This man, Nick, just stood there, staring at me. I dared not move, for the gun was shaking violently in his hand, and beads of sweat were making their way down his face. He was tall, unusually so, and his rough personality was iconified by two cold, beady blue eyes. It was almost morbidly comical to see such a mean face, contorted with fear at the sight of me. I could only think of a single course of action. Nick was becoming increasingly shaky with his weapon and I knew it could go off any time, so, I slowly took a step back and crouched down on my stomach. I looked at him and tried to appear as innocent as possible. No dice.

Just as I moved back, the gun went off. A “BANG” reverberated about the island that made me wince in pain. I threw myself to the ground and covered my ears. But... I was fine. If Nick didn't hit me, then what did he hit. I would soon find out. After finally gaining the courage necessary to open my eyes again, I was amazed to find that Nick was no longer there. I stood up cautiously, staying close to the cold metal exterior of the fuselage, and peered around the corner.

Nick was standing over the crumpled figure of Captain Arik, looking horrified. I made the assumption that when Nick saw the captain coming to his aid, he must have turned and the gun went off by accident. He had seemed so nervous that I was not surprised he fired unintentionally. Nick began to speak to the captain.

“Captain! Captain! ... Are you OK?” Nick said.
“I'm a'right me boy... ...just a flesh-wound is all...” He groaned.

Captain Arik acted like he could get up, but quickly fell to the ground again, groaning in pain. His left leg was soaked in blood, but his injuries didn't seem to be life threatening. Nick lifted him carefully and propped the captain's back against a stray boulder on the beach. The two men began to chatter nervously.

“Captain, it ain't safe here, we've got to get off this island!” Nick said, urgently.
“Aww, now, hold on there for a second... ...what's got ya so shaken up lad?” Arik asked, in a strangely calm way. Nick's voice became very low.
“There's something on the island.” Nick said.
“And what exactly is it?” Arik asked, sounding a bit skeptical.
“I dunno, it was like some kind of werewolf or something... like something out of a horror movie...” Nick replied.
“Ah, I see, you 'aven't been listening to Dr. Farran's advice, have you? Sounds like another one of your episodes...” Arik said.
“Dammit! I KNOW what I saw!” Nick said, filling with rage.
“I don't think you do... and ya certainly seem to be givin' me a hard time today, eh?” Arik said, looking hurt. The captain peered down at his leg.

Nick tried to help the captain up, but to no avail. Captain Arik just sat against the rock, utterly disabled. Nick spoke up again.

“Look, you gotta trust me, captain. This has nothin' to do with me!... We've got to get out of here. It could be coming back any time!” Nick said.

The captain just gave him a disgusted look, but it quickly turned to shock. You see, as the two men had been bickering over the possibility of my existence, I had slowly crept up behind Nick. I was just within reach of the revolver sticking out of his side pocket. I grabbed it right before the captain let out a cry of disbelief, and then, Nick spun on his heels and backed away. For a moment, I thought he had forgotten the captain, but he quickly grabbed Arik and dragged him behind the rock. As the two men peered over at me in disbelief, I heard them exchange apologies. I placed the gun carefully inside my jacket, and then several insights struck me all at once.

It was entirely likely that these two antithetical men were my only hope of escape. Needless to say, I had not made a phenomenal impression on either of them, and the terror they were displaying didn't exactly give me a sense of confidence. Nonetheless, It really was something to see actual people again. It had been so long since I had laid eyes on a human face. If I were ever to leave the island, I would have to win their trust somehow...

Captain Arik was still grunting from time to time and he didn't look too good (from what I could see of him). I made the decision to try and help him. There were a couple of army first-aid kits inside the old wreckage so I walked off in search of one. The last thing I heard whilst walking away was one of the men asking: “So what do you think it is?”. Upon arriving at my front door (if you could call it that), I immediately noticed something was amiss. Nairobi was nowhere to be found... but I supposed it was for the best. I secretly dreaded the thought of saying goodbye to him. After clearing the depressing thoughts from my mind, I left the plane with a very old, yellowed tin that had a faded red plus sign on it.

I walked carefully over to the boulder that both men were now resting on. “It's coming back!”, coupled with a few expletives, were all I could make of their conversation. I sheepishly approached the captain and tried to get a look at his leg but Nick lunged at me, yelling loudly. “Get outta here! Go on!” was all he said (I suppose my kind gesture was misunderstood). Apparently, the acquisition of 30 claws and razor sharp teeth hadn't made me a braver man because I quickly recoiled and took quite a few more steps backward than were really necessary. Nick continued to stare at me for a few moments.

Hmm... Things certainly weren't going as I had planned. In a last-ditch effort to help, I took a step forward, sat on my haunches, and held the tin about as far out as I could manage. I smiled nervously, looking Nick straight in the eye. What happened next was surprising, even to me.

