Beached

by Brenda Beem

  “Good thinking, on the wet suit! What are you doing here?” I watched to see what Kat would do.

  She grinned at him.

  “I’m rescuing you. Are you okay?” Takumi studied my face.

  “I’m worried.” I relaxed and caressed his cheek. “The boat’s beached … and Jeremy’s dangerous.”

  Takumi held my hand to his face for a moment, then turned to Kat. “And you? Your dad?”

  “We’re okay.” Kat stepped towards him. “How’s the foot?”

  “Almost good as new.” Takumi walked in a circle and only limped a little.

  “How did you manage to get off the boat?” Kat asked.

  “I slid off the stern and swam down the beach. I hoped no one would hear or see me.” Takumi hurried over to the tree and returned, seconds later, with a spear gun.

  Kat raised her eyebrows. “Umm. Hate to tell you, but pistol beats spear gun.”

  Takumi grinned. “Dylan is going to distract Jeremy. When he does, I’ll sneak up behind him, press a spear into his back, and tell him to drop the gun.”

  “And if he doesn’t?” I narrowed my eyes.

  Takumi locked a spear into the gun. “He will.”

  Jeremy bellowed from the beach, “Kat. Is everything okay?”

  Takumi moved away from Kat. “What? You’re guarding Toni?”

  “Jeremy thinks Dad and I stayed on the beach to help him. I’m kinda letting him think that.” Kat cupped her hand around her mouth and yelled that everything was fine.

  We started back to the beach. Takumi reached for my hand. I shoved it in my pocket.

  “What happened after we left the boat?” Kat led the way.

  “When Dylan was bringing up the anchor, Banks and Brad attacked him. They sailed the boat here. I was below, sleeping. Zoë woke me when she learned what was going on. I pulled the cons’ gun on the ‘B’s and we got the boat back. But it was too late,” Takumi sighed.

  “Is Dylan okay?” Cole’s head injury flashed before me.

  “He has a headache.” Takumi grimaced. “And he feels stupid for trusting those guys.

  At least he had time to throw out a small stern anchor before we hit. We hope it will keep Whistler from floating broadside onto the beach.”

  Kat held a branch up for us to walk under. “But how are you going to get the boat off the shore?”

  Takumi and I exchanged glances. I didn’t trust her enough to tell her we could still motor. I waited to see if Takumi would. When he didn’t, I was even more confused.

  “Just hope Whistler doesn’t have a crack or big hole in the bottom.” I pushed past her.

  Kat didn’t ask any more questions.

  We crouched down at the edge of the bushes and studied the scene below. On the far side of the fire, Jeremy held Makala in his arms. She was awake––and screaming for her sister.

  Angelina, Nick, and the guys guarding Nick were close by. The guys who’d left to find Sophia and her mother never returned. Kat’s dad sat across the fire from Jeremy and Makala.

  “Wait for the distraction. When Jeremy gets up, see if you can grab Makala from him. We need to get her out of the line of fire.”

  “Got it,” Kat said softly.

  At the last second, I squeezed his hand. “Be careful, okay?”

  “I will.” He turned to Kat. “You and Toni take cover when the action starts.”

  Kat and I hiked back to the fire. I could hear Takumi rustling in the bushes behind us.

  Makala was still calling for her sister.

  “You were gone long enough.” Jeremy glared at Kat.

  “Princess here needed the perfect spot to pee. Took a while.” Kat made a face.

  Jeremy chuckled.

  Angelina got up and kneeled in front of Jeremy. “Please. Makala’s scared. Give her to me. I’m begging you.”

  Jeremy turned the gun on Angelina. He switched Makala to his other arm and shook his head. His arms had to be aching from holding onto her so long.

  Makala whimpered, “Sissy!”

  “You’re fine…” Angelina reassured her.

  “Come on. Hand Makala over to her sister. Point the stupid gun at me. I’m a bigger target,” I said.

  Jeremy repositioned Makala to his knee. “Makala’s your little darling. You might risk one another, but not her. Now, make her stop whining.”

  Nick popped up and growled. His arms were tied tight behind his back. Jeremy’s friends shoved him down.

