by Melissa Good
Kerry stripped off her soaking wet shirt as she continued through the cabin and into the head. She hung it up on the shower rail then added her shorts to it, tossing her sneakers into the shower itself, along with her socks and underwear. The rumble of the engines starting thrumming through her bare feet, and Kerry slipped out of the head and into the bedroom, giving herself a cursory glance in the mirror on her way to the dresser.
Terrors of the High Seas 163
“Wow.” She pointed at her reflection. “Check out the drowned rat.” Her skin showed a few light scrapes and the red mark where she thought she’d been stung by a jellyfish. It still throbbed, and she winced as she pressed lightly against the spot.
The boat moved and she grabbed quickly at the dresser, holding her balance. She waited for the turn to be completed and the bow to straighten out, then she tugged dry clothes from the dresser and slid into them. She grabbed a rain slicker from the closet and pulled it over her head, pausing to chuckle when the garment fell all the way to her knees. “Whoops.” She started to remove it, then stopped in mid motion and resettled the rubberized fabric around her.
Without really stopping to think about why she’d done that, she walked to the galley and grabbed a bottle of water from the small refrigerator. Twisting the top open, she sucked down a few gulps to get the taste of the sea from her mouth, then headed for the door.
Dar settled soggily into the captain’s chair, wincing at the uncomfortable dampness of her clothes. She adjusted the throttles and guided the boat away from the dock, reasoning that she could get Kerry to take the helm long enough for her to change once they were out into open water. The rain beat steadily down on the roof covering her, and Dar leaned forward to see better through the plexiglas as she guided the boat out into the channel. She turned at the buoy and nudged the engines forward, setting off after the disappearing speck that was DeSalliers’ craft.
She’d barely had time to relax when she heard Kerry climbing up the ladder. Dar turned to see her lover appear on the flying bridge, dressed in a blue slicker obviously not her own. “Nice jacket,” she commented as Kerry scooted under the bridge cover and pushed back the hood on her raincoat, exposing disheveled blonde hair.
“You like it?” Kerry presented her with the bottle of water and then draped her arms over Dar’s shoulders. “I think I got stung by a jellyfish, Dar.”
“Yeah?” Dar set their course and then turned her attention to Kerry. “Where?”
Kerry pulled up her overlarge jacket and then her shirt, exposing her belly. “There.”
Dar peered at it, gently touching the angry red mark. “Does it hurt?” She looked up at Kerry’s face. “Not just sting, actually hurt?”
“A little,” Kerry admitted. “It’s sort of throbbing. Otherwise I wouldn’t have even mentioned it, Dar. I mean, I’ve gotten hit by men o’war before.”
“Did you clean it off with anything?”
164 Melissa Good Kerry shook her head. “Didn’t think I needed to; do I?”
“I don’t know.” Dar frowned. “Did you see what kind of jellyfish it was?”
“No.” Kerry sat down next to her. “It’s okay, I think. It hurt a lot when it first happened, but now it’s just annoying.” She scanned the horizon. “What’s the plan?”
Dar opened the small cabinet under the console and removed a brown bottle and a small packet of gauze bandage. “Pull that jacket back up,” she ordered, opening the bottle of alcohol and wetting the gauze.
“Shouldn’t you be watching where we’re going?” Kerry teased gently, “instead of playing with my navel?” Nevertheless, she hiked up the fabric and the shirt underneath, sucking in a breath as the gauze touched her skin and burned. “Ow.”
“Some of those stupid things leave stinging cells,” Dar told her.
“Hold the wheel while I do this.”
Kerry curled her fingers around the metal, keeping them on course as she felt Dar carefully clean the still-painful spot on her belly. The throbbing seemed to be getting a little worse, but she figured that was because Dar was touching it. “What are we going to do when we catch up to them?”
Dar finished her task and gently pulled Kerry’s shirt down, then arranged the rain jacket over it. “Just watch,” she said, giving Kerry a little pat on the side. “Maybe we can maneuver him into revealing what his game is.”
“I hope so.” Kerry sat down with a sigh.
Dar glanced at her. Kerry’s profile seemed tense, and she could see tiny creases around her eyes. “Hey.”
