I was nudged awake by a prodding foot.
“Wake him up,” Kate said.
Nikos’s foot nudged me again, harder this time. I opened my eyes, and the world came into focus. I was lying on the ground, on my side. I pulled myself up to a sitting position and gingerly touched the side of my head—feeling for any sign of a bullet wound.
“Relax,” said Kate. “They’re blanks.” She threw the gun to the ground. “It’s a prop gun.”
Ah, I thought. Of course.
Kate was an actress, not a murderer. I should have known.
Judging by the look on his face, Jason was even more surprised than I was that I was still breathing.
“What the fuck—？” Jason stared at Kate, incredulous. “What is going on?”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you. She wouldn’t let me.”
“Who? What are you talking about?”
Kate was about to reply, then fell silent—as she glimpsed Lana on the beach. Jason followed Kate’s gaze, and he stared, open-mouthed, aghast, as Lana walked across the sand to the jetty. She was holding Leo’s hand. Behind them, the sun was rising, and the sky was streaked with red.
Lana and Leo climbed up the jetty steps. They joined the others.
“Lana?” Jason said. “What the fuck—？ What is this—？”
Lana ignored Jason, as if he hadn’t spoken. She took hold of Kate’s hand and clasped it. They stared at each other for a second.
Then they turned and faced me.
They were standing in a line—all of them—like actors in a curtain call. Lana, Kate, Agathi, Nikos, Leo. Only Jason stood to one side, out of place, confused. Even I had a better understanding of what had happened than he did.
In fact, I understood all too well.
I got to my feet, with some difficulty. I clapped, sarcastically, three times. I tried to speak—but my mouth filled with blood. I spat the blood on the ground. I tried again—it wasn’t easy with a broken jaw. All I could manage was one word:
“Why?”
In response, Lana produced my notebook. “You shouldn’t leave this lying around.” She threw it at me, hard, hitting me in the chest.
“I thought you were different,” she said. “I thought you were my friend. You’re no one’s friend. You’re nothing.”
I didn’t recognize Lana. She sounded like a different person. Hard, ruthless. She looked at me with hatred—there’s no other word to describe that look.
“Lana, please—”
“Stay away from me,” she said. “Stay away from my family. If I see you again, ever, you’re going to jail.”
She turned to Agathi: “Get him the fuck off the island.”
Then Lana turned to go. And Jason reached out, to touch her. She batted away his hand, like it revolted her. Without looking back, she went down the steps. She walked alone across the sand.
There was a momentary pause. Then the mood abruptly changed. Leo broke the silence with a sudden peal of laughter—high-pitched, childish laughter.
He was pointing at me and laughing. “Look. He pissed himself. What a freak.”
Kate laughed and took Leo’s arm. She gave it a squeeze. “Come on, love. Let’s go.”
They walked over to the steps. “Your acting was amazing,” Leo said. “You were so real. I want to be an actor, too.”
“I know. Your mother told me. I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
“Will you teach me?”
“I can certainly give you a few tips.” Kate smiled. “Of course, the most important thing is to have a good audience.”
She threw me one last look of triumph. Then she turned and walked down the steps. Leo followed. And so did the others.
They made their way, in a procession, across the sand. Kate and Leo were first, and a little behind them, Nikos supported Agathi with his arm. Jason trailed behind them, his head bent forward, his fists clenched in anger.
I could hear Kate and Leo talking as they walked away.
“I don’t know about you,” Kate was saying, “but I think this calls for a celebratory drink. How about a very expensive bottle of bubbly?”
“Good idea. Maybe I’ll even have a glass.”
“Oh, Leo.” Kate kissed his cheek. “There is hope for you, after all.”
As they walked farther off, their voices faded—but I could still hear Leo’s childish laughter.
It echoed in my head.
* * *
If I had any sense, I’d stop now. I’d pay for your drinks and hastily stagger out of this bar—leaving you with a cautionary tale; and no forwarding address. I’d get out of town quick—before I said something I shouldn’t.