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Page 3


  Takumi and I looked at one another.

  “Our friend is with the doctor. She’s injured, but as soon as she’s better, we’ll be on our way,” I replied.

  “That’s too bad,” the older man said. I wasn’t sure if he was talking about Angelina being hurt or our leaving.

  We were all anxious to see Angelina and Nick. Takumi led as we hurried off in the direction the campers told us to go. A little ways up the hill I spied a little girl with curly red hair and a woman watching us. When Makala saw the girl, she ran ahead to greet her.

  “Hi!” Makala said gleefully.

  The girl hid behind her mother.

  “Her name is Sophia. She’s a little shy,” the mother said.

  “I’m shy too.” Makala bounced on the balls of her feet and pointed to Boots, who could still be heard barking. “That’s my dog. His name is Boots. Does your little girl have a dog?”

  Sophia peeked out from behind her mother and shook her head.

  “That’s okay,” Makala said. “You can play with mine. We found him in a tree.”

  The little red-haired girl took a step toward Makala and held out a dirty baby doll. It was missing one arm. “I have a Susy.”

  Makala’s eyes got big. “Can I hold her?”

  Soon Makala was cradling the doll and chattering away with her new friend. I hated to pull her away, but reminded her that Angelina was waiting.

  Sophia’s mother grabbed my arm. “We’re not safe here.” She stared out at the bay. “Please. Take us with you when you leave.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I stared helplessly at Takumi.

  “We’ll check with the others when we get back.” Takumi pulled me away. I hated the choices this new world forced on us.

  The woman grabbed Takumi’s arm. “Thank you. My husband doesn’t get along with the convicts and I’ve been so afraid. Please, tell your friends. Make them understand. We have to leave here.”

  She described the way to the doctor’s hut. I’d only taken a few steps when Sophia’s mom stopped me again. “My husband is searching for wood and something to eat. We can be ready to go the minute he gets back.”

  I forced a smile and kept walking. We followed the path up the steep bank. When we came to a lookout spot, we checked back on our dinghy. The guys who had helped us ashore were still hanging around it.

  I could see why Nick didn’t want to leave our dinghy on the beach overnight. It was a miracle that anyone made it to the island in the kayaks and rowboats that were scattered around on the beach.

  “I’m going to go back and guard the dinghy,” Takumi whispered, then let go of my hand. “I’ll check out where to get water.”

  I’d planned on taking Takumi aside and telling him about the coffee, but there hadn’t been a good time. And now it was too late. I sighed. Maybe it was for the best. Takumi would have insisted that he be the one to pass the drugged coffee out to the convicts. I was sure if the plan was going to work, I had to be the one to do it.

  But as we hiked the steep hill, I kept glancing back. I didn’t like leaving Takumi behind.

  “Come on, Toni. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave.” Jervis nudged me forward.

  I quickened my pace and wished Zoë had put two bottles of sleeping pills in the coffee instead of one.

  The doctor’s camp was a little ways off, by itself. We hiked along the edge of a steep bank. Jervis and I made sure Makala didn’t slip and fall.

  Faces appeared at the tent flaps as we passed by. It was strange how eerily quiet the settlement was, for having so many people. At first I thought it was because it was early morning. Then I realized … the drunken snores had stopped.

  Chapter Four

  Baldy stood at the entrance of the plastic tarp-covered building. He didn’t seem hung over at all.

  “Heard you were coming.” He laughed. Boots’ yips still echoed in the bay.

  “He’s our guard dog.” I felt the corners of my mouth quiver.

  Baldy laughed again.

  I hated his laugh.

  “Come in. Your friend’s doing better.” He held up the flap but stayed outside.

  Angelina did look better. Much better. The color was back in her face and she was sitting up. Makala ran to her.

  On a campstool beside Angelina sat a girl about my age. Her hair was short with purple-tipped spikes. She had more earrings in her ears than I could count, and tattoos snaked down the back of her neck.

  She grinned at Makala and Angelina’s noisy reunion. “I’m Kat,” she said.

  I smiled back at her. “I’m Toni. Thanks for taking care of Angelina.”

  Nick was spread out on top of a sleeping bag on the ground. He got up as we entered. His eyes were red and he didn’t look like he’d slept much.

  Scarface appeared at the opening and barged in. “Aww! Isn’t that sweet?” He stared at Makala and Angelina.

  I felt chilled. I didn’t care for Baldy, but for some reason, Scarface terrified me to the core.

  Jervis stood at the foot of Angelina’s sleeping bag. There wasn’t much room.

  Kat moved out of the way so Jervis and I could get closer to Angelina. She glared at Scarface and finally left the hut.

  “I’m fine, thanks, Kitty Kat,” Scarface called after her.

  Kat flinched as she dropped the flap behind her. My skin crawled.

  “How are you doing?” Jervis ignored the con and tried to balance on the tiny stool Kat had been sitting on.

  Angelina rubbed Makala’s back. “Lots better.” She kissed her sister’s forehead.

  Scarface moved closer to me.

  Nick stepped between us. “Be careful. They’re planning something,” he whispered.

  Scarface shoved Nick aside. “Never liked guys with ponytails.”

  Nick glared back in silence.

  Jervis moved beside Angelina. “Ready to go back to the boat?”

  She threw back the sleeping bag and nodded. Makala stared wide-eyed at Scarface.

  “What’s that?” He stared at the thermos.

  I turned to Angelina. “Takumi made you a pot of coffee. And Makala has something for you, too.”

  Makala held up a large flower cutout. “Jervis and me made you a get well card. Toni helped me write the message. It says, ‘get well soon,’ right, Toni?”

  “Makala, it’s beautiful. And coffee?” Angelina read the message on the card. “That sounds…” Her eyebrows knitted together. “Wonderful.” She stared up at me with concern.

  I tried for an innocent smile on my face.

  Angelina laid the card face down on her sleeping bag. “The card is beautiful, Makala.” She hugged her sister. “Thank you so much. And Toni, I can’t wait to have a cup of coffee.”

  I opened the thermos, poured a cup, and began to pass it over to her.

  “Smells wonderful.” Angelina reached out her hand.

  Scarface leapt across the tiny space, grabbed the cup from me, and gulped it down in two swallows. I gasped. The coffee was hot. I’d never seen anyone down a scalding cup of coffee so fast.

  He handed the cup back to me for a refill. Angelina appeared as shocked as I felt.

  Makala scooted off the sleeping bag and hid behind Angelina.

  No one said a word for a long awkward moment.

  “Makala, did you tell your sister what we saw this morning?” I finally asked.

  Angelina glanced nervously at Scarface, and then smiled at Makala. “Tell me.”

  Makala whispered. “Do’fins! Big do’fins! They did tricks.”

  “Really! You are so lucky.” Angelina looked at Jervis and nodded.

  Jervis stood. “Makala, I left something on the boat. I want you to come with me.” He turned to Scarface. “We’ll be right back.” Jervis grabbed Makala and quickly moved to the tent door.

  I held my breath, waiting for Scarface to stop him. But he didn’t. Scarface almost seemed pleased to see Jervis leave. Jervis was huge. Could Scarface be intimidated by him?
/>   “What is it, ‘ervis? What did we leave?” Makala asked. The tent flap fell behind them.

  “A surprise.” Jervis’ voice was growing faint. He was moving away, fast.

  “Okay then.” I scowled, feeling suddenly worried that Jervis’s leaving was a mistake. “Nick and Angelina, why don’t we go back to the boat, too?” I opened the thermos again and offered another cup to Scarface. “Over there’s your payment.” I gestured at the corner where the two bottles stood.

  Scarface downed the coffee, then moved to the bottles. He held them up to the light, one at a time. “Looks like this one is a little short.”

  “Yeah, but Dad said it was his best stuff. That should make it all right.”

  “Don’t you tell me what to think, girlie! The deal was for a full bottle for every pill and treatment.” Spit flew from Scarface’s mouth. With Jervis gone, he seemed to act even tougher.

  Nick moved beside me. “Don’t yell at Toni.”

  Scarface hesitated for a moment, then shoved Nick. Nick struggled to get up. Scarface pulled out a gun and aimed it at Nick.

  “Whoa. Everyone relax.” I stood with the open thermos in my hands. “We can work this out.”

