Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
“My brother,” Kellen chokes out. “He and my dad are there.”
“I’m sure they got out,” I murmur. “If you got out of your predicament, they will have too.”
His shoulders relax at my words. “Knox is quite capable. So is Dad, for that matter. Dad may be an asshole, but he can handle himself.”
“You’ll be with them soon,” I assure him. “We’ll find them.”
A smile curls his lips up on one side. “We? You’re going to help me?”
“Still working on the best tip ever, man.”
Before he can reply, Aaron shouts at me. I break from Kellen to rush over to my brother at the helm.
“There,” he says, pointing at asphalt up ahead. “It’s a road. I’m not sure what sort of debris we’ll run up against near the shore. Our best bet will be to run the boat onto the shore with the last of the fuel reserves. Everyone will need to be ready, though. It’s not going to be a soft landing and there’s nothing I can do about that.”
I give him a quick nod before relaying the update to Kellen. Within minutes, we have everyone up, aside from Barbara, bags and supplies in hand, ready to go.
We’re getting closer when the engine begins to cough and sputter. Aaron bellows, slamming his fist against the dash as though he can jump-start the boat back to life. The Angler-traz lets out a tired sigh and then goes silent. We’re still cruising at a decent speed. I just hope we don’t have to swim the rest of the way because the water has proven to be incredibly dangerous.
As we approach the road that emerges from the water and disappears into the trees, I study the area for signs of life. No lights or sounds or people. Nothing. It’s eerie and causes a shiver to crawl up my spine.
“Brace!” Aaron yells when we’re about thirty feet away. “We’re coming in hot!”
I grab onto a handle on the outside of the helm with one hand and Kellen’s arm with the other. Seconds later, the deafening sound of crunching and smashing assaults my eardrums. We bounce and are tossed aside as the boat topples over once it’s made its crash landing.
My hand gripping Kellen’s arm is jerked away as I roll across the pavement and into the grass. I stagger to my feet, ready to aid the others. People are scattered all over the road. I do a quick headcount but don’t see my older brother.
“Aaron!” I yell, rushing toward the wrecked boat.
Pounding from the helm can be heard. He’s trapped. Seconds later, Wayne appears, carrying my pilfered ax. He motions for me to step aside. With a few well-placed whacks, he splinters the wood enough for Aaron to push an arm through. Together, we break apart the wood panels until Aaron has enough room to climb out. By the time we get him onto dry land, everyone seems to be getting to their feet. Jesse is bleeding from his eyebrow and Pretzel is howling pitifully. Other than that, no one appears to be injured.
“No,” Kyle barks out. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
He’s squatted beside Barb, who lies on the asphalt, unmoving.
“What’s wrong?” I demand, rushing over to them. “Is she okay?”
The older woman is no longer sleeping. She’s not even breathing. Her head is twisted at a weird, unnatural angle.
Fuck, Barb is dead.
It’s probably for the best, though.
Guilt assaults me the second I think it.
“You!” Kyle hollers as he climbs to his feet. He charges Aaron. “You killed Barb!”
He swings a fist, connecting with my brother’s jaw. Before I can snap into action, Jesse joins the fray, yelling at Kyle to get away from his brother. I snap out of my shock and manage to grab hold of Jesse before he does something stupid like strangle Kyle. Thankfully, Gerry and Kellen loop their arms around Kyle’s, tugging him away from Aaron.
Aaron rubs at his jaw and dips his head. I know he feels bad for the crash landing, but it’s not like there were any docks waiting for our arrival. No matter which way we tried to disembark from the boat, it was going to be dangerous.
Hope walks over to Aaron and clutches onto his arm. “Thank you for saving us and getting us here. Not everyone is an asshole.”
“Bitch,” Kyle snaps at Hope and then he attempts to shake off Kellen and Gerry. “Let go of me.”
“Enough,” Kellen growls to Kyle. “This whole situation is fucked-up, but blaming Aaron won’t bring Barb back. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
Kellen drags Kyle along the road, away from the smashed boat and Barb’s lifeless body. Now that I know Jesse isn’t going to kill Kyle, I release him. He grunts and then trots over to where Hailey holds a trembling Pretzel.
I don’t know what lies ahead in store for us, but I hope there’s a warm meal, a dry bed, and just a few hours where we don’t have to spend every minute surviving hell.