Survival

6

I enjoyed the movie. It was hilarious, a little gory but amazingly classic. Hi would certainly enjoy it.

But I would have enjoyed it even more if I wasn't shit scared at the men in front of us.

I kept my eyes on them throughout the movie but I was determined I wasn't going to let them spoil my night out with Ben. Half way through the film, I rested my head on his shoulder. It was awkward near the start of the film, making my cheeks flush. The men did glance back at us a couple of times, and each time Ben stiffened. He slung his arm around the back of my chair, a protective curl around me. I squeezed his hand every time they looked. I caught them laughing a couple of times at the movie.

As soon as the film finished, we left. We didn't give the men a chance to look back. I didn't know what they looked like from the front, only from the back. Outside they were wearing glasses- again. I was beginning to hate sunglasses. It was past nine when we left the cinema and we took a short cut to the Marina. By half past, we were skimming over the water. We made a point to watch over our shoulders from time to time, but we had no followers.

By the time we got to the dock, I had ten minutes before my curfew. Ben cut the motor, before checking the horizon again. No sound. I stood up from my chair after a tense and silent moment, and made my way over to him. I hugged his shoulders from behind.

"Thanks for taking me out tonight. It was great" he looked at me over his shoulder, and I pecked his cheek.

"You're welcome. I enjoyed spending some time alone with you" he spun around on the chair, and crushed me into his chest as he stood. I laughed, reaching up around his neck and shoulders again. "And, stop worrying about those men. They won't get near you, I promise" he knew exactly what I was thinking about. I sighed, defeated.

"I know, but that doesn't stop me from worrying" I stared up into his eyes, but there was suddenly a yap. We both turned to see Coop, standing on the dock. How did he get outside? I shared a look with Ben. Coop was standing on the opposite side of the dock where Hugo was tied- it wasn't Tom's boat that was docked up. "Ben, that's not your Dad's boat" I stilled in Ben's arms as he narrowed his eyes at it.

"I've never seen that boat before" he said before pulling away. He went over to Coop's side, who growled before nipping at Ben's ankles. He grabbed Ben's jeans lightly. "What is it buddy?" It was said softly as he crouched down to Coop's level and I stood up to his side. Coop whined, lifting himself onto Ben's knee, nudging his face with his nose before turning to the boat. He stepped on the edge, nose pointed towards the captain's chair.

"What is it?" I asked as Ben stepped passed the wolfdog. He reached out, and his fingers curled around keys that were still in. They either left in a hurry or-

"They're coming back soon, whoever it is" he said, meeting my eyes. He scoured the boat, not touching anything. I looked around, checking for anyone that might be coming anytime soon. There was no one. "Nothing. This boat is almost brand new- do you think maybe the Devers or Stolowitski's might have bought a boat?" I shook my head.

"That's a Blue thing on Morris" I joked, and he spared me a smile. "We should check if your Dad's in, he's normally in by now right?" Ben nodded, before we ran towards Ben's house. It was dark. So that was no on that then.

"That's weird. He's normally in by now" we probably spent about fifteen minutes wondering what was happening before walking back to the dock. When we got there, Tom was tying up Hugo. What the frick? "That's just confusing" Ben murmured.

"What's confusing?" Tom asked, overhearing. He was grinning, ear to ear. Ben and I shared a look, and a silent understanding of not to tell. Where the hell had that boat gone?