Things had changed. I had changed. Something new within me emerged. The first time I was in the Bait Shop, the Savage Sybaris attacked the building. Banging, squealing, thrashing. The night was silent. Not one Savage came. I even stepped out to test it.
Nothing.
My body was fully rested when my senses kicked in and I awakened. Peeking out through the shutters, the sun blasted in. I had slept longer than I wanted, as much as my body needed. I was uncertain what lay ahead.
By my calculations it was two hours after sunrise. I wondered if Iry would wait for me or even be there when I crossed the sea.
After I ate some breakfast, I looked at my time capsule box. As much as I hated to do so, I made the decision to leave it behind and hide it in the shack. More than likely, I would not have time to hide in once I arrived in Akana. That box was precious to me and I wanted nothing to happen to it. I certainly did not want to the Sybaris to destroy it.
After tucking it in the back of a cupboard, I gathered my things and left Fred’s Bait Shop.
I took Sandstorm the horse, riding with him to the sea. After thanking him for his help, I released him. There was no guilt in that; he would either find his way back to Angeles City or roam about freely, safe from Sybaris attack, because they were terrified of horses.
The floatation device was attached to the pier and it rocked from the gentle waves. I would call it a boat; I knew what that and even a raft was. Gilligan’s Island taught me all the names. The device in the water was a mixture of both. Having the shape of a raft and makeup of a boat.
I was frightened of the device, and unlike the first time I floated on one, I had time to think.
Before, I was being chased and had no choice. Now I stared at it, fearful that it would tip over and I would fall into the massive deep waters of the sea.
I placed my bag inside and carefully stepped down. For as brave as I usually was, at that second I was scared. It tipped and moved and my heart raced. Finally I settled inside, holding the edge for dear life as it rocked a little more than I was comfortable with.
Sandstorm stood by the sea watching me. I untied the floating device and allowed the water to take me. I had no clue how to move the craft.
It was only after I used my hands to push the water in order to move the craft that I noticed the long, thin boards inside. From my time in the transmission bunker, learning human culture, I knew their purpose, though how exactly I was supposed to apply them to moving the floater, I wasn’t sure. I lifted one, using it to move in the water. Problem was, I kept moving in circles. After some attempts I realized I had to use both or switch sides.
For the most part, like I did with my life, I left my floating and movement mainly to fate.