Blake jumped slightly as another wave barreled over the wheelhouse. He had ordered his crew to clean and organize the galley to keep them occupied and to keep their minds off of the seriousness of the situation. They, of course, were not stupid. They were well aware of what their young captain was trying to do, but they were also grateful for the distraction as well.
The radio crackled over Blake's head and a panicked voice filled the wheelhouse.
"This is Jonathon Hillstrand on the Time Bandit…oh man, we almost went over! Northwestern, Maverick, Cornelia Marie, anyone on this thing?"
Blake caught the desperation in the older captain's voice. He suddenly felt compassion and sympathy for him. He too understood the need to reach out to the other boats, if for nothing else, just to be reminded that you were not alone out here.
"Hey Time Bandit! This is the Wizard," said Keith Colburn over the radio, "We're out here too, about a quarter mile to the east of you. Cornelia Marie, Northwestern, and Maverick are all within a mile to a mile and a half of us too. I think we were all thinking the same thing…taking a path around the storm. Unfortunately the storm changed course and its right over us as we speak. You said you almost went over?"
Blake listened silently to the conversation, comforted by hearing that the other boats were very close by.
"Yeah," said Jonathon, "Rogue wave hit us hard on starboard…we were lying on a ninety degree angle for about two minutes. Man if another wave had come up on us after that…"
"This is Phil on the Cornelia," said a new voice suddenly, "Take it easy Jonathon, we're all in the same spot. I think I see your stern ahead, but the spray's blocking most of my view right now."
"Sig, Northwestern," said another voice, hurriedly, "We got hit hard too…we're all getting a beating out here. Hang in there guys!"
"Yeah, thanks," said Keith quietly, "Hey, anyone hear from the Maverick? How's the kid doing?"
"This is Blake on the Maverick," said Blake as he grabbed the radio, "We're okay for now."
"There he is!" exclaimed Sig with relief in his voice, "That kid's tough, he'll be fine. Hey, Blake…"
A rogue wave slammed into the Maverick, throwing Blake from his chair. He slammed into the far wall of the wheelhouse and cried out in pain. The Maverick was lying on her side in the churning water as wave after wave pounded its exposed hull.
"An EPIRB just went off!" exclaimed Sig over the radio, "Coast Guard's calling in! They say an EPIRB went off. It's within a mile radius of us according to the radar. Who's missing! Call in guys!"
"Keith on the Wizard, we're fine here."
"Phil on Cornelia…we're good."
"Jonathon, Time Bandit. We're fine."
The captains waited for Blake to call in. After a full-minute they realized what must have happened.
"Oh my God," said Sig in disbelief, "It's the kid!"
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Back in the Elbow Room…
The waves pounded the shoreline, growing closer and closer to the Elbow Room. The wind slammed into the walls of the tavern, causing it to creak and groan as if in pain.
Danni and Emily were crouched behind the counter, trying to shelter from the horrifying storm. Within minutes the storm hit them full force, shaking the Elbow Room threateningly.
They tensed as they heard something slam into the far side of the room. Danni imagined the surrounding trees falling all around them. In this wind it could have been anything: a tree, pieces of any other building or car, anything was possible.
Emily shot her friend a terrified look as the roof began to make horrible tearing noises. Danni shared her friend's fear. She knew the storm was going to be bad but she did not think that it would be this bad.
Suddenly, section of the roof peeled away. The women screamed as water and debris began to fly into the Elbow Room…
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