  “Enough!” Dylan yelled from the bow of Whistler. “This has gone far enough. Banks. Brad. Go. Just leave.”

  The guys huddled on the boat deck scrambled to their feet and stared at Dylan.

  “You heard me. Get off my boat!” Dylan yelled.

  ‘The B’s’ climbed over the rail, dropped to the water that came up to their chests, and began to wade to shore.

  Kat, Nick, Angelina, and I leapt to our feet. My heart raced. I forced myself not to turn and check on Takumi.

  The guys guarding Nick stood and gazed at the scene on Whistler.

  Jeremy jumped up, while holding Makala as his shield.

  It was time. Jeremy had his back to Takumi’s hiding place.

  Dylan continued speaking and gesturing with his gun. “Jeremy! I’ve let my hostages go. Now, it’s your turn. Put the gun away. Give Makala to her sister. If you want off this island, work with me.”

  I glimpsed Takumi darting behind a large boulder from the corner of my eye. I held my breath. The plan was working. Everyone was focused on Dylan.

  Jeremy shook his head. “You had your chance to let us on. The boat’s mine now.”

  Dylan raised his hands in the air with frustration. “If we don’t get the boat off the beach, it won’t be useful for anyone.”

  Jeremy’s face grew purple. “The boat will float off the beach. It will float, or you’ll be sorry.” He spun and turned the gun on me.

  I froze.

  Takumi roared, “Drop the gun!” He jammed a spear into Jeremy’s back.

  I’d been expecting it, but still jumped.

  “I said, drop it!” Takumi sounded fierce.

  In one quick motion, Jeremy dropped Makala, twisted, and elbowed Takumi in the face. Takumi lost the spear gun. Nick, hands behind his back, body slammed into Jeremy. I snatched Makala and dove behind a bin. Angelina raced over and covered Makala and me with her body. Kat sprinted to her dad. Jeremy’s friends stayed by the fire and held their hands in the air.

  Nick, Jeremy, and Takumi rolled around on the ground. Nick head-butted Jeremy. Jeremy threw a punch that knocked Nick away. Takumi grabbed Jeremy’s arms. Jeremy flipped Takumi onto his back, straddled him, and held the gun tight to his forehead.

  “No!” I screamed.

  Takumi worked an arm free and tried to push the gun away. Kat’s dad came out of nowhere and leapt on Jeremy’s back. Jeremy, Takumi, and the doctor fought for control of the pistol.

  Then the gun went off.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I raced toward the fight. Kat ran to her dad. The Doctor lay on the beach, groaning, holding his left side. A pool of blood was already starting to form beside him. He gripped the pistol tight in his fingers.

  Takumi was pounding on Jeremy. Jeremy held his arms up to protect his face, then dropped them. Takumi punched him again and again. Blood went flying everywhere.

  “Takumi! Stop!” I cried. “You’re killing him.”

  Takumi stared at his bloody fists, then at me. He pushed himself away and stood, trying to catch his breath.

  Jeremy didn’t move. I knelt beside him to take his pulse. He moaned and opened his one good eye.

  Takumi stumbled over to Nick. He untied the plastic bag from Nick’s wrists and handed the bag back. Without saying a word, Takumi wandered to the water’s edge. Nick began securing Jeremy’s hands behind his back with the shredded plastic bag.

  I watched for a second before hurrying over to Kat.

  She crouched beside her father. “He’s been shot!” Shoc
k bleached all color from her face. She flew into action, ripped off her sweatshirt, and pressed the cloth over the bloody open wound on the side of his stomach.

  “Zoë!” I yelled at the boat. “The doctor’s been shot. We need help.”

  I pried the gun from the doctor’s fingers. I was surprised Nick’s guards hadn’t already snatched it. But they sat on a nearby on a tree trunk and stared at their feet.

  “We didn’t really help Jeremy!” one of the guys who’d been guarding Nick mumbled, when he saw me glance at them.

  “We could have gotten the pistol,” the other added.

  “But you did nothing for hours while Jeremy held us hostage.” I aimed the pistol at them while Nick finished securing Jeremy, then lowered it. “Just, just… go away.” I motioned with the gun. “Leave!”

