It was a calm crossing to the island until the storm hit. Katia and her parents were searching for an ancient artefact. Katia was not interested in exploration; she preferred to spend her time painting but was forced to tag along last minute when no nanny was found.
"I could stay with Hannah! Mr and Mrs Fielding offered me the guest bedroom. Please!" Katia had begged.
"Emily, you can't stay with a friend for a month! Hannah's parents work night shifts at the hospital and you are only eight! Hannah's parents may not mind Hannah being home alone but I will not have it!" Katia's dad had pointed out.
So Katia was on the 'Elle Petite' with her parents. Katia spent all of her time on the deck sketching when all of a sudden she heard a cry of pain. Katia glanced over her shoulder and scanned the ship. Her mother was crouched at the wheel with her father laid out on the floor. It was the start of a thunder storm.
"Emily! Get inside! Now!" Katia's mother had commanded. She was crying with grief which discarded the option of asking what had happened from the list of what Katia should do next. Katia turned towards the door and ran inside leaving her parents stranded on deck.
Strong winds blew the boat in all directions. The young girl crouched under the dining table, hung onto her cuddly rabbit Mr Snuggles and wept with fear.
Katia woke with a fright. This was a regular dream but there was something in the storyline which made Katia feel that there was some truth in it. The reoccurring dream always ended there but the rabbit was a new character. Katia had no idea where the rabbit came from.
Katia had always remembered being at sea with her parents. All her memory told her was that it was so calm, the sun shining until all of a sudden the wind picked up speed, a storm brewing with lightning casting down. her father was struck but that was all Katia could recall. She was determined to regain her memory one again and discover how she got to the island and alone.
The time of day was difficult to see due to the large leaves and branches blocking out the sun. Katia stood herself up and climbed to the tallest branch of her tree. The sun had risen to be a deep orange colour glowing against the red sky. Below the clouds, Katia saw a dozen king fisher’s swooping down, catching small fish as they glided across the lake in the centre of the island. Katia saw the shimmering water of the river connecting the lake to the sea.
