Chapter 6 -
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I slowly lifted me head from inbetween Michaels head and shoulder. My eyes still puffy and red l
Attempt to make my way over to the edge of the boat, wanting to look for Dad, but the boat hits a sudden wave and I stumble back collapsing on the couch, across the back the back of the boat. I try once again to stand and succeed this time. I walk to the edge of the boat. My forearms lay flat on the side of the boat. I bend over to allow my head to rest on my hands, poking my bum out as I search for Dad.
"Quin, how bout you sit down for a sec. I'll take the wheel." Michael insists. Quin begins to turn to the back of the boat and walk, but something catches her eye. She swiftly turns her body to face the edge of the boat and walks to the side.
"Michael, Michael!" She calls. Both Michael and I spin out bodies around to face the direction in which she faced.
"I can't make out exactly what it is, but it looks like a sail to me." Quin clarifies.
"Where?" Michael questioned. Quin points in the direction she faces. Michael immediately jolts the boat to the where Quin pointed and puts the boat into full throttle.
We speed our way towards what looks like a sail, but shines purple in the moonlight. The boat is about 40m away and the image becomes clearer. I can only just make out the italic writing on the sail as the boat creeps closer and closer. 'Grace'... My worst fears are confirmed.
'Grace was the name my dad gave his boat. Grace was my mothers name. Before me and my siblings were born his parents both died. He was always an only child and the only person left to love was my mum, Grace. That's why he wanted to gut sailing on the 'Grace,' because it was the anniversary of her death.
Memories come flooding back. Memories that I didn't want to remember, memories of mum before she died. Every time I look at Lucy, I see mum. Lucy is basically a younger version of mum. Personality, image, everything... The same person. My face twitches at the memories.
Michaels switches the boat off as we pull up to the side of what I confirmed was Dad's sail boat.
"Quin, you stay here and make sure the boat doesn't drift away." Michaels says. Quin nods in approval. Michael jumps up onto the side of his boat and over the cable railing of Dad's, landing on his deck with a thump.
He lays out a hand for me to take as I do the same as he did, but as i attempt to jump over the cable fence of Dad's boat I trip and begin to fall but, soft masculine hands catch me before I hit the deck. I shyly look up to find Michael cradling me as he lifts me to my feet.
"Thanks." I say shyly.
"Anytime." He says back before he turns and begins to search the hull end of the boat.
"You search the back end!" He calls. My feet begin to carry me from one side of the boat to the other running in circles trying to find any-sign of Dad. Although he is no-where to be seen.
"Summer!" I hear Michael call.
oh no, I think to myself. I run over the Michaels crouched position on the deck. There isn't a massive amount there, but definitely enough to have me riddling with fear even more then before. I didn't even think that was possible. I blink slowly, closing my eyes, pressuring my lids together, hoping that it wasn't real. Michaels turns to me giving me an apologetic look.
"Turn the boat on Quin, we need to keep looking. He has to be in this area somewhere!" Michael shouts. As we stand and walk back to the boat, I turn back around to the 5 cm wide puddle of blood on the deck. We can only hope that he stopped the bleeding. We have to keep searching, he is here somewhere. If it wasn't for Michael I would have even made it this far. I have him to thank for that.
