He was staring at his hands, seemingly contemplating her words. Finally, he looked up, his decision made. “Once again, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of it in those terms. It’s kind of like whatever we find on those two boats could be her contribution to our journey.”

  “So, I guess you did talk to her. Can I assume she has nowhere else to go?”

  “Nope. Without her Mom here, she has no one else. She asked about going with us and I said I would talk to you.” He is looking at her hopefully.

  She sighed deeply, looking to the channel coming in to their small bay. As much as she didn’t want the responsibility, it appeared as if she had it. However, she would have to abide by the same rules and conditions that Alan had first agreed to.

  As if he could read her thoughts and before she could say anything aloud he responded. “I told her everything you said to me, and she has agreed. I think she could also be an asset. Both she and her mother have taken firearms training and she was in culinary school. She can cook.” He seemed to be pleading the girl’s case for her, and Ellen found his eagerness amusing.

  She found herself outnumbered. The Annie-C now had a crew of three. “Okay.” She finally said, “But please, no more strays. We are running out of room. Now, let’s get busy.” She went back to the cockpit.

  Behind her, Alan just grinned, picked up his sheet and pillow and began folding the sheet. He had good news for Hannah and couldn’t wait to tell her about Ellen’s decision.

  From the cockpit, Ellen heard a startled shriek and she supposed he had not even bothered to knock, surprising the girl. She really needed to ask the girls name, Ellen couldn’t keep thinking of her as “the girl.”

  Returning to the galley, Ellen began making breakfast for them. In the excitement, dinner had been skipped and she was hungry.

  “Come and eat you two!” Ellen placed two plates on the small table. She had already sampled enough when she was cooking it, that she didn’t need a plate for herself. She had made them a powdered egg scramble, with some of the frozen vegetables, chopped onions and cheddar cheese. It isn’t the best meal she had ever prepared, but it would give them calories and fill their bellies. Besides the veggies were thawing out in the refrigerator and she didn’t want to waste them.

  Alan stepped through the V-berth door and pulled it closed behind him. He was already beginning to recognize his facial expressions, and she wondered what he wanted this time.

  “Um…Ellen?” he was looking very uncomfortable and she decided to let him off the hook.

  “Top drawer for underthings and hanging locker for outer things.”

  He seemed surprised that she had read his mind. “What? You don’t think I remember she has no clothes? Mine will probably be too big for her but she can make do. Wouldn’t she have some on the trawler?”

  “That was the second part of my question. She doesn’t want to go over there. Would you mind? Her room is the aft cabin. She says there is a backpack in the compartment under her mattress.”

  “Please? I really can’t face going back in there yet.” A soft voice pleaded. She stepped past Alan and for the first time, Ellen got a good look at her new crew member.

  Tiny all over was the best way to describe her. She stood maybe five feet and possibly ninety pounds soaking wet. She had obviously tried to brush her limp dirty blonde hair, but it was in need of a good washing. The limp strands hung around her face. Multiple burn marks marred her cheeks and the corner of one eye. Ellen could see Band-Aids on her neck and upper chest. She reached down and tried to gather her shirt more closely around her, obviously embarrassed at her appearance. She was wearing one of Ellen’s tank tops and a pair of shorts, which hung off her slim frame.

  “Ellen…this is Hannah. Hannah Westergreen. Hannah, my sister Ellen.”

  Ellen realized the girls face had flushed and it was probably because Ellen was staring at her. She shook her head and sighed, “Sorry,” she apologized. “Welcome to the Annie-C.” she said trying not to stare at the marks all over the girl. Without even thinking about it Ellen walked up to her and gently pulled her into a hug. She felt like bawling for the pain and torture Hannah had gone through. Hannah started to resist the hug, but gave in and practically melted into Ellen’s embrace. Maybe it was too much for the girl; Ellen’s show of kindness or her need to be held by a mother figure, she broke down and sobbed. Ellen could feel the wetness drenching her t- shirt.

  Finally, after much sniffling, she pulled back, wiped her eyes and said, “I don’t know how I can ever thank you. When they didn’t come back I thought I was going to die.”

  “Well…you aren’t. Not if we have anything to say about it. As soon as you two eat the gourmet breakfast I fixed for you, we’ll see about getting you some clothes that fit.”

  As soon as breakfast was eaten, they left Hannah to clean up the galley. Ellen, with Alan in tow returned to the trawler. Alan removed the mattress from the pull-man berth and lifted out the hatch cover. He passed Ellen the backpack and continued to search the space. Finally, he grinned, “There we go,” he said and pulled a personal sized lockbox from the opening.

  “What is that? Ellen asked. She knew Hannah had to have asked him to search for it. Maybe she also told him what it contained. It wasn’t that big, but Alan was acting like it weighed a ton. When he set it on the fiberglass deck that held the mattress, it sounded as if it did.

  “Dang…that is heavy. She said it would be. I wonder what’s in it.” He laughed, as if he had a funny thought and continued. “She doesn’t know either. Her Mom left it for her just in case things ever went wrong or if something happened to her. Maybe, her mother filled it with gold.” He laughed again at the idea.

