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Stay alive. God will come up with something.
Fraser’s words. He winced at his own.I’m sorry, bro, but I don’t have time to wait for God’s plan.
Aw, yeah, he was an idiot. And now, he got to stand before God and admit it. Perfect.
Still—I’m sorry, Lord. I…
Come toMe, Ned. You, who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
He stilled, and it seemed the words came from inside him. Or maybe not, but what else did he have?
He closed his eyes and took a long breath as the sea overtook him.
And then, he waited.
* * *
Ned wasn’tright behind her.
Wasn’t right behind her!
Shae righted herself from where she’d hit the side of the flimsy life raft tent. The wave had caught her, but instead of rolling her, she’d ridden over the top while the lifeboat overturned. It made a massivethunk,and now her raft flashed wan LED lights on it, bleeding out over the water. The outline of the orange boat reflected the light, a giant bobber in the water.
“Ned!” She stared out at the water, at the boat, overturned, breathing hard.
The line to the lifeboat had miraculously held, and now she reached out along it, hoping to feel his hand holding on.
Nothing.
“Ned!” The wind ate her voice.
No. This was not happening. Not happening.
Not after he’d rescued her, twice, from gulag. Not after she—after she’d fought her way free.
It was happening again. Life reaching out to steal the people she loved.
To steal Ned.
Ned was trapped inside. She knew it with every bone in her body. And no, she wasn’t a victim, but she wasn’t a SEAL either.
Oh God!She closed her eyes, holding on to the rope, every muscle in her body seizing.
Psalm twenty-three, verse four. You are not alone. And you are still safe.
“Ned!”
Everywhere she looked, darkness, the waves tossing her into valleys, the sea confused.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me.
Oh, she hoped so.
“Ned!”
Then, her very life came crashing over her as the lifeboat sank beneath the waves.
“No! Ned!”
