Chapter 248: Escape From Misty Island Part 7

Emily burst through the door to the temporary headquarters for the Search and Rescue Team, out of breath and tired.

"Woah there, take it easy!"

Harold and Butch helped her to a chair, and Flynn got her a glass of water.

"Now, where's the fire? The way you were running, you'd think the world was ending."

"Thomas is alive! My husband is out there!"

"What? Where?"

"Woah, woah, easy now. Are you sure? How do you know?"

Emily tore into her pocket, ripping out the letter and handing it to Captain.

"I found this washed up on shore. It has to be from him, I just know it!"

Captain examined the note thoroughly, checking his maps to see where the coordinates were located.

"According to my map, he's located on an island once used for logging. It didn't have a name, but most of the loggers called it Misty Island due to, well...you get the picture."

"Misty Island! Forget it, I'm not going anywhere near there! Every ship that goes over there winds up on the bottom of the ocean."

"But Thomas is out there! Isn't it worth a shot?"

"Emily, I'm sorry, I really am, but we don't know if that's him or not. For all we know, this could be someone playing a sick prank. Its just not worth risking people's lives."

Emily sat back in her chair, crying. Captain, realizing that he was too harsh, sighed.

"But...maybe it'd be worth checking out from a safe distance. If there is somebody out there, they'd most likely have a signal fire going. If we see any sign of life...we can investigate."

Emily's head shot up, hope filling her eyes.

"Really?"

"Yes, but..."

Captain was cut short as she threw her arms around him, giving him a bone crushing hug.

"THANK YOU! Oh god, thank you!"

Before anyone could react, Emily ran out the door to tell everyone the good news. Harvey chuckled, slapping Captain on the back.

"Look at you, ya big softy."

"Shup up, Harvey."

The next day, everyone went to Brendam Docks to see the team off. Emily insisted on going with them, and begrudgingly they agreed as long as she did as they said.

"Good luck, guys. If Thomas is out there, bring him home."

"We'll try."

After saying their goodbyes, the team got into their ship and set sail, everyone watching with baited breath as it sailed over the horizon.

Back on Misty Island, Thomas stared out into the fog shrouded ocean. It had been a week since he tossed his message in a bottle out into the sea, and not a sign of rescue had been seen. He was starting to give up hope.

"Maybe that was a stupid idea. I mean how many people have done that in real life? Just me, and look what it got me..."

Ferdinand patted his shoulder reassuringly, but it did little good.

"You can't give up hope, Thomas. Someone will see it, you just have to give it time."

"Maybe, Ferdinand. I don't know, I just...huh?"

In the distance, he could scarcely make out a faint fog light. This gave him hope.

"There's a rescue ship out there! We're saved!"

"They'll never make it, the fog's too thick! They'll more likely crash onto the rocks."

But Thomas was determined, and with the speed of a man possessed picked up a piece of drift wood.

"Do you have a lighter?"

"No, sorry. What are you-"

"Guess we'll have to do this the old fashioned way, then."

Picking up a rock, he began bashing the two together, trying to start a fire. After a minute, a small flame erupted, creating a torch. When Ferdinand saw this, he smiled brightly.

"Brilliant idea, Thomas! Why didn't I think of that?"

"Get Bash and Dash, I'll try and signal them to shore."

Ferdinand rushed back to the hut, while Thomas waved the torch high above his head, hoping to get the ship's attention.

On the ship, the team scanned the coastline for any sign of life, but saw nothing.

"I'm sorry Emily, but we have to head back. Its just too risky."

"Can't we stay for just a few more minutes? Maybe they just can't get a fire going."

"I wish we could, but- wait, look!"

Just as they were about to turn the ship around, they saw a faint light flickering in the distance, beckoning them closer.

"Someone's trying to show us the way to shore!"

"Do you think it's Thomas?"

"There's only one way to find out."

Getting in a life boat, Captain and Emily rowed to shore, where they found Thomas waving the torch until his arm ached. But the moment he saw Emily, all the pain was forgotten as he gave her the biggest hug of his life.

"Thomas! You're alive! I just knew you were."

"Emily, oh thank god! Not a day has gone bye where I haven't thought about you."

"Same here, love. Same here."

Captain watched the scene unfold, a small smile on his face.

"Looks like she was right."