Cozy Beach Adventures

-2-

I don't know how long I've been lying in bed, but it's probably been a few hours. Lily made me feel a little better, but I'm still thinking about what Chip and Filbert said about me.

I should have known this all along. They scowl and roll their eyes every time I come back on the ship, and they always leave me on read. Chip is always the one who answers our group phone, because he's taken charge of it. I realize that he doesn't respond not because he forgets, but because he doesn't want to.

I roll over and check the clock on my nightstand. It's 10:00 p.m. I've been in bed almost all day. I'm sure everyone thinks I fell off again.

I decide to spend some time outside on the deck, since the others are usually asleep at this time of night. I take off my hat and put it back on my dresser, since I don't feel like wearing it right now. I quietly open the door and tiptoe out of the cabin. I glance down the hall to see everyone's doors closed, except for Stella. She must be steering the ship like she does every night.

When I reach the deck, I find that it is completely dark outside. The cool breeze feels refreshing, and the night sky is full of glittering stars. I turn around to see Stella on the helm. She doesn't seem to be aware of my presence, since she is too far away to hear my footsteps.

I stand in front of the railing and gaze out into the stars. I tend to drift off to sleep here, and the spaces between the railing posts are wide enough for me to fall through. I figure that is part of the reason why I keep falling overboard.

I stare at each star in the sky, trying to pinpoint constellations. I can't find any, though. I wish Lily were there to help me, since she is passionate about astronomy. I've never been good at it myself.

I recall a time a few months ago when my boyfriend, Wilbur, and I sat on the beach and gazed up at the sky together. We had kissed that night, like we always do. I remember us holding hands and me snuggling close to him, resting my head in his lap.

I miss Wilbur so much. I want to tell him about what happened to me today. I know he would be there by my side and hold me in his arms. We don't see each other very often, only when I wash up on his island and occasionally make my crew drop me off there. I wonder when I'll see him again.

I realize that for a few minutes, I had forgotten about what Chip and Filbert said to me earlier today. I remember why I love standing outside at night, gazing at the sky, because it allows me to fully enjoy the present.

I start to feel very tired, and I find it difficult to keep my eyes open. Despite lying in bed all day, I didn't take a nap at all. I know I might fall off again, but I don't care. Chip and Filbert want to get rid of me anyway. I lie down on the deck and let myself drift off to sleep.

...

Someone is grabbing me. I begin to make out a few voices. I feel myself being picked up, and the voices continue. Is this a dream? I open my eyes to see two silhouettes above me.

"What's going on?" I mumble. I realize that the two figures are Chip and Filbert, and they are holding me in their wings.

"Oh my gosh, he's awake." Chip tells Filbert. Why did they pick me up? What are they doing to me?

"Put me down!" I cry out. I kick my feet and try to let myself free, but their grip is too tight. They have their wings wrapped around mine.

Chip begins to chuckle loudly. "Well, Gulliver, have fun out there!" he exclaims. Filbert is grinning. I suddenly realize that they are about to throw me overboard.

"NO!" I shout. "Let me go! Let me-"

I feel myself flying through the air, and I think I'm screaming. Everything around me has become a blur of colors. I'm falling now, towards the deep blue sea. I feel my head smack onto the side of the ship. My vision blurs as I land in the water. I close my eyes and my world slips into darkness.