  I took my time pouring a third cup of coffee, partially to let everyone calm down, but mostly because my hands were shaking. Scarface drank it down just as fast as he had the others. I handed half a cup to Angelina, then poured another. Nick reached up for it.

  Angelina’s eyes widened. Nick hadn’t read the card.

  Scarface seized the coffee from me before Nick had a chance to take it.

  “Hey, knock it off.” I tried not to let the relief I felt show in my voice. “Didn’t you ever learn to share?”

  Scarface gulped that cup too. “Yeah, I know all about sharing. Now pour a cup for my buddy.”

  Baldy must have been listening, because the flap opened. “Everything okay, boss?”

  Scarface handed him the cup of coffee. “Yeah. These kids think they can cheat us. Look what they brought. A half-bottle.” Scarface held the bottle in question high in the air.

  Baldy sipped the coffee and shook his head. “Sounds like they’re reneging on the deal. Sounds like we gotta change the agreement.”

  “We have more bottles on the boat. After we get Angelina settled, I’ll bring three back to you.”

  “You think I’m stupid?” Scarface yelled. The spray hit my face. “You think I don’t know that the minute you’re all back on that boat, you’ll sail off into the sunset…? No way.”

  I wiped the spit away. “I’ll bring back the bottles. I keep my promises. We need Angelina back on the boat. Makala misses her sister.”

  “That so?” Scarface laid the bottle down. “Here’s the new plan. Sissy guy here goes back to your boat and tells everyone to come ashore. It’s our boat now.”

  “No!” I screamed. I couldn’t let this happen. We’d gone through too much.

  Scarface turned the gun on me. “You got no choice. I’ll stay here and guard you girls. As soon as my friend tells me everyone’s off the boat, and we have your weapons, I’ll release you. If you don’t do as I say, or if anyone interferes with my buddy, I’ll start shooting. You have one hour.”

  Nick’s fingers formed a fist. “Bastard. You…”

  I blocked Nick’s path. “Just do what he says. We don’t want anybody to get hurt.”

  Scarface grinned. Baldy laughed.

  I stared at Nick. “Please. Just go.”

  “Yeah, stud. Do what your captain here says.” Baldy chuckled and took another sip of coffee.

  Nick moved slowly to the opening, turning to stare back at Angelina every few feet.

  Scarface held the gun inches from my head. “You got one hour,” he told Nick.

  Baldy followed behind them carrying his almost full cup of coffee. I collapsed on the sleeping bag Nick had been on. The open thermos fell, spilling the last of the coffee on the dirt floor.

  Chapter Five

  The spilled coffee soaked into the dirt floor and became mud.

  “Why’d you do that?” Scarface stared at the puddle. “You wasted it.”

  Angelina held up her cup. “Don’t yell at Toni. Here, take mine.”

  Scarface seized the cup from Angelina. I hoped three and a half cups of the sleeping potion would be enough.

  I tried not to stare, but it was hard. I kept watching for signs the pills were taking effect. He pulled the campstool over to the corner of the clinic, sat down, and aimed the gun at me. I just wanted him to pass out, and quickly, before Baldy came back.

  Time slowed.

  Scarface rubbed his chin and chuckled. “I planned to take Kat with me, just for company.” He laughed again. “But maybe I should take you too. You’re a little scrawny for my taste, but you seem smart, and you know the boat.”

  “No way!” My rage turned to terror. I imagined wrapping my fingers around his filthy neck and kicking him where it hurt.

  Scarface cocked the gun.

  “Do it!” I screamed. “I’d rather die than go with you.”

  The flap flew open. The doctor entered followed closely by his daughter. “What’s g…going on?” he asked.

  “Kat. Run!” I yelled.

  Kat turned and started to flee.

  Scarface jumped up, knocked me down with his fist, and fired the gun. I lay on the ground and held my hands over my ears. When I looked up, light streamed through a hole in the blue tarp roof.

  “Get back here, Kitty Kat, or I’ll shoot one of the girls,” Scarface bellowed.

  Kat slowly re-entered the tiny clinic. Her lips trembled.

  My heart pounded in my ears. I took a deep breath. Our only hope now was the drugs.

