by Brenda Beem
Dylan nodded. “Before he left Whistler, he told me he planned to tell the military guys that his dad is in the military and he’s looking for him. Brad and Banks dropped him off about a quarter-mile north of the base and rowed back. Jervis hiked to the base, held his hands in the air, and started yelling. All of a sudden, he was surrounded by soldiers with guns. When they escorted him inside, we sailed away. Fast.”
“So, we don’t have any idea what happened to him?”
“None. But the US Army, they take care of their own … at least that’s what Jervis told me. I bet he’s okay.”
“I hope so,” I mumbled.
Nick brought up the chart for Santa Barbara and he and Dylan studied it. They tried to compare it to what we were seeing of the coast.
“There should be cities here, but they’re gone. I’m sure the base is farther north.”
I checked the wind and turned the boat as far north as I could without losing the sail again. “So, do we have a plan? How are we going to get the doctor inside that base? I bet a lot of those people on the beach have tried.”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. Jervis said he was an Army brat. Maybe the doctor should say he is a military guy too.”
I thought for a moment. “They’ll take one look at him and know he’s not military, but I bet if they discover he’s a doctor, they’ll want to help him. Kat can bring some of their medicine and offer it too.”
“They might just take the medicine, and leave Kat and her dad to fend for themselves.” Dylan scowled.
Nick raised his head. “I’ll row them ashore and watch what happens. If they don’t get in, I’ll bring them back to Whistler.”
“Once they’re onshore, you should row out a ways to keep the boat safe. Are you taking one of the guns?” I checked the sails.
“No.” Nick went back to the chart. “I’ll take one of the spear guns instead. Angelina is worried we’re getting short on bullets. And one gun isn’t going to do any good against the soldiers, anyway. But it might deter a swimmer from trying to swim out and steal the dinghy.” He motioned for me to leave. “You can go back to bed for a while. It’s Angelina’s and my turn.”
“I’m awake now. Let Angelina sleep.” Dylan took the wheel from me.
Nick grinned. “I hoped you’d say that.”
“Fine then,” I said and headed below.
Kat’s dad was very still on the mattress. Takumi and Kat sat together on the couch above where the doctor lay. Takumi had his arm around her and she wept on his shoulder. Takumi jumped when he saw me.
I kept my eyes on the doctor. “Is he… did he?”
Kat wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “He’s asleep or in a coma. I’m not sure. His stomach’s getting bigger. I’m sure he’s bleeding internally.”
“We’re almost there. The doctors on the base will be able to fix him.” I kept my head down, entered Zoë and Dylan’s cabin, and closed the door behind me. Zoë was sound asleep. I climbed in the bed next to her and stared at the ceiling.
There was a soft knock on the door. I ignored it. Takumi stepped inside.
“Go away!” I whispered.
Takumi hung his head. “Please, Toni, talk to me.”
“What’s there to say?” I growled.
Zoë rolled over and mumbled in her sleep.
“Not here.” Takumi reached out to me. “Please.”
I was so full of dread my body felt heavy. Every step was an effort. But I followed him out of the bedroom and into the head, our private office.
Takumi sat me on the toilet lid and stepped into the shower stall. “Toni, I love you. Nothing about that will ever change.”
“Really? Then why are you…?” I paused. “No, I’m not doing the drama thing. Are you with Kat now?”
“No, I’m with you. But right now, Kat needs me. She has no one else.” Takumi stepped out of the shower. “Kat and I are just friends. I swear.” He kneeled down in front of me. “I messed up with the rescue, and now Kat’s dad is hurt. I have to go ashore with her and carry her father from the dinghy to the base. I owe her that. Kat can’t do it by herself and Nick can’t help. He has to stay with the dinghy or it will be stolen.”
He took my hand. “As soon as the soldiers start to help Kat and her dad, I’ll race back to Nick.”
“What if something goes wrong?” Tears welled in my eyes and I bit my cheek to stop them. “I need you as much as she does. It’s Jeremy’s fault that Kat’s dad got shot, not yours.”
Takumi turned my hand over and kissed my palm. “I should have shot him in the leg when I had a chance. I didn’t, and now Kat’s dad might die.”
