One Perfect Couple

The next day, Conor arrives without Zana and without water and refuses to tell the others where she is. Lyla swims for the villa while Santana tries to push past Conor. Zana emerges when Conor finally calls for her, sporting an obvious bruise on her face. Lyla realizes, “This was the price Zana had paid for siding with us yesterday” (305). Zana nods silently when Conor insists that she is fine, and Lyla reluctantly swims back to shore.

The others find Angel outside and report on their failed errand. Santana reminds Lyla that she is running out of time. Lyla realizes that the conflict they are facing is “him or us” and reflects that “maybe Conor had known that from the very beginning” (306). As Angel is hacking at the undergrowth looking for coconuts, a snake emerges. This gives Angel the idea to poison Conor. Santana agrees because they are at a strength disadvantage, and she suspects that Conor is drinking far more water than they are. Lyla realizes that Conor does not look at all dehydrated compared to them. Angel suggests using her sleeping pills but points out that they would show up in an autopsy. Lyla reflects that the island has transformed them into different people.

Santana raises the possibility of using her remaining insulin, which is fatal in large enough doses. Lyla draws on her scientific knowledge and decides that this would be unlikely to alarm any officials, as all human bodies contain insulin. They briefly consider the possibility that Conor does not actually have the insulin, but Santana says that all the evidence points to Conor. At Santana’s urging, Lyla agrees to the plan, filled with anxiety at what awaits them.

The three women resume strategizing. If Santana injects the insulin into Conor’s thigh, it will take effect quickly, but they are unsure how to approach him surreptitiously. Angel decides that they should conceal her sleeping pills in the coconut water and offer it to Conor. Lyla points out that Zana would never corroborate their story of Conor taking pills voluntarily, so they decide to split the remaining capsules between the two. Lyla realizes that she did not see the camera on her last visit to the villa and concludes that Conor has likely removed it to hide his activities.

Lyla tries to argue that they could use the pills to retake their supplies, but Angel points out that this risks Conor’s wrath later, without any remaining advantages or ability to win a physical fight. His behavior with Zana proves that he only recognizes force. Santana says that she will go alone to the villa to administer the injection after Conor and Zana have gone to bed in a drugged sleep. Angel declares, “We are decided. Now all that is left is to get the coconuts” (316).

The women meet Conor at the cabana and drink their water ration. They offer Conor a coconut, and as Lyla takes in Conor’s appearance, she sees that he does not look particularly dehydrated. When they ask after Zana, Conor tells them that she is resting after the fall that injured her face. Lyla stops Angel from arguing because any conflict could threaten their plan. She thanks Conor for his efforts, picks up a coconut for herself, and says, “Here’s to cooperation” (319). Conor smiles, and his face is now terrifying to Lyla. She anxiously watches him drink and realizes that he may have consumed the one containing the lower dose intended for Zana.

Toward evening, Lyla realizes that Angel has disappeared into the bathroom. She and Santana find Angel unconscious, but their terror soon gives way to the realization that Angel is drugged; she accidentally drank one of the coconuts intended for Conor or Zana. Now, she sleepily insists that they leave her alone. They realize that they must proceed with the plan anyway, though now Lyla will accompany Santana in case Connor or Zana is still awake. They decide to try to arrange Angel so that she will be safe if she vomits from her overdose. The cameras will show their concern for her and her illness, which will bolster their reports of everyone being sick—their chosen alibi to explain Conor’s eventual death. They then head to the water villa.

As they walk along the shore, the windy weather reminds Lyla of the storm. Lyla takes in Santana’s markedly different appearance, thinking, “Now all I could see was a grim determination to survive at all costs” (327). Santana asks Lyla if she has changed her mind, and Lyla says no, wondering if this was somehow fated. They make the risky crossing on the unstable planks. Lyla sees through the window that Conor has been consuming more water than the allotment. She confirms that there is no camera and opens the door for Santana.

Santana gives Conor the insulin, and he wakes instantly in a rage, hurling her to the floor and injuring her head. Lyla tries to wrestle him, but he throws her off so that she is almost on the porch, facing the water. Conor reaches her before she can escape, asking, “What have you bitches done to me?” (331). He begins to strangle Lyla. She sees a smaller person approach, swinging a large bottle of water at Conor’s head. With her fading consciousness, Lyla realizes that it is Zana.

Lyla hears the bottle make repeated contact with Conor’s body, and he falls into the ocean. Lyla struggles, knowing that she must prevent Conor from reaching shore, but she cannot move. She watches Zana dive in and reach Conor. Lyla is struck by her bravery and realizes that Zana is trying to drown Conor. Zana pushes him under the waves “with a cry that [is] half anger, half a kind of desperate, tearing grief” (334). Lyla swims after Zana, realizing that she can do more to help her than she can to help Santana. She hoarsely tells Zana to follow the shore instead of fighting the tide, just as Joel taught her. Zana lets go of Conor, who sinks into the sea. Lyla follows her and tries to swim back, but her strength soon gives out, and she accepts the idea that she will drown.