Out of all the oceans in the world, the Pacific had to be the best, Nick thought as he gazed out the clear azure water that surrounded them. He sighed. This boat was too damned slow. The midday sun glittered on the surface, the light so bright it was almost blinding. He shielded his face and turned back to the deck in the small but comfortable yacht. The younger kids were having fun, often stopping to look out at the waters and squealing excitedly. He smiled faintly, then decided that it wasn’t so bad after all. The luxury yacht was filled with a handful of people- tourists maybe- and it was obvious that they were having a good time as well. Their guide was a pretty, dark-skinned native girl, who had a permanent smile plastered on her face. He secretly wondered if she had a plastic surgery. When he mentioned this to his mother, she gave him an amused look. “Nick, that’s mean,” she chided.

He shrugged. “Just a thought, mom. I don’t think she didn’t stop smiling once.”

“Are you alright? You seemed a little out of it at the beach,” she said then.

He shook his head. “It’s nothing.” He looked up at the full, white billowing sail. “Are we going to stay much further?”

“Why? You want to go back?”

“I just don’t like this…arranged tour.” He said finally. “I was wondering if we could just go alone- just the family.”

“Of course, honey- we’ll go and do that sometime.” Jane promised, suddenly uneasy. Was that a glimpse of restlessness in her son’s eyes? She wasn’t sure, because he was turning to look out at the ocean again.

Angel was peering out at the ocean curiously. “Hey mom! What’s that?” she asked, pointing.

“What’s what?”

“There’s something out there- is it a cave?”

Nick followed the direction of the finger and saw it himself. A dark, irregular rock was jutting out from the rest of the sheer cliff, surrounded by low-hanging trees. Waves crashed ponderously against it, creating white foam around the enormous rock base.

“Ah yes,” the ever-smiling guide said in a lilted accent. “The cave. The natives call it the Hell’s Gate. It was formed out of a volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago.”

“Hell’s Gate?” Nick repeated, not taking his eyes off the strange landscape.

“Yes- it is said that there are strange phenomena happening in there from time to time. It is a popular place for tourists.” She sounded like she had been programmed to say it.

“Wow, that would be so cool!” Aaron said excitedly. “Mom, can we go there, please?”

“I don’t think so, Darling. We’re just heading back.”

Nick lost the rest of the conversation afterwards. He was staring at the rapidly disappearing shadow, strangely pulled towards it by some bizarre force. He shook his head vigorously, thinking that he was imagining it. Local folklore, he thought, but in his heart, he wasn’t so sure.

*********************

After their little tour of the ocean, the Carter family came back to the hotel, expecting nothing but a good rest. What greeted them nearly sent them back out to the ocean again.

“What the…” Rob looked stunned, staring at the sea of fans swarmed outside the small resort, the signs flapping in the air. “How did they get here?”

“You’re asking me,” Nick replied tersely, wincing inwardly as the scream rose to full pitch. He had known that somehow, he would be noticed in someway. But this…

“Whatcha going to do?” Rob asked in a low voice. “There is no back way to get inside.”

“Cover me. I’m going to say hello.” Nick replied and looked for Aaron. “Try to find another hotel we can stay in.” he told Rob before walking towards Aaron. “Okay, big guy,” he told Aaron quietly, “we’re going to get us out of this. You with me?”

Aaron grinned- grinned!- and nodded. “Sure.” Then he ran off to greet some of his fans. Nick stared after him for a while, then followed him, and was quickly occupied by his fans, sighing autographs, smiling for the pictures, with Rob behind his every move, on full alert.

Slowly, but surely they made their way into the main entrance, leaving behind them an ecstatic mob. When they thought they finally could get some breath, they were faced with some distasteful and incredulous looks from the guests staying at the hotel. Disgusted by it all, Nick went upstairs and crashed out.

*************************

There was a knock on the door. Rob sat up from where he sat, an inquiring look on his face.

Nick nodded. “See who it is.” He said.

With a grunt, the bodyguard stood and lumbered over to the peephole. “ ‘S okay, man. It’s your sister.” He reported.

Nick sat up slightly from his couch and looked at BJ as she came in. “What’s up?”

“Mom wants to know if she could borrow Rob for a while.” BJ reported. “Aaron and Angel want to go down to the swimming pool, and with this and all…” she left it hanging in the air.

Nick nodded. “ ‘Kay. Go with her.” He said to Rob.

“You sure? I should-” Rob sounded doubtful.

“I’m fine, man. I ain’t going anywhere. Don’t worry.” He said blithely, glancing out at the window.

Rob went out with BJ, although there was consternation on his face at leaving his client alone in his hotel room. Nick heard the door close behind him and sighed. So, he was closed in for the night. Without his bodyguard, he didn’t dare going out anywhere.

Or did he?

In a restless bout, he sprang to his feet and inched his way towards the window. They were still there, although some had gone away, probably inside the hotel. Those ridiculous signs were still flapping in the air. This was supposed to be a holiday. Why did it suddenly feel like a prison term? He found himself wishing that he was back at the States with the rest of the guys, annoying as they were sometimes.

He glanced out at the window again. Darkness was falling around the paradise. He could see the outline of palm trees swaying in the night breeze and the sea beckoning to him. Without really thinking, he turned, grabbed his keys and phone from the dresser and strode out of the room. He opened the door cautiously, then closed it softly behind him. They were confining him, were they? Well, two can play at this game.

In his haste, he had forgot to turn the TV off. A newsbreak was being covered, and the reporter was saying, “…there is a hazardous thunderstorm approaching the eastern coasts later tonight…locals and tourists are advised to stay indoors and take precautions. This storm is reported to be the biggest and most dangerous in twenty years…”