Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Mattel. The OC 'Chloe Flood' belongs to CarsWorldFan. The OC 'Hoshi' belongs to DenMoother.

Chapter 2

Penny jumped upon hearing the thunderclap. She checked the radar to see if she was close to Sam. She had to wipe the rain off her visor several times.

"Penny to Sam. Have you reached land yet? Over."

…

Sam screamed internally with frustration as he was swirled around underwater by yet another wave. He'd lost count of how many waves had completely bowled him over. With each wave, he would inadvertently swallow a mouthful of seawater as he battled desperately to breathe. The stabbing pain in his side made inhaling large gulps of air even harder.

Finally, when he surfaced once more, he rolled over onto his back. He hoped that would stop the waves from knocking him over long enough for him to recover his breath.

"Sam to Penny!" he shouted into his radio. "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!"

But the radio was silent. Despite being waterproof, the radio system could only take so much before it packed up. Sam slapped the churning water with frustration. He knew that his situation was dire. His wetsuit was providing him was some insulation against the freezing water, but it would only protect him for a few hours. Charlie wasn't wearing any protection except a life jacket.

Sam reached for the whistle attached to his life jacket. He waited for a dip between waves before he sat up again. He blew on the whistle as loudly as he could for a moment.

"Charlie!" Sam shouted again. "Char-" Another wave crashed down on top of Sam, plunging him back underwater. As he was swirled around underwater again, the force of the undercurrent tore the whistle from his hand.

…

Penny and Ben arrived at the location where they'd seen the flare come from. They expected to find Charlie's boat, but instead all they saw was the rolling sea. Penny drove Neptune around the area, searching frantically for any signs of Sam and Charlie.

Finally, Ben decided that they needed to leave.

"It's too dangerous, Penny," he radioed. "We need to head back."

"I can't leave them out here! They'll die!" she shouted above the roar of the wind.

"Penny, I'm sure he's gone back to shore. We need to get out of here," Ben argued. He looked to the others for support in getting Penny to stand down. He knew that Penny was generally worried about Sam. After all, they'd been friends and colleagues for years.

"Ben's right, Penny," Arnold said. "Sam's probably just out of radio range. You know how bad it can get during storms. We need to head back now. The storm's getting worse."

Elvis lowered his binoculars and he pointed at a shadow in the near distance. "I think I can see the bow of Charlie's boat. It's almost sunk."

"No!" Penny gripped Neptune's control column. Realising that the storm was indeed getting worse, her common sense returned to her. She was responsible for everyone's safety, not just Sam's and Charlie's. "Alright... Let's head back."

Ben and Penny drove the rest of the team back to Pontypandy. Penny couldn't stop shaking by the time they arrive back at the quay. She entered the Ocean Rescue Centre hoping the catch a glimpse of either one of the brothers, but she didn't. Hoshi ran down the stairs to meet them.

"Did you find him?"

Penny didn't say a word. She just glared at Hoshi unable to say anything. Ben placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Go and get warmed up. I've got this. I'll let Norris know what happened."

…

Station Officer Steele was in the fire station's warm kitchen, preparing a microwave dinner, when his mobile phone rang.

"Station Officer Steele," he answered.

"Sir? It's Ben. I'm afraid I've got some bad news... Sam managed to locate Charlie, but by the time we arrived on the scene, we couldn't find a trace of Charlie or Sam. We were hoping they'd made it back to shore okay, but nobody has seen them return. I suspect that the storm has swept them further out to sea. The conditions are far too rough for us to be looking right now, so we'll have to wait until the morning."

Station Officer Steele felt a knot form in his stomach. Sam and Charlie are missing at sea? In this storm? What are their chances? "Thank you for informing me, Ben. I'll alert Tom and the police to be on stand-by to resume the search at first light. You've done your best."

"You may need Helen too. In case they're both injured or worse."

"Understood, Ben. You lot get some rest. I'll co-ordinate the search tomorrow." Station Officer Steele hung up his mobile phone. Then, he sunk into a chair at the kitchen table in shock. After a moment, he dialled Helen. She answered almost immediately.

"Hello?"

"Doctor Flood? It's Station Officer Steele."

"Evening sir, what can I do for you? Did Elvis manage to slam a door on his hand again?"

"No, it's not Criddlington this time. I've just received news that Sam and Charlie are lost at sea. The search has been called off due to the storm, but it'll resume at first light. I need you and nurse Chloe to be on stand-by to administer medical care if required."

