The storm

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 Chapter 1:

Aurora's POV

The blistering sun pounds down on my neck as I look out across the flat ocean. Salty water spurts up from the waves, relieving my arms from the scorching heat for a split second. It's a beautiful day in June, a clear blue sky, white cotton clouds, nothing in site but ocean for as far as I can see. Every summer since I can remember we would go sailing, we would pack some food and let Connie take us with the wind. Connie is my Mom's boat, my dad bought it for her before I was born; she used to tell me stories of her adventures with Connie, sailing into the distance, without a care in the world. I loved our summer boat trips, Poppy and I would pretend to be pirates while Dad manned the masts and Mom read her book. Today is no exepction, despite the oddly calm water and less of the pirate role-play. Poppy used to be petrified of the sea, until I showed her that there was nothing to be afriaid of.  I live in Florida, so the water has always been a big part of mine and my sister's life. My Grandpa once told me that there was saltwater in my veins, and I believed him until I was 11; but I was really gullible.

Poppy leans over the boat, her long pink skirt and aurburn hair floating in the light breeze. I lie in my canvas hammock, gently rocking from side to side. I love to watch Poppy, her nature and innocence is so sweet. Her eyes remind me of the ocean, huge and bright blue;unlike mine, a dull browny green. She turns around and runs over to where my Mom is sitting obviously asking for something which is why my Mom shakes her head. They look really similar sitting next to each other; well they both have the same crystal eyes, freckles and cheekbones, although my Mom has brown hair she is naturally ginger just like Poppy.

People tell me I look like my grandmother on my Dad's side, but I was 6 when she died so I don't really remember her much. I do remember that she always smelt of maple syrup; she was Canadian as well which is unfortunately ironic. I am awoken from my day dream by my Dad shouting something at my sister, "Ahoy there Captain Franklin, the seas are gett'n ruff you better steer the ship!" I immediately burst out laughing at my Dad's awful Pirate accent which is followed by a course of laughter from the whole family. I wouldn't call Connie a ship, she's merely an average sized Yacht, nice and modern, but with an old Pirate steering wheel, just for my Dad's amusement.  Poppy is standing with her hands placed firmly on the steering and Dad's  arms wrapped around her. Poppy loves to drive the boat because is makes her feel in command of everyone. Swaying from side to side, I relax as it will probably be my last chance before I go back to school in Miami. The stresses of exams mixed with bullies and boy trouble seem like thoughts far away in a different universe, finally deciding to go and bother someone else for five minutes. 

 I must have drifted off to sleep; when I awake I am lying in my wooden sea cot, adjacent to my sister who is fast asleep. All I can see is her rosy cheeks and vibrant red hair, poking out from underneath the covers. The room rocks up and down with the waves, almost sending me to sleep again. It's pitch black outside my window, I have been asleep for a while. I sit up in my bed, stretching out my arms and yawning. Quietly, I get out of my bed and make my way towards the door of our room. I have had no dinner and I'm starving. Gently creeping up the wooden steps, I notice my Mom and Dad are still on deck; My Mom asleep in her hammock and my Dad in the process of anchoring Connie. "Why are you still awake Rori?" My dad turns to me. "I just woke up!" I reply laughing. He beckons me over to where he is standing with his hand. "Well you might aswell help me since you're awake," He says. I walk over to him, having to watch where I'm walking because it is so dark. He smiles at me, handing me the end of a thick rope. I take it, and begin tying it to the mooring. I  learned how to anchor a boat when I was 5 years old, but back then I wasn't strong enough to  lift the anchor into the water. "You got this?" My Dad asks me. "Sure Dad," sarcastically, I reply. Now I have the responsibility of anchoring  Connie whilst my Dad goes and wakes my Mom up. Anchoring a boat isn't exactly hard, especially when it's your own boat. I tie the rope by a regular Anchor bend, preceding to tie an extra secure backup knot. My dad taught me a little rhyme  on how to remember how to tie a backup knot. its called the little Dolphin. Using a lot of my strength, I take the anchor with both hands and pull it up onto the railing of the boat. 

As I lean over, a huge jolt comes from behind me. I cry out as the jolt throws me over the tops of the railing. Tumbling, falling. The weight of the entire boat seems on top of me. Suddenly, I can't breath, gasping for air that isn't there. My body is shoved into the side of the boat, my ribs cracking in agony from the pressure. My arms and legs flailing about trying to reach the surface, but I have no idea in which direction the surface is. I attempt to scream noticing the pool of blood forming around my stomach. Swallowing more and more water, my vision becomes even more blurred. Before I can move, I realise I am underneath the boat, the waves knocking my up towards it. Everything is happening so fast. This is what drowing must feel like. There the jolt is again. This time bigger. I can't fight it this time. My body, now limp, puppet like. I am thrown visciously against something hard; I feel an exruciating pain in my head. Swirling water. Blood. Debris.      Darkness. 

Caroline's POV

Water spurts up in my face as I am tossed about by the waves. Hanging tightly onto a piece of our yacht with one hand and clinging to Aurora with the other. I desperately try to keep her unconscious body afloat. Dark, angry storm clouds tower over us, the only thing I can hear despite my own screams is thunder, loud echoing thunder. Aurora is lying limp on the driftwood with a huge bleeding gash to her forehead. Violently screaming and shaking her as a second large wave crashes on top of us. I open my mouth to scream but it is immediately filled with seawater and debris. Little can I think about my own injuries as I look down at Aurora. "Please please wake up my baby," tears are streaming down my face as I hold on to her waist. For the first time in my life I find myself praying, pleading with God to spare her life. I cannot tell if she's breathing as I desperately search for some way to know that she's alive. Never have I seen the ocean like this before, raging and forceful.. I am powerless against it. I call out in desperation for my husband, hoping that some miracle will have kept him alive like me. I fear the worst.

The ocean is alive, controlling our bodies to move wherever it pleases. I can't let Aurora drown. She is still unconscious. Just Lying there. Lifelessly. I press my hand against her head, trying to slow some of the bleeding with my sleeve. Dark blood seeps through the end of my jumper, flowing out of her head fast. I try shaking her again, nothing. As the water calms for a second, I spy one of Connie's doors, floating not far from where we are treading. Kicking frantically, I paddle towards it still clutching onto my daughter. I bite through the pain of my suspected broken leg to reach the door, swimming with all my energy. After violent struggles, I latch onto the door, carefully lifting Aurora on to it as I fight for air. I can hardly see a thing as it is so dark, but a slight relief sweeps through me when Aurora is fully lying on top of the detached door. Now all I can do is pray, just pray that we will survive until rescue comes. If it ever comes. 

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⏰ Last updated: Jul 07, 2013 ⏰

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