Free The Island by Michael Bray Page A

be plenty of those when you get onto The Island itself, but I want more. A good double cross, a tasty argument. Maybe a bit of sexual tension between contestants.” He looked at the two girls as he said it, raising one eyebrow for a split second. “Whatever you choose to do it up to you. Bonuses will be paid for those who are deemed to be making it more of a show.”
    “Isn’t death enough to keep people watching?” Chase had no idea he was even going to speak until the words had left his mouth. Even so, the question was a valid one.
    Lomar looked at him for a second, his grin faltering ever so slightly, and then he responded in the same conversational, jovial tone. “Of course, a person’s mortality isn’t something to be frowned at, and I mean no disrespect. But there is something to be said for the kind of dramas that only you, the season one contestants, can make. Be memorable, be controversial. Be ruthless. Remember, there can be only one winner. Your faces will be broadcast all over the world on live television. There are over three hundred thousand cameras rigged up through The Island to capture your every move. Each of you will be wearing cameras on your clothing too in order to capture everything that takes place. To capture the first glimpse of what lives behind those two hundred foot walls.”
    “And what does live there?”
    It was Alex who had spoken. His foot was still, but his eyes still darted. His t-shirt was ringed under the arms with sweat and he looked completely uncomfortable. Lomar was still smiling, but now it was the smile of a crocodile rather than a friend telling a humorous story.
    “I’m afraid to tell you that would spoil the very real reactions when you encounter what I have in store for you.” Not so much the words themselves, but the delivery of them had brought everyone’s mood down just a touch. The burgers still sizzled and smelled gorgeous, the pool still looked inviting and cool, but all any of them could think about was death. “Well,” Lomar said, sensing the mood drop. “I have to leave on business later today, however my staff have been instructed to give you anything you require until you leave for The Island. You will also be visited by our survival expert tomorrow who will show you a few basic survival tips. I believe one of you is former Special Forces, am I correct?”
    Ryder raised his hand Lomar nodded. “For you, I’m afraid it might be a boring exercise, but the rest of you ought to pay strict attention. In closing, I will wish you all good luck. Pasquale is preparing food out on the grill, and the pool is gloriously cool. Enjoy these days of freedom. Soon, you will enter The Island. Now go ahead and relax, you’ve earned it. Leave your bags; they will be taken to your rooms which you will be shown to later.”
    The crowd was about to disperse, and Chase was about to head outside when Lomar put a hand on his shoulder. “Would you come with me, Mr. Riley?”
    Chase’s heart vaulted into his throat. He could feel the eyes of the other contestants on him, willing something to be wrong, hoping for their odds to improve at his expense. Chase suspected what it was about. It had to be the cancer. They had made a mistake in clearing him and now were about to kick him off the show. He followed Lomar to a small room off the dining area. It looked like a study or office of sorts. Immense oak bookcases lined the wall, the room itself dominated by the biggest desk he had ever seen. “Please, take a seat,” Lomar said, motioning to the high backed chair. Chase sat, and Lomar walked around to the other side of the table, where he too sat. Folding his hands on the spotless table top, Chase tried his best not to appear nervous, but there was no way to deny that Lomar was an intimidating presence. Chase sat in the silence, listening to the monotonous tick of the clock as the seconds were eaten away.
    “I understand you’re not in the best of health.”
    With those words,