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As Kayla stepped onto the boat she looked back at the two men carrying Derrin up the bridge and onto the deck. The weight of mesos in their pockets kept them from telling others. They awkwardly took him below deck, and then brusquely removed a family from a couch while Kayla apologized profusely. The pair carefully set him down on the couch, careful not to anger their employer. Quickly, they departed, leaving Kayla to a room full of stares directed at her and Derrin. She attempted to ignore them, seating herself on the arm of the couch and looking down at him. Despite her resolve, the feeling of dozens of eyes focused on her brought blood to her cheeks. It wasn’t until many seconds later that the other passengers returned their attention to their previous concerns and left Kayla to herself.

Kayla sighed, finding the entire situation extremely stressful. Derrin had always been someone to rely on, to throw her burden upon, and now that he wasn’t conscious to help her, she almost felt confused. As the engine started, she contemplated the transformation she’d undergone: before meeting Derrin, she’d desperately wanted independence. She’d yearned to be free from the scrutiny of her grandfather and to prove herself as a person. Now, however, she desired to be free of that responsibility she’d so recently sought. She’d grown to appreciate Derrin’s reliability and had begun to rely upon his protection, protection not only danger, but also from her problems. He was always able to think of and do something she’d never be capable of. Now she was in control, and the responsibility was almost too much for her. The thought that she was now responsible for him nearly overwhelmed her. No matter the personal cost, though, she couldn’t let anything happen to him. As she silently made her vow to protect him until he was well, a subtle thunk near the back of the ship went unnoticed. Outside, a chunk of ice shot from an incredible distance was now lodged into the engine of the boat. A few sparks shot forth from the point of impact every couple of seconds.

The boat continued on, undeterred, and Kayla’s eyes began to droop more and more until she finally pushed Derrins upper body up and sat down. She closed her eyes as he unknowingly used her side as a pillow. Just as sleep began to greet her, movement next to her quickly brought her back into full consciousness. She looked over and found Derrin’s eyes peaked open as a hand rested against his temple. He groaned softly as his eyes inched open a little more. “You’re okay!” she said quickly. “I’d been so worried you’d be out for days. I—I want you to know. . .” she was cut off as an explosion from the back rocked the ship. Fear entered Derrin’s eyes: he felt exhausted, and once again something was attacking the ship?

Suddenly, a sinking sensation was felt by all and with a start Kayla realized what had happened. “The engine!” she burst out. Panic spread with the news, and the room quickly turned into a pit of chaos. The ship began to plummet with more and more speed as more explosions came from the engine. Suddenly, a fire reached the room, and enveloped the back wall. It spread quickly, feeding on the old wood, and quickly tore the boat apart.

“We’ve got to get out or we’ll be killed!” she yelled over the commotion as she jumped to her feet. Derrin nodded, and made an effort to get to his feet but found the task impossible. Kayla held out a hand, and with her help Derrin was able to stand. He leaned on her, arm around her shoulders, as they made their way for a part of the wall burnt up by fire. Kayla kicked it open, and the two peered out into the air below. A bright sea laid below, growing closer with each and passing moment. The boat reached five hundred feet or so above the sea level, and a second later, the two fell off the boat as one. They soared down as the air rushed past them, the ocean looming closer and closer. Tears filled Kayla’s eyes and then flew up into the air above as she realized they’d never survive a drop like this. She looked over at Derrin, and found him almost unconscious again. Just as she began to accept her plight, something incredible began to happen: Derrin’s shadow began to materialize.

Sorry for the delay, I’m in that hardcore, horrible part of school a month before exams (midterms) so I’m drowning in homework. Things should get back to normal after next Thursday. Anyways, hope you enjoyed it; click the button if you did and rate out of ten if you think it’ll help me.