Ashlyn hasn't spoken a word since the age of eight, and her heart's never felt more protected. But, when the confident and ever so charming Derek stumbles into her quiet little world, her emotions-and forbidden desires-have never been so loud.
...
"...Poor child. That there's James' girl. She looks terrified..."
"...They can't reach them on the radio..."
"...I hope they make it..."
Chewing on her nail, Ashlyn tried to refrain from crying. With each second that passed, her fear grew, and her breaths came quicker. Half an hour passed as everyone sat consumed in silence, waiting for any news on the missing fishing boat. There were five men on the ship that day; brothers, sons, fathers, and Grandfathers. The whole town was anxious for their return.
A gasp rang out across the room as the radio static grew louder and someone adjusted the volume.
"...We have just received reports that the Clear Water Fishing vessel has been sighted, making its way into port. The Coastguard continues to monitor the situation and is preparing a team to assist with bringing them in safely. Residents are still urged to remain indoors ...."
The room gave a collective sigh as everyone released the breath they'd been holding. Some of the tension left Ashlyn's mother when she smiled at her daughter. He was going to be okay. He would make it.
Several people left their place around the walls to embrace her mother and comfort her with words of reassurance. But still, Ashlyn couldn't relax. Her father was still out there. She just wanted to hug him and know that everything was going to be alright.
"I can see them. They're almost here," a man called out, his face pressed to one of the gaps in the boards.
He was almost here! She had to go and meet him, just like she always did when he came home. When her mother was not looking, Ashlyn crawled over towards the pile of chairs and tables stacked in front of the main entrance, thankful for her nimble eight-year-old frame. As carefully as possible, she maneuvered through the tangle of furniture, careful not to jostle anything, and pushed the door open.
The bell above the door rang out, and everyone glanced up to see the flash of red curls escape into the storm.
"Ashlyn!" Her mother screamed as she leaped to her feet and shoved Zion into the hands of the person beside her. "NO! STOP!"
The rain stung where it pelted Ashlyn's exposed skin, and the wind nipped at her as her wet dress whipped her legs. Debris wrapped around her ankles, and salty tears burned their way down Ashlyn's cheeks. The wind was strong, but she continued to push on as she stumbled across the street, ignoring the pain of the wounds on her skin.
As the concrete changed to wooden boards beneath her feet, she fell to her knees. She wrestled her hair as it slapped her cheeks and caught in her lashes. When thunder growled overhead, she cried out and crawled over to the side of the pier.
"Daddy," Ashlyn sobbed, her voice drowned by the angry sea below. Grabbing onto the side railing, she pulled herself to her feet and began running down the pier, careful not to slip on the water that crashed over the sides. She ran towards the bright glowing light she saw bobbing on the ocean beyond, towards her father.
"Daddy! DADDY!!" she screamed as the light struggled to steer into port. It had to be him. He was coming back to her, just like Mr. Evans had said.
"Ashlyn?"
"ASHLYN?"
"Where is she?"
Voices continued to rise behind her as Ashlyn reached the end of the pier. Thunder and lightning continued to crash beyond, and she cowered against the railing, her voice growing hoarse with her screams.
A flash of lightning struck near the boat, and Ashlyn paled. They were so close, but the waves were growing worse as the wind blew the ship off course. The pier beneath her began to sway as the relentless waves continued their assault. Legs shaking, Ashlyn stumbled back at the creaking of the wood beneath her.
The roar of the ocean and the growl of the thunder pounded in her ears in time with the frantic beating of her heart.
"...Cassia, over here..."
"...ASHLYN!"
"...Ashlyn, no!"
Suddenly, a crack of lightning split the sky and struck the boat, igniting instantly. Ashlyn screamed as loud as she could for her father, throwing herself forward against the decking towards the flames.
A massive wave hit the pier, and the foundation that supported it was swept out from beneath. Ashlyn struggled to pull herself to her feet; her eyes widened with fear.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the pier as several people ran towards her. They had but seconds to react, but they were too late.
"Daddy!" She sobbed as the wood beneath her collapsed, the ocean reaching for her.
"NO!"
The boat exploded with light, and Ashlyn fell.
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