Helen swallowed audibly. "Of course! We will be out there first thing in the morning."

"Thank you. I need to make some more calls now. See you tomorrow." Station Officer Steele hung up. He knew who he needed to call next. Bronwyn. How on earth am I going to tell her? With much reluctance, he dialled the number. Bronwyn answered after three rings.

"Hello?" greeted Bronwyn

"Bronwyn, it's Station Officer Steele. Uh, I'm afraid I've got something to tell you..." He hesitated, unsure of how to tell her.

"What's going on? Are Sam and Charlie okay?" Sensing his hesitation, her heart began to beat rapidly.

Station Officer Steele drew in a deep breath. "I'm afraid not. I've just been told that they're missing at sea. I'm afraid I don't know any details, except that the search has been called off because of the storm. It'll resume in the morning."

Bronwyn drew in a shaky breath. She whimpered softly thinking of what they may be going through. "S-so no one has seen them? They aren't at the Ocean Rescue Centre?"

"All I know is that a flare was spotted at sea a couple of hours ago. Sam and the team responded to it. I heard from the radio communications that Sam had rescued Charlie, but a short time later he stopped responding. Ben has just phoned to tell me that they're missing. Would you like for me to send someone to be with you?"

"I-I'd rather Hoshi be here. I know he said he was at work with Ben."

"I can do that for you. Would you like Malcolm to stay with you for support too?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay, I'll organise that for you. Try and get some rest. Sam and Charlie are both strong and survival smart. I'm sure they'll be all right."

"I-I try to. It's hard... I'd never forgive myself if they were to…" She choked up. Her body shook.

"Hang in there. I'll go and make some more calls. Take care."

…

Bronwyn hung up her phone quietly. Tears spilled down her face as she sank into a nearby chair. Burying her face in her arms on the table in front of her, she began to cry quiet sobs.

About ten minutes later, Malcolm arrived at the Wholefish Cafe. He found Bronwyn sitting at a cafe table, still sobbing. He placed a hand on her shoulder to let her know that he was there. Bronwyn jumped and gasped as she looked up at him.

"Station Officer Steele told me what happened," Malcolm explained. "I'll be joining in the search tomorrow morning. We'll find them, Bronwyn. I promise."

The door to the cafe opened and Hoshi entered. He looked up at Malcolm.

"Oh... Hey. P.C. Williams... I didn't expect to see you here."

Hoshi side stepped close to his mother. He wasn't too keen on having the police around his mum. He gently touched the back of her neck causing her to jump a little. Bronwyn immediately held her adopted son close. Hoshi let his mother rest his head on her stomach.

Malcolm looked around. "Where are the twins?"

"Uh… That's a good question," Bronwyn replied through her tears. "Probably upstairs."

Hoshi poked his head up the stairs. He listened out for his siblings.

"I can't hear them up there. I honestly wouldn't know where they are, as I've only just signed off the clock for the day."

Malcolm fiddled with his radio's handset thoughtfully. "Do you mind if I go upstairs to make some phone calls? I have a feeling I know where they are."

"Sure," Hoshi answered. "I can keep an eye on my mum."

Malcolm headed upstairs. He returned a few minutes later. "Good news. I've located the twins. They took shelter with the Sparkes as soon as it started raining. I've spoken with Lizzie and Joe. Given the circumstances, they've offered to let them spend the night with them. They send you their best wishes for Charlie and Sam's safe return."

Hoshi nodded. "Thanks." He looked down at his mum, who had long since gone quiet. She stared absently down at the table in front of her. Hoshi knelt on the floor in front of her. "Ma, it's going to be okay. I'm sure dad is taking shelter somewhere with Uncle Sam. You know Uncle Sam wouldn't let anything happen to dad." Bronwyn nodded silently. Hoshi held her hands in his. "We'll be okay. I promise."

Bronwyn held him close again, enabling Hoshi to rub her back soothingly.

I hope I'm right. I don't want to fill her with false hope, he thought to himself.

…

Meanwhile, out at sea, Sam was still being tossed around wildly in the storm. He was exhausted and the frigid water temperature was starting to penetrate through his wetsuit, making him shiver. If it wasn't for his life jacket, he was sure he'd have either drowned or succumbed to hypothermia by now. His injured side was now reduced to a dull ache, thanks largely to the icy water.

Stay awake. I must stay awake. Sam kept chanting to himself. However, he felt himself getting more and more drowsy.

