The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 20

"Jackson, how do you know so much about boats but you don't know how to drive one?" I ask.

"I know my way around because Dad taught me on our many trips to see you. I wish that you had run away with me to find Dad. I don't think that we would be here if you had," Jackson replies, smiling.

"You try running away after slamming your leg into a goal post; also, we would've most likely been here but would've been younger. Did you really want to be doing this when we were 15 or 16?" I ask, knowing the answer is no, but also smiling at his attempt at a joke.

"No, but-" Jackson starts to but Anna cuts him off.

"No buts, we need to leave now. It's almost 10am and I doubt very seriously that the followers plan on checking on us at 10. They are probably already on their way here if they don't get stopped by the bear," Anna says quietly as she walks into the wheel house.

"Alright, fine," Jackson says, unwillingly.

"Do you want to go somewhere quieter?" Owen whispers as the motor starts up, knowing Jackson and Anna won't hear what he says.

"Once we are out a little ways, yes," I say quietly, looking at him. He is so much more attractive in the sunlight reflecting off the ocean.

"What are you two whispering about?" Jackson asks with a smirk on his face.

"It's not your business," I reply simply, regretfully taking my eyes off Owen to look at Jackson.

"Yes it is, because you are my twin sister. Don't you remember the promise that Anna made to you? She told us about that promise before she made it to you and we all promised to uphold it," Jackson says his hair blowing in the wind.

"Does Owen not exist? He will be with me, and besides, no one else is on this boat except for us. Honestly, Owen checked everywhere and didn't find everyone. Just because you are my twin doesn't mean that you have to be at my side every second of the day. Besides, you need to be up here in case Anna needs your help with something, especially because this boat looks more electronic than classic sailing," I say, taking Owen's hand, and turning from him.

"Fine," Jackson says quietly, giving in for the time being.

"Guys we are approaching an area where I will start going slightly slower so you can move around," Anna says a few minutes later, "Okay, you can move freely now. Jackson, come in here so you can learn how to drive."

"Come on, let's go below decks," Owen whispers, leading me to the ladder that goes below.

This boat looks different out on the water. Owen looks as if he is very eager to either tell me something or do something. I walk into the bunk room that I share with Anna. Hopefully, Brooke will come to live here too.

"Nice room. I didn't realize that these rooms were so spacious. Which bunk is yours?" He asks, walking in and looking around.

"This one is mine and above me is Anna's bunk. I assume that the top one will be Brooke's and we'll use the bottom one in storage. I have been meaning to ask, what happened during those seven weeks that I was out?" I ask as I sit down on my bunk. I motion to the bunk next to me for him to sit on.

"Well, that's a long story. Do you really want to know?" he asks quietly, searching my face, with a look of fear.

"I-I do want to know, although I'm not sure that I will like what I hear. Something tells me that those seven weeks weren't fun for you guys. I almost wish that none of this had ever happened, I mean, I know I wouldn't have met you or Anna, and I wouldn't meet Brooke; but sometimes, this just feels like a job that someone else is supposed to do, not me," I say, looking down at first but looking back up to face Owen, curiosity winning out.