He took me up there a few days later to see the top. While the stream widens out before it goes over the waterfall, there is a section where you can almost step over it.
“Okay, let’s do it.”
We make our way laterally across the mountain. Penny really is insightful. She’s not complaining at all. It’s like she understands something is amiss.
When we get to the top, Calvin takes my hand. “This way—we’ll be able to cross up here. It’s not far.” The stream narrows here, and Calvin examines it. “It’s pretty deep, but I think we can get Penny to jump it, and then I’ll reach out and help you over.”
“I can do it myself,” I say.
“No time for heroism, Haley. Just let me help you.”
Calvin takes a big leap. The rock on the other side wobbles a little, but then steadies.
“Toss me the pack,” he says.
I do, and he catches it, putting it on dry ground.
“Okay, now toss me the leash.”
I toss it to him, and he catches it with his fingertips. Penny looks back at me like, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“There’s no way she can make this jump, Calvin—it’s too far.” The last thing I want is for her to tumble over the top of the waterfall.
“Right, okay,” he says. Then he calls her. “Penny, come.”
Somehow, she jumps in the air—straight, vertical—and it’s almost like she levitates over the water. Her front paws catch the rock and her back paws dip into the water, but Calvin’s able to grab her and yank her to land. She takes a few steps and goes into the jungle, shaking herself off.
“Holy shit,” Calvin says. “That was close. Okay, your turn.” He holds his hands out for me.
I hesitate. There are definitely times when I wish I was more physical, but the last year on the island has changed my body quite a bit. My legs are more toned, and while I’ve always liked running, I’ve gotten a lot better. I can do this. I take a few steps back to get a running start. I launch myself into the air, my right leg forward, my left back.
Calvin snatches my shoulders and pulls me into him. We stumble back a few steps but stay upright.
“I did it,” I say, slightly breathless. “Good. Let’s keep going.” I head into the dense undergrowth.
I’ve never been to this side of the island. The farthest I’ve ever gone is the Birds of Paradise cluster. Beyond that, it’s a thicket of jungle from here to there.
“Do you know where we’re going?” I ask Calvin.
He nods. “This way. There’s no real path. I don’t think the boars are over here as much as the other side, but we’re going to have to fight our way through. It’s not going to be easy without a machete. But then, it won’t be easy for the pirates either.”
“We’ll manage. We have to.” I’ve got the pack on.
We head down around the backside of the waterfall. I can still hear the water running inside the island and the ocean from the southern side, but Calvin’s right—it’s hard going. The ferns are densely grouped, and the jungle thickens and thins along the way.
We have to squeeze between trees, and we’ve given up on Penny’s leash altogether. It’s pointless. You would think a year living in the jungle would teach her how to not get twisted around a tree. But no. And at this point, we just need to keep moving.
It’s amazing how fast we’re going and how silent we’re actually being. Penny trails between the two of us.
“Keep to the right,” Calvin says quietly. “There’s a bluff toward the water.”
As he says it, I step on my right shoelace and pull it out. I motion for him to keep going and crouch to tie my shoe.
He nods that he’s going to check out what’s around the large banyan tree up ahead. Penny trots after him.
With my shoe double-knotted, I stand to round the large banyan tree.
“Go home, Penny,” Calvin yells loud enough for the mainland to hear.
