Storm
A rumble of thunder rolled through the sky.
Cara glanced to the porthole from her spot at the stove. Several flashes of lightning lit the darkening sky. The smell of rain over took the salty air. "Storm's coming. Sounds like it's going to be bad."
When Ace didn't reply Cara looked at him. The young man's eyelids were half closed. His hands, which were suppose to be slicing tomatoes, were still. A dusting of pink crossed his cheeks. She tilted her head. Ace had been quiet all day. She hadn't thought much of it until now. Ace looked to be sick. She reached for his forehead.
Ace snatched her hand before she could touch him. "What are you doing?"
"Checking to see if you have a fever."
"I'm fine." Ace released her and turned to the door. "We better pull the sails and anchor the ship.
Cara huffed but followed.
Stepped out onto the deck they were greeted with pelting rain. Thunder rolled across the sky as lightning weaved in the clouds as if they were a spider's web.
"Maybe, for our safety, we should unlock from each other," Cara called over the howling of the wind. Waves slammed the side of the ship, sending water onto the deck.
"Not going to... happen." Ace swayed on his feet, though it wasn't because of the rocking ship.
"Ace!" Cara grabbed his arm, pulling him back to her. "Be rational about this! This storm is building up too fast! We have to be safe!"
"Will you shut-" A large wave rolled upon the ship. It slammed into them.
Cara threw out her hands in an attempt to grab onto something. Her fingers brushed the wood of the railing, but the power of the wave was too strong. She and Ace were washed overboard and into the sea. The two teens hit the water.
Cara managed to gulp in air before cold water engulfed her. She glanced through the stinging water. Bubbles rose up around her. In the dark water she couldn't see her companion. The only way she could find him was with the chain.
Grabbing her only link to the young man, she pulled Ace closer to her, mentally cursing him for not listening to her. Now they were stuck together under the water and at a huge disadvantage of being chained together. Pulling his arm to her she bend it behind him so she could hook her arm around his waist. She kicked her legs as hard as she could, praying she could get their heads above water before they drowned.
Cara legs began to scream at her as she kicked and kicked against the waves crashing on the surface and the heavy load she was carrying. Finally, she broke the surface. She gulped down air before another waved crashed into her and Ace, sending them back under the water. Releasing an internal growl she began to kick back to the surface.
The sea knocked them around once she reached the surface again. Cara blinked through her damp hair, the rain and sea water. To her right she spotted a dark shape she hoped was an island. Spitting water from her mouth she started to make her way to it.
Waves continued to grab her, pulling her and Ace under the water. She took advantages of it as much as she could. It provided for better swimming than the surface. If only her strength would kick in. If it did she would be able to get to the island in seconds. Unfortunately it didn't. Unaided by her strength, Cara continued to swim herself and Ace to the island.
Time passed slowly as she swam. The weather continued to get worse, but finally she made it to the island.
With the last of her strength she pulled Ace onto the beach and collapsed beside him in the damp sand. Rain stung her face as she drew in breath after breath, hoping her strength would return soon as the clouds above her began to swirl. "Great. That's all we need."
After a few minutes of needed rest Cara got to her feet and hauled Ace upon her shoulders, looking down when she heard a soft thump. The key laid on the ground. A sliver of elation filled her. She sat Ace back down on the ground and undid the chain. Shoving the key in her pocket, she picked Ace and the chain up and proceeded to drag him towards the cave. "You are going to owe me big for having to drag your butt around like this."