“Eh? Nick, you there?” Arik said. His voice becoming steadily weaker.
“I'm here cap'n” He replied. Nick sounded exhausted.
“Nick, he looks like he's trying to help...” Arik said.
“...sure looks like that dunnit? I don't trust him.” Nick replied.
“Come on, me boy, just take it from him...” Arik said, out of the blue.
“WHAT!?!?” Nick said. Captain Arik just looked him in the eye.

Apparently, the captain had quite some power over this guy. I heard Nick mumble something to the captain and then slowly approach me. He approached with agonizing care and as soon as he was within reach of the tin, he grabbed it and darted back to the captain, giving me a look as though he expected an attack at any moment. After returning to the boulder, Nick started to treat the captain's wounds, and they both kept chattering nervously.

“I think he's still got my gun Captain...” Nick said.
“Eh... he doesn't look like a mean fellow...” Arik said.
“Are you KIDDING?!?!” Nick asked.

I was beginning to like Captain Arik. He was an astonishingly patient man with deep-set blue eyes and a graying, unkempt beard. He was wearing a very formal captain's uniform with “Ultima Speranza” embroidered on it. The stained, raggedy, light blue shirt that he wore under his jacket seemed to speak of his lax nature. A single glimpse of Captain Arik was like a story in itself. ...and while the two men continued to banter in their usual way, I decided to show them that I was certainly not a threat. I carefully pulled the revolver out of my jacket and heard Nick curse loudly. Arik just looked at me, wide-eyed. I thought “Oy, what am I doing?”, and then I took the gun and threw it in the ocean. Nick stood there with a look of shock, and Arik just smiled.

I walked over to the two men and crouched down next to Arik. I finished dressing his wound (just assuming that I was more qualified for the job than his counterpart). Nick positioned himself to be prepared to knock my lights out at a moment's notice. It was only for the virtue of Arik constantly telling the man to “leave me be” that I was unharmed. When Arik saw that his treatment was complete, he placed his hand on the crease where my back pivoted and said “Thanks mate.” in an endearing tone. I smiled at him.

Nick had been agitated since he first saw me, but this time he really lost it.

“That's it! We're leaving now!” He shouted, trying to drag the captain to his feet.
“You're overreacting lad!” Arik said, finally able to stand.
“Overreacting!?!?!? Do you even know what the hell that thing is?” Nick asked.
“Well... he resembles a fox...” Arik said.

I decided to interject, which was probably a very bad idea.

“Really, fox is a good guess...” I said.

Both men were speechless for a moment. I was at a loss as to why, until I realized that this was the first time I had spoken since they arrived. Nick obviously couldn't stand it anymore, and began to argue with the captain. I shall not go to the trouble to recount the very lengthy altercation which took place, but in short, Nick kept threatening to leave without the captain, and he finally did. Nick gave the captain one last warning and Arik refused to get in the tiny boat. After starting the engine, Nick headed off at top speed (not all that fast) across the shimmering water. Arik let out a few cries of disgust, screaming at Nick to come back, but there was no response. The detestable man had subsequently left his captain stranded on an island with what he believed to be some dangerous creature, but was in fact myself. Arik turned and looked at me.

“So... now's the time where I really hope I was right about you... erm... mister fox...” Arik said, awkwardly.
“Call me Miles.” I said.
“Ah... Miles... so... been here a while?” Arik asked, looking rather uncomfortable.
“It certainly looks that way doesn't it?” I said.
“So, the doctor I was talking to on the radio... is he?... erm... did you?” Arik stuttered.
“At your service, Captain Arik” I said.

Something must have clicked inside Captain Arik's brain because I could see a wave of realization wash over him. I knew that he recognized my voice from the distress call.

“I thought that if I had explained the um... details of my situation, then you wouldn't have come...” I said.
“...well lad, I can't say I woulda believed you...” Arik replied.

There was an awkward pause before Arik finally built up the courage to ask the foremost question on his mind.

“So, erm... If you wouldn't mind telling me... what exactly are you?” Arik asked.
“Well, I've been wondering that myself. I suppose you could call me a foxtaur, or a Kitsune if you believe in such things...” I replied.
“...and you got this way by...” Arik began.
“...accident.” I interrupted.

