buckled under an

od from the fra

silently, clutc

p a heavy wrench. "They're no

knew it w

small, round porthole, barely big enough for a perso

e and terrible, f

singly calm. "Your necklace. T

Mom, with the instruction that it was for her first granddaughter's wedding, or

s wide with a dawning und

om. There'

ped the heavy diamond pendant. I

. "It leads to the emergency raf

thole, then back to the groani

's island. It's not far. He has a

eaming down her face. "I can'

g swimmer. But I understood.

said firmly. "I'll stay. I'

e. That's al

in, a sliver of light

, pushing Mike tow

full of anguish. "Sar

Protect Mom.

m, then back at

the porthole. Sea

'm coming ba

ly, squeeze through the narrow opening. She clu

e you,

you to

, a splash in the

climb out. "Get

ening, the tool room door burst

with machetes, filled the d

saw them. His face

n't he

thole, landing on his feet inside t

no!" I

porthole. "Go, Sarah! Get ou

ed at th

the shouts and sickening thuds fr

water and sur

t a few feet away. Mom was already

bs heavy, my h

ike's roars of

rrible, fi

sile