Page 123 of Storm and Sea

More curses flew as the flashlight sputtered.

“What is Babbo Natale?” Nyel whispered somewhere lower on the path.

“I’ll tell you later,” Atreus hissed. “And why do we need this stupid thing anyway? I can see just fine.” He finally smacked the torch back to life and handed it to Nyel.

“Um, because it’s pitch black, Atty. We don’t all have cat vision like you.”

She thought she heard something like, “Don’t call me that,” but then again, maybe she didn’t. They resumed their hike, the steep path doing a number on Marina’s calves.

“Are you sure you aren’t being too harsh on them?” Nyel asked as they climbed the hill, all three of them breathing hard. The hill crested high over the bay before dropping into the valley of private properties. At its peak stood an old windmill that groaned as the rotors spun in creaking circles.

“This is the course for the older kids. They can handle it. You’re just out of shape and kind of a crybaby,” Marina said, skipping to prove her point.

Nyel mumbled something along the lines of, ‘You’re a crybaby’ before she rounded on him.

“Are we going to complain or finish this? And lower the light! Jeez.”

“Sorry,” Nyel said, lowering the beam.

Nyel and Atreus were kind enough to volunteer their time to help Marina set up the course for the Bayallon.

Which was the day after next.

And, maybe volunteered was the wrong word. Marina might have pestered Atreus until he finally caved to her will. She was very persuasive.

“You could have just asked for help,” Atreus said as they climbed. “I would have said yes. You didn’t have to barge into my room in the middle of the night like a squawking seabird—ow!” he yelped as Nyel silenced him with a stomp on the toes.

“Thank you, Nyel, for defending my honor,” Marina said, smiling to herself.

Even she had to admit, her morning wake-up call had been one of her better performances. She really hit those high notes like a professional. Maybe she should try musical theater? She hummed her made-up tune.

The Bayallon’s a comin’,

The Bayallon’s a comin’,

Oh, won’t you help me, please?

I’m begging on my knees,

The Bayallon’s a comin’ and I need some voluntee’s

The Bayallon’s a comin’,

Oh yeah

Ooooooh yeah

“I heard you the first time!” Atreus yelled, rubbing the side of his head. “Again, you could have just asked.”

“Yes, but you are missing the key ingredient in my plan.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Marina twirled until she faced Atreus and booped him on the nose. “My way was ten times more fun.”

“I liked your song,” Nyel laughed as they climbed the hill.

“Thank you!” Marina said with an exaggerated huff.