Sam rolled over onto his back again, so that he could float with his head above the water. He closed his eyes for what seemed like a few minutes. However, when he opened them again, the waves had stopped trying to drown him and the rain had eased to a light spit. He could see that it was now night-time. Some stars were starting to peek out from between the dark clouds.

I must've fallen asleep, Sam realised. Then, he saw a welcoming sight. The monolith that made up most of Pontypandy Island appeared to his left. Mustering what little strength he had left, Sam attempted to swim. However, he could barely move his right arm, especially at the elbow.

Side stroke, Sam consciously reminded himself. It was just one of many survival swimming strokes that he'd had drummed into him over the years. Keeping his right arm as close to his body as possible to reduce drag, Sam resumed swimming towards Pontypandy Island.

…

Shortly before daybreak, Helen got her medical kit ready to go. Once she was ready, she went upstairs to her niece's room. She knocked on the door loudly. "Chloe? I hope you're awake. We need to get going."

Chloe promptly opened the door. She was already dressed in her nursing scrubs, with her long blonde hair tied back into a neat ponytail, and she had her own medical bag slung over her shoulder.

"I've been ready for ages, Auntie Helen. Let's go and find Sam and Charlie."

Helen nodded. "I sure hope we find them quickly."

Both women headed downstairs to the ambulance parked in the driveway outside. The day was overcast, and a chilly autumn breeze blew around them. As Helen secured her doctor's bag inside a locker, she let out a long, tired sigh. The poor woman had slept on and off last night after she'd heard the news of her missing friends. Her stomach was sick with worry. Sam and Charlie had become adopted sons to her over the years. She wasn't too keen on either one of them getting hurt or worse. Sure, she'd had to treat the brothers for minor injuries and illnesses from time to time, but there'd been nothing like this. She did her best to keep a neutral expression on her face to hide her fear from her niece.

Chloe hadn't slept much either. She'd had a crush on Sam ever since they'd first met several months earlier, and she was thrilled that Sam seemed to reciprocate her feelings for him. However, she also knew that her aunt and uncle weren't too happy with their relationship, due to her age. Sam was almost ten years older than her, and he had a lot more life experience. Therefore, Sam and Chloe tried to keep their relationship private. And in Pontypandy, that really wasn't easy.

When Helen and Chloe arrived at the quayside, they found that it was already a hive of activity. Station Officer Steele, Ben, Rose, and Penny were standing under a small marquee, plotting out a search area based on the currents and winds from the storm. Tom was landing Wallaby Two on top of the Ocean Rescue Centre's helipad. Malcolm and Hoshi were guarding Bronwyn from being pestered by questions, and the rest of Pontypandy's residents who weren't able to take part in the search were busily tidying up the storm damage. Helen parked the ambulance near the Ocean Rescue Centre and she and Chloe got out. They headed straight over to Station Officer Steele to report.

"We're here. Where do you want us?" asked Helen. She kept her nerves at bay. Her mind cleared, enabling her to focus on the task at hand.

"Ah! Helen and Chloe," Station Officer Steele said. "Where have you parked the ambulance...?" He glanced around to see. "Okay, it's fine there. You two can set up a triage centre inside to Ocean Rescue Centre. Ben and Hoshi have cleared an area for you next to the kitchen. Let me know if there's anything you need."

"Thank you," Helen replied. "How's Bronwyn doing? Do I need to treat her for anything?"

Station Officer Steele glanced over at Bronwyn, who was standing on the quayside, staring anxiously out to sea. Hoshi was standing beside her while Malcolm lingered nearby. "I think the best thing we can do for her now is to let her know that, for better or worse, we're here to support her. Let Malcolm know that I sent you. He's guarding her like a hawk."

"Right. Good luck. I just hope that they're okay and taking shelter somewhere."

"Sam and Charlie know this area better than anyone," Station Officer Steele said optimistically. "I'm sure we'll find them safe and sound on a beach somewhere. And, knowing Charlie, he's probably already caught some fish for their breakfast."

Helen scoffed. "Knowing Sam, he's probably failed to light a fire…"

Chloe giggled despite herself. It was a well-known fact in Pontypandy that Sam was much better at putting out fires than he was at lighting them.

"Yes, well… Carry on," Station Officer Steele said.

