he mutters, his voice cracking slightly, revealing a glimpse of the pain behind his anger.

Something stirs inside me with that statement, a mix of empathy and sorrow. Despite his harshness, I can see the loneliness and despair lurking beneath his tough exterior.

“That’s not true,” I tell him softly, my voice trembling slightly but resolute.

He sharpens his focus on me, his eyes narrowing, searching my face for any hint of insincerity. The intensity of his gaze makes my heart pound, but I hold my ground, willing him to see the truth in my words.

“You don’t like me anyway. We shared a moment a lifetime ago. But you found four other dicks to keep your cunt filled,” Astro snarls.

The group shifts uncomfortably around me. One growls low in his throat; another raises his lips in a snarl.

“Mate, watch your words,” another warns his voice a dangerous growl.

My eyes sting with tears, Astro’s cruel words cutting deep. “I have emotions too, and it hurts just as deeply when someone disregards them,” I say, my voice trembling but determined.

Astro rolls his eyes at me, his expression filled with disdain. “God, you’re so pathetic,” he snaps, narrowing his brows at me. “Don’t you ever, ever compare yourself to me!” he spits angrily. “Manhattan’s probably already shut down with you missing. Evelyn-fucking-Winters is gone! ”

His words hit me like a slap, the tears welling up and threatening to spill. The others are tense, their anger simmering just beneath the surface. The fire crackles loudly in the silence that follows, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling around us.

But my eyes sting with tears.

Just when I think he’s done, Astro opens his arrogant mouth again. “I like your diamonds, Eve,” he says, referring to the studs in my ears. “Real diamonds for America’s princess!”

“Shut up,” I say quietly, biting my lip to prevent my tears from escaping.

“Did you work for them? You know, do something other than sit on your pouf and look pretty?” he snides, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Shut your mouth!” I snap, my voice rising with anger and pain.

“Astro, seriously, shut the fuck up,” one of the guys growls, stepping forward protectively.

Astro’s eyes flash with a mix of defiance and bitterness.

“Or did your daddy buy these for you? Buy your affections because that’s the only way anyone can get into your stone-cold, stuck-up, posh heart,” Astro taunts, his voice dripping with venom.

Before I can respond, Zane shoots up and storms over to Astro, his face contorted with rage. Without a second thought, he swings a fist into Astro’s face. The impact is solid, and Astro’s head snaps to the side, but he barely flinches before standing up and swinging back with his own punch, landing it squarely on Zane’s jaw.

Foster and Jack jump up and rush to them.

Foster swiftly grabs Zane, pulling him back before the situation escalates. "We don't need a brawl," he asserts firmly, keeping a solid grip on Zane.

Jack steps in between them, his glare fixed silently on Astro. Despite their friendship, Jack is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure his friend remains restrained.

Zane glares at Astro, his chest heaving with anger. “He needs to learn when to shut his mouth,” Zane growls, wiping a bit of blood from his lip.

Astro, rubbing his own jaw, looks at me with a mixture of defiance and something else I can’t quite read. “Touching to see how they all rush to protect you, Princess,” he sneers, but there’s a crack in his voice that betrays a hint of vulnerability.

I take a step forward, my voice trembling but strong. “This isn’t about protecting me, Astro. It’s about us surviving together. We can’t afford to tear each other apart.”

The firelight flickers over our faces, casting long shadows and highlighting the tension in the air. For a moment, no one speaks. The jungle around us feels eerily silent as if holding its breath.

I watch the guys back away from Astro and sit back down, but their bodies remain rigid and on edge.

“I bet if it weren’t for your current circumstances, you would never have breathed a single breath on any of these geezers,” Astro continues, his voice taunting and relentless. “Maybe jock-boy here, but you would’ve teased him to trail you like a lost puppy. He’s way beneath the type of fucks you’re used to. You fuck them here, but I put my money on the fact that once we’re rescued, you’ll never bat an eyelid at any of them again.”

“Shut up!” I scream, my voice cracking with the force of my anger and pain.

All four men stand up, their faces dark with fury. This time, they’re ready to kill Astro to silence him.

Foster steps forward, his fists clenched, his eyes blazing. “That’s enough, Astro. You’ve crossed the line.”

Zane, still nursing his jaw, glares daggers at Astro. “Say one more word, and you’ll regret it.”

Byron and Jack close in, their bodies tense, ready to pounce. The atmosphere is electric with the potential for violence, the firelight continues with its flickering shadows that seem to dance with the tension in the air.

Astro’s eyes dart between them, his bravado faltering slightly. He takes a step back, but his mouth is still set in a stubborn line.

“You want to know what my old man bought me?” Astro barks, his voice raw with pain and bitterness. “Definitely not diamonds. A couple of eye shiners on my thirteenth birthday from his hired men. His own personal touch was the thick scar behind my neck. He carved it and called it art. It was to toughen up the weak English gene I inherited from my freshly dead mother he had murdered only weeks before. She used to be an artist who loved lino printing as a hobby. He used one of her chisels to carve a chunk out of my neck.”

A cold shiver runs down my spine, the weight of Astro’s words hanging heavy in the air. The guys freeze in place, their anger momentarily replaced by shock .

Astro gets up and looks at Foster, his eyes blazing with defiance. “Don’t worry, boss. I’ll take my time out by the beach,” he says mockingly. “I can’t wait to get off this fucking island and never see the likes of you privileged brats again.”

He storms off through the darkness, his figure quickly swallowed by the night, leaving a heavy silence within the camp. The only sound is the distant crash of waves against the shore.

We all stand there, stunned, the weight of his revelation settling over us like a dark cloud. I wipe away a tear, feeling a mix of anger, sorrow, and something else—empathy, perhaps, for the pain he carries.

Foster sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve all got our demons,” he murmurs, more to himself than anyone else.

Zane steps closer to me, his face softening with concern. “You okay?”

I nod, though my heart aches.

I wait a moment, gather my resolve, and wipe my tears. Despite the others telling me not to go after Astro, the need persists. There’s a desperate tug at my heart that I can’t ignore. Disregarding their protests, I slip away and head off in the same direction I saw Astro go.

I walk the familiar path we use every day to the shore. It doesn’t matter that it’s pitch black; the sound of the waves crashing against the shore guides me. As I reach the clearing, the moon breaks through the clouds, casting a silver glow over the beach. There, I see Astro sitting on the sand by the water’s edge, his silhouette outlined against the shimmering sea, tossing sea shells into the dark, restless waves.

For a moment, I hesitate, unsure how to approach him. He seems lost in his own world, the weight of his pain intense even from a distance. Taking a deep breath, I step closer, my footsteps muffled by the soft sand.

“Astro,” I call out.