  “Or lead,” Ellen said and laughed with him. She threw him the backpack and said, “Now, load this up and let’s get out of here. This boat gives me the creeps.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Then as if he had forgotten something he handed the bag back to Ellen. “I’ll be right back, I almost forgot.” He headed to the forward cabin.

  Shaking her head, she began to stuff everything from the three drawers into the bag. Not wanting to have to come back, she cleaned out the hanging locker as well. In the space between the foot and bulkhead she found shoes. On the table in the corner sat a picture. Ellen picked it up. In the picture was Hannah and a woman who she thought must be Hannah’s Mother. The Hannah in the picture and the woman looked so happy. They had their arms around each other and unless you looked real close, they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. They were both blonde, hazel eyed and huge smiles. They were sitting on the deck of the trawler in obviously better times.

  Ellen put her finger on the woman’s face, tapping gently, she promised, “I swear we will look after your girl. She will always have a place with us as long as she wants it. We will be her family. I am so sorry you can’t be with us.” Her throat had tightened up and she couldn’t continue. She wrapped a t-shirt around it for protection and placed it in an outside pocket. Picking the bag up, she took one last look, grabbed a little earring stand filled with pierced earrings and put it in with the picture. The last item was a music box. She thought it might be something Hannah would want. It looked like it was from her childhood years and assumed it must be something special for her to still have it. Entering the main salon, she heard Alan grunting and groaning. It sounded like he was tearing things up.

  “Ah ha! Got it!” he finally exclaimed.

  “Come on Alan we’re burning daylight.”

  He appeared in the doorway, “Sorry, I needed to find this.” He said, holding up a gold chain with a silver key hanging from it. “This is the key to the lockbox.”

  “Okay, now let’s go.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Hannah was just finishing the galley clean up when they returned. A wonderful smell filled the boat. It made Ellen’s mouth water in anticipation.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I put on something for lunch” she said shyly. She just managed a small smile and looked away. She seemed to be holding her breath until Ellen answered.

  “Whatever it is, Hannah, it smells wonderful.” She laughed and said, “It smells a lot better that the slop I cooked for breakfast. I never was much of a cook. I pretty much open a package, add hot water and eat.”

  Alan cleared his throat as if to remind them he is still standing on the step, his arms full of Hannah’s gear.

  Seeing his predicament, Ellen moved aside. “We need to see if we can organize the stuff in the aft cabin. Maybe we can make part of it back into a sleeping berth. You may as well put her things in the V-berth for now.”

  She turned and climbed up to the cockpit, over her shoulder she said, “Conference time guys.” She waited until they were both seated across from her. “Hannah, I think Alan feels the same way, so I would like to include you in our family. Accepting in itself is asking a lot of you. You don’t know us from Adam. But we have pledged to each other to put the others life before their own. If each of us has the same attitude, we will survive or die trying. Regardless, we have each other’s back.

  “But you are related. That has to mean more than just being someone you asked to join you.” She was surprised when both Alan and Ellen began laughing. “What?” she asked, staring in confusion?

  “We are not related. I knew Ellen only from the few times she came into the marina store where I worked. The day after the lights went out we found ourselves in a situation…or at least I did and she came to the rescue. But in every way, she is my sister now!”

  Hannah stared in bewilderment trying to process Alan’s words. Then she laughed with them.

  “I was wondering how your parents could have called you such similar names. I mean Ellen and Alan. That would have been so confusing to the ears growing up.” She drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “Wow…I’m not sure what to say. The only contribution I would be able to make would be cooking. I don’t know anything about sailboats.”

  “And you can shoot a gun,” reminded Alan. “Or you said you could.”

  “I can, but so far I have only used one on the range and then I was shooting at paper targets.”

  “But…and this is a big but, could you shoot another person in our defense? If someone is intent on harming us, could you?” Ellen thought after what the men had done to her, Hannah would have no trouble pulling the trigger, if for no other reason than not wanting to go through what she had already endured again. Had Hannah immediately said yes, Ellen would have been concerned than for her to take the time to think it through. She didn’t want anyone would shoot first and question later.

  “I think I could…I would want to. To defend you guys, I am pretty sure I could,” she broke into tears. “I really would want to,” she sobbed.

  Alan put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. “Don’t worry; maybe it will never come to that. I haven’t had to shoot anyone either.” He didn’t mention hitting someone with a highball glass. Right then it was irrelevant. “But to defend either of you, I would whether I wanted to or not.”

  “That’s all we ask Hannah, that you do your best to keep us all safe. If we all put each other before ourselves, then we are golden. Now, Alan try and find some way to strap those fuel jugs down and I will do some salvage from the other fishing boat. Please tell me you both know how to fish.”

  Hannah brightened, “I love to fish. That’s why Mom and I were on the boat. Then she got called to Boston…” her voice trailed off as if she couldn’t bear to remember. “I won’t see her again will I?” She seemed to gather herself, preparing for the answer.

  Ellen, unsure how to answer, decided the truth is always the best answer. “If you go with us, then no, I don’t think you will.”

  “Do you think there is any chance she can make it back here?” Her eyes shone with unshed tears.