Chloe returned to the ambulance to start setting up the triage area inside the Ocean Rescue Centre, while Helen headed over to Bronwyn. Station Officer Steele turned his attention back to Ben, Rose, and Penny, just as Tom joined them. Station Officer Steele handed out several maps.

"These are the search areas. Unfortunately, given the strength of the storm last night, Sam and Charlie could have drifted anywhere between this point here, where Sam found Charlie, and the lighthouse. Ben, I'm assigning Elvis and Ellie to you with Titan. You'll search the area from Pontypandy Island to three miles north of the Northern Buoy and five miles out to sea. Penny? I'm assigning Arnold to you with Neptune. You'll have the southern sector to search, from here to the Lighthouse and six miles out to sea. Tom? I'm assigning Malcolm to you with Wallaby Two. I know he's not qualified to conduct an ocean rescue, but he can be an extra pair of eyes from above with you. Rose, I need you to stay here with me to help monitor the radios. I want all of you to sweep the entire search zone, back and forth. If you find anything, I want you to report it. I don't care if it's a shoe, a life jacket, or a plank of wood. Anything like that could help us locate them. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" everyone, except Penny, replied in unison. Penny looked sadly at Ben. Ben squeezed her hand in comfort.

"Don't beat yourself up." he whispered. "We'll find them. No matter what."

Station Officer Steele overheard Ben. He placed a reassuring hand on Penny's shoulder. "We're all worried about them, Penny, but we need to remain professional right now. Don't let your personal feelings get in the way of doing your job."

"Right, sir. Sorry," she rasped. She gave her head a firm shake to clear her negative thoughts.

Ben squeezed her hand again. "Let's go save us a pair of renegade sailors."

Station Officer Steele watched as the search parties split up and went to their respective vehicles. He felt so helpless as he watched them leave. He wished he could join them in the search, but he knew that someone needed to oversee the search effort. He turned to see Helen escorting Bronwyn and Hoshi inside the Ocean Rescue Centre. Sighing heavily, he looked over the edge of the quay. His refection appeared in the water. Please, let us find them alive, he prayed silently. Deep down, he knew that even with the Jones' brothers' expertise, the chances of finding them alive were slim. There was nothing worse than someone disappearing without a trace. At least with a body, there was closure.

…

Hoshi sat with his mum in the Ocean Rescue Centre's kitchen. He didn't dare leave her side. His yellow eyes scanned the room cautiously in case a stranger decided to make their way in. It had been a pain and a half to get everyone to leave his mum alone. His mum really hadn't said anything since she'd received the news that her husband and brother-in-law were missing. Her hands were clenched against her heart as she stared numbly at the floor. Hoshi rubbed her back gently. He sighed quietly. He'd already stayed up with her for most of the night. Bronwyn leaned against Hoshi. He glanced over at Helen, who was now helping Chloe set up their makeshift triage centre nearby.

"Not going to lie, I wanted to punch almost everyone this morning." Hoshi grumbled.

Helen glanced over her shoulder at him. "I'm sure punching people isn't going to solve anything."

"No, but it may just keep them away."

Chloe shook her head as she handed Bronwyn a cup of hot chamomile tea. "Drink it slowly, Bronwyn." She looked at Hoshi. "They're bothering her because they care. They just want Bronwyn to know that the town has her back."

"They've been crowding her for most of the morning."

Bronwyn looked up at Hoshi and she tenderly touched his arm. "It's okay. I don't mind. Just settle down for a bit, Hoshi. Helen's right. Getting frustrated with everyone isn't going to help."

With a huff, Hoshi sat down at the kitchen table. He hated feeling so helpless. "I should've volunteered to help with the search," he muttered.

Bronwyn placed a hand on Hoshi's arm. "Being here with me is the most important thing you can do right now."

Chloe resumed setting up the triage area, laying out most of the medical equipment neatly on the kitchen bench where she and Helen would easily be able to find any instruments they might need in a hurry. She placed some vials of medicine in the fridge, to keep them nice and cold. The vials contained medicine ranging from sedatives and painkillers to antibiotics. She and Helen needed to be ready to administer all types of first aid treatment.

Please, find them quickly, Chloe silently begged as she placed an unopened box of hypodermic needle on the bench. She took out her mobile phone and stared at the home screen. It displayed a selfie picture of herself and Sam walking along the beach together.

Helen sighed softly when she saw Chloe staring at her phone. She knew that Chloe was just as worried for the brothers' safety as she was.

I hope wherever you two ended up that you're okay and are finding your way back to us right now.