Eventually, I invited the captain back to my wrecked home . After making some tea on my temperamental and rusty hot plate (I used leaves from certain indigenous plants), we sat and talked. Of course, to be more correct, Arik sat in my chair and I remained on my haunches. The inability to use a chair seemed to be one of the obvious drawbacks of being a taur... Differences aside, Arik told me many things about himself and seemed to challenge me to do the same. On that windy afternoon, dreary like any other, I told the captain much of my story, omitting details about the government and my discovery of Nairobi. Thankfully, Nairobi was still nowhere to be found, making it very easy to leave him out. Still, I couldn't help but wonder how Arik would have reacted if I told him I knew a talking fox. My best guess is that he wouldn't have had too much trouble believing me. After a couple of hours, the conversation reached a rather interesting point.

“There's one thing about you that still escapes me Dr. Moreau...” Arik said.
“And what is that?” I asked.
“Do ya really mean to return to civilization... uh... lookin' the way you do now?” He asked.
“Aye, aye, captain!” I replied.
“But... er... are you sure that's a good idea? ... ... ... ...and you realize I could get in a fair bit o' trouble for lettin' a giant fox on me ship...” He said.
“Captain... being lonely can make a man do crazy things...” I said.
“...and yer certainly livin' proof!” He exclaimed.

We both paused for a moment, as if searching for what to say... I finally spoke up, solemnly.

“Captain, you're really my last hope...” I said.
“Aye, I can see that lad... but you're askin' an awful lot from me...” Arik said.
“All I want to know is if you'll take me... I won't cause you any trouble...” I said. (I couldn't have been more wrong.)

The old captain paced back and forth for a moment and seemed to struggle for an answer. I could still see the hulking figure of the Ultima Speranza on the horizon. I must have been crazy, but I almost longed for a sense of adventure. What had I accomplished during my stagnant wisps of life upon this island? La Isla was a prison for the mind, the body, and the soul. It had taken everything I could give it and it still left me empty, without purpose. It stole away my sense of individuality and self-worth... but it was peaceful... so peaceful. I knew that if I told Arik to head off on his own, I could have all the peace in the world. Yes, all the bitter, terrible peace I could want. The very thought of being stranded again sent a single tear down the side of my face, the very first tear I had shed in almost three decades. The captain looked over at me, as if he were going to say something, but we were both quickly distracted by a “splashing” sound off in the distance. I collected myself and looked out the foggy old window.

Off in the distance, under the late-afternoon sun, another small dinghy had been lowered from the great ship. A single figure could be seen inside it but I could not make out any features. Captain Arik limped quickly from the wreckage, over to the shore.

“Aye! It's Dr. Farran!” He exclaimed.

I continued to watch from inside the plane as the small dinghy finally hit land. Dr. Farran stepped out to meet Captain Arik. They both exchanged in a kind embrace. The doctor began to ask the captain if he was alright and she carefully inspected his wound. “My, this is a professional job...” I heard her say. Obviously, I was flattered by that statement. Dr. Farran was a stunning lady with piercing, curly, red hair. She wore a crisp, white lab coat with the usual embroidered “Ultima Speranza” that had a depiction of the ship under it. I heard the two begin to speak.

“Captain, is it true... I mean... everything Nick has been saying...?” Farran asked.
“Well, I wouldn't go that far... We both know he has his... ...difficulties...” Arik replied.
“But... is there really anyone on this island?” Farran asked.
“Look... we've got to get going right away...” Arik said.
“But...” Farran started.
“Judy, get in the boat now.” Arik said, sternly.

I couldn't believe it. They were really going to leave without me... and I didn't even have it in me to pursue them. I just felt crushed and I couldn't believe that Arik could be so cold. It seemed to me that if a human were ever going to accept me, he would have. The doctor stepped back into the boat and helped Arik aboard. She placed her hand on the motor but Arik stopped her. He seemed to stare into the distance, contemplating for a moment... and then he spoke.

“Miles....... are you coming?” He asked.
“YES!” I exclaimed, with such force that a few bits of rust came falling from the old ceiling.

I ran to the back of the plane in search of my suitcase. Oddly, it had fallen off the shelf where I usually kept it and was lying on the floor. I picked it up and stopped for a moment. The twisted beam was still sticking from the wall at its grisly angle, staring at me. “Goodbye” was all I could get out. When I returned to the doorway, I could still hear the two talking. Dr. Farran was asking all kinds of questions about me and Arik simply stated that he “couldn't do me justice”. I checked to make sure that my journal was firmly seated inside my jacket and walked through the doorway, carrying my suitcase. The expression on the fair doctor's face was priceless.

“Hello, dear!” I said, trying to sound friendly. I quickly ran up to the boat and peered inside. Farran let out an ear-piercing shriek.
“Does that mean she likes me?” I asked. Captain Arik and I chuckled a bit.