Kerry looked over, her green eyes visibly bloodshot. “Hm?”
“We don’t have to do this.”
The blonde woman cocked her head. “Huh? I thought you wanted to go after them.”
“You don’t look so hot.”
Kerry swallowed, her brow contracting. “I’m fine,” she insisted.
Dar looked doubtfully at her.
“Dar,” Kerry’s voice took on a hint of impatience, “I’m not a little kid.”
“I didn’t say you were.” Dar fiddled with the controls, fidgeting over the throttles. “I’m just wondering if being out here chasing down a nutcase in the rain is such a good idea,” she said.
“Maybe we should just drop it, Ker.”
Kerry propped one bare foot against the console and studied it.
She could hear the upset in Dar’s voice and knew she was at the root of it. “I think…” She paused, and really considered her words. “I think if we’d dropped it at the very start, that would have been okay.”
Terrors of the High Seas 165
Dar watched her out of the corner of her eye.
“But now, I think we have to see this through. You know?”
Kerry said. “I don’t like the idea of running away, and if we just ducked out now, knowing what we know, then that’s how I’d feel.”
“Mmph,” Dar grunted grudgingly. “This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation,” she grumbled. “For both of us.”
Kerry reached out and circled Dar’s arm with her fingers. “Do you want to stop?” she asked with quiet sincerity. “Sweetheart, if that’s what you want, we’ll do it.” Her hand tightened slightly.
Dar fastened her eyes on the horizon, pondering in silence for a very long minute. She felt torn between her desire to know the truth, and her equally powerful desire to protect Kerry.
“Dar?” Kerry uttered softly.
“Yeah?”
“Why don’t we compromise? Let’s not follow them. Let’s circle around the other side of Charlie’s island and watch from behind that point on the west side. “
Dar adjusted the throttles a little. “And?” She probed the idea cautiously.
“That way, we don’t force a confrontation, and we can just sort of satisfy our curiosity,” Kerry reasoned. “And if there’s nothing going on, we can...um...” she plucked gently at Dar’s damp sleeve,
“get a lot more comfortable downstairs.”
It was an acceptable plan, Dar decided. “Okay,” she agreed. “I can go with that.”
“Cool.” Kerry grinned briefly. She slid over on the seat and leaned against Dar’s damp body, laying her head on Dar’s shoulder.
The throbbing from her sting seemed to be getting worse and she now had a headache, but she reasoned that it was nothing a little relaxing in Dar’s proximity couldn’t cure.
The boat shot on in the rain, now in a curving path that left DeSalliers to disappear over the horizon.
THE SECOND TIME she felt the chill, Kerry realized something was wrong. Despite the protection of her rain slicker, she felt cold, and her throat seemed to be closing, making it hard to swallow.
She debated trying to ignore the feeling, but her better sense intervened. “Dar?”
Her partner looked quickly at her. One hand lifted and touched the side of her face. “You okay?”
Kerry’s lips twitched. “I don’t think so. I feel kind of lousy,”
she admitted. “I’m cold and my
throat hurts.”
Dar put a hand on her forehead and cursed. She turned and surveyed their surroundings with anxious eyes. They were nearing the north side of Charlie’s island, but otherwise they were in a large 166 Melissa Good patch of quiet, empty sea. She slowed the engines and then stilled them, checking the depth meter as they drifted.
“Wh...” Kerry stopped, finding it a little hard to breathe. “What are you doing?” She watched Dar work the boats controls, and realized suddenly her hands were shaking. “Dar?”
“Need to get you below.” Dar spoke quietly, a world of tension in her voice. “I’m going to drop anchor.” She did exactly that, and the rattle of the deploying anchor was suddenly loud as she cut the engines. “C’mon. I’ve got a kit downstairs I think we’re gonna need.”
Kerry wasn’t really sure what was going on, but she stood, holding on to Dar’s arm when her knees suddenly threatened not to hold her. “Oh boy.”
“Hang on to me.” Dar clasped her around the waist, and guided her to the ladder. “I think you’re having a reaction to whatever stung you.”
“Oh.” Kerry shivered, feeling like she was trying to breathe underwater. “My throat…feels kinda thick.” She saved her breath for climbing, feeling the utter security of Dar wrapped around her.