  Kat glanced up. “Wait! I need bandages, disinfectant, and sutures.” She checked her dad’s wound and stared at the guys. “Get the supplies and hurry back.”

  Jeremy’s friends seemed uncertain and didn’t move.

  “You heard her,” I cried. “Here’s a chance for you to make good.”

  They turned and ran. I hoped at least one would return with the supplies. I passed the pistol to Nick and found the spear gun in the sand. He rubbed his swollen chin. Angelina wiped the blood off Nick’s face. Makala hid behind Angelina.

  “How bad is Kat’s dad?” Nick turned the gun on Jeremy.

  “Not good. Zoë’s on her way.” I pushed the gun so it aimed down. “Maybe it’s time we put the pistol away.”

  Jeremy tried to get up, groaned, and fell face first into the sand. Nick stuck the pistol in the back of his waistband.

  Takumi limped into the shallows and leaned over to wash the blood off his hands.

  I ran to the water and handed him his spear gun. “Are you all right?”

  “I lost it. When he aimed the gun at you, I wanted to…” Takumi dried his hands on his pants.

  “But you didn’t.” I hugged him, then jumped at the sound of an oar splash. It was Zoë. She was having a hard time rowing the dinghy. I left Takumi and waded into the cold water past my knees.

  “Throw me a line,” I yelled.

  “How can I do that? I’m rowing!” Zoë snapped.

  “Stop. Lay the paddles in the boat.” I reached my arms out for the line. On the third throw, I caught it, and towed her to shore.

  Takumi remained at the water’s edge and stared at his scraped knuckles. He didn’t react when Zoë and I passed by.

  “Takumi, are you okay?” I paused at his side. He didn’t answer. “I’m going to take Zoë over to the doctor. I’ll be right back.”

  Takumi bent over and began washing his hands again. He was scrubbing so hard that the blood on them was now his.

  Zoë and I hurried to the doctor. He was propped up on coats a little ways from the fire.

  Kat stood as we approached. “He needs a hospital. There’s no way to tell if he’s nicked a vital organ without an imaging machine. You have to help him.”

  I held my hands up. “There aren’t any hospitals left. Everything’s been wiped out.”

  She shook her head. “Zoë told me that your friend went to a military base on the mainland. When the military sets up a base, they bring in doctors and equipment.”

  Zoë took over pressing Kat’s already bloodstained sweatshirt on the still oozing wound. “She’s right. He might need a surgeon. The bullet went clear through, but we can’t tell what damage it did. The gun went off at close range. And stomach wounds are among the worst.”

  “But, but,” I stammered.

  Kat shook her finger at me. “He risked his life for you guys.”

  The doctor moaned.

  I sighed and stared back at Whistler.

  “Is everything under control?” Dylan called out from the boat.

  I searched for an answer. Angelina, Nick, and Makala were huddled by the fire. Boots was wandering around, sniffing. Takumi waded around in the bay, scrubbing his hands raw. The doctor lay bleeding.

  “We have to take Kat and her dad to the army base. He’s hurt. It’s bad,” I yelled to Dylan.

  Dylan stared out at the bay, then back at me. “Can’t Zoë sew him up like she did Angelina?”

  “The girls think this it is a lot more serious. He needs surgery.”

  Dylan shrugged. “That’s too bad.”

  “Dylan. We have to help him. He risked his life for us.”

  “Damn!” Dylan turned away, then faced back. “Do we have time to grab our camping gear?”

  I thought a moment. “We’ll make time. Can you come ashore?”

  Dylan walked to the bow and lowered his voice. “I have to stay here. If the stern anchor slips, I’ll only have seconds to keep the boat aimed at the shore. Actually, I could use some help.”

  I hurried closer to the boat. “I’ll ask Nick and Takumi to pack up our gear. Kat and Zoë can get the doctor ready. I’ll row Makala and Angelina to the boat right now. Makala needs to go to bed. When everything is ready, I’ll row back to get the doctor and the others.”

  “Okay, but make it fast. When the keel lifts, we’re backing out. Whistler can’t survive another tide change.”

  I was beyond exhausted and cold. I pulled Takumi up the beach to the fire. He avoided looking at Jeremy.

