Survival

Chapter 1~ Survival
 
The waves crashed against the ocean’s shore while the moon cascaded along the beach, creating a breathtaking vision.  Exhausted, Mei stood by her husband with their sleeping son in her arms.  It was after midnight and the seventy-two hours of traveling had left them all drained.  

They had flown on a private jet to a small island off the coast of South Africa.  From there, they’d boarded a luxury cruise ship for a full day and a half of smooth seas.  In the middle of the night, they’d been awakened by security guards and led to a helicopter which had brought them to this deserted shore on this faraway, private island.

Now, as they stood on the sand and waited for an instructor to walk them to a dorm for the night, Max looked at the gentle waves, his mind miles away.  

“Stop frowning, Max,” Mei said, nudging him with her elbow.  “We belong here.”

This was the last place he wanted to be, but for the past year Mei had insisted on attending this faraway college.  Max felt certain his father had persuaded her to make this decision.  He’d always wanted them to go to this college.

“Do you know what coming here means?” she asked.

He knew the speech by heart:  King Solomon University, an elite private college, had been founded in 1952 by Max’s grandfather, Maximilian Martinez Jr. and had remained hidden from the public for over fifty-eight years.  While the Martinez family would always be the founders and respected as the leaders of the organization, Maximilian had created a college school board consisting of nine dedicated families.  His own as well as the families of Koroma, Pennington, Jameson, Sizemoore, Ortiz, Witfields, Eagelfeather and Hamptons.  Each family had at least one member who attended all meetings.

“The university was designed for people who wish to learn the art of spiritual warfare and study the wisdom of King Solomon,” Mei went on, continuing his line of thought.  “The wisest man to have ever lived.”  

Max knew the college offered all the same classes as any topnotch college, only with a location that was difficult to reach.  The only way board members could ensure the school remained secret was to make it so difficult to find.  They’d also paid large amounts of money to maintain the college’s privacy.
The island had nine private vacation homes, one for each of the board members’ families.  Situated in the middle of the island, the college had numerous large buildings and all the amenities students could need.  
“I know you have some reservations, but I’m happy you finally gave in,” Mei said.
Max offered her a dry smile.  She always knew just how to make him say yes and it drove him crazy.
"Let me take him. You look tired," Max said walking towards his wife and picking up his sleeping son.
"Okay." Mei looked past the shore and through the forest to see lights far off in the distance.  "Should we walk over there or should we wait?"
An image of the security guard yelling at them moments earlier to stay put on the island replayed in Max's mind. "No, lets just stay here."
"What if nobody shows? How do they know we’re here?" Mei asked as she pulled her backpack off her shoulders, letting it hit the sand with a muffled thud.
"Yeah, well, you’re the one who wanted to be here, Mei. Welcome," Max said sarcastically.
"You’re still mad?" Mei snapped, whipping her head around to face him.
Max instantly regretted his comment. In no mood to argue, he rolled his eyes and sighed. "All I’m saying is that this is what I was trying to tell you. This is not your regular college. I love my grandfather, but the man was crazy. This school will challenge you on every level."
"Don't you think that’s important?" Mei retorted.
"Babe, please not now, not here."
"If not now, then when? Makayla said you should never go to bed angry."
"Look around you, babe. Do you see a bed?" Max growled.
"Oh, we're doing this?" Mei said, nodded.
Max knew exactly what she meant. He laughed remembering the quiet Mei of a year ago. Now he had created a monster. "Come here. I don't want to fight, but yes, I'm mad about being here," he admitted.
Mei stood her ground, visibly still upset by his comment. "Shouldn't someone be here by now?"
She’d changed the subject and turned away from him.  Max got the message and dropped the matter. "Dad told me they might do this." Max pulled the baby bag off of his shoulders dropped it on the sand. "Let’s make a bed for our little angel and gather some wood to make a fire."
"What? Why? I thought someone would be coming." Mei responded.
"Okay, welcome to crazy land. This, my dear, is your first class. Survival 101 or one on one depending how the night goes," Max teased.
Mei bit down on a laugh, but couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her lips. "Max, they just said..."
"I was standing right next to you. Dad said they might do this...leave us stranded for a night, just to see how we handle the situation."
Mei frowned and her lips tugged into a worried line as she looked at their son sleeping in his father’s arms. She felt bad for forcing Max to come here. Although she had been warned by every one of the hardships they’d face on the island. Max and Mei had
also been told that if they could survive the next four years here, nothing would be impossible for them.
That's what had inspired her to attend this college. She understood what they were up against spiritually and wanted to make sure they would be able to handle anything that came their way.
“Hey, together we can do what?" Max said attempting to rally her up.
"Anything," Mei mumbled looking around nervously.

