Chapter 5

Everyone gazed out into the open water waiting anxiously for land to appear. Slade walked over to where Ebony was seated. She hadn't talked to him much since they'd been on the boat. She pushed him away when he tried to get close to her; both physically and emotionally. He felt it was best was to just let Ebony be, when she was in such a mood. He knew better than to push her but now he had to confront her. She had shut him out long enough.

"Hey babe", said Slade as he sat next to Ebony.

"Hi", she replied barely even acknowledging his presence.

"Ebs are you ok?", he asked gently.

"Mhmm", mumbled Ebony still gazing out into the water. Slade sighed with frustration.

"Ebony" Slade said firmly this time. He gently grabbed her chin and turned her face towards his. "Are you alright? Are we alright?" Something flickered in Ebony's eyes. She reached for Slade's hand and took it into her own.

"Slade Everything is fine" she said and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"There it is!" shouted Salene.

"Wow" breathed Jay with relief.

"We did it! We did it gel!" Said a bouncing Sammy.

"I have to tell Ruby and Ram!" shouted Lottie before she ran off.

"Here drink some more water," Ram said as he held a container to Ruby's lips.

"Thanks" Ruby said sounding exhausted.

"No problem" Replied Ram placing the container down.

Ruby started to look around her.

"Ram where are we?"

"On a boat, we had to get out of the city fast. Don't you remember?" said Ram uneasily.

"Yeah, sort of. I remember that we were trying to get away. I just don't remember how I got from the mall to here. All I know is that I feel like I've been hit by a bus." Said Ruby with a half smile.

Ram did not smiling though.

"Ruby you were hit by a truck." Ram said somberly.

"Wow, that explains it then" Ruby chuckled.

Suddenly Lottie barged in.

"Ram we've found land!" Then Lottie saw Ruby. "Your awake!" gasped Lottie. She could barely contain her excitement.

"Yep I am" said Ruby to Lottie.

"I was worried you wouldn't. I was so scared you'd never wake up" Lottie was now kneeling beside Ruby and hugging her.

"How long was I asleep?" asked Ruby first looking at Lottie then Ram.

"A few days. But it doesn't matter now" smiled Lottie. " Do you want to see the land Ruby? It's getting really close."

" I don't think that's a good idea" interjected Ram.

"I think it's actually a great idea. The fresh air would make me feel a lot better."

"Fine" huffed Ram. He knew he was outnumbered. He put one of Ruby's arms around his shoulder and one of his arms around her waist and pulled her up. He carried/walked her above deck. Above deck there was an argument going on as what to do next. Now that land had appeared. Should they dock at the first place they reached or continue on? When Ruby, Ram and Lottie appeared on deck all the fighting stopped.

"Ruby!" Salene said with joy and ran towards her. The only person who did not seem relieved by Ruby's recovery was Ebony. Ebony started to get sick to her stomach. She knew it wasn't long before her secret was out. Ram and Salene guided her next to Ebony on the crate.

"Ahem!" said the captain of the boat. "I don't mean to spoil your party but we need to decide what were going to do so I can steer the boat, ya know?"

"Right" said Amber as she took her leader stance.

"Well I don't think there is any need for discussion. We need food so we must ashore."

"What if there's no dock?" asked Lex accusingly.

"We can just beach the boat then. Just have the boat get as close as it can to land." Replied Jack.

"Well what about when we want to use the boat again?" asked May with disapproval in her voice.

"Well we don't. Once it's beached. It's no good anymore." Said Jack.

"Great idea Jack." Scoffed Lex.

"It's better than starving out here Lex." Snapped Ellie.

"There might be fresh water too. The babies can't go very long without water and we're almost out," added Trudy.

"There might ALSO be unfriendly people," said Darryl cautiously.

"Well let's put it to a vote then." Said Amber trying to regain control of the group.

"All those in favor of waiting for a proper docking area raise your hand," said Amber. Lex, the captain, May, and Darryl raised their hands. "All those in favor of getting to land soon as possible?" Ram, Lottie, Sammy, Slade, Trudy, Amber, Jay, Jack, Ellie, Salene, Ruby and Ebony all raised their hands. "Then it's settled", said a relieved Amber.