  When I told the crew that we needed to pack up and take the doctor to the army hospital, I could tell they were just as wiped out as I was. Nick groaned, but said he’d help. Angelina was happy with my offer to row Makala and her to the boat.

  Takumi followed slowly behind Nick as they headed up the trail to our camp.

  Kat nodded when I told them we would be leaving for the hospital as soon as the boat floated free. We were helpless until then.

  She and Zoë discussed whether or not to try to stitch up the mess that was the side of her father’s stomach. I’d sewn Angelina’s wound, but had no interest in doing that again. I told them my plan, and headed for the dinghy.

  A small group of islanders ran down the beach towards us and stopped me.

  “We heard a gunshot. Is everything…?” Sophia’s mother started to speak, then spied Jeremy. Tears filled her eyes. When she learned the doctor had been shot, she quietly took off her wedding ring and stuck it in Jeremy’s shirt pocket. “We’re done, Jeremy. Sophia and I never want to see you again.”

  Jeremy closed his eyes and fell back onto the sand. His wife left sobbing.

  Jeremy’s followers became helpful. Some broke away and carried the supplies Kat had asked for over to her. A man and woman I didn’t know said how sorry they were for what had happened.

  My face burned. “You’re sorry? You’re sorry? You left us. You saw how Jeremy was threatening Makala, and all of us. But you took off anyway!”

  Another man in the group stepped forward. “You brought the guns to the island. What happened is on you.”

  “Really!” I took a step toward him. “Twenty days ago, that might have been true. There were police and firemen around to protect you. But the world has changed.”

  “That’s why we came here. Away from all the violence.” The man watched his companions. A couple of people nodded their agreement, but most looked away.

  I took another step. “The violence followed you.”

  He moved back. I moved forward. “The convicts were here before we even got here.”

  He bumped into a woman standing behind him. I was right up in his face. “Violence will find you again. You can protect yourself, or be victims.”

  “Get away from me!” the man turned and walked away.

  A woman with long gray hair took his place. “You’re going to leave, then?”

  “We’re going to take the doctor to the mainland.” I glared. “We won’t return.”

  “I’m glad the guns will be gone.” She frowned. “But we never wanted you children or the doctor harmed.”

  “Whatever!” I glanced around at the group gathered around me.

  “We should hav
e done more to stop Jeremy. What can we do to make amends?” A woman I’d not seen before had asked the question.

  “Nothing.” I rubbed my arms. “No, wait. You can take care of him.” I gestured at Jeremy.

  One of the guys leaned over to help Jeremy up. “What do you want us to do with him?”

  “I don’t care,” I said. “But just so you know, he held a gun to a little girl’s head for almost six hours.”

  The man’s face turned red. “We were wrong to leave you kids with him.” He shoved Jeremy toward the trail.

  A young guy grabbed my arm and smiled charmingly at me. “Can my friends and I hitch a ride to Santa Barbara?”

  He’d been one of the first to walk off and leave us with Jeremy. I glared at him. He dropped his hand from my arm and slunk away.

  I hurried to the dinghy. Angelina and Makala were already onboard and I quickly paddled to the stern of Whistler. Makala complained as the cold worked its way through her layers of clothing.

  The boat had been heeled over earlier, but was now almost sitting straight up in the water. Angelina carried Makala below. I stayed on deck with Dylan. He asked me to throw our makeshift depth finder out, and see how much water we had.

  The rope with the broken brick was dripping on the bench. “How shallow did it get?”

  “At the lowest, we were in five feet of water. The hull must be dug in pretty deep.” Dylan peered over the side.

  I lowered the brick and counted the marks on the rope that entered the water until the brick hit bottom. “We have over six and a half feet, mid-ship.” I checked the stern. “Over nine feet back here.”

  “The keel goes down six feet eight inches. Let me know when there is exactly seven feet at the mid-ship.”

  As I measured, I worried about Takumi. We’d been through a lot. I’d never seen him acting the way he was.

  “I think Takumi’s in shock.” I laid the depth finder down on the bench. “And I told Kat I’d be right back. I’m going ashore and tell them what we’re doing.”

  “No. They can wait. The tide won’t. We’re close to floating free. I need you here.” He handed me back the depth finder rope. “Keep measuring. When we have seven feet, yell.”