Belize Survivor, part 11

"Come on, kids, bring your backpacks in and I'll show you the place," Alberto called out. They piled their stuff in the living room and Alberto gave them a tour. The living room was spacious, lavishly decorated with cream-colored walls and burnt-orange carpeting. Dramatic black drapes closed off the outside world, giving the house a cave-like feeling. The spotless kitchen looked like it had never been used to prepare a meal. The guest bedrooms were immaculate and color-coordinated – one in shades of pink and one in golden yellows. A large outdoor pool surrounded by a high wooden fence could be seen just behind the glass sliding doors of the blue bedroom in the back. Uncomfortable with the opulent surroundings, the four young people sat on the floor around a low coffee table, unsure of what would happen next.

Alberto was in a good mood. He pulled a large ornate hookah from the closet. It was solid brass with six flexible braided-cord mouthpieces. He warmed a small chunk of hashish with a match and crumbled it into the bowl of the pipe. "What do you say we enjoy a good buzz and get to know each other a little better?"

"Yeah, all right," Roger said eagerly. "That looks like some good stuff. What kind is it?"

"Lebanese blond," replied Alberto. "A friend of mine brings it into the country in the most ingenious way. He buys a fancy candelabrum made out of olive wood. Then he cuts a slab off the bottom and hollows out the base and packs it with hashish. When they x-ray the piece as carry-on luggage, it doesn't show because the olive wood is the same density as the hash."

"Way to go," said Barbara. She took a big hit off the pipe and pushed a greasy hank of hair behind her ear. "I heard of a pregnant woman who carried two kilos of cocaine underneath her belly. The customs officials started to search her because they thought the belly was fake. But when they saw her nipples were dark, they realized she really was pregnant and they stopped searching her."

Alberto's eyes flickered; he liked her story. "Hey, good idea. I've got some coke in the fridge. Shall I cut us a few lines?"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, except Alexis. She had snorted cocaine a few times and liked it. For that exact reason, it was a drug she never intentionally sought out. But it was still difficult to turn down if it was right in front of her.

Over the next two hours, they found themselves having a hell of a good time. The coke was excellent and there was lots of it. Their host poured the wine and the pipe was kept full. The music on the sound system was fantastic. Through the haze of indulgence, Alexis forgot her misgivings.

"God, I feel good," said Rico. His face flushed a deep rose, his pupils dilated. "I feel hot though. I'm sweating like a pig."

"What do you say we all go for a swim?" Alberto suggested.

"Ah, that would be perfect right about now," said Roger.
Barbara giggled. "I don't have a bathing suit."

"That's okay," said Alberto. "It's more fun to skinny dip anyway. Hey, it's my place. We can get as loose as we want."

Under the influence of the drug, Alexis peeled off her clothes and plunged into the water. After swimming its length twice, she reclined back against the side of the pool. It felt wonderfully sensuous on her bare skin. Roger and Barbara were walking into the pool by degrees. They were even less attractive unclad. Alexis saw Alberto watching her out of the corner of his eye until he was distracted by Rico climbing out of the pool. A furtive smile crossed Alberto's lips when he saw Rico's slim naked hips and effeminate walk.