The island was darker than it had appeared on the chart. Sand cooled beneath the night air, and palm fronds moved in a breeze that carried no promise of rescue. Folake watched Kayode being placed on the shore and felt the first clean edge of fear cut through her anger. One bottle of water did not make the place safe, whatever they told themselves. But nobody stopped, and the stillness of the island received their decision without protest.
Tayo said, "Slide the blanket gently, Folake. The shade of this palm tree is close and cool for him."
Folake replied, "Gently now. Lay him flat and safe. The sun must not find his face when it climbs."
Tayo said, "The full bottle of water goes beside his hand where he will find it."
Folake murmured, "Sleep well, Kayode. When you wake, learn the lesson this island teaches proud men like you."
Tayo said, "Push with me now, Folake. The water has the boat, and the ship will not wait for us."
Folake answered, "We only row home toward our future."
The sun found Kayode alone, with sand pressed into his fine clothes and the sea extending beyond every direction he could name. At first he thought it was an elaborate joke arranged by someone with an appetite for spectacle. He reached for the habits that had always served him: calling loudly, issuing commands, threatening consequences, announcing the importance of his name. But the palm trees were not employees and the ocean could not be bribed. As the hours passed, hunger, thirst, fear, and exhaustion stripped away the confidence that had looked so indestructible aboard the yacht.
He wandered along the shore, searching for houses, smoke, footsteps, anything that proved he had not been abandoned. The bottle near his hand provided only temporary reassurance. He watched a distant vessel pass and discovered that shouting was not the same as being heard. When night came, the beach became a foreign world of unfamiliar sounds and shifting shadows. He began to understand that survival might depend upon what he could build and find, rather than what he owned.
Kayode spoke aloud into the empty air, trying to convince himself that somebody might hear: "Ah, my head... Where is my suite? Where is the deck? What is this sand? This is a dream! A rich man does not wake up on empty sand!
Hello! Captain! Folake! Anybody! Answer me! I am Kayode Balogun! Answer me right—
There! There is my ship! Come back! Come back for me! I order you! You cannot leave me here! I paid for everything! I own that whole cruise!
No people, no houses, nothing... only sand and trees as far as I can see. My fine suit is finished. Still, nobody answers. Is this place truly empty?
I am feeling dizzy. This sun is so dangerous. Island, what are you doing to me?
If anyone is hiding in these trees, come out now and stop this foolish game! Only birds... only leaves. Not one single person on this whole cursed island.