“If Jeremy hadn’t taken our gun and held us hostage, Kat’s dad wouldn’t have been injured either. You rescued us. You don’t owe Kat anything.”
“I know it’s hard for you to understand. You are so strong. You took control of Whistler. You kept Jeremy calm. And now, you’ll hear from your family, and have them on your side, too.” He dropped his eyes. “Kat’s not as tough as you. All she has is her dad, and if he dies… I love you, but I have to help her.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. Kat needed someone to lean on, and Takumi liked being needed. But that wasn’t love. A tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. “Takumi, you are not alone. Everyone on this boat cares about you. We are your family now. We count on you.” I sniffed. “Besides, if you’re gone, who will cook for us?”
Takumi chuckled.
“I love you. And I believe you love me. But I’m worried Kat…” I took a deep breath. “I’m scared you’ll leave and won’t make it back to me.”
“I’ll be back. I promise.” Takumi held my face and kissed my tears away.
A cold dread spread from my feet up to my heart. I grabbed Takumi and squeezed him tight. “If you don’t come back to me, I’ll find you. And I won’t play nice.”
Takumi laughed and helped me up.
“Give me your cell.” I held out my hand. “I’m going to make sure it’s at least partially charged before you go.”
Takumi pulled up cushions and opened cupboards. “I’ll make a big pot of rice and beans.” He hauled out large bags of each. “There’s about a month’s supply here. Let me show you how to soak the beans. You know you have to do that before you cook them, right?”
I grimaced. Despite what he’d said, he was worried that he wouldn’t make it back too. “No! I know nothing about cooking. The crew and I need you.” I turned and left to go on deck and feed the fire.
“Is everything okay?” Dylan asked.
I shook my head. “Can Zoë teach me how to be the damsel in distress?”
Dylan frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. Keep the fire going if you want to eat today.” I swiveled and went back below. I was starting to feel like a yo-yo. Up and down.
Kat changed her dad’s bandage. The wound was still oozing. She opened up one of her packs. “Can I wake Zoë? I need to give her this medicine. I’m pretty sure I know what each one is good for.”
“What about your dad? Won’t he need the medicine?” I tried not to sound as icy as I felt.
“I’ll take what I think he might need, and a little extra to bribe the guards. Dad has some insulin, some heart disease medicine, and other medicine that might be in short supply. It won’t do you guys any good.”
Dylan called out that the base was in sight.
My heart raced. I didn’t care that Kat was standing only a few feet away. I grabbed Takumi’s arm. “Take me with you. Let me help.”
Takumi kissed my cheek. “It’s too risky.”
“Please!” I begged. “I need to go with you.”
Takumi pulled me into his arms and held me.
I breathed in his scent and closed my eyes. Had I really just begged him? My cheeks burned and I stepped away.
He grabbed for me. I moved out of his reach.
Kat acted as if she hadn’t seen and heard us, but her hand shook as she filled a bottle of wa
ter in the galley.
Zoë came out of her cabin and rubbed her eyes. “Can’t you guys keep it down?”
Kat turned to Zoë. “I’m leaving some of Dad’s meds with you.” She held up the bottles and boxes and told her what each was for.
“Slow down,” Zoë complained. “Let me write the info down.” She took a page from Dad’s logbook and began scribbling the names of the drugs and what they were for. Kat gave her a lot of medicine. I hoped some of the containers held antibiotics.
I dug out a large plastic garbage bag and handed it to Kat. She shoved her camper’s backpack and sleeping bag into it. Her dad’s pack she put on her back. We didn’t speak.
Dylan dropped the sails and Whistler slowed to a stop. I climbed on deck and scanned the beach. We were in a huge open bay. Damaged boats and the tops of sunken ships dotted the waters here, too. There were lots of tents and lean-to’s, but not nearly as many as we’d seen further south.
What had once been a long pier was now a row of pilings that stretched out to the sea. Huge ships and smaller vessels were tied to the pilings. People in uniforms were removing equipment, furniture, and supplies from the ships, and barging the stuff to shore.
