CHAPTER TWENTY

Wendy

The island's lights are still visible when I cut the motor.

"Was that intentional?" Alec asks. "Or did we just get trapped out here?"

"It was intentional. Since we keep seeing them on every island, they must have a boat, too, right? And I bet it's a lot faster and better than ours."

"Good point."

"Let's just wait a while and make sure they're not following us," I say. "It'll be easier to hide if we're not making any noise."

We sit there quietly, the waves lapping against our boat's hull. After a few minutes, Alec clears his throat.

"Wendy, I ..."

"It's okay."

He sighs with frustration. "No, it's not. I didn't want you to ... that's not a side of me I want you to see."

I shake my head. "I'm a big girl. I can handle it."

His shoulders slump forward. He's gonna feel down about this no matter what I say, and I hate that.

"Are you feeling better now?" I ask.

"I feel like a new person. The strength I have now is absolutely unbelievable."

I lick my lips and watch a cargo