Page 2 of Bred By the Barge

Another explosion. Heat scorches my back. Air whistles over the lid as the barrel flies. Gravity pulls us into a freefall.

Wood splinters and pain blasts through my entire body. Frigid salt water invades my lungs and chills my flesh.

The only warmth in the world is my sister’s limp body trapped in my arms.

I kick against the current, but the relentless pounding of water destroys my sense of direction.

A flash of light blinds me. I point my shoulders toward it. My thighs burn, but I kick harder. Disbelief spears through me when my head breaks the surface of the water. Stars burst in my vision as something solid smacks the back of my head, but I tighten one arm around my sister and use the other to latch onto the object.

Realizing it’s the bottom half of our splintered barrel, I shove my sister’s head and shoulders up onto it and scream her name. She doesn’t respond. I pull myself high enough to rest my belly beside hers, but the waves test my balance, and I struggle to keep us both afloat. As precious seconds tick by, I keep my eyes trained on my sister, silently begging her to take a deep breath. Her blue lips and pale skin terrify me.

Heat blasts across my back. Fire rains down on us. I scream and throw myself over my sister.

She coughs up water and weakly fights against my weight. I sob in relief.

Another explosion sends debris raining down on us. Pain slices through my shoulder.

We can’t stay here.

I hook my arms under Gem’s armpits and grab the edges of the barrel. Splinters dig into my hands, but I tighten my grip and kick away from the wreckage. With her head above mine, I only get glimpses of our path on the swell of each wave.

I choke on saltwater and spit out what I can. My lungs burn and my legs feel like rubber, but the pain in my shoulder and head urge me to push harder.

I must protect Gem.

Lightning flashes across the sky. Thunder booms. My calves cramp and toes go numb. Gem shivers so hard her teeth chatter.

Remnants of the fishing boat flame in the distance. A second vessel lists helplessly nearby. Large holes in the hull pull it into the sea. Men scramble to remain on deck, but their bulky frames denote them as alphas.

Sorrow tightens my throat. I can’t breathe.

Gem’s lashes lift. Her brows scrunch.

“Pearl?”

“I’m here, Gem.”

“Where’s Mama?”

I swallow and shake my head.

“Papa?” she asks.

My fingers cramp and refuse to release the barrel. She twists to look at the wreckage. I struggle to keep us upright.

Her gasp pierces my heart. As she screams and fights against me, silent tears stream down my face. My heart splinters as she calls for our parents.

A figure stands at the top of the sinking ship. Even though we’re too far away to see his features, I know without a doubt he looks straight at us.

I clamp a hand over Gem’s mouth. She flinches. Blood seeps between my fingers. I lift my hand in horror. We tip sideways. I grab the barrel and fight to keep us upright.

“I’m sorry, Gem, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I—”

“They’re gone, aren’t they?”

I don’t know what to say.

She breaks down into gut-wrenching sobs. I keep her head above water and kick farther away from the wreckage, unsettled by the feeling of eyes on us.

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