Stranded Beyond The Surging Seas

“We’ve got to do something.”

“What can we do?”

“I don't know, but I can’t stay here.”

“It’s too dangerous outside.”

“We have to go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay…”

Aria led the way, followed by June, then Tibor, and finally Makalos, with Hiro bringing up the rear. He was so much larger than the rest of them that he had trouble squeezing through the door.

June had seen this resort on a travel show, and she insisted that they visit. She'd been looking forward to it for months. Aria agreed to go just to keep her girlfriend happy. Tibor got tickets as a gift from his parents. Makalos was only there because he was dating June. And Hiro? Aria wasn't sure what he was doing here, but he'd been hanging around the group ever since June convinced Aria to go on this trip.

The first tsunami wave came in while they were riding around on the golf cart. The driver didn't have time to warn them, his voice drowned out by a high-pitched noise that hurt their ears. Aria knew something was wrong when she saw the wave that hit the island, but it was too late to do anything other than hold onto the cart as it sped toward the edge of the cliff.

They rolled off the cart and fell down the side of the cliff. It was almost a hundred feet high, and Aria could feel herself hitting the ground, then bouncing into the air. It felt like forever before she came to rest with the others at the bottom of the ravine.

The cart landed at the top of the ravine and tipped over, spilling its passengers onto the ground. Aria and June got up first, and helped the others to their feet.

“We should go back up,” said June. “I think I broke my leg.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” said Aria. “We don't know if another tsunami wave is coming.”

“I don’t care,” said June. “You can carry me if you want, but I need to get back to my room. I've already lost my purse and sunglasses.”

“Me too!” said Tibor.

“I lost my phone,” said Makalos.

“I’ve got mine,” said Aria. “I was holding it when we fell.”

“How about you, Hiro?” asked Tibor. “Did you lose anything?”

“No,” said Hiro. “I still have my phone too.”

“Well, that settles it. We’re going back to the hotel,” said Tibor. He took June's hand and pulled her up the hill.

“Take my arm, Hiro,” said Aria. “We can help each other climb.”

“Thanks, Aria,” said Hiro. “Hey, you’re like my little sister. I’m glad you made it through this.”

The climb was rough going. There was a lot of mud, and it was difficult to walk on the loose gravel. Hiro slipped and fell twice, but they managed to make it to the top of the ravine.

“This way,” said Tibor, leading the way up the path. Aria and Hiro fell in behind him, and the rest of the group followed behind.

“I think I see the hotel,” said Aria.

“Me too,” said June. “Can we take a break? I need to rest for a minute.”

“Sure,” said Tibor, helping June to a spot on the ground. “I think we’re almost there.”

“Do you think anyone survived?” asked Makalos.

“I’m not sure,” said Tibor. “But I hope so. I’m not looking forward to explaining all this to my parents.”

“Me neither,” said Hiro. “My dad is going to be furious.”

“I think he’ll understand,” said Aria. “I mean, it’s not your fault.”

“I think I’m going to go now,” said June.

“Hold on,” said Tibor. “Let’s wait until the others get here.”

June started to get up, but she fell down again, screaming.

“What’s wrong?” asked Aria.

“My leg,” said June. “It hurts.”

“Let me see,” said Tibor. “I’m not a doctor, but I saw someone do this on a TV show once.”

He took off his belt and wrapped it around June’s leg just above her knee. He pulled on it hard, and the leg snapped back into place. June shrieked in pain, and Tibor let go.

“Try walking now,” he said.

June got up, and walked a few steps. Then she collapsed.

“I can’t do it,” she said. “I can’t walk.”

“It’s okay,” said Tibor. “We’ve got to get to the hotel anyway. They can fix your leg there.”

“Is it worth it?” asked June. “I mean, what if this really is the end of the world?”

“That’s ridiculous,” said Tibor. “There’s no way--”

Tibor stopped talking when he heard a low rumbling sound. The others looked toward the ocean, and saw a giant wave heading toward the shore.

“Run!” yelled Aria.

They ran as fast as they could, but it wasn’t fast enough. The wave hit them, knocking them down, then pulling them out to sea.

Next Chapter: https://clayandquill.wordpress.com/2018/07/02/the-hotel-of-the-lost-and-found-chapter-2/