103 Losing Time or Losing My Mind

I have no idea how long we've been here but we've officially all turned into baked potatoes. There is nothing, and I mean nothing but water. Endless sea. Vance has dived down several times, but no matter how long or far he swims, he can't go anywhere.

I was so exhausted, I ended up being rocked to sleep by the water. When I woke up, I was hot and sweating up a storm.

Looking at Aston and Vance, they too were burning up. We were all sporting sunburns at this point, but Vance seemed to still be enjoying it a bit. He's not quite old enough to walk around in the sun during the day so this was like a special treat for him since this wasn't really the sun.

I roll over and fall into the water, allowing it to cool me off before pulling myself back up. I sit on the edge with my feet hanging in the water as I try to think. I look up at the empty sky trying to figure out how to get out of this one, but I feel stumped for the first time.

I glance over at Aston to see that he was using his jacket for shade.

Smart.

When I glance over at Vance, I find him with his shirt unbuttoned, leaning back with his eyes closed, enjoying the sun. A slight smirk pulls at his lips as he enjoys the sun, and I can't find it in me to complain.

If I had spent that long in the dark, I would enjoy this too...

As if he could feel my eyes on him, Vance asks, "Do you like what you see?" I scoff, turning away with annoyance. His smirk grows as he says, "So, now that you've had a nap, what's next?" My shoulders droop as I stare out at the water with a defeated look in my eyes.

I mutter, "I haven't the slightest idea..."

Vance's head snaps towards me as he asks, "You don't know? What are we supposed to do then? This is nice and all, but I don't want to be stuck here on this raft for eternity!" I purse my lips, keeping my back to him as I say, "None of us do so instead of looking to me for all the answers, why not try and help come up with something? Huh?"

Aston smirks in amusement when Vance glares at me but I ignore them both.

If we can't go down... is it up?

I look back up at the sky with a perplexed look on my face.

But how?

Vance starts pacing back and forth on the small raft, rocking it all over the place. Aston snaps, "Would you sit down and stop moving? I'm sick enough as it is. Keep that up and I'll puke on you!" Vance bares his vangs at Aston and says, "Stop being a little bitch and help think of something. I have no desire to turn into jerky with you two."

The two start arguing as I block them out. If I had wings, I'd fly out but none of us were sporting feathers. If only Abell were here...

Wait!

Abell! I suddenly stand up, causing the two to stop bickering. They both watch me with confusion as I stand up and stare at the sky. Abell always said if I needed her, all I had to do was call her! I lick my dry and busted lip before softly calling out, "Abell?"

Aston and Vance both frown in confusion. They both look at each other before looking back at me. I yell out, "Abell!" A little louder, waiting with a racing heart. Vance nudges Aston with his elbow as he asks, "Did her brain cook? Or do you think something happened when she was drowning?"

Aston frowns and pushes Vance away with annoyance before turning to me and asking, "Lyra, who's Abell?" I ignore them both as I clench my fists tight. This has to work... It has to! Everything and everyone are silent.

All that you can hear is the small waves lapping at the small raft.

"ABELL!!!" I scream, scaring Aston and Vance.

They both jump as I feel the last strand of hope snapping. Aston steps forward and says, "Lyra, maybe you should lie down and get some more rest. If we see something, I'll wake you up. I promise."

Suddenly, my back burns! I cry out and fall forward but my eyes shimmer with excitement. I know that burn! I quickly turn around with a huge smile as I look at the two perplexed and confused individuals.

I laugh as I say, "Our ride out of here is coming!" The two blink before quickly glancing at each other. A silent understanding is passed between the two as Aston and Vance both say, "Ah, okay." And "That's great." Clearly thinking I'd lost my damn mind.

Aston stands up and says, "Lyra, let's sit down and rest. I'll let you use my jacket if you'd like?" As soon as he finishes his sentence, a loud roar is heard! My head snaps up as a large dragon soars in the sky above us like a beautiful dream!

I start laughing as Aston and Vance curse. Aston pulls his gun out as Vance says, "Now we have dragons to worry about!? When will this end!?" I spin on them both and snap, "Oh shut it! That's Abell! I called her here to give us a ride out!"

The two blink in surprise. Aston lowers his gun as both of them yell, "You're just now telling us you have a dragon!?"

"Why didn't you call her earlier!?"

I roll my eyes as I say, "Always bitching and complaining. They say women are bad..." I tsk at them as I turn back to Abell. She swoops in low before landing in the water next to us, creating a large wave.

[What trouble have you found yourself in this time, little witch?] She asks with large golden eyes. I jump straight into the water, swimming toward her as I say, "It was a surprise attack. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. Do you think you can fly us out of here?"

She allows me to climb up on her, even helping me but when her golden eyes slide over to the other two, they narrow. I lean down, hugging her as I whisper, "They saved me several times. I'm not asking you to become friends, just to give them a ride."

She nods and says, [Tell them to hurry. I tripped the locks as I came in. We need to hurry, or we'll all be locked in here.] I quickly sit up and say, "This place will explode in two minutes. Hurry, get on!" All fear and hesitation fall away as they quickly jump into the water and swim over.

They climb up at record speeds causing me to smirk. Abell chuckles and says, [I didn't say anything about exploding.] My devious smile grows as I say, "I know. I just know how these two work. If we need to move fast, this is the best course of action."

Her laughter sounds like rolling thunder, scaring Aston and Vance but they still hold on for dear life. Abell flaps her large wings several times before she takes flight! My stomach dips as she quickly soars through the air.

She goes up and up, heading straight for the red sun! Vance yells out, "What is it doing!? Is it trying to cook us all!?" Aston grits his teeth, unable to say anything but the fear and uncertainty in his eyes say enough.

I start laughing but even I have to admit that I sound unhinged as she flies closer and closer! It's so hot I can feel my skin burning but I keep laughing because I know this is the way out, the final door.

Vance's voice takes on a pitch of pure terror as he yells, "I will haunt you, you crazy ass witch!!"