"Sit down, babe, and hold Uriel. I'll go get a fire started," Max instructed.
Mei sat on the sand while Max laid Uriel in her arms. "Max, I'm sorry," she whispered.
Max looked into her eyes, lifted her chin and kissed her lips. "I love you. I know why you wanted to be here. I just can't help but want to protect you from the world."
"Sweetie, you can't."
"I know, but I will die trying." Max stood and walked off into the darkness.
"So stubborn," Mei spoke under her breath as she brushed a curl away from Uriel's face. She leaned over to kiss her son’s forehead and nuzzle her nose against his cheek.
Thirty minutes later Max returned with dry old wood and palm fronds. He dropped everything and headed back into the woods to retrieve more. After a few armloads of firewood, Max finally made his last trip into the forest, returning with two long logs to build a temporary hut to shield them from the elements. He started a fire while Mei tended to a now awake Uriel who was cranky from the long trip.  Max worked quickly to build a temporary shelter. They used Uriel's baby blankets and a variety of clothes to make a comfortable bed for the three of them.
Max watched his wife as she put their son to sleep. He enjoyed seeing the gentle motherly affection she showered on the boy.  It was soothing, leaving him to sometimes wonder who was really being put to sleep.
Drenched in sweat from working so feverishly, Max took off his shirt.  “I’m going to go rinse off.”   He walked towards the ocean and dove in.  After a quick dip in the cool salt water Max returned to find Mei and the baby missing. Maybe she needed to relieve herself, Max thought. He fought the urge to go looking for her. He knew he tended to be overprotective and didn't want to drive her away. He’d promised himself he would back off.
He sat in the sand trying to change his focus when he heard Mei scream. His heart pounding, he bolted up and ran in the direction of her scream. Tearing through the foliage as he entered the forest he yelled her name until she answered back.
"Max, don't come any farther!" Mei screamed. She stood motionless on the edge of a saltwater marsh, her son gripped tightly in her arms.
"What's going on?" Max questioned nervously.
Mei didn't want to answer him. She didn't want to tell him she’d just been bitten by a snake and she was sure an alligator had his eyes on her. "Um… just trust me, Max."
"That in no way answered my question," Max growled with impatience.
As Mei began to nervously take a step backwards, the alligator quickly crawled onto the bank and came into Max's view.
He panicked and swiftly made his way behind the alligator, jumping on its back and closing its open jaw. "Mei run!" he yelled.
"Max, no!" Mei screamed.
"Don't argue with me. Go back to the camp!" Max yelled as he struggled with the alligator.
Mei held onto Uriel tightly as she took off for the beach.  Tears blinded her as she ran into the clearing. In all the excitement Uriel began to cry and she could not console him. Mei fell to her knees and began to pray.

***

Makayla lay awake staring at the alarm clock. She always got nervous before a big photo shoot, making sleep almost impossible.
Tamarius lay beside her. They had been seeing each other for the past year and he still dumbfounded her with his untainted love and support. Although she held back, reluctant to let her heart fall completely in love with him, she knew she was only kidding herself. She would marry him in a heartbeat if he proposed. In her heart she was certain he was the one for her.

"Can't sleep?" Tamarius mumbled.  He turned over and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"You know me."
"Don't be, you’ll do great tomorrow," he said.
"Do you think you can handle it?" Makayla smiled. Tomorrow she would be posing with a few handsome young Hawaiian male models.
"Don't worry about me. Just focus on the shoot." He didn't want to think about other men touching her. He also knew she wouldn’t be able to focus if she was too concerned about his feelings.
"Okay," Makayla whispered.
"Now go to sleep before I make you." Tamarius smiled.
"Make me?" Makayla laughed.
Tamarius bit her neck softly as she released soft moans. Tamarius' eyes were wide open now as he pulled down the silk strap of her night gown. Sliding it down he kissed her in the places that made her scream then made love to her. They lay together, breathless, before slowly drifting off to sleep.
It was 5:15 in the morning when the alarm woke them from a peaceful sleep. Tamarius hurried out of bed and headed for the bathroom to turn the shower on for Makayla who ran around the room searching for an outfit to wear.
"Kay, just jump in the shower and relax. You’re not going to be late," Tamarius said.
"You’re right. We can't be late. It's only five minutes away." Makayla conceded as she stripped off her robe and stepped into the shower.
Tamarius chuckled to himself as he brushed his teeth.
"Are you coming in?" Makayla asked.

"Thought you'd never ask." Tamarius rinsed out his mouth and slipped off his boxers. He stepped into the shower and yelled. "Is it hot enough for you?"
Makayla laughed and turned down the hot water. "I like it hot."
"I got something hot I'm sure you’re gonna love."
"No, we’ll be late. What time is it?”  She reached out to glance at her watch on the counter.  ”Crap, I'm going to get dress." She jumped out of the shower leaving Tamarius speechless.
They made it to the photo shoot on time. Makayla gave Tamarius a quick kiss before running off to her trailer.
"Would you like some coffee, Mr. Martinez?" A young female voice purred.
He turned to see who was speaking. A young girl offered him a flirtatious grin as she held a tray of coffee to him. Being cordial he accepted a Styrofoam cup filled with dark Hawaiian coffee with a smile. "Mmm, the good stuff."
"Enjoy." She blushed and walked away.
Makayla sat in a chair getting her makeup put on by Gina, her makeup artist. A wave of nausea crept over her. She pulled out her cell phone and texted Tamarius, asking him to come to her trailer.
Less than five minutes later he was there.
"Still nervous?" he asked.
"I feel nauseous."     
"Do you need to throw up?" Gina asked.
"I don't know.  I just feel a little off."
"We didn't eat breakfast. Let me get you something to eat." Before she could argue, he ran out of the trailer.

Makayla got worse and by the time Tamarius returned she was in the bathroom vomiting. He was concerned about her and the photo shoot that was about to start.  She looked a mess and he wondered how she was going to pull off looking fabulous in barely five minutes. He placed her breakfast on a small table and walked over to the trailer's bathroom. Gina was there holding Makayla’s hair back as she knelt before the toilet.
"I got her," Tamarius told the makeup artist as she helped Makayla to her feet.
Makayla leaned over the bathroom sink trying to catch her breath. She turned on the faucet to rinse out her mouth and brush her teeth.  Gina made her way out of the restroom and pulled Tamarius aside.
"Is she pregnant?" she asked.
Tamarius was baffled by her boldness. "No, no that’s... no."
"Mmm, well I’m going to tell them she needs a little time." Gina stepped out of the trailer just as Makayla walked out of the bathroom.

"Hey, sweetie," Makayla greeted.
"Hey, do you feel better?" Tamarius asked.  His tone was distant and didn’t quite convey the concern he felt. He was consumed with his own thoughts, questioning the possibility of Makayla being pregnant.
"Yeah, what's wrong? You look as if someone just told you about a death." Makayla walked over to the table where the container with her breakfast sat.
Tamarius was speechless a moment as he turned to face Makayla. He weighed his words and finally spilled the question.  "Did you take your pill?"
"Birth control? Don't worry.  I’m not pregnant." Makayla opened the Styrofoam box letting the aroma of spicy Portuguese sausage, eggs and white rice fill the air. "This looks good," she mumbled.

"Did you take it this morning?" Tamarius asked nervously.
"Of course, Tamarius, stop it. I'm not pregnant. Don't worry. I won’t ruin your life by becoming pregnant," she snapped, suddenly annoyed by his questions. She quickly shoved a fork full of food into her mouth to shut herself up. She could see Tamarius was upset by what she had said.
He paced the trailer. He had a bad temper and had learned to control it over the years through prayer and meditation. Though Tamarius relaxed and decided to let it go for now, he didn't want to let her think he wouldn't want to have children with her some day.
"Makayla," he began.
"It's okay. I understand.”
"Kay..."
"Please, I need to focus. There’s nothing to talk about anyway." She set her fork down and walked back into the bathroom to wash up.  When she returned to the room, she walked past Tamarius trying to ignore his presence. He gently grabbed her wrist, making her stop.
"Makayla, please hear me out," he pleaded.
"I can't right now." She replied, fighting back her tears. Makayla convinced herself he wouldn't say the things she needed to hear. She pulled her hand away and left the trailer.
With a disgruntled shrug, Tamarius sat on the couch trying to figure out what had just happened.
"Relationships are never easy."
Tamarius heard the voice of his spirit guide, Mathius, say.
"Eery time I think she's put her wall down..."
"Makayla has been through a lot from a very young age. Men have disappointed her for years. The last one did a real number on her heart. She loves you, however that doesn't mean she isn't going to be scared," Mathius went on.
 
