Free Hurricane Season by Patient Lee Page A

I've been looking forward to this for a long time."
     
    That was the first time I thought that this trip was not a good idea. I took a deep breath and said, "What do you mean? I just got the message two weeks ago."
     
    She said, "Oh, I didn't know it would be you who would respond to our message, but I knew someone would."
     
    "I thought this was a prize that I won," I said in a quiet voice.
     
    "Of course it's a prize," she laughed, "You're going to have a great time. We'll be there in about an hour and a half."
     
    I sat quietly for the rest of the ride, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    When we arrived at the dock, the woman led me by the elbow to a small yacht, while the man carried my luggage. I asked where we were going, but the only response I got was, "A small, private island, just like it said in the brochure. Relax. You're really going to love it."
     
    I had to admit that it was beautiful. They took me around several small islands in the Keys. The blue-green water was inviting, and I could see pelicans and other beach birds flying overhead.
     
    We docked on a small island with only one building. It looked like a beautiful home from the outside. We walked across a small beach, and the woman explained, "We get the sand from the Bahamas. Every time we get a hurricane through here, we have to rebuild it. It's a pain, but what good is a tropical island without a sandy beach?" 
     
    As soon as she opened the door, I smelled something wonderful, citrusy and spicy all at the same time. My stomach growled as a female voice called from the kitchen, "You're just in time. Is she here?"
     
    As we entered the kitchen, the blonde woman said, "Yes she is." I started to panic, but she firmly gripped my upper arm.
     
    The dark-haired woman in the kitchen said, "Good. I made Jamaican jerk chicken." She served each of us as we settled at the table.
     
    Finally, the blonde woman made the introductions. "My name is Carla. This is my husband, Martín. The fabulous cook is my friend Heather," she explained. 
     
    I tried to smile, but instead I just blurted out, "Why am I here?"
     
    Carla looked at Martín and Heather, and then said, "We thought you could use a vacation."
     
    "But you don't even know me," I exclaimed, practically choking on the delicious lunch Heather had served.
     
    "You were the first to reply to our offer," she said.
     
    "You didn't make it seem like an offer. It sounded like an actual prize," I said.
     
    Carla looked me in the eye, and said, "It is a prize. You're getting a weekend on a private island for free. You can swim, fish, ride on the boat, sunbathe, whatever you want. Just have fun and relax."
     
    "What's the catch?" I was skeptical.
     
    She smiled and ran her finger across the neckline of my top. "You have to play with us. We've been looking for someone like you. "
     
    I was frozen with fear. I couldn't even move to get her fingers off my chest. As she unbuttoned my top button, she said, "Sweetie. Don't be afraid. You'll have fun too."
     
    "What do you mean, 'play with you?'"
     
    Carla continued to unbutton my shirt. She said, "It was all explained in the information packet. You had forty-eight hours to return the plane ticket if you didn't want to participate."
     
    "Yes, but I thought my obligation would be listening to a sales pitch for a time-share, not to be gang-raped."
     
    Heather answered this time, "No, no, no. No rape here. If you choose not to participate, you can go home. You will have to pay us $2,500, but you can leave any time you like. Believe me when I say that we will collect it though. Stay. Play. You'll have fun."
     
    I took a long drink from the goblet in front of me, thinking it was water. It was white wine. I gulped it, hoping it would keep me from freaking out.
     
    Heather refilled my glass as Carla unbuttoned the last button on my shirt. "See," she said, "Everything is okay. Just relax. Come on out to the veranda. The