Dragon: Myth of the Bermuda Triangle

Chapter Four: Maddie

        "Will, wake up. You've been asleep for eight hours." The girl. Her voice soothes me. But who is she? What's her name?

I slowly open my eyes, and I meet hers. Oh gosh. Why does she have to be so beautiful?

She smiles and says, "You look a lot better."

I feel better. My strength is slowly coming back. This girl is an angel. She must have sprinkled me with magic while I was asleep.

Sitting up, I see I am in another room, but it's not where I started. There's a window, a balcony, a TV, chairs, and tables. The Sun is setting outside. I climb out of bed, a little shaky, but the girl catches me.

"The doctor says that he thinks you'll be more comfortable in our cabin," she explains. Oh, so that's what the white-coated man is called? How am I supposed to know?

I stumble toward the window but stop when I pass a mirror. I take a minute to check my weary being. My brown hair is out of the ribbon. It reaches for my shoulders. Wow, is that really how long it is? I have a few holes in my pants and rips at the edges of my shirt sleeves. Sure enough, my necklace is missing. Although, I know I'm safe around the girl.

She meets me at the mirror. "My name is Madeline, but everyone calls me Maddie."

Maddie. That's her name. It's gorgeous. Oh no... Am I blushing? Embarrassed, I quickly hide behind my hands and turn my back to her.

"There's no need to be shy," she says.

Oh, there is every right to be shy! I'm stuck in a room with the love of my life! How am I supposed to keep myself together? Removing my hands from my face, I look over my shoulder at Maddie.

"Anyway, my parents and I are from Charleston, South Carolina. We're on a cruise to The Bahamas," she continues.

The Bahamas. I've been there before. Mom, Dad, and I passed through the islands on our way to my island in the Triangle.

"Where are you from?" Maddie asks.

She's not going to believe me, but I have to try. I turn to face her and make a triangle out of my hands.

"Triangle? You're from a place called 'Triangle'?" Maddie guesses.

She's half right, but not entirely. I turn my left hand to the side to illustrate this.

"Don't you speak English?"

I shake my head no and point at my mouth.

"Really? Well then, how am I supposed to know where you're from?"

I hold my finger up to Maddie's lips. It's an indication for her to pay attention. She watches me closely as I make a second triangle out of my hands.

"Triangle?" she asks again.

Almost there, Maddie. Almost there. I nod and outline Bermuda Island in midair.

Maddie squints. "Bermuda?"

Getting closer. I smile and clench my fists, bringing them close to each other. This is my way of telling somebody to put two words together.

Maddie tries: "Triangle Bermuda? The Bermuda Triangle?"

Yes! There we go. I crack a smile and bob my head up and down.

But of course, she doesn't believe me. "The Bermuda Triangle? Oh, you're worse than I thought, kid! I think you need to lie back down!"

I huff and puff out my cheeks. Maddie tries to sit me back on the bed, but I push her away. I feel fine! She doesn't need to help me! I can take care of myself! After all, I have lived alone on an island for seven years.