  Alan rested his hand on her shoulder, giving comfort. He hadn’t said anything and maybe he is thinking about his father. It was apparent he was sharing her grief. Both Alan and Hannah were looking to Ellen for answers. She was afraid neither would like what she had to say. However, she felt that to give Hannah the truth about their situation, was far better than giving her false hope.

  “If your Mother was in Boston when whatever happened, then I’m sorry. The big cities are in the most danger. No electricity, water, or food can turn people against each other in a heartbeat. Your Mom would be one person against a whole city. Unless she is staying with family or friends?” Hannah’s head dropped lower if that is possible; slowly she shook her head in denial. She sniffed loudly, trying to contain her tears. Then her eyes met Ellen’s.

  “I thought about this last night. Always, throughout my whole life she and I have been connected. I always knew when she is going to call before she did, like we were bonded together by telepathy or something. While I was tied up, I lost the connection. I don’t think she can come back. She would want me to do what is best for me. I know that, so…I will go with you guys, and defend you until I am no longer able to. Sometime down the road, I will be happy again.” Her decision, voiced out loud seemed to give her strength. She sat a little straighter and she reached up where Alan’s hand lay and squeezed his fingers.

  Ellen was choked, by the strength of this young girl. She found herself humbled by her. Hannah would do well in their new family. Trying to hide how emotional listening to Hannah had made her, she gruffly said, “Well okay then.”

  She reached under the table and dragged out the bag of handguns they had collected. Unzipping it she scanned the contents.

  “Each of you pick one of the handguns that feels comfortable in your hand. Try to pick ones the same caliber and put them within easy reach. Keep out a box of the 357 shells for me and a couple of boxes of the caliber guns you choose. Alan, once we are out of here, Hannah can teach you how to use yours.”

  Hannah looked surprised that she would be teaching him, but didn’t say a word. Alan looked uncomfortable with the idea that Hannah would be the one to teach him, and was about to protest. A look from Ellen however closed his mouth.

  “We all have talents to contribute; every one of them is an asset to the group no matter how small you may think it is. We will work together as a unit.” Now, let’s get this day moving. We’ll haul anchor at first light. I want everything ready to go before we turn in.

  As much as she didn’t want to visit the other boat, she knew it was necessary. Anything as far as food stores would be a valuable asset. As little as a pound of beans could buy them a safe passage, or they could be traded for something they needed.

  Resigned, she climbed into the dinghy and began to row. The fishing boat was comparatively smaller than the trawler, and she didn’t think it was more than a day boat, but she had to search it. Anything she found could benefit them. Having Hannah on board, meant one more mouth to feed. The provisions she had found on the trawler could be stretched to last a long while, but without grocery stores they would be hard to replace.

  She wondered how the trip was going for Dan and his bunch. She was pretty sure they would meet up with them again. While he hadn’t said they were headed to the Dry Tortugas exactly, he had had that grin when she mentioned them. It would be a good and safe place to sit out the next month or two. Maybe they could even get a few vegetables in the ground. The coral sand would make growing difficult and lack of rain would make it harder. She thought she remembered the yearly total was somewhere around 38 inches. However, there was the desalination plant. Without the ferry from Key West, there may be enough water to grow something. She didn’t remember the total number of people on the Garden Key at any one time, because they rotate in and out. She thought maybe a dozen lived there at a time.

  The bow of the dinghy bumped the fishing boat, surprising her. She had been lost in her thoughts, which made the trip over seem much shorter. The sun would be setting soon and she wanted to be back on board when it did. Looking back to the Annie-C, she saw Hannah and Alan sitting in the cockpit with their heads together. They were sitting close and she wondered if there might be a romance developing there. She would warn Alan to be careful, Hannah, unintentionally could be having a case of hero worship and she didn’t want him to be falling for her if this was so. She didn’t want to see either of them get hurt. While both of them had only been with her a short time, Alan for four days and Hannah just one, she found herself drawn as close to them as she never had with people she had known for years.

  The odor of dead fish assaulted her senses, and she placed her hand over her nose trying to keep out the smell. Either they had fish in a cooler or the boat was equipped with a live bait well and the baitfish had died. Either way, she wanted to hurry and leave.

  The door on the small cabin was open and she walked in. There was only a small V-berth and a head containing a porta-potty. She could plainly see there was nothing of value, except maybe some of the fishing gear. There was also the portable camp stove. That may come in handy, she thought, especially if they had some of the portable gas containers to go with it. Under the counter, she found a selection of canned food and a larger supply of Coors Light. It appeared as if the guy thought more about having beer to drink than feeding his stomach.

  There was an ice chest sitting by the counter. She wondered about opening it as the ice would have melted by now. However, it is one of the newer ice chests. She had heard good things about the Yeti but had not wanted to spend the money. Prepared for anything she unhooked the rubber closures. To her surprise, there is still ice in it. Two packages of Ball Park franks, sandwich meat and beer. His guy had not planned a long time journey, probably just an overnight fishing trip. Somehow he had got caught up with the trawler guys. But, at this point they would never know who had started what.