Chapter 23

“Wake up.”  Sayaka commanded as the three were standing.

I couldn’t feel the heat from the fire and I grabbed my weapon as we carefully headed out into the dark abyss of the shore.

The smell of sea mist filled our noses as the tide had rose a foot from our entrance.

“Mayu.”  Acchan called.  “Where’s the boat?”

The woman in her underwear pointed toward her right.

The four of us pressed out bodies to the rocks and scurried to a hollow area.

Mayu pointed toward the boat a few feet inside and she dragged out to the tide’s edge.  Sayaka looked around the area before letting us jump into the boat.  We pushed off the beach into the ocean as Mayu pointed north to our destination.

“Circle islands ahead.”

The currents as we headed out were rougher than expected.  I glanced back to notice two men looking out toward the ocean as we traced the coast before pushing off behind the huge rock.

“Phew, that was close.”  I said as Mayu tossed me an oar from the front.

I was not used to with the ocean.  Paddling was a new skill and instantly I felt the pain fun up my arm as we pushed toward the islands.  The journey was an adventure as we escaped the rocks and saw the island under the full moon.  Mimicking the pattern of the paddling, we were a mile off under the bright rock where we paused for a break.

“The islands won’t help you to live as the people are protective so be aware of them.”  Mayu warned.

“Thanks.”

Mayu tossed me a map as we needed to plan out our next point in the journey beyond the island.