“Feels funny.” They reached the deck and Kerry’s legs buckled under her. “D...”
“I’ve got you.” Dar picked her up and carried her into the cabin, kicking the door open and taking Kerry from the confusion of the rain and warm air into the cool quiet.
Kerry sucked in air, hearing the rasp in her own breathing, and it occurred to her suddenly that she should be scared. She felt the cool fabric of the couch against her lower legs as Dar put her down.
“D...Dar?” She clutched Dar’s arm in shivering fingers as she felt Dar slide a pillow under her head, propping her up a little.
“Just stay quiet and try to relax. I’ll be right back,” Dar assured her.
Kerry just watched, her breathing now coming in shallow heaves. She felt like there wasn’t enough oxygen in the air, and as Dar came back and knelt next to her, she noted that her fingers and toes were tingling. An unreasoning fear swept over her, and she started to panic.
Dar’s voice penetrated the haze around her. “Ker…Ker...take it easy.”
“Da… I can’t breathe,” she panted.
“Sweetheart, I know. Just give me a minute. Hang in there.”
Kerry suddenly felt something cold against her arm. “Wh…”
She turned her head and saw Dar bringing a needle close to her, its length quivering as Dar’s hand shook. Kerry looked up at Dar’s face and saw a fierce, intent mask, eyes widened in fear, and that terrified her. Am I going to die? A soft cry escaped her throat. She felt a sting and her arm jerked, then a solid bolt of pain made her Terrors of the High Seas 167
struggle, panting, unable to draw in a decent breath.
Dar’s weight pressed against her abruptly, pinning her down.
Kerry felt panic take over and she fought the hold, grabbing at Dar and pushing hard against the powerful body laying over her. One arm was grabbed and held tightly, and she felt another prick, then a chill, then a hot, strange sensation under her skin where the needle had entered. Then it was gone, and she thought she heard a clatter of something going across the room. The weight came off her and the cabin whirled up and around, and she couldn’t breathe, and it was cold and…
“Kerry!”
The voice penetrated her confusion. Kerry coughed, and then inhaled in reflex, surprised when she was able to suck in a lungful of air. The bands of pressure around her chest eased and she shivered, huddling close to the source of warmth now wrapping itself around her. Slowly, the tingling in her hands receded and she flexed them weakly. She could still feel harsh chills shaking her body and it was very hard to think straight, but she did know she was being held securely and she could feel Dar’s breathing against her back. At least she could breathe. Kerry sucked in air gratefully, feeling completely drained. “Wow,” she whispered. “That sucked.”
She felt the faint jerk behind her as Dar almost laughed. She could hear the hammering of Dar’s heart where her ear was pressed against her chest and she coughed a little, hearing a rattling in her lungs that unnerved her. “Ungh.”
“Easy.” Dar finally spoke, easing back against the couch and cradling Kerry closer. Kerry’s face had taken on a pale gray tinge, and she could feel the shivers working their way through her body.
Now that the injection, a stimulant she always carried, had been administered, there was not much more Dar could do other than just be there. There would be time later for her to curse herself for not seeing the signs. Time later for her to be angry she hadn’t checked Kerry’s sting further, or taken more precautions, or…
Dar exhaled. Kerry had never had a reaction to a sting before.
Truth be told, Dar kept the shots on board for herself, since she’d gotten stung once at age ten and had almost gone into convulsions.
“Easy, honey.”
Kerry simply lay there quietly, her head resting against Dar’s chest. Her hand rested limply on her partner’s, her thumb moving ever so slightly. “Dar?” she murmured.
“I’m here.”
“Am I dying?”
Dar felt her blood pressure shoot up so high she got lightheaded and saw sparkles in front of her eyes. “No, sweetheart,” she answered softly. “Please don’t even think that.”
It was like listening to constant thunder. Kerry almost couldn’t 168 Melissa Good count the beats. She rolled her head to one side and looked up fuzzily, seeing the stark fear written across her lover’s face. Her hand lifted to touch Dar’s jaw, and she felt it quiver under her fingers. No. Kerry blinked. She couldn’t die, now could she? Dar needed her. Wanted her. “Never felt like that before,” Kerry burred.
