“Shouldn’t we stay under the trees?” Asia yelled as they raced across the sand.
“No,” Rico yelled back. “Lightning and trees. No good.”
In addition to the rain the wind was whipping into them, making it all the more difficult to be heard.
“Best bet,” he yelled, “reach the boat.”
The boat? Asia wasn’t too sure about that. The sea, tranquil as glass just hours before, was a rolling, roaring mass that reflected the gray of the sky. It was scary to look at, with its waves rising high and crashing into the shore. How could the weather have changed so fast?
No time to think now. She ran with all her might, struggling to keep up with Rico, but each time she fell behind he stopped to wait then grabbed her hand then off they went again.
They were almost at the stream but it, like the rest of nature, had turned into a monster. Water rushed from the interior and down toward the sea, making the river three times its original size.
“Carajo!” Rico swore as they stood staring at the swirling water. Then he moved. Clutching her hand he ran upstream along the grassy bank. “There’s a narrow section up here,” he yelled. “I’ve seen it before. If it hasn’t widened we can cross there.”
Rico was right. Higher upstream the water flow was much narrower than below. Still, it must have widened there, too, because it certainly was not of a width where you could easily step across.
“We’ll have to jump,” Rico yelled.
Asia’s eyes widened. Easy for him to say. His legs were twice the length of hers.
He must have seen her hesitation. “It’s our only chance of getting back to the boat.” He squeezed her hand. “Come on, Asia. We can do it.”
As the rain pelted them she stared up into his face and he looked so determined that she felt she had to try.
She nodded. “Okay, let's do it.”
Quickly, they devised a plan. They walked several yards away from the stream to give themselves enough of a running start. Then Rico looked down at her. “I won’t let you go, Asia. Just trust me.”
She sucked in her breath then nodded.
“Ready?” he yelled.
“Ready.”
And they took off running at full speed, Rico still holding her hand in a tight grip. They raced toward the stream and without stopping they leaped across, the momentum of the run carrying them to the other side. The power in Rico’s hand pulled Asia farther than she could ever have gone on her own. They landed - deep in mud - on the other side.
“We did it,” she screeched.
But if was as if Rico didn’t hear her. He pulled her up and out of the mud then took off running again, dragging her behind.
Within minutes they were close enough to see the boat bobbing and rolling in the savage wind and crashing waves, banging into the sturdy plank of the dock.
Only then did Rico release her hand. “The rope is too loose,” he yelled. “I’ve got to secure the boat.”
“But why?” Asia looked at the angry ocean then at Rico. “It’s dangerous.”
“If I don’t, we won’t have a boat. We need it to get back.”
Before she could say another word in protest he turned and ran toward the dock, leaving her standing in the rain.
Stupid, stupid man. She didn’t care about any damned boat. She was afraid for him. What if he got hurt? God, why did men have to be such daredevils?
She ran after him but he was already at the end of the dock, struggling with the rope he’d used to secure the boat. Maybe she could help.
She raced down the dock toward him. He’d never be able to pull the boat in all by himself. “I’m coming,” she yelled. She was almost upon him when, to her horror, she saw the boat lurch and, as if in slow motion, Rico pitched forward and over the edge.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Rico!” Asia screamed. Jesus Christ, Rico was gone.
She ran the remaining yards to the edge and dropped to her knees. God, please don’t let him be dead.
Then she saw him. Rico was in the water, still clinging to the rope he was trying to secure, and he was alive.
But he was in danger. The boat could swing back and smash against the dock, crushing Rico in the process.
“Rico,” she shrieked, “let go and take my hand. You have to get out.”
Rico looked up at her and she could see the strain on his face. Of course he knew the danger he was in. He was struggling to get out. But it was no easy task to climb onto the dock when the swirling water was doing its best to suck him down and under.
Asia was bending over, reaching her hand down to him when he yelled, “Move away. You’ll fall over.”
She backed away a little but not far. She had to help him.
And then she saw it. A rope hanging off the other end of the dock. Dear God, please let it be long enough. She dashed over and grabbed it then dragged it up, the entire length of it, and ran back to the other side. To her relief it was just long enough to hand down to where Rico could reach it.
“Pull yourself up with this,” she shouted. “Quick.” She was watching the boat and it was bobbing dangerously close to Rico’s head.
He looked up, hair plastered down on his head and almost covering his eyes. When he saw the lifeline he grabbed it and tugged, then in one swift move he let go of the boat mooring and grabbed this new line with both hands. He pulled up, his muscles straining as he fought the sucking water. Then he was climbing up and out of the water until finally he collapsed onto the deck.
“Rico.” Asia reached for him. “Thank God.”
Now he was moving again, pushing himself up with his arms. “Asia,” he said, still panting from his efforts, “we have to get off the dock. Not safe.”
She nodded and bent down to help him to his feet then she threw his arm over her shoulder and supported him as they hurried back to the shore.
She looked around. Where could they go? There was nowhere to shelter, nowhere to hide.
“The lightning,” Rico said, his voice still breathless. “Stay away from the tall trees. Try to find…low bushes where we can shelter.”