Dylan had been right. The military base was distinct. Two large portable buildings had been brought in as well as a number of long, barracks-type tents. Rolls of barbed wire circled the base and people in uniforms with rifles paced back and forth. I wondered if Jervis was somewhere behind all that security.
Angelina came out of her cabin. “Why are we stopped?”
Makala rubbed her eyes and carried Boots up on deck.
Takumi and Nick helped the doctor up top and sat him on the bench. His head rolled forward. He was unconscious. Kat kept him from falling off the bench.
Takumi and Nick loaded the dinghy. Nick tossed in a spear gun. Both guys wore shorts. “Where are your packs?” I asked.
“We won’t need much.” Nick held up a plastic bag. “Just a change of clothes. We’ll have to jump into the water to land, and tow the dinghy out and over the breakers when we leave.”
Dylan showed Nick the spot where the B’s had rowed Jervis ashore. There was considerable surf, and they would have to time the landing just right. “Since Kat’s dad is hurt, maybe you should beach a little closer to the base.”
Angelina hugged Kat. “I’ll never forget how you and your dad helped me.”
“Bye, Kat.” Makala held Boots in her arms. When Kat leaned down to kiss Makala’s forehead, Boots’ tongue got Kat first. The girls giggled.
It was my turn. I searched for something I could say that wouldn’t sound bitter. “I hope your father’s better soon.” I tipped my head toward the bag of meds. “And thank you for all that medicine.”
“You’re welcome.” Kat turned and climbed aboard the dinghy.
Nick and Takumi lowered the doctor down to Kat and followed after him. Nick untied the line.
“Wait! Why’s Takumi still in the dinghy?” Dylan’s brows cinched together.
Kat rested her hand on Takumi’s shoulder. Takumi kept his eyes on me. “Kat can’t carry her dad to the base. Nick will have to stay with the dinghy. I’m going to help her.”
“What? When was that decided?” Dylan held his hands up in frustration.
“We’ll return in an hour.” Nick attached the oars to the boat.
“Be safe,” Angelina cried.
Makala waved and yelled good-bye. Boots barked.
“The rice and beans will be ready.” I stared at Takumi.
His shoulders relaxed and he smiled back as Nick began rowing toward the beach.
Chapter Twenty
Zoë went back to bed. Angelina, Boots, and Makala left the deck to find food. Makala carried a piece of cooked snake and a bowl of grapes back to her bed. In minutes, she was asleep.
I dug out the binoculars and stood on the bow watching the dinghy. They were headed toward the shoreline, which was about five hundred feet from the barbed wire. I held my breath while the little boat rode a wave to shore. It could have easily flipped over, but it didn’t.
Takumi’s legs dangled over the bow and he jumped off when the dinghy hit the sand. As he dragged the boat up onto the shore, a number of people camping along the beach came out of their tents or structures, and headed toward them.
I couldn’t tell if Takumi and the rest could see them or not. I checked my cell to see if I could call Takumi and warn him, but there was still no service.
The beach people seemed to move slowly. Many of them appeared weak or sick. I couldn’t begin to imagine the horrors they had encountered. Some were being helped to walk.
Why were they following Takumi and Kat? What did they want from them? “Hurry!” I whispered to myself as they unloaded the dinghy. It seemed to take forever. The beach people started to gather into a huge group.
Takumi and Nick had a heated discussion. They gestured at the approaching crowd, then at the dinghy. Finally, Takumi hoisted Kat’s dad onto his back. Kat threw one pack on her back and picked up the bag with the rest of the gear.
While they were busy, Nick leapt from the boat, and handed the spear gun and extra spears to Takumi. Before Takumi could react, Nick dove into the bay. He disappeared under the surf for a moment, but then his head appeared out past the breakers.
The dinghy followed after him. He had to be towing it.
Takumi and Kat took off for the military compound. The crowd on the beach stood for a moment and watched the dinghy head out into the bay. A number of people just sat down, their heads bowed. Part of the group followed after Takumi and Kat. Three young men waded into the surf and swam toward Nick and the dinghy. Without the dinghy to slow them down, they were rapidly gaining on Nick.
