Beyond the Sea Read Online Free PDF Page B

gripped Brian’s shoulders, the black and gold stripe decorations of his pilot’s uniform digging into Troy’s palms. “You need to snap out of it. I know you probably have a concussion or something, but talk to me. Say something. Please.” He needlessly added, “I’m freaking out.”
    Brian barely blinked.
    Swallowing the urge to scream in his face and shake him, Troy took a deep breath. “Dude, look at me. Can you hear me? Please. I need your help. Help me. Help!”
    As if a light had flicked on, Brian’s focus snapped to Troy. “So much smoke. Get out. The fire’s coming. Get out!”
    Whoa. Sitting back on his heels, Troy smoothed out his grip, awkwardly petting Brian now. “It’s okay. There’s no fire. We’re fine. We’re safe.”
    Brian closed his eyes, shaking his head. “Have to get everyone out.”
    “ We’re out. It’s okay. Just rest.”
    He closed his eyes, muttering something Troy couldn’t make out.
    With a sigh, Troy tried to make himself comfortable. He drank more water and settled in. Listening to Brian breathe as the day faded, he whispered another prayer.

     
    “ Hello?”
    Amid the buzzing insects and the jungle’s chirps and mysterious exhalations, Brian’s voice was like a gunshot. Troy yanked his head up and tried to smile even though it was pitch black. “ People can hear the smile in your voice.” His father’s baritone echoed through his mind. Troy said, “It’s okay. I’m here.”
    “ Where? Who?” Brian was rigid.
    “ Um, it’s Troy Tanner? I was your passenger on the plane. We crashed on an island this morning. I know, it’s crazy dark now. Still cloudy, I guess.” He’d wanted to examine the emergency pack to see if there was a flashlight, but he’d left it out of reach on Brian’s other side and he’d been too afraid to venture out even a few feet. Afraid of what jungle creature his outstretched hands might encounter.
    “ How do you feel?” Troy asked. “You need to drink some water. Here.” He felt for the full bottle at his hip and pressed it gently into Brian’s hand. “Can you hold it? Let me take the top off.”
    Troy listened to Brian swallowing. He hoped the concussion was mild, and tried to remember how it was supposed to be treated. He’d once seen a football movie where the hurt player had been asked memory questions. “What’s your name?”
    “ Brian Sinclair.”
    “ And what do you do?”
    “ I’m a pilot.”
    “ Okay, good. Where do you live?”
    “ Sydney.”
    Troy assumed that was true. He urged the bottle back to Brian’s lips, wishing he could see. “Uh, who’s the president of the United States?”
    “ Barack Obama. Not for much longer. Too bad about term limits.”
    Troy smiled. “Yeah. Not loving the other options.” At least Brian sounded more awake and with it. “Drink a bit more. Does your head hurt?”
    “ Doesn’t tickle.” He was silent a moment. “The rain stopped.” He brushed against Troy as he sat up straighter. “We need to get back to the plane.”
    “ We can’t. It’s okay, just rest.”
    “ How long has it been?” Brian’s voice was clearer, and it seemed the fog was definitely lifting, thank God. “It’s so dark.”
    “ I’m not sure. I’m hoping it’s at least midnight. Been dark for a long time.” The night felt like a living thing, keeping them prisoner in the jungle. Troy longed for sunrise. “Is there any food in the emergency pack?”
    “ Yes. But we need to check the plane first.”
    Troy sighed. “It’s gone.”
    There were a few heartbeats of silence. “What is?”
    “ The plane. The storm got worse after we got off the beach. Must have washed it away. I went out and checked earlier.” Troy listened to the hum of insects, waiting for Brian to say something else. Finally, Troy asked, “Do you think anyone lives here?”
    More silence. A mosquito buzzed near his ear, and Troy slapped at it. “Brian? Are you still awake?”
    “ Yes, sorry.” It sounded like Brian