"I'm not going to hurt her. She should know that... she's psychic."
"Yes, but emotions can make visions cloudy. You know this."
"She's the one for me."
"Yes, she is. Finally you have found the one you’re meant to be with."
"Mathius, I want to pop the question."
"Pull out your cell phone and act like you’re on it. Someone is coming," Mathius stated with calm efficiency.
Accustomed to the routine, Tamarius pulled out his cell phone and began talking into it as Gina entered the trailer to get her makeup boxes. She smiled at him moving quickly so as not to disturb his conversation.
"It is good that you want to marry her, but just remember she may hesitate. Watch your temper and continue to pray and meditate. Tamarius, remember relationships have their ups and downs."
Mathius' voiced played through the phone.
"All right. Thank you." Tamarius slipped his phone back into his pocket and headed out to find Makayla. He loved watching her model.
He found her surrounded by a group of male hula dancers. She looked beautiful.  No one would think she’d been sick just moments ago. He smiled at her as she caught sight of him.
Makayla blushed and the photographer went wild.
"That’s it! That’s the look. Over here, Makayla!" He shouted with excitement.
Makayla shifted her focus as she posed with the dancers.
Tamarius felt a bit of tension rise through his shoulders as he watched the woman he loved take on a romantic pose with a fire dancer. After a few moments he left. He had to take a walk and take some time to think. Hopping into the limo he decided to go out to a local jewellery store. He was finally ready to ask Makayla the big question. He prayed she was ready to accept his proposal.

***

Maxwell looked across the dinner table at his date. One of his friends mistakenly thought he knew his taste in women and had convinced him to go on this blind date. Maxwell had been disappointed the moment he’d been approached by a very stocky woman who looked to be in her fifties. He grunted and plotted how he was going to murder his friend and make it look like an accident. He smiled at his date as she rambled on about her day. Occasionally he would catch himself looking at his watch or checking his cell phone for messages from Max or Tamarius.
His date, Marge Witfield, was the daughter of one of the board members. Maxwell had hoped to meet her younger sister. Closer to his age she had seemed to have many of the same interests as him. Being a gentleman, Maxwell decided to see the date through. Marge was not who he had expected, but she was a person with feelings and he had to respect that.
"So how many children do you have?" Marge asked, smiling coyly at Maxwell.
"Ah tw...well one. My son recently got married to a wonderful girl and I accept her as my daughter," Maxwell explained.
"Oh, that’s really nice. I have three sons and two daughters. Justin, Jacob and Job...those are my sons. And, my daughters are Evelyn and Sarah."
"Very nice."
"Yes, they are all practically grown now. I wish your son was single.  I'm sure he would have liked to meet them." Marge giggled.
Maxwell raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Yeah, you never know," he said, not really knowing what more to say.

"And, how's your brother?"
"Tamarius? He’s out traveling with his girlfriend." Maxwell looked around for the waiter. He needed a refill on his drink.
"Your brother is a great guy.  He was single for so long I was beginning to wonder about him."
"Wonder about him, how?" Maxwell felt defensive over his little brother.
"Well, you know what happened back in college.  He never dated any girl after..."
"Did you think my brother was gay?" Maxwell asked twisting his face.
"Ah, well, no, but it's his choice. I just..."
"He is not."
"Well, I know...now."
"Gay? Just because a guy doesn't have women hanging all over him twenty-four seven,"
Maxwell grumbled to himself.
"Did he ever get over that Natasha chick?"
"Natasha? Oh, yeah a long time ago.  I haven't thought about her in a long time." He thought back to his college years.
"Her family..."
"I know."
"Well, on a better note, you’re single... I’m single. The night is still young," Marge blushed as thoughts of Maxwell’s angelic frame caressing her brought chills to her body.
"Waiter!" Maxwell yelled, stopping the waiter as he passed by.
"Yes, sir?"

"Another cranberry," Maxwell replied. He had been alcohol free since June of two thousand and nine and, was focused on keeping it that way.
"You don't drink?" Marge asked.
"No...I quit."
"Oh, so sad. I was hoping we could maybe go to a bar later."
Aside from having been a neglectful father for so long and having finally gotten on the right track, Maxwell now had another reason to be glad he’d stopped drinking. "I'm sorry, but I'm much happier now."
"Yes, well that’s important." Her grin didn’t quite hide her disappointed in  his commitment to stay sober.
Maxwell smirked. The woman was making him feel like a pre-rape victim. She sat across the table smiling, licking her lips and puckering as she attempted a seduction.  If his brother had been here to witness this farce, he’d have had a field day.
Maxwell looked down at his watch again. He couldn't take it any more. He had to get out of there. The gears in his head worked overtime as he searched for an excuse to leave.  Just as one happily came to his mind, Marge began to speak again.
"So... your place or mine?" Marge pushed her chest towards him as she wink and smiled coyly.
"Check please!" Maxwell yelled, raising his hand.  It was time to go.
The waiter hurried over and Maxwell shoved a few hundreds in his hand as he stood from the table. "That should cover it.  Keep the rest." He then turned to Marge. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay longer .I have many meetings in the morning. You do understand?"
Marge’s lips moved as her eyes registered disappointment.  “But… we’ve just… can’t you stay a little…”

He took off before she could form a complete sentence. Poor woman, he thought with a disenchanted shrug.  The girl was all hot and bothered with nowhere to go.
"Those Martinez men," she grumbled.