Chapter two: The storm
Strawberry Shortcake didn't feel reassure, despite Coco Calypso's comforting tune. But, maybe it was because of the terror witnessed by the other girls. The rain had begun to fall, and, of course, no one had brought a raincoat, or an umbrella. They were soaked to the skin.
-I'm sure I've caught a common cold, moaned Custard, but Strawberry was particularly worried about Apple Dumplin'.
-Let me shelter you, she muttered to the baby, swaddling her on a towel. "Don't worry; it's just a heavy rain."
But she met Coco Calypso at the helm.
-Do you think it's going to be alright?
-I hope so, Strawberry. But I don't think it's just a "heavy rain".
In fact, the waves were bigger and bigger, and the boat dangerously pitched.
-What could we do? Strawberry shouted to cover the noise.
-Anything, except stay calm. If you fall overboard, it would be terrible.
-I'm seasick, Angel Cake whined.
Strawberry Shortcake left Coco Calypso to join her.
-Breathe deeply, she ordered. "We will get back onto dry land soon."
-Strawberry, I'm scared.
-I am, too. But don't you trust Coco Calypso? She's a brilliant captain. She won't let her boat wreck!
A harder than usual tremor made them lose their balance.
-Is everyone… Coco Calypso asked. "Oh! Strawberry, look!"
Because of the rolling, Apple Dumplin', Custard and Pupcake had rolled over the deck and were now just under the rail.
-That's terrible! Raspberry Torte cried. "They're going to fall!"
-They won't, Strawberry said firmly. "Custard, Pupcake… be nice. Come here…"
But they were both too scared to move.
-Okay, Strawberry sighed. "Don't move, I'll pick you up."
Strawberry carefully crawled toward them (the deck was too slippery, and the rolling was too hard to stay upright) and caught first Apple Dumplin'.
-Look at me, she said to the dog and the cat. "I'll show you how to put you on a safe place."
Holding closely Apple Dumplin's with her left arm, Strawberry crawled back to the middle of the ship with her right one.
-It's your turn, now! She cried.
Custard leaned a paw forward, then another, and finally pounced on Strawberry Shortcake. Pupcake stayed curled up.
-Come on, Pupcake, come with us.
The dog didn't move.
-That's too bad for him! Custard said.
-Custard! I'll pick him up.
And Strawberry made another going to the rail.
-Come with me, Pupcake, she said as she arrived next to him. "Follow me."
Pupcake whined.
-You need to move, you know.
He stay froze.
-Well, if you refuse to walk, I'll carry you.
Strawberry Shortcake grabbed Pupcake and stood up straight. At that moment, another lightning blinded her, and she took a step back that made her hit the rail. This, combined with the rolling and the deck's inclination, realized Coco Calypso's fear: Strawberry Shortcake felt overboard. But she was lucky on her misfortune: she had had the instinct of dropping Pupcake before her fall, and Coco Calypso was lucid enough to throw her a life preserver.
-Don't move, Strawberry! She shouted. "I'll…"
What did she say, exactly? Strawberry Shortcake couldn't tell it for sure. A huge wave had masked the boat and, a moment later, it had disappeared.
Strawberry Shortcake tried to swim, but it was a hard thing with a life preserver. Luckily, the storm seemed decrease: the rain stopped, the waves became smaller. Strawberry didn't take a long time to see a kind of little island, and, pushed by the current, she stranded on a little beach.
-Well, The young castaway though, "At least, I'm still alive. I think the others are in security with Coco Calypso. All that I shall do now is dry my clothes and have a nap, and after find a way to contact them."
To be continued…