Chapter 2:Part 2

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The bobbing movement woke her. She blinked at the low fiery ball in the sky, wondering if it was morning or night. For a few seconds she forgot the boat, the madman and the week of torture then it all came rushing back.

Her hand fell to the bed, but the sheets were gone. The surface wasn't soft and fluffy. Instead, it was slick and hard. She moved to stand but the floor gave way and she tumbled in a heap. Bright yellow surrounded her.

"Ah, I was wondering when you'd wake up. Thirty-six hours, that's impressive. The rubber raft you're lying on will be your home from now on."

The raft? She glanced around, shocked by all the yellow. The bastard had put her in a raft. She tried to speak but all that came out was a horse croak.

"No, don't try to talk. I've left two bottles of water and a little food. Who knows, you may survive if a freighter sails past and decides to stop to pick you up. But don't worry. I won't tell anyone that you're out there alone." He flashed a smile like he'd given her a diamond ring instead of a death trap. "Oh, and I've left you a gift. Go on, open it."

She looked around, perplexed. The red wrapped box felt foreign to her fingers. Her mind couldn't comprehend the incongruity of the present with her captivity.

The bright paper was held together with yellow ribbon. She pulled the bow and the wrapping began to unravel. The first thing she saw were fangs. Then she spied the bright red and yellow bands that ran together. After tossing the Plexiglas box across the raft she saw the bottle of sunscreen sharing quarters with the snake.

"You really should use the protection. It might save your life."

His deep laugh sent a chill down her spine. She wanted to yell and fight. Maybe she could pull herself back to the boat and climb aboard. But death and pain lived on that ship. Perhaps being alone would be better.

A bottle of water rolled to her side. She grabbed the bottle, twisted off the cap and took a long draw of the cool liquid.

"If I were you I'd be careful. That water needs to last a long time."

With her throat lubricated she could talk. "Cut me loose," her voice croaked and cracked, no longer the beautiful lilt that had made her millions.

He pulled out a knife, studying the blade. A wicket smile flashed across his face and for a moment she thought he would pull her back in. Then, as if he had no care in the world, he reached out and cut the rope. His lips curved into a malicious smile and a shiver snaked down her spine. Eventually she would die, but at least she'd die alone and away from the jerk.

The tall sail lifted on his boat and caught the wind. It only took a few minutes for him to begin drifting away, leaving her all alone with the little fishies, two water bottles, a small loaf of bread, and a psyched out snake holding a bottle of sunscreen hostage.

She curled up on her side and hunkered down, letting the waves rock her to near unconsciousness. Maybe she would wake up in heaven and all of this would be gone. She sighed and tried to forget the horror of the last few days. Sleep pulled her down and she gave in, not caring what happened to her little raft or herself.

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011