The Missing by Kiersten Modglin (essential books to read txt) 📕

the shore. I walked back toward the railing, leaning out over it slightly. Once we’d come to nearly a complete stop, I watched as several members of the crew launched themselves over the railing, splashing into the chest-deep water as they began pulling out ropes from the sides of the boat.

What were they planning to tie us down to? There was nothing here…

“If I could just have you all direct your attention over here,” a voice called from behind us, and we turned around. The crew member who’d told us about the problems earlier was standing behind us, looking very serious. “While they’re getting us secured, I’m going to have you five guests go ahead and board the dinghy so we can get you to safety and get everything repaired as quickly as possible.” He gestured toward the opposite side of the boat where I saw a ladder hanging over the edge.

One by one, we disembarked from the ship, climbing into the small, inflatable dinghy with barely enough room for the five of us, plus the man already on board.

I was third to climb down, the boat shaking and swaying under my feet and causing me to feel seasick and nervous all at once. I put my hand over my pocket, checking to be sure my phone and Kindle were still there.

The crewman sat in the back, one hand on the tiller, and instructed us on how to distribute our weight evenly, directing the first man on the left side, since he was on the right, and the next on the right, then me, on the left next to the man I’d spent my morning talking to.

We sat on the edges, our feet tucked under the inflatable sides, as we waited for the young woman to board. Once she was on, sitting next to me, we were ready to go, and I heard the small engine start up.

We were off in a flash, and this ride, were it not for the circumstances, was actually a little fun, despite the fact that I kept worrying I was going to fall overboard with each curve, turn, or wave.

He steered us around the boat silently, his gaze trained on the land up ahead, and within minutes, we’d reached the shore. He cut off the engine and stood, leaping over the side and onto the wet sand. He held out a hand, helping the young woman and me off the boat before the men stood. The thin one took his hand, wobbling out of the boat carefully, but apparently he had taken too long, as the other two men jumped out around him, causing the boat to shift and him to fall. His body launched forward, and though the driver tried to catch him, his face slammed into the side of the boat.

“Oh!” I cried, reaching for him as I tried to get him to stand up. His upper lip was bloody already, but he swiped it away.

“My bad, bro,” the blond one said through his giggles.

“I’m alright,” he said, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. He stepped overboard gently, and I glared at the men, not a hint of regret in either of their eyes. I couldn’t wait to get away from them.

Once we were all safely on land, the man climbed back on the boat.

“You’re leaving?” I asked.

“I have to help…” he said softly. “I…be back soon. Relax.” He gestured toward the beach. “Have fun.” With that, the engine started up and he was backing away. We watched him zip off toward the yacht, and I turned back to the group.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked the man with glasses.

He nodded, rubbing a finger over his swollen lip again. “I’m fine, thanks. Just a bump. I bleed easily.”

I nodded. “So”—my gaze fell to the rest of the group—“what should we do?”

“I don’t know,” said the blond man. “But I need to take a leak.” He walked away from us, hurrying across the beach toward the tree line. I looked to the girl, who appeared the most frightened of us all.

“How are you doing? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said, but there was no confidence in her tone.

“Well, while the three of you sit around and cry, I’m going to take advantage of swimming in uncharted waters,” the cocky man said, darting away from us and farther down the beach. He tore off his white T-shirt, leaving just the red lifeguard shorts, and yipped and yelled as he ran into the water. Once he was out far enough, he dove down underneath it, resurfacing with a loud and proud whoop.

“Well, this is going to be fun, isn’t it?” The man with glasses laughed, still holding his lip to stop the bleeding.

“Apparently so…” My gaze fell on the girl, who’d hardly said a word, her eyes still wide with shock and worry. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m not feeling super well,” the girl said, touching her chest suddenly. “I’m lightheaded. Do you think I could lie down?”

“Of course,” I said. “Let’s move up to dry sand.” I put an arm around her waist, and the man moved onto her other side, doing the same. Together, we led her farther up the beach and laid her down. “Here you go.” I pressed a hand to her forehead. “You’re trembling… Are you nauseous? Weak? Do you have any health conditions?”

“No,” she said, blinking her eyes slowly. “It just hit me all of the sudden… Adrenaline, I guess. I’m feeling dizzy.”

The man spoke up. “Have you eaten anything today? The heat could’ve caused you to become exhausted. Or your blood sugar could be dropping.”

“Just snacks on the boat. Cheese and some of the fruit. I’ll be fine, honestly, it’s probably just the heat.” She tried to sit up, but shook her head, practically dropping back onto the sand.

“Okay, well, don’t try to overdo it. Just rest. I’m going to go and see if I can get someone’s attention to bring you some water. You may be dehydrated.”

“I