Arik proceeded to console the rather frightened doctor, and she quickly came to her senses again. In fact, she recovered from seeing me faster than I could have expected. I threw my suitcase into the boat... and... had a tad more difficulty getting myself inside. Alas, I had encountered yet another common device that had not been designed for foxtaurs. After watching me struggle for a moment, Arik helped me inside. Farran, still too nervous to come near me, stayed on the other end of the boat. It was getting late, and the surface of the water was glassy and calming. Dr. Farran finally built up the courage to speak.

“Captain... um... ...so he's... ...he's coming with us?” She asked.
“Aye, lass. I couldn't talk him out o' it.” Arik replied.
“Trust me, he couldn't.” I added, smiling sheepishly.

Farran was still staring at me awkwardly. I tried to think of something to lighten the mood and said the following:

“It's alright dear. I might look like a terrifying, taurian fox on the outside, but on the inside, I'm a crazed genetic analyst with a questionable level of sanity. There's really nothing to be afraid of... ... ... ...unless you happen to have jerky in your pocket or something...”

Surprisingly enough, I actually managed to get a chuckle out of the young doctor, and we spent a few minutes (the three of us) talking. I found both Dr. Farran and the captain to be quite endearing individuals. Since I had first made the distress call, I had seen three humans, and two of them, more or less, seemed to like me. In my book, two out of three isn't bad.

By the Captain's orders, we began the long trip back to the Ultima Speranza. The dinghy we were in was really quite pathetic and its old gasoline motor pushed us along at a less-than-impressive pace. I watched the water as it rippled calmly behind the boat. At one point, Dr. Farran actually put her hand on my shoulder and looked as if she were going to speak... but she quickly recoiled and didn't say much for the rest of the ride. After about ten minutes, the three of us watched as the huge ship seemed to get larger and larger. In fact, the ship was even bigger than I had expected. It was such a beautiful, proud ship, painted in red and black, with tiny specs of light escaping from various portholes. Upon the deck, were rows upon rows of shipping containers each with their own unique writing on the side. Some of the brands were familiar, like Mitsubishi, and some were more obscure, like Matsukaro. After what seemed like forever, we were finally within reach of the ship.

The three of us worked to fasten the boat to a couple of lines that had been dropped from a deck far above. We were slowly winched up and prepared to board the ship. On that dark and windy night, a graying captain, a beautiful doctor, and a... foxtaur made their way over the rail. The latter had a substantial amount of difficulty. Once again, I was forced to rely on the kindness of others to get me into a boat (although the Ultima Speranza could hardly be called a boat).

After finally setting foot on the deck, I stood for a moment, taking all of the new scenery in. Part of me couldn't believe that I was actually off the island. I was so excited that even the terrified faces of the winch operators didn't get me too upset. In fact, I believe (although I can't quite remember) that I may have stuck my tongue out at them.

As soon as I got my bearings, I noticed a staircase leading down to the massive deck where all the cargo was stored. I just had to check out the ship, and without so much as looking back, I set off at a full gallop down the stairs. I hardly even noticed the captain limping behind me, shouting “What are ye doing? Hold on there, lad!”. I ran about the rows and rows of containers that seemed to stretch upward forever. I couldn't contain myself. In a rather ironic fashion, I felt that this was the first thing that had happened to me in nearly three decades. Eventually, I stopped to admire the scenery, and Arik wasted no time in catching up. When he finally approached me, he was breathing heavily.

“Wow! What a ship!” I exclaimed. Anything negative Captain Arik was going to say to me evaporated, and he gave me a glowing look.
“Aye! She is. It took me whole life to become her captain!... ... ...and you can sure run fast, lad!” He said, trying to catch his breath.

We were both quiet for a moment.

Later, the Captain brought me to a tiny room, on an upper deck of the ship and told me it was mine. The room was tiny, carpeted, and had a set of bunk-beds embedded in the wall. Luckily, the captain assured me that he wasn't going to assign anyone to the other bunk (I wonder why). Although many people would be quite depressed by the rather spartan living conditions, life aboard the Ultima Speranza was a lot different from island survival. I was the happiest I had been in many years and I even enjoyed a shower (alas, cold) down the hall. Sadly, foxtaurs do not fit well inside bunk-beds or showers, but I was able to manage. The captain himself brought me a dinner tray that night with a side of beef jerky. How did he know?

Despite my huge step up in quality of life, I could not help but think of Nairobi. I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to him...

At the end of my first day of freedom, I turned off the light that hung from my metal ceiling, and prepared to go to sleep... but I was soon disturbed... ... ... ...by a “thumping” sound. I quickly got up, turned on the light, and realized that the sound was coming from my suitcase... I opened it up and a fox crawled out, gasping for breath.

“Hey doc!” was all he said.

Alas, I should have known! The fallen suitcase was so obvious and Nairobi didn't know what he'd gotten himself into.

I cursed so loudly that they must have heard me three decks down.