Page 5 (1/2)

On the evening of day two, Eric and I are curled together, trying to protect each other froins to rock It’s only a light, gentle rocking, but it’s hts coht and get to our feet, our legs wobbling My heart begins to thump Oh God, is it a rescue ship? Are we saved? The relief that floodsin a croaky voice, is huge

"Is it a ship?" Eric rasps, his voice dry and crackly

My eyes burn from too much salt and too little water, but I squint and as it nears closer, and I can see it is "Yes"

"I know," he croaks "But what kind of ship?"

"Does it rily The last few days haven’t been easy on our friendship When faced with life and death, anyone would beco et help We’ve been out here two solid days and there’s a ship heading in our direction I won’t be letting it pass Eric moves about, and our tiny lifeboat rocks I lift ht froht turns and points in our direction I squint and cover oing to survive this My knees buckle and I fall, relief flooding ht around Fro my eyes, and so I can see what he can’t, and when I see it, , or a navy flag, no…it’s a skull and crossbones My stos enough to reach for Eric’s leg and pull at hi him down to my level

"What the hell, Indi?"

"Th-th-th-the…"

"What’s wrong?" he asks, confusion washing over his features

"Th-th-the flag They’re pirates"

"What?"

"John said…he said…there were pirates out here Oh God, Eric, they’re pirates"

He shakes his head in confusion, so I liftcloser His eyes narrow, and then I see fear fill his eyes He reels backwards, fuet us out of here Deep down in my terrified soul, I knoe’ll never outrun a ship like that We have only two options--juht now, both could possibly mean death, it just depends which death ant Maybe they won’t hurt us Maybe they’ll just let us go, or leave us here?

No They’re pirates Everyone knows that’s not hoorks

I clutch Eric, terrified My heart is beating so heavily it hurts, and h e…yet there’s nowhere to run to Eric’s eyes are darting, and he quickly flicks the flashlight off His body shudders and for a longis the only sound I can hear until the ship coainst the boat My heart hurts, it aches so badly I want to rip it out just to stop it This is like a night but pray to God these pirates aren’t awful