Tide Charts Anna Maria Island Novels & Stories

Kaden inquired, looking up at her. “The tide-hold is where they keep captives they don’t want to kill yet. It’s underground but built into the cliff face, and part of it floods at high tide. If we wait until the tide pulls back, we can slip in before it fills again,” “That gives us… maybe forty minutes before the water rises,” “Thirty-five if the moon pulls hard tonight,” She cocked her head. Kaden smirked a bit, despite the tension, “You always have to make it sound worse, don’t you?”

The ship will be moved from the anchorage only when the rough sea changes. Elizabeth has only one photograph of Anna. What happened with Anna? Where is she now?

He unfolded it. A map. Hand-drawn, pencil on graph paper, the edges soft with age. An island with detailed coastlines, a mountain range in the interior, and towns marked with small circles. A harbor on the southern coast. In the upper right corner, in the careful handwriting of a ten-year-old who'd believed precision was a form of love: Isla Menor. Population: 4,000. Weather in February: cold but clear. Main export: things worth keeping. He looked at it for a long time.

"If that engine cuts out completely, we're sitting ducks in the open water. We have two minutes before the tide pulls us right into the sniper's firing line." "What do we do?" I asked, my fingers digging into his arms through his wet jacket. "Martha," Dominic called out without looking away from me. "Can you clear the line?" "I need five minutes and a wrench!" Martha yelled back, her eyes fixed on the massive grey waves ahead. "And I can't leave this tiller or we flip!" "I'll clear it," Dominic said. He kissed me fast, hard, and desperate, his lips hot against mine. It lasted only two seconds, but it set my whole body on fire.

Francesca asked suddenly, glancing around. Lucas’s expression darkened. “Sick. Still fevered. He couldn’t come. I begged Maximo to stay behind with him. Alessia offered to help too.” Francesca's face softened. “Good. He’s not built for this hell.” “None of us are,” Aria muttered. “But we do it anyway.” Vincenzo’s phone buzzed. He answered immediately. “Speak.” A raspy voice on the other end: “The tide patterns match. The island’s likely. But it’s guarded. You’ll need to approach underwater.”

She had forgotten how cold the Hudson could be in November; she had also forgotten how strong the tides could be, and she braced herself against the spray, almost like waves in an ocean. There were too many people crammed in—Maria, Jasmine and Becca, Blake who was rowing, and a couple of his friends—and Scarlet looked out, shivering, not trusting this creaking, weathered boat, and was grateful to see that Bannerman’s Island was fast approaching, hardly thirty yards away.

For the first time in a long time, she seemed peaceful. “I don’t hear them anymore.” Mara immediately knew who she meant. Your mother. The sea. The voices. Everything was quiet. Anna smiled weakly. “I think that’s good.” Then she threw the rusty key far into the waves. And went further into the sea. Mara jumped. ‘No!’ But Anna didn't look back. The water reached her to the waist. To the chest. The sun slowly rose. Golden light over calm sea. Anna stopped again. Very far out.

Her black wetsuit was so worn the logo had faded completely, the frayed sleeves revealing calloused wrists covered in pale scars. “The waves aren’t that high,” she said quietly, her voice almost carried off by the wind. “Current data shows the flow is still within the safe threshold.” “Data again! That brain of yours works better than radar?” Old Bill slammed the bucket down, frustration boiling over. “Seven damn years you’ve stayed on this cursed island! For what? The stink? The dead corals?” Lena paused only for a breath. Then she pulled her mask on, lifted a hand to give an “OK” sign toward the dull, grey water—

I shoved past her, snatching the phone. “Alexander Quinn,” I barked. The voice on the other end was sharp. Official. “Mr. Quinn, this is Reginald from Coastal Guard Services. I’m calling to inform you of a sudden raging storm approaching the island. It’s severe. Please remain indoors… the coastline in your area will be hit hardest.” My heart sank. My blood froze. Wait a minute.. where is Annalyn? I slammed the phone down and bolted for the stairs, skipping steps two at a time as Clarissa’s panicked voice followed me.

She smiles warmly and observes Naida, awaiting her response. Naida's expression shifts, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. She gazes into the depths for a moment before responding. She smiles softly, but her eyes reveal a touch of sadness. Naida signs, her hands gently conveying the emotions within her. "Marine, Tasmanridge holds many memories for me. It's a beautiful place, with vibrant coral reefs and currents that make you feel alive. The merfolk there, we have a close connection to the ocean, much like the sharks that roam our waters. But talking about Tasmanridge makes me miss it even more. It's hard to put into words."