“What happened?”
Dar swallowed hard and then impatiently wiped her forearm across her eyes. “You reacted to that damn fucking sting.”
Kerry’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Ouch. Never did that before.” She felt another chill take her and she burrowed into Dar’s embrace, seeking warmth. Her arm ached, and she looked at it with a frown. “Ow.” She touched the sore spot.
“Sorry.” Dar shifted. “Had to stick you pretty fast.” She drew in a breath. “How about I get you into bed? Bet the covers’ll feel good.” Her voice sounded a little rough. “Should get you to the hospital on St. Johns.”
Hospital. Kerry’s nose wrinkled. Ick. “How ’bout we start with bed?” she conceded. “But only if you come in with me.”
“You’re in no position to be bargaining, Kerrison.” Dar’s tone had gentled, and Kerry could hear her heartbeat slowing down and steadying. “You need a doctor.” But she carefully stood up, letting out a little grunt of effort as she picked Kerry up and cradled her.
She walked slowly into the bedroom, turning sideways to get them both inside the door and then putting Kerry down on the bed.
Kerry gazed at her through half-closed eyes as Dar examined her. “Urmph.”
With a sigh, Dar unzipped the raincoat Kerry was still wearing and pulled it off. Then she drew the covers over her partner’s body, tucking them in carefully around her. The blonde woman’s skin still had an unhealthy tinge, and she was shivering. “We’re heading back,” Dar told her.
Kerry reached out and caught her hand, holding it. “Don’t leave me.”
Dar’s brows contracted. “Kerry, I’ve got to drive the boat.”
“Don’t leave me,” Kerry begged softly. “Please?”
Indecision seared its way across Dar’s face, as she found herself caught between two overwhelming urges. Her better sense was telling her to get Kerry to a doctor’s care. However, she knew St.
Johns was a long ride away, and by the time they got back there Kerry’s symptoms would most likely have faded.
“Let me get you something for your fever,” Dar temporized
.
“And get those wet clothes off,” Kerry teased weakly. “We don’t both need to be sick.”
The coherence in her partner’s eyes reassured Dar immensely.
“Okay. Don’t go anywhere,” she warned, as she turned and eased out of the bedroom.
Terrors of the High Seas 169
“I won’t.” Kerry watched her go. She relaxed a little and pulled the covers more closely around her, relieved to feel her body starting to feel more normal. Her arm hurt where Dar had injected her, and the sting throbbed, adding that discomfort to her fever, but she could now breathe easily and all the feeling had returned to her hands and feet.
“Son of a biscuit,” Kerry remarked to the cabin ceiling. “That was not funny.” Not funny at all.
DAR WALKED INTO the galley and stood for a moment, then she slowly leaned on the counter and cradled her head in her hands.
Son of a bitch, she thought silently. Son of a fucking bitch, that was too close. With a sigh, she straightened, letting her hands drop to her sides. She felt completely drained and her legs were still shaky, but she forced herself to walk over and pick up the teapot. Hot tea would not do anything particularly medicinal, but she knew Kerry liked the beverage. Besides, it gave her something to do.
Dar filled the pot and put it on the galley stove, then opened the cabinet and removed a bottle of Tylenol. She shook out a couple of the tablets and set them down, then removed Kerry’s mug from its hook and put it down next to them. She studied the items, then shook out a few more tablets and palmed them, putting a little water in Kerry’s cup and using it to swallow down the pills. Then she turned and leaned on the counter, folding her arms across her chest as she waited for the water to boil.
The dampness against her forearms reminded her she’d forgotten to change. With a sigh, Dar pushed off the counter and walked over to where their bags were still resting on the table. She unbuttoned her shirt and removed it, draping it over the chair, then pulled off her sports bra, wincing at its clammy dampness. Dry clothes felt good against her skin, and she felt a lot warmer as she crossed back over to the galley and poured the boiling water over the herbal tea ball she’d placed in Kerry’s cup. Steam rose, carrying with it the scent of blackberries. Taking a small jar of honey from the refrigerator, she drizzled some into the cup and carefully stirred it.
