“Okay, you guys,” Doug told the girls, “do you remember that night we went hiking on the other side of the island a couple years ago and that storm came up?”
“It totally poured,” said Megan. They were standing in the woods just behind the house. The roar of a motor boat sounded, coming across from the mainland. It was interrupted by the whumpf-whump-whumpf as the boat bounced heavily over growing wave tops. The wind built steadily, sending showers of gold and red leaves. Doug was running out of time. His only concern now was for the girls.
“We took shelter in that old abandoned inn?” Dana recalled.
“Out by Murray Bay,” said Doug.
“By that old cemetery in the woods, right?” Megan asked.
“Do you guys think you could find it?”
“Alone?”
“Men are coming and I have to try and stop them or you girls won’t be safe.” Doug lifted a nap sack with cash, canned food, water, matches, a big camping knife and a rolled up blanket. “If I am not there in the morning you two are to keep going to the old lighthouse. The guy who lives there will call the police. Tell them who you are, and give them this card.”
Doug pulled Molly’s card from his pocket and handed it to Megan.
“Dad, what do you mean if you…?”
“Listen to me,” he said quite seriously. “Who knows what could happen, but no matter what we have to have a back up plane, right?” The girls nodded solemnly. “Keep to the woods as much as you can. Don’t let anyone see you.” He hugged them both, and searched their frightened eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”
Doug watched them go, his heart leaving with them. When they were out of sight he started for the house. He could hear the boat’s powerful motor change in pitch as it slowed into Grand Island’s only public pier. Doug had fifteen or twenty minutes at best to get ready. He prayed it was enough time. At the back door he glanced at the woods one last time and prayed to see his girls again. Failing that, he prayed for their safety.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment