Page 21 of Sanctuary

“It looks like it will sink,” Sarah said.

“It’s floating and has the key. It will get us to the island, and from there, it’s only a short distance to the lighthouse,” Paige assured.

Misty was too tired and cold to argue, and Sarah didn’t argue either. Paige seemed to know what she was doing as the other two girls climbed in and Paige untied the rope that held it to the dock. Surprisingly, the boat’s motor started up immediately, and the loud rumble could be heard over the storm.

“Hold on,” Paige yelled as they took off toward the lighthouse.

The boat took a beating from the waves. Cold water pelted the girls, and they were openly shivering now. Paige turned on a side light that lit the water in front of them. Misty’s stomach became queasy as the boat hit wave after wave. Sarah clung to her. Misty slid down so she was on the floor and wrapped her arms around Sarah. If the boat sank, they would be dead. This entire mad scheme was a horrible idea. Misty did what came natural and prayed.

Paige looked straight ahead, her eyes on their destination. It felt like their journey would never end. She slowed the boat, and Misty heard a grinding noise.

“There are jagged rocks that I need to get around. Don’t worry, I have this,” Paige said confidently.

A long grinding noise sounded again, and the boat tilted slightly as Paige navigated toward the rocky shore. There were jagged rocks on the shore too, and it didn’t look inviting. Misty looked upward and saw the lighthouse. Paige said it offered warmth and a place to hide. It was too late to back out now. Misty just wanted to be warm.

“I did it,” Paige yelled.

Misty and Sarah whooped, their fists in the air, for only a moment their freezing situation forgotten. The rocky bottom stopped the boat from going forward and they came to a stop.

“We need to get wet now,” Paige said, which made Misty laugh when she looked down at the foot of water they had to trudge through.

All three looked like drowned rats as they dragged themselves to shore, the icy water lapping at their legs and threatening to pull them out in the swelling tide. They clung to each other during each agonizing step. They finally collapsed on the cold, wet land, the wind beating against them.

“I’m freezing,” Sarah said, shivering.

They wrapped their arms around each other as tightly as they could, but Misty didn’t feel any warmer.

“We need to move. It will be dry inside the lighthouse, I promise. Come on,” Paige said, standing and pulling Sarah up, then extending her hand to Misty. “The trees will keep the wind off us. Let’s go.”

They marched through the sand until they hit the tree line. Paige somehow found a path that made walking easier. The trees did block the wind, and though she was no warmer, Misty felt better. She focused on the lighthouse as her one true beacon in the night.

“What do we have here?” a thick male voice asked, and a large man stepped into their path.

He wore camouflage pants and jacket along with a huge knife on his belt which was all Misty’s eyes focused on at first. Paige shined her light on him. His clothes were as wet as theirs. He was tall with pitted skin on his face. Misty didn’t like the look of him.

“Our boat hit the rocks, and it was all we could do to make it to shore,” Paige beseeched in a melodic tone. “We were hoping someone was here that could help,” she said, her voice carrying an innocence Misty had never heard from her before.

“You ladies look cold,” the man observed, his hand held up against the light, but his gaze traveled over them, and Misty didn’t have a good feeling.

“Can you help us?” Paige asked in that same, unusual tone.

“I have a nice dry room I’m willing to share. Why don’t you come with me?” He held his hand out, but none of the girls moved closer. “I won’t bite, promise,” he said in a tone that caused chills to run up Misty’s spine.

She took Sarah’s hand and squeezed her fingers. They might need to run.

“Hey Dale, what did you find?” another male voice said from the trees before he too stepped onto the path, blocking their way. He was dressed identically to the first man. A little shorter, he carried the same look in his eyes as he examined them.

“These ladies are in distress. I thought we could help them back to our room and make them comfortable. I’m sure they’ll be grateful,” the first man who been called, Dale, said.

“You want to give up on the trophies?” the second man asked.

“Oh, I think we can have it all if we play our cards right. Let’s get these ladies warm, and we’ll go from there,” Dale suggested.

“That’s okay,” Paige said, her voice now hard. “We’ll find someone else to help us.”

Dale took a step toward Paige, and the girls backed up.

“You don’t want to be like that,” Dale said, grinning malevolently. “There are dangerous animals in these woods, and they would love to snack on such lovely treats. I’ll snack too, but I promise I won’t leave marks.”

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