1203 Words, this chapter
Chapter Seven
Still in shock, Jess and Mrs. Lucerni rode out the waves caused by the violent knocking of Becker's boat. The boats had separated slightly during the attack, and then floated back together, their front ends touching.
"Oh my God!" screamed Jess. "Where are they?"
Mrs. Lucerni shook her head, continuing to pray.
Tears ran down Jess face. She didn't see any commotion in the water, like a…feeding. Still, she felt like throwing up.
Then she ran to the front of the boat. She bent over the end, trying to see into the other boat. As she did she couldn't believe what she saw.
Becker. He had been flung from his boat onto her boat's front end.
"Oh my God!" she cried, immediately crawling toward him. "Becker?"
Mrs. Lucerni ran to them. "It's a miracle," she muttered. "Uh…get him inside, dear."
Jess nodded. She didn't want to move him; in case he was hurt, but she couldn't chance him falling into the water should the fish hit their boat. "Careful," she said, pulling Becker.
He was dazed, but he let Jess pull him. Once he moved close enough, Mrs. Lucerni helped pull him inside. He slumped against the inside of the boat. Jess sat next to him, caressing his cheek. "Are you alright?"
"I…I think so," he said, trying to gain his breath back. "Thanks."
Both women smiled and nodded. Jess kissed his lips lightly. "You scared me."
"Sorry," he said with a chuckle. He then tried to move.
Immediately, both women laid their hands against him.
"No, no, don't," said Mrs. Lucerni. "Stay still."
"She's right," said Jess softly. "We don't know how hurt you are."
"I'm alright. Really," he said, smiling to Jess. "A bit banged up…and I don't want to do that again soon."
Jess chuckled. "Me either."
He laughed and nodded. Then he reached up, pulled her gently to him and kissed her. He sighed. Then he looked around. He realized he was in Jess' boat. "Where's Cooke?"
"Oh my God!" cried Jess in alarm. "I forgot. I mean…I saw you….you went flying, and I…."
"It's all right Jess, it's not your fault," he said gently. "We need to find him though."
Jess nodded, tearing up slightly. She helped Becker up and they began to look around.
"If he went into the canal…." Jess said, but stopped.
Mrs. Lucerni had moved to the edge of their boat. "I do not see…more blood," she said quietly.
Becker had moved close to the end of the other boat. He tried to look inside. "I…can't…see…" Jess returned to him, clinging to his side. He stared at the water. "I hope he's alright. He's a good man."
Jess nodded. A tear ran down her cheek.
Then they suddenly heard some shouts in Italian. They turned toward the noise and there they saw several men, including Blow Horn Man, helping a soaking wet man up and onto the bank.
"Cooke!" yelled Becker.
Jess giggled, jumping up and down in the boat.
"Are you alright?" Becker asked, shouting.
Cooke nodded. He was hunched over, clearly winded and trying to gain back his breath.
Becker laughed, hugging Jess close. She giggled, wrapping her arms around his chest. Beside them, Mrs. Lucerni laughed as she thanked God, in Italian, for the Commander's escape.
Then they were reminded that they still had a problem, a big one. Their boat was struck violently.
Jess screamed, but Becker had her tightly in his arms. Mrs. Lucerni, however, was knocked down. They tried to help her up but they were hit again.
Becker was aware that Cooke and others were shouting, but he was a bit preoccupied.
"I hate that fish," he mumbled.
It hit them again. This time they all fell into the bottom of the boat.
It hit them again.
And again.
And again.
"Stop!" screamed Jess.
Mrs. Lucerni moaned and prayed in Italian.
Becker cursed and looked at Jess. "I'm not losing you to some fish!"
Jess looked at him. "Me either."
Another hit.
"Mrs. Lucerni? Can you still drive?"
Another hit.
"Ci. Yes."
"Ok. Let's catch it," said Becker.
Another hit.
"How?" asked Jess.
"Between us," he said.
"Between us?" asked the Italian lady.
Becker nodded. He looked at Jess. He kissed her firmly but quickly. Then Jess watched in horror as he jumped from their boat.
"No!" she screamed, but it was too late.
He was in the air. Even as he leapt, so did the fish. It narrowly missed catching his foot as he landed inside the other boat.
Becker stood up.
"You're an idiot!" screamed Jess.
Becker smiled, but the fish tried again, and he jumped back. He ran to the wheel, praying he could drive the boat. "Mrs. Lucerni?"
"Yes, Captain?" she yelled back.
"We ram together!"
"Ram what?" asked Jess.
"The fish, obviously, Jessica!"
"Becker, it's too fast!"
"We will try," said Mrs. Lucerni. "Sit down, per favore, Jess."
Jess did as she was told. "Is his boat even seaworthy?"
Mrs. Lucerni worked the boat's controls. She smiled. "We shall see, dear."
Jess moaned.
Becker hoped his plan worked, beginning with the boat's engine. To his great relief, it started. He backed up as much as he could, avoiding the clogged traffic in the canal.
He was hoping the movement of the water would agitate the fish. He then moved quickly forward, and as he sped back to his old location, he smiled. He saw the fish moving about, trying to decide who to attack: the boat with the ladies or whatever new prey was churning the water.
He saw the fish target the boat with Jess but he knew it was too late.
For the fish, that is.
"Sorry, playtime is over," Becker muttered.
He sped toward it. He saw Mrs. Lucerni nod. As he rammed into the fish from the back, Mrs. Lucerni rammed it head on.
Wham!
They sandwiched the fish between the boats. Blood and fish pieces rained down.
"Ew!" Jess screamed.
Mrs. Lucerni praised the Lord.
Becker got up and admired his handiwork. After what it had put them all through, he had no sympathy. "I'm glad Abby's not here," he said as he jumped into the ladies' boat.
"Becker! You ruined my dress! And my shoes! And my hair!"
He chuckled. He was covered in the mess himself. "Sorry, but at least we match."
"Ugh!"
Mrs. Lucerni managed to sail the boat to where Cooke was waiting with Bullhorn Man.
The Commander laughed. "What some people will do to get out of an interrogation. The city councilor wanted to see you," he said, nodding at Bullhorn Man, "but he insists you both clean up first."
"Bless him," said Jess.
"Maybe now he'll reconsider his lack of cooperation," said Becker.
"Well, it isn't only up to him," said Cooke, "but uh, yeah, we may have gotten his attention."
Jess half chuckled, half cried, as fish guts dripped down her face. "Oh, good. Now we've got his attention."
Cook laughed. "Yeah, anyway, he's more interested now. I think he's realized that he and the city leaders have underestimated the situation. This could be a very good thing."
Becker smiled. "And all it took was some fish guts."
End of Chapter Seven