  We needed time. Time for the drugs to take effect. I stared at the opening. If Takumi, Nick, or Jervis heard the shot, they might get desperate and attack Baldy. I had to warn them, make them wait.

  “I have to go to the bathroom.” I rose to my feet.

  Scarface gestured to a bucket in the corner and sneered. “You ain’t going nowhere.”

  “Wh…what are you doing?” The doctor placed his hands on his hips.

  “They’re taking our boat.” I cradled my head in my hands. “And he’s threatening to make Kat and me go with him.”

  The doctor swiveled to face Scarface. “You, you, said you wouldn’t hurt... anyone. You said you just wanted the sail boat.”

  “You knew?” I raised my head and glared at the doctor. “You knew they were going to steal our boat and you didn’t say anything?”

  “S...sorry. They promised no ... no one would be hurt. They said they would leave the island.”

  Scarface giggled. “I’m no’ gonna hurt th’ girls. We’re just gonna have a little fun.”

  I shivered with revulsion, then realized he was slurring his words. “You’re a jerk.”

  Kat kneeled beside Angelina and closed her eyes. A tear ran down her cheek. She must have seen this coming.

  I said in a calm voice, “Angelina, did you show Kat the pretty card Makala made?”

  Kat wiped her eyes, read the note, then stared at me.

  I shook my head just a little, hoping she wouldn’t give anything away.

  Kat handed the card to her father. “Look at the get well card. It’s lovely.”

  Scarface bolted from the stool. “I wanna see tha’ card. You are up ta some t’ing.” He started to sway. His face scrunched in puzzlement as he took a step forward. Then, without warning, he collapsed, landing part way on top of me.

  I forced myself not to scream and rolled out from under him. The doctor, Kat, Angelina, and Makala were frozen with shock.

  “The gun. Where’s the gun?” I whispered.

  We searched around the dirt floor and sleeping bags, but couldn’t find it anywhere. Scarface had to be lying on top of it. The coffee-sodden mud soaked into my pants when I kneeled and tried to roll the huge man over. He groaned. I struggled to keep him raised up but I couldn’t both hold him and search for
the gun. Desperate, I asked the doctor for help.

  He reached far under where Scarface had been lying and pulled out the gun. I laid Scarface back carefully so he wouldn’t wake up. Without a word, I grabbed the gun from the doctor’s shaking hand.

  “I don’t trust you.” I aimed the gun at the doctor. “Now, help me tie the creep up.”

  Angelina threw back the covers. “Toni, hand me the gun.”

  I passed Angelina the pistol. She examined the bullet chamber, then glanced up at me. “It’s loaded.”

  Kat joined in the hunt for something to tie Scarface up with. The doctor found a couple of long ace bandages. I yanked the tie strings off the sleeping bags.

  “Come on, hurry!” I handed two of the ties to Kat. She secured Scarface’s feet. “Doc, use a bandage as a gag.” I tied Scarface’s hands behind his back. He moaned, but didn’t wake up.

  The doctor had just finished gagging him with an ace bandage when we heard a dog bark.

  Scarface squirmed, but his eyes stayed closed. Angelina kept the gun aimed at him.

  Baldy and our crew were coming back. I stared down at the sleeping form. If the boys had given in to his demands, Baldy would have the pistol from the boat. We had to get that gun before he discovered Scarface was tied up.

  Boots’ yip sounded almost outside.

  “Boss!” Baldy called out. “Everything okay?”

  Boots ran inside and jumped on Angelina. Scarface’s eye’s fluttered open, then closed. I pulled a blanket off Nick’s bed and threw it over him.

  “Hurry! Stand behind the flap. Smash him with the stool,” I told the doctor in a soft voice.

  “Toni!” Takumi’s worried voice made my heart beat even faster.

  The flap opened. “Boss?” Baldy’s face appeared in the opening. The doctor crashed the stool over his head. The boat’s pistol flew from his fingers as he stumbled into the clinic. I dove for the gun.

  Takumi, Nick, Dylan, and Jervis rushed in behind him. Before Baldy could regain his footing, the guys had him pinned to the ground. Takumi straddled Baldy’s chest and punched him in the face. Nick rolled him onto his back and held his hands together. Kat walked over and kicked him in the side.