Chapter 1

I wasn't supposed to be on the island. In fact, when I awoke I didn't know I was on the island.

I lifted my head, looked through the window, saw the gorilla and presumed I was in a dream. Then, like a Sunday afternoon drunk, slumped right back into wheezie-world.

This time, it had to be a dream. Right?

So I thought.

The cold snake uncoiling beneath the silk sheet was no thrill; my eyes snapped open. And there it was. A forked-tongue inches from my face!

Dream or no dream, your blood freezes over when a snake is in your face.

I must've passed out. Right?

That's what I thought.

The next thing I knew my mind was racing and I was soaked in sweat.

When I came to my senses I sprung from the bed. The snake was not between the sheets. Not under the bed either. Nor hanging from the ceiling.

I panned the room. The clock on the wall said six. How the heck did I get here? What is this place? I couldn't figure it out. I recognized the rack of clothing. I stepped gingerly to it.

Six white shirts. Six white pants. Six black shoes. Four pairs of gray underwear. One green tie. One red jacket. One white belt.

The wallet was mine. Yes, that's me, Ulrick. The turd could've snapped a better mug shot, but no. Bitch! She didn't like me. I didn't like her.

I panned the room again then stepped out onto the veranda.

Birds were singing. Lots of birds.

Not the black bird diving toward a dusty brown butterfly. No song in that one.

Good God! Take it easy, Mr. Black Bird. But no!

Swoop. Flutter. Pick. Pick. Gulp. That butterfly was gone.

Black bird scattered back into the singing green maze like nothing ever happened. But I was there. On the veranda. Watching.

The trees were huge. Flowers were everywhere. The brook was rippling clean. I heard a noise. Then I heard giggles rising from the lower side of the hill in the vicinity of a banana patch.

I decided to investigate. Actually, I had to investigate.

That's when I noticed me: I was naked.

And there it was - two inches beneath my navel - the fenway mark. See? Two inches. Exactly. Just the same as on my jacket, measured a thousand times, if one.

Prologue | Chapter One | Two | Three | Four | Five | --->

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