Chapter 8 - The Dark Waters
I had exactly two seconds to make the most agonizing choice of my entire life.
I could finish off Ryan, or I could try to save my innocent niece from being crushed.
I abandoned Ryan and dove headfirst across the slick, wet wood of the pier.
I slid underneath the falling steel basket just as it slammed violently into the dock.
The heavy metal frame shattered the wooden planks, but I managed to brace my body against the support beams.
I kicked the rusted door of the basket open and dragged a terrified Lily out to safety.
She was crying silently through the duct tape covering her tiny mouth.
I ripped the tape off as gently as I could and held her tight.
"You are safe now, Lily, I promise," I whispered frantically.
But before I could untie her hands, the deafening roar of airplane engines filled the air.
I looked up and saw Ryan dragging Emily into the cabin of the seaplane.
He slammed the heavy metal door shut and rushed into the pilot's seat.
The plane immediately surged forward, cutting violently through the rough, choppy water of the lake.
I left Lily safely near the crates and sprinted blindly toward the end of the pier.
I leaped into the freezing air just as the plane's pontoon passed by the dock.
My hands slammed hard against the cold metal strut connecting the pontoon to the wing.
My legs dangled dangerously over the dark, rushing water as the plane picked up incredible speed.
The freezing spray blinded me, making my wet hands slip against the smooth metal.
I managed to pull myself up and smash my elbow violently through the thin glass of the rear cabin window.
I unlocked the side door from the inside and tumbled aggressively onto the cabin floor.
Ryan looked over his shoulder in absolute shock as I stood up in the small space.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and rushed at me, completely ignoring the flight controls.
We crashed heavily against the open doorway as the plane continued bouncing violently across the dark lake.
Ryan grabbed Emily by her hospital gown and shoved her halfway out the open door.
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"If I cannot have the money, she goes straight to the bottom of the lake!" he screamed over the roaring wind.
He let go of her completely, sending my unconscious sister tumbling out into the freezing, black water below.
