“I’ve been adrift at sea for half a year, dreaming of women! This time, I’m going to have my fill!” The thought of the women hidden
inside spurred the raiders to frantically smash against the iron door.
Listening to the frantic, booming crashes against the door, the women’s faces went ashen. Their hearts pounded with terror, and
they could only pray for the men to return quickly and save them.
About half an hour later, Lily, my sister–in–law, crawled back up from the storm drain, covered in grime. Seeing her, everyone imme-
diately cheered, believing she had brought the men back. But to their dismay, Lily only began to wipe away her tears, her face etch-
ed with distress.
“I’m sorry… they wouldn’t come back with me.”
My mother–in–law frantically pressed her, “Why wouldn’t they come back? Their wives and children are in here!”
At this, Lily’s tears flowed even faster. She bit her lip. “My brother said I was lying. He said there’s no way raiders would suddenly
attack our fishing village… He even said Olivia and I conspired to trick him, and he slapped me.” Seeing the red mark on Lily’s face,
everyone began to condemn Sienna as a manipulative vixen. They also cursed Miles for dereliction of duty, for abandoning everyo-
ne’s safety for the sake of one woman!
Just then, a thunderous boom echoed! The raiders had begun using explosives! The iron door to the shelter tunnel could hold for
another hour at most.
I comforted the women, telling them that the nearest island, Stonewater Isle, was only twenty minutes away, and I could go there for reinforcements. My mother–in–law clutched my arm, her calloused hand slick with cold sweat. “Olivia, the safety of all the wom-
en and children rests on you. You must bring back help!”
I nodded, then, pushing past the nauseating stench, I crawled through the storm drain, my pregnant belly cumbersome, until I reac- hed the surface. I mounted a spare jet ski and sped towards the nearest island, Stonewater Isle.
