In Deep Water: Chapter Fifteen

One summer when Sophie and I were twelve, we were playing in the field outside her house when a bolt of lightning crashed across the sky right above our heads. The clouds were so dark and heavy that they suffocated the sun. I laughed as her hair stood on end until I saw the sheer panic in her eyes. Thunder boomed around us as we raced inside.

“Lightning is typically attracted to the tallest object in the vicinity.” Sophie recites like she’s reading from a book.

Xander rubs his hands together. “The Tower. It’s the tallest point on the Griffin, and it’s where the bolt hit last time.”

Nathan frowns. “Yeah, but what are the chances it hits the Tower again?”

“Actually, pretty great. The whole lightning doesn’t strike in the same place is a myth.” Sophie twirls a strand of stray hair around her finger.

Xander smirks. “And for good measure, we can turn everything off for the rest of the ship.”

“That won’t matter.” Sophie shrugs. “Another misconception.”

Xander raises a brow.

“I read up on storms after the last one.” Sophie grins.

I chuckle. “Fighting your fear with knowledge.”

Sophie flashes a small smile. “You know it, Emily.”

Nathan runs a hand down his face. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

All eyes turn to him, but it’s Xander who speaks up. “What do you mean?”

“Putting everything into the Tower.” Nathan strokes the scruff along his jaw. “We almost lost the boat in the last storm. And we had trouble getting the power back up after the strike.”

Xander nods. “I get what you’re saying, but it might be the only way to create the wormhole we need to get back to our time.”

Nathan huffs a breath. “I just feel...continue reading Chapter Fifteen at Coffee House Writers.