PRESENT DAY

“Hello, gentlemen! Welcome to Seluna Island! My name is Abryann, and I’ll be your tour guide for today. This island has so much beauty to show, and I’m really looking forward to showing you around. Let’s begin our journey, shall we?”

Jamal Pierce and Jordan Pacer grinned at each other and nodded enthusiastically. As two black twenty-something-year-olds on vacation, they were delighted to find themselves on this island. So much had been proclaimed about its beautiful beaches, remarkable flora and delightful and beautiful inhabitants, and on their second day there, they could both agree that the praises of this island were well-deserved.

Especially about the inhabitants’ beauty. And particularly the women.

Like this tour guide.

This Abryann lady was quite a sight to behold. A typical black beauty in her thirties with an eye-catching buxom shape well complemented by her orange sundress. That was what had the young men so giddy. Anyone who knew them knew how they loved girls, although Jamal was the bigger womanizer of the two. And this woman was a treat to the eyes.

As Abryann started walking towards the lush greenery of Seluna Island, Jordan couldn’t help but lean closer to Jamal, whispering with a mix of excitement and nervousness, “Man, she’s something else, isn’t she?”

“Uh-huh. Just look at her. Tour guide goals, am I right?” Jamal’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he gave Jordan a nudge.

“Spot on!” Jordan agreed. “Real tour guide goals. Man, I think I’m falling already. Look at all that.”

“And you say I’m the thirstier of the two of us…”

Catching their exchange about her, but choosing professionalism over irritation, Abryann gestured toward a cobblestone path that led into the lush greenery. “Come along, gentlemen. There’s much to see.”

***

Twenty minutes later, and as the trio moved through the winding trail, Abryann’s voice echoed back to the boys behind her with effortless explanations of the history of the island and all it had to offer. It had been a riveting tour; they had encountered the lush greenery, a scenic cliff, and a lagoon nearby. Marvellous sights overall.

While Jamal threw in silly little comments to keep the atmosphere light while gawking at the scenery, Jordan remained distracted throughout. With one half of his attention on the tour, and the other half on Abryann’s graceful walk and her figure which moved with a natural elegance.

That did not change as they walked down a narrow path lined with towering palm trees. “So this is the final stop of this little tour,” Abryann announced. “A rather… dark end to this little journey, but it’s a part of the island, so we might as well.”

“Oooooh, I wonder what that might be,” Jamal gasped in exaggerated fashion. Jordan rolled his eyes as Abryann shook her head in amusement and chuckled.

At last, they reached an open clearing, and before them lay a security checkpoint with two guards, who saluted Abryann upon seeing her. Far ahead lay the ruins of a grand palace.

Abryann gestured toward the ruins, her voice dropping to a solemn tone. “This… is the Palace of Aric the Valiant. He was a famous warrior in the 19th century. A man of unparalleled skill and cunning, celebrated across many islands for leading his people to countless victories. This palace was his sanctuary, his place of peace after years of war.”

Jamal raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Doesn’t look very peaceful now.”

Abryann ignored the silly comment, continuing her tale. “One fateful night, enemies he thought he had defeated long ago, loyal soldiers of a rival warlord called Kaelor the Crimson, launched a surprise attack on the palace. They stormed the palace and slaughtered everyone—Aric, his servants, his guards… everyone. Not a single person was spared. Legend says that after the bloodbath, his dear sorcerer Okron, still devastated over his master’s defeat and demise, spoke a curse over the palace. And to this day, it cannot be inhabited, thus its breaking down.”

“Many have dared to venture inside to date, and they never returned. Only one man came back, and… he came back half-mad, speaking the weirdest of things. Of doors that led nowhere but despair, and screams that echoed endlessly. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t escape the nightmares. Within weeks, he disappeared… and to this day, nobody knows where he went.”

The boys looked at each other, a tint of terror seemingly in their eyes.

Then they laughed out loud.

Jamal snorted, “C’mon, beautiful. Are you really gonna tell us these ghost stories in broad daylight? This is just some old ruins. A little creepy, sure, but curses? Please.”

Jordan chimed in, grinning. “Yeah, this story sounds like something you tell kids to keep them from messing around where they’re not supposed to.”

Abryann’s face conveyed no expression of amusement this time, her usual warmth replaced by an air of seriousness. “This is not a joke, young men,” she stated, her voice firm and authoritative. “This is serious stuff, and it’s real. And I am warning you: please, do not venture near that palace. It is sealed off for a reason. That’s why we’ve got a security checkpoint here.”

Jamal rolled his eyes and put his hands up. “Relax, mami. We’re not planning on any ghost-hunting expeditions. Right, Jordan?”

Jordan shrugged, smirking. “Right… unless you’re too scared to check it out later.”

“No, I’m not!”

Abryann’s sharp gaze silenced their banter. “Mock all you want, but I mean what I say. That place is dangerous. Don’t go there. It’s for your own safety. Now, let’s move on.”

She turned abruptly and began walking back down the path, her demeanour unusually cold. Jamal and Jordan lingered for a moment, taken aback by her switch of demeanour.

“Geez, it ain’t that deep. We were just playing,” Jamal wondered, shrugging.

“Hmm. I guess she really believes it exists,” Jordan responded. “Well, can’t afford to leave her sour. Let’s catch up and put a smile on that face.”