“Nick!” I screamed.
Angelina raced up from below.
“What! What’s happening to Nick?”
I pointed to the shore and handed her the binoculars. “Over there, see? That’s Takumi with Kat and her dad.” I moved my finger. “Those people are chasing them. And in the water, a short ways in front of the dinghy is Nick. I can’t see the guys swimming after him, but there are some.”
Angelina raised the binoculars and gasped. “They’re going to catch Nick. But he has the spear gun, right? He can stop swimming and warn them off.”
I shook my head. “He gave it to Takumi.”
Angelina shoved the binoculars at me. “I’m getting the pistol. Meet me at the stern in two minutes with the kayaks. We’re going to help them.”
“Right.” I began untying the straps holding the kayaks onto the side of the boat. It felt good to be doing something. Anything.
When I pulled the kayaks around to the stern, Dylan argued with me. “Takumi and Nick can take care of themselves. The crowd might take away their packs, but they won’t hurt them.”
“How do you know that? Nick is going to have to fight off three guys. They want the dinghy and won’t care if they drown Nick to get it. Takumi at least has a weapon.”
“Why didn’t they both take a spear-gun?” Dylan sounded exasperated. “We have two.”
Angelina came on deck with the police pistol and checked the bullets. “It doesn’t matter why they didn’t. It’s done. Toni and I will paddle to Nick and help him.” She shoved the gun into her daypack. “Then we’ll wait for Takumi.” She looked at me. “Let’s go.”
Dylan offered to go in my place, but I’d had enough of being left behind.
“Zoë would have a fit if you left, and you know it. We won’t be gone long.” I grabbed a couple of lifejackets and shoved off. We made good time even with Angelina’s sore shoulder. Two weeks of practice had increased my paddling skill. Soon we were closing in on the dinghy. Unfortunately, the guys swimming after Nick were too.
All of a sudden, Angelina stopped paddling and pulled out the gun.
“What are you doing?” I couldn’t believe she’d start shooting the guys in the water. At least, not before we talked to them.
But she aimed a
nd fired. Between our location and the dinghy a huge fin popped up out of the water. A barbed tail thrashed about. This time it really was a shark. The water around the shark turned red.
“You shot a shark? Oh my God! You shot a shark!” The kayak felt really small. I fought the panic welling up in my chest. “Won’t its blood bring others?”
“It’s better than letting it eat Nick. There are probably lots of other sharks around anyway. The coast has been a feeding ground.” She gestured at all the damaged boats. “Sharks will go after their own if they smell blood. I made it bleed to distract them.”
Nick and the three guys had stopped swimming when they heard the shot.
“Sharks!” Both Angelina and I yelled.
Nick pulled the dinghy close to him and heaved himself over the side. He fell into the bottom of the boat just as a shark passed by.
The three guys stared at the dinghy, the shore, then back at the dinghy. One of the guys began swimming for the beach. The other two swam toward the dinghy. The two guys heading for the dinghy soon came to a stop and treaded water. Three sharks circled around them.
“Help us!” The guys screamed.
“Really?” Nick called out. “Is that what you were planning to do? Help me?”
“Dude. You can’t let us die this way!” one of the guys screamed as a shark disappeared beneath him.
Before Nick could answer, the sharks circling the guys in the water abruptly turned, and headed for the shark Angelina had shot. A feeding frenzy began. A half a dozen sharks appeared and attacked the dead or dying shark. Tails and teeth gnashed and ripped chunks of flesh off. The bay turned red.
Nick used the distraction to paddle to the guys in the water. “Angelina and Toni, stay back,” he cried.
Angelina and I stopped paddling. A shark came alongside me, circled Angelina’s kayak, then raised its head and sharp teeth out of the water. Angelina shot it in the eye. It immediately sank.
“Paddle to the dinghy before more come!” Angelina screamed.
But it was too late. Sharks converged on the shark Angelina shot in the eye. A tailfin slapped my kayak and I almost tipped over. I focused on paddling to the dinghy and getting as far away as I could from the shark action. I hoped Angelina was behind me, but I was too busy to check.