Waves crash against the rocks as the ocean smashes against the new safe world he now calls home. The sea is vicious as he waits for his saviour to rescue him. The demons talking in his head.

His chest tightens as the atmosphere smothers his breath and takes the air out his lungs. He remembers the death that brought him here to this island. A murder and blood.

7 Days Ago…

The top deck was quiet that night. No one was there. In the dark, he walked under the stars thinking of his wife asleep in her cabin. This stranger was watching him. He saw him, out his peripheral vision lurking in the shadows, watching silently. Suspicion and wonder cross his mind. He walks past and glances the stranger’s way. Grant recognises him from the evening charity event. A passing look between him and his wife. He encircled her into an embrace to warn him off her. Showing him she is his, taken.

He watches him as he steps forward.  “Do you have a light?” the stranger keeps his head down and averts his eyes. The air thick with suspicion as he decides if he walks by, ignoring the request.

“Sure.” Keeping his distance, he reaches into his pocket, he sees the flash of moonlight hit the blade. “Hey! Whoa! What is this?!” Grant backs up, away from this man.

“I know it was you! You hurt her!” Lines crease his forehead with anger and menace as he breathes putrid sweet breath! His arm across Grant’s throat, making it hard for him to breathe.

“What? No! I don’t, I love her …” Grants breathing laboured as he struggles for breath. He struggles to shift his weight off as he pushes him away. Shifting his weight against this stranger who is threatening his life.

“I know!!” he yells in his face as spit sprays his face. Showing the fear in his eyes as confusion flashes through his mind.  Stepping into his personal space, backed against the wall once again.

“Stay away! If you don’t you will regret marrying her!” His hands up surrendering his life, Grant waits as the stranger walks away but unbeknown to him, follows him to his cabin. He returns with haste to warn Sarah.  The shock, fear and anger evade him. He sees the blood pooling across the floor, her arm trailing through the dark congealed blood, leaving drag marks across the tiled floor. He hurries outside and vomits over the balcony into the ocean below. The stranger, he flashes a knife, they struggle, and he jumps overboard to safety.

Now…

Resting head in hands, sobbing, remembering his beautiful Sarah. It has been seven days since he left her laying on the floor. He misses her. The peacefulness here on the island is torture to him. He remembers her the last time he saw her. Just as he imagined she would look. Dead and lifeless.

He thinks back to happier times. When they were in each others embrace by moonlight under the skies of the Northern Lights. A magical night where his life changed for the better. Now sitting here he decides it’s time to live not survive.

Searching the island for resources he spells out the words across the sand. Feeling accomplished.  He waits for the yacht to return.

On the horizon, he sees the white fleck in the distance. It comes to shore as Sarah, stood on deck, a beautiful vision, sun hat held tightly by her hand as the wind blows her blonde hair across her flawless face. She jumps into the water, up to her thighs as she desperately wades through the ocean to reach her man. The love of his life.

“How about we get married and go on honeymoon? Relax on the beach and leave your old life behind?”

“Perfect! Without Grant, my life will be perfect.” she smiles at Joe and kisses him as he holds her in his arms. Safe. Content. Happy.

In the sand, Sarah glances over at the branches that spell out the words, Marry Me!

“My answer is Yes! I will marry you!” Sarah smiles as she feels the weight of their plan wash away any guilt she had. Perfectly worked out so they could be together. Sarah safe in his arms.

The perfect plan.