Suddenly, the big kayak flipped over. Ethan was sitting in one of the seats, holding the paddle.
“Here,” he cried. “Let go and take my hand.”
I pushed the small kayak away and reached out.
Ethan grabbed my icy fingers and pulled me towards the big kayak. He put my hand around the side. I held on but I was so tired and cold I could hardly move.
“I can’t get in,” I cried.
“Pull yourself across the kayak so you are lying over the middle” said Ethan. “Then swing your legs round.”
I reached over with one hand and pushed myself up with the other.
Ethan grabbed my tee shirt and dragged me in. The kayak rocked madly. “Wait,” cried Ethan, “Or the kayak will roll.”
A wave swept under us.
I lay face down, looking into the deep, black water around us. I did not have the strength to pull myself in. Then Ethan called, “Do it now, Maya, swing your legs in.”
It took all of my energy to pull my legs into the boat. I lay back and rested on Ethan.
“You did it!” Ethan shouted. I felt a small smile form on my frozen lips.
“How did you turn the big kayak the right way up?” I asked.
“Dad showed me how to do it,” Ethan said, proudly.
Suddenly, there was a crack of thunder. Lightning flashed and the kayak bounced up over the waves and back down. Ethan paddled to try to keep us steady. I closed my eyes as the rain beat at us.
Ethan paddled faster, trying to push us back towards land.
“The sea is pulling us towards Devil’s Rock, Maya,” he said.
I looked to my left and saw a blue fork of lightning shoot across the sky. Devil’s Rock flashed into a strange shape.
“We have to get away,” I called. “The sea near the rock is too dangerous.”
“I know,” cried Ethan, “Sea Wolf will find us. I know it is there, I just know it.”
He paddled as hard as he could. The rain beat down. I could not see land. Ethan pushed on. I knew that he would not be able to keep this up for long. He was getting tired.
“No! Come on, we are winning!” I shouted. I felt a bit stronger. I just had to help.
But I was too late. A gust of wind pushed us back. Then a huge black wave hit us hard.
We flew into the air. I closed my eyes.
“No!” Ethan yelled.
We crashed down into the black sea. I tried to cry out but salty water rushed into my mouth.
Devil’s Rock had beaten us.
We went under.