Page 25 of Waves of Fury

Brian returns and thrusts Kyle’s tie at me. “Got it.”

“Tie them together on one end,” I instruct. “We’re going to use it like a sling.”

Kellen groans when I press the folded tie against his wound. I know it hurts like hell, but there’s nothing I can do about that right now. He’ll need proper aid later, but this is all I can offer at the moment. Once Gerry has the ties knotted, he feeds the material behind Kellen’s back under his shirt. I carefully cover Gerry’s tie that’s working as a makeshift bandage and then hand him the other end of the ties. He knots it and then pulls it tight. Kellen hisses through his teeth, making Gerry shoot me a worried look.

“It needs to be tight,” I assure him. “Knot it good. We can check it later.”

After he finishes with his knot and pulls Kellen’s clothing back into place, Gerry and Brian both retreat to check on the others. I settle on the ground beside Kellen, my backpack also pressing against the door. Rain continues to pelt the building outside, but we’re not met with any more swells.

“What happened?” I ask, turning slightly to look at Kellen. “I heard you tell us to brace for impact before all hell broke loose.”

He grunts and swipes a hand over his face. “Cruise ship. Took out another building before hitting ours. It’s a fucking miracle we’re still alive.”

“No shit,” I mutter. “Damn.”

Kellen is quiet for a moment before he says, “I guess that tip I promised just keeps growing, eh?”

A snort of laughter escapes me. “At this rate, you’re just going to have to put me on the payroll. Hell, give me some of your stock shares while you’re at it.”

Despite the hellish day we’ve had, we both grin at each other. Barb’s moans nearby swipe the humor off our faces.

“What the hell are we going to do?” Kyle exclaims, throwing his hands in the air. “Barb’s concussed. She needs a fucking doctor.”

Kellen needs a doctor too, but we’re shit out of luck.

“We need a second to catch our breaths,” Gerry grunts. “I’m too old for this shit.”

“At least you got lunch,” Kellen mutters, smirking at me. “No stock options for you. You’ll never live that down.”

He’s making jokes, which is better than him dying on me. I’ll take it.

“We’ll need our strength for whatever comes next,” I state, sitting up so I can pull my backpack off and into my lap. “Let’s all put something into our bellies.”

We don’t have much between us from what we’ve gathered, but it’s enough for everyone to get a few swallows of soda and water and some nibbles of the snacks we’ve acquired. There’s even enough to allow us another break in a little while. After that, we’re fucked unless we escape this hellhole or miraculously get rescued.

I’m not sure what comes next and I can’t think that far ahead.

“Everyone, try to rest,” I instruct. “We need to huddle for warmth the best we can, too. Night is upon us and being stuck in wet clothes isn’t going to be comfortable.”

Thank fuck this shit didn’t happen in the winter or we’d be totally screwed.

Kellen brings his legs up to make room in front of him. Gerry sits beside him with Elise and Hope on his other side. Brian helps Kyle move Barb, setting her in the middle of our huddle. Brian sits down on the step beside Hope and Kyle sits on the step next to Barb. Frannie sits beside me on the step, leaning against my side.

We’re a pitiful group, all nine of us trying to survive, packed together on the landing, but we’re still alive. We’re all still here.

Kellen’s head lulls to the side and rests on my shoulder. This close, despite being submerged several times, I catch a hint of his cologne. Still smells expensive. My eyes fall shut and I inhale the comforting scent. There’s not much to take comfort in right now, so I allow myself the indulgence.

I hug my backpack to me, hating how tears are beginning to prickle behind my eyelids. Now that we have a moment of respite, I can’t help but think of the loss of my brothers. It’s an ache deep inside my chest that hollows me out. Knowing I’ll never give Jesse shit again for being a bratty teenager makes my stomach churn. Never seeing Aaron’s reassuring smile again has a sob choking my throat.

What happens now?

How do I even go on without them?

A cold hand curls around mine and squeezes. I open my eyes, following my gaze to where Kellen’s large hand grips me.

I don’t know this man.

Hell, this afternoon, I hated him for being such a dick.

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