Float

Chapter 1 || Emma

I looked up from my book. Bill was folding a paper boat for Georgie. The paper crinkled as he straightened the edges. His precision was impeccable, and he was so concentrated. I placed my book face down on my lap and looked over to Georgie, who's fingers traced a smiley face in the foggy window. 

"You sure you wont get in trouble Bill?" Georgie asked, turning away from the window.

"Don't be a w-w-wuss. I'd come with you, if I weren't-" Bill paused and coughed into his hand for extra dramatic effect. "Dying."

"You're not dying!" Georgie insisted.

"You didn't see the vomit coming out of his nose this morning?" I asked in mock shock, glancing over to Bill.

"That's disgusting!" Georgie replied, walking closer to Bill and I.

"Okay, go get the wax." Bill instructed, folding the boat into shape.

"In the cellar?" Georgie's voice was quiet. He sounded scared.

"You want it to f-f-f-float, don't you?" Bill asked.

"I'll go. You can stay here Georgie." I stated, placing my book to the side and rising to my feet.

"Thanks, Emma." Georgie sighed, plopping down on Bill's bed.

I smiled back at my brothers as I walked out of the room. The old wood floors of our house creaked as I walked across them. I thumped down the stairs, leaping over two steps at the bottom. My mother was playing piano in the living room as I walked past, into the kitchen. I slowed as I reached the cellar door. In the dimly lit kitchen, I felt my spine tingle. The door creaked open, and I took a step into the darkness. I could hear the ran tapping the windows upstairs. Suddenly, there was a whine on my radio, and I jumped.

"Hurry up." Bill's voice said. 

I sighed and took a step. One stair at a time. At the bottom, I flicked the light switch, but it didn't work.

"Well I'm in for a treat." I muttered to myself, my quiet voice piercing the deathly silence.

I scanned the dark basement, recognizing some of the silhouettes of objects lying around. My hand ran over the shelves, feeling my way through the dark. I could see just enough to spot the wax jar. I took it, but felt a chill run up my spine. Something was wrong. I turned and saw two glowing yellow eyes staring back at me. But they couldn't be eyes... I felt around for something to shine light, and felt a flashlight. It was big and heavy, but I managed to pull it out and shine it at the direction of the eyes. In the light, I saw that it was just two marbles. Then there was a crash, and I lost it, clutching the wax and bolting up the stairs. I slammed the door shut behind me, panting as I crept past the living room and up the stairs. The familiar creaking calmed me, and I opened the door to Bill's room.

"There you are." Bill smiled.

I nodded and rushed over to him. He took the wax and poured it into a bowl at his desk. I dug through his drawer and pulled out a thick brush. 

"Here." I handed it to Bill, and he spread the wax across the boat's edges.

Georgie leaned on him, watching his strokes. I noticed the S.S Georgie on the side, and I felt warmth in me. When, Bill finished, he handed the boat to Georgie. Georgie grinned from ear to ear as he held his new toy.

"All right. There you go. Sh-sh-she's all ready, captain." Bill said.

"She?" Georgie asked, looking from me to Bill.

"You always call boats she." I explained.

"She. Thanks Billy." Georgie wrapped his arms around Bill, then around me.

When he pulled back, we giggled. 

"See ya later! Bye!" Georgie called as he skipped out of the room.

"Do you think he'll be fine?" I asked Bill worriedly.

"Of course." Bill reassured me.

I nodded, but something inside me felt unsettled. Bill closed the package of wax, and followed me to the window. We watched Georgie rush out of the house in his little yellow raincoat and wave to us. I waved back, and looked at Bill.

"Be careful." he said into the radio.

I watched Georgie run after his boat, then turned and walked to Bill's bed to continue my book