The Proverbial War

"How is that even possible Colt?

He shook his head, "I have no idea. This place only gets stranger and stranger."

He looked down at me and before he even spoke I could see the worried tension that his face was rife with. He was going to apologize all over himself again and that wasn't right.

My fingers pressed against his mouth to halt the continued apology that I felt was forthcoming.

It was me that spoke first, "I'm sorry! I was digging too much into your past and while your words were hurtful I overreacted and I'm sorry that I ran away and even more that I slapped you! I forgive you for what you said that was hurtful. Will you forgive me for my part?"

He nodded looking relieved.

I was relieved to. This man had never stopped from being of help to me or saving my life since I'd been in this inner realm. I winced as I caught sight of his bitten fingers again.

"You can bite me back if you want." I offered.

His dark eyebrows rose and I began to quickly lament my offer. He wasn't actually going to bite me was he?

His eyes had a twinkle to them as he said, "Later."

My face was red hot and I glanced away to the tune of his deep chuckle.

He rose and took my hand and tugged me forward, "Come on I see something that might be of service to us."

He led me up to the jungle's edge, but then let go of my hand as he began to tug on something hidden in the tangled shrubbery. It was a boat!

The boat was a native dugout with a crudely fashioned outrigger. Colt seemed unusually excited over the discovery. I stared at the boat not understanding what could be of any significance about it.

Colt sighed and said, "Natives built this. There are no natives on this island. Everything about this place is hostile so somewhere out there are more islands. Islands with natives, who you look like ethnically. Who knows you may even have a few distantly related cousins living around here. We could use some help for sure and I think this is a good opportunity for us to find it."

I put my hand on my hip and cocked my head to the side and said, "Did it ever cross your mind that they might be cannibals?"

"You got a better idea honey?" Was his laconic response.

I didn't actually and so I remained silent.

"Can you still speak Polynesian?"

I nodded bitterly, "I'll never forget it."

Somewhat surprised I felt Colt's finger stroke across my cheek only to hear him say, "Sometime you're going to have to tell me what that look on your face is all about."