Dark Island Book 1 (Complete)

Chapter 8

Harold gripped the rail and struggled to keep his footing. Rain poured, and the waves grew larger. "Looks like this trip's over. Everyone downstairs I am taking us back. "
"No, we can't... I can't... Can't stop now! I must find him before it's too late. "
"What? Find who Jack? "
"Never mind, just forget what I said."
"No, talk to me straight. We are not really here for the gold or hunting of any kind of ghost ship, are we. Because if you lied to me and either one of us die here today it is all on you, do you hear me. "
A bolt of electricity branded across the clouds like a neon spider web. Another crash of thunder made Ronnie jump. "Don't worry; you know Harold is an experienced sailor.
"Compared to other storms I've encountered before; this will be a piece of cake. "
Captain Harold forced a smile and headed for the wheelhouse.
Ronnie bolted after him.
"Need any help? "
"No, Ronnie. Just get yourself and Jack below deck where it's safe. "
"Okay" shouted Ronnie, water streaming down his face and hair. "Let's go Jack"
I heard Harold yell over the whine of wind, go get your life vests on, Now! "
Just then, a huge plume of salty white spray bust into the air and splashed over me. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. Ronnie charged through the sheets of rain; thunder crashed overhead. I followed. Angry waves exploded against the hull and filled the air with tumbling water. The boat pitched as a wave broke over the aide rail, ramming into my legs. I grabbed hold of a deck chair mounted to the floor to try to steady myself. Water, four- or five-inches deep spread across the deck of the boat, threatening to wash my feet from under me. I slowly made my way toward the cabin door. Just above me, another crack of thunder exploded. Goosebumps pimples my skin. There was more blindingly white light before the single streak of lighting broke into several branches. I breathed in and out deeply, hoping to make it to the cabin. Once I was behind that door, I knew I would be okay. I had no doubt that Harold would get us out this storm safely.
The boat lurched again, and this time against a rock. Some of Ronnie's books and sodas from the open cooler shot past me, barely missing my head.
Shivering, I shielded my face with an arm, clenching my teeth as I inched forward. Stinging rain pounded down harder. I took one braver step and slipped, falling on one knee. The pain surging up my leg made me bite my lip to stifle a scream. As I pushed myself up, an enormous wall of water raised high above us, crested, and slowly fall over our heads like a collapsing building. I swallowed a lungful of bitter seawater as I slammed into something hard. I wrapped my arms around it - the rail-and clung with all my might. A shudder ripped through my body. Salt stung my eyes and throat, but I didn't dare let go.
"Jack!" my head jerked toward the sound of Ronnie's frantic scream. As the water passed over him, I caught a glimpse of his face. He shrieked, terror in his wide-open eyes, his mouth gaping, his hands reaching out for help as he was thrown from the boat and swallowed by the dark furious sea. "Ronnie! "
I yelled.
My heart lurched. This is not happening. It can't be. In a blur, I scrambled up, coughing the undulating water. "Harold! Help. Ronnie's gone overboard. "I continued to peer into the rain, but couldn't see a thing. My heart drummed harder against my chest and when I could breathe again, I let out another horrified wail. I decided I'd do for Ronnie what I knew he would do for me: he would find me no matter what, rainstorm or not! I untied a red and white life ring, climbed over the rail, positioned myself to jump.
Harold grabbed my shoulder, pulling me back. "What the fuck do you think you're doing? Get down."
Arms encircled my waist. I struggled against Harold's grip as he lifted me off my feat, pulling me back on deck. "Are you crazy?" he yelled above the crashing waves.
Another shot of adrenaline surged through my veins. "Let go of me! The wave! It... It swept Ronnie overboard. I've got to help him."
"No! Harold refused to let me go shaking his head adamantly. "You'll get yourself killed out there."
"I don't care; it's Ronnie for crying out loud." I shouted furiously.
"Calm down, "he said
"Would Ronnie want you to jump in there? No, he wouldn't, and you know it"
I continued to struggle, but my attempts became less forceful, my body giving in before my will. I turned to face Harold. Water drizzled from his nose, chin, and hair. Letting out a breath I said, "But... Ronnie... Is out there! "
Harold leaned over the edge and yelled, "Ronnie!"
My voice thundered through the storm, shaky as it was. "Ronnie? Ronnie? Where are you? "
Even if he couldn't hear me over the ocean roars, I hoped he might see the light and try to swim toward it. The wind whipped across my face as I screamed out, "Do you see him?"
Harold shielded his eyes and peered out through the driving rain. "Nothing."
"If another wave hits, hang onto anything you can find that's bolted down."
Harold was trying to be brave, but he could never fool me. I saw the fear in his eyes. Something cold swirled around my ankles. Water. Rushing in. And fast. I gasped. Floating floorboards, cushions, charts, books and magazines sloshed about the deck. What if this boat sinks like a giant rock? I froze, my breath caught in my throat. Harold shook my shoulder, terror etched in his voice.
"Crap! We are sinking. "
I saw my own fears mirrored in his tense face.
"Keep moving!" I grabbed his arm, and we race through the fierce wind and rain. When we finally reached the wheelhouse. I going the door open. Lighting flashed, windows rattled, and heavy rain beat against the glass. The microphone dangled from the radio, almost touching the ground. I trembled as a feeling of dread encompass.