Chapter 2: On the Way
This chapter is a little uneventful. More about reflections than action. Please review!
The rowboat was small – to say the least. With none of them talkative, the ride was silent. Zack forgot how to speak. Cody was an emotional wreck. He was clutching his head and staring blankly at the ocean. Zack; was not in a supportive state as well. Both were thinking of the future events. What if we're too late? What if we never see them again?
Mr. Moseby had given them his farewell. He knew, in the back of his mind, that they were going to find some accidental way to sink the floating island. But, as any concerned adult, he was worried they might not come back. The pirates had weapons and a plan. But with the combined knowledge of the identical twins, they might stand a chance.
Zack was the strategic one, the one who came up with the brilliant pranks – although not very appreciated by the victim – his plans usually worked if not interfered with a second or third party. Cody was the brains. He knew to think before action and his vast knowledge was usually helpful (sometimes annoying). He was the one to count on.
As kids, they always found a way to trash his lobby… or hotel in general. The first day they ended up removing the satellite dish from the roof. Mr. Moseby chuckled remembering the horrifying experience.
He stood on the deck of the ship; looking past the railing at the path the boys had taken. Emma Tuttweiller came and took her place beside him.
"They might have been annoying and unpredictable, but, they were like the nephews I never had."
"As to me," Mr. Moseby sighed. Flashbacks streamed behind his eyes.
The boys pretending to be a girl to win a skateboard, the time Cody dyed his hair bright red… A smile appeared on his face.
"Zack, do you think we can save them?" Cody gazed up at his brother. When his brother turned, he buried all of his emotions deep down. He didn't want Zack calling him a wimp… again. He's never told anybody, but he looked up to Zack as any little brother does. In his case, every time Zack insulted him, it hurt more than it should. It shaped Cody to try and avoid the painful words.
"I hope so buddy, I hope so," his eyes reflected the tears that Cody had just wiped away.
Zack could tell his brother felt the same way he did, but he wasn't showing it. Why? Did the mask Cody always puts on have anything to do with him? The insults were just as jokes, nothing more. The swaying of the raft brought Zack to a clearness he never thought possible. What if Cody took it to heart this whole time? The thought almost brought him to his knees. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting his brother. Especially not like this.
Zack tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth. Cody just looked away to the waves. The water slurped and sloshed as the rowboat sailed over them. On the horizon line, was a tiny spot of land?
"Land Ho!" yelled Zack as he looked above his brother. "Ah! Zack, we're in a boat. I. Think. I. Can. Hear. You…" Zack just grinned in reply. "I also think you destroyed my eardrum." "That's your eardrum's fault for being so sensitive."
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