“You really do have a thing for her, don’t you, bro?”

“Come along, Jamal!”

***

A few minutes later, the trio were back on the beach, Abryann’s professional mood restored after that tense moment at the palace ruins.

“And that concludes our tour,” she said with a polite but distant smile. “Thank you both for joining me today. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the island.”

Jamal nodded as he stretched. “Yeah, yeah, no doubt. Interesting stuff all around, you know. The lovers’ cliff, the palace… good stuff.”

Abryann nodded. “Glad to hear that. Well, I guess I’ll leave you guys now. I have other tourists to attend to.”

“Wait, wait, wait, hold up, Abryann!” Jordan quickly cut in, stepping in front of her.

She watched him with curious interest. “Yes, Jordan?”

Jordan smirked as he prepared himself. This magnificently built honey was too good to simply let go; he just had to shoot his shot. He had debated it internally while they returned to the beach, and had figured, ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’

He rubbed his hands together and began. “I just wanna say that uh… you’re something else. Smart, beautiful, a hell of a spicy island queen vibe. You’re special. Really special.”

For a moment, Abryann looked taken aback by those sweet-sounding words. Then she let a small smile spread across her face. “Why, thank you, Jordan. I deeply appreciate that.”

Jordan grinned, feeling like he was close to landing the final winning number on a lottery ticket. “You’re welcome, you know. You got that sun-kissed skin, you got that natural curly hair, mad juicy body… you’re a whole damn package, Abryann. And, you know, I’m just tryna… you know…”

“Have sex with me?” Abryann completed for him, a blank look replacing the smile on her face.

Jordan forced a laugh. “Noooo, no, no, no, not at all. I’m not that kinda guy. I’m just tryna get to know you better. That’s all. I’m sure something… really nice would come out of it.”

Glancing up and down at him, she rolled her eyes. It was clear she was familiar with such approaches, and whatever would come from her mouth was a standard response.

“Real cute, Mr. Jordan, real cute. Listen, I appreciate how attractive you find me, and I like how bold you are, too. I’m sorry, though, I’m gonna have to say no to you.”

Jordan tilted his head sideways. “Awwwwww, really? Come on, Abryann. I can be a little… persistent, you know. And I promise you, I can give you everything you need.”

“I can see that,” she replied. “But for one, persistence isn’t always a virtue. And two, I already have a wonderful boyfriend who gives me everything I could ask for. He’s a man’s man. And you… umm, sorry to say this, but… you’re a boy. So no thanks.”

Jamal, standing nearby, winced at that jab. “Ouch, broski. Ouch.”

She ignored that reaction and gave a frozen Jordan a parting smile. “Enjoy the rest of your stay on the island, Jordan. And please, remember what I said about the palace ruins. Don’t go there.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned gracefully and walked toward a group of eager tourists waiting nearby.

So much for shooting his shot. That backfired quite badly.

Jamal moved behind Jordan and clapped him on the back, still grinning. “Bro, you just got schooled. Big time.”

Jordan shook his head as he kicked at a nearby shell. “Man, she didn’t have to shut me down like that,” he muttered.

Jamal smirked, his hands casually behind his head. “Oh, she definitely did. You walked straight into that one, my guy. Besides, she’s out of your league. Not just age-wise. Look at all that body on her. You and I know full well you can’t handle that…”

Jordan shot him a glare. “You’re supposed to back me up, not roast me, you jackass.”

Jamal, however, had drifted off, his attention switched to another place.

“Well, call me Clay Davis from ‘The Wire’, coz sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit…”

Following Jamal’s gaze, Jordan smirked and shook his head. “Why am I not surprised?”

Walking away from the waves was a stunning young Caucasian lady in a white bikini. One look at her, and anyone could tell this was a fit babe, with a body that looked smooth, slender, and immaculately toned. Her long blonde hair cascaded over one shoulder as she approached the dry side of the beach.

These were the type of girls right up Jamal’s alley. Slim and slender babes.

She looked up and locked eyes with Jamal. A sly, playful smile spread across her face, clearly appreciating the attention she was getting from him.

Jamal quickly straightened his T-shirt and gave Jordan a cheeky nod. “Alright, Jords. This is my moment. I’m going in.”

Jordan snickered. “What? You’re just gonna walk up and say, ‘Hey, what’s up, girl?’”

“Watch and learn, broski,” Jordan said confidently, already moving toward her.

Jordan shook his head, a grin creeping across his face. “Good luck, Romeo. Not that you need it, though.”

Leaning against a palm tree, he watched as Jamal approached the girl. He shook his head once again as the two began to chat, the lady already looking fascinated with Jamal.

That was the unique thing with Jamal. Whatever charm it was that made him a womanizer, it added a magnetic aura to him. Very few girls said no to Jamal the first time he encountered and approached them; they were usually taken up with him within the first minute of engagement.

And as he watched the woman tilt her head and touch Jamal’s chest, her smile growing wider as they exchanged words, it was obvious that whatever Jordan was saying seemed to be working. As always.

“Well, at least one of us will get lucky today,” he muttered to himself. “What a car crash I just had. Hmph.”

Well, Jordan chose to shoot his shot at the wrong lady, that’s for sure. Quite a putdown for him…