Marooned

By Ashlyn Chase and E. B. Lorow

Sailing camp is supposed to be fun, but for six teens stranded on an island in the Bermuda Triangle, survival becomes their top priority.

They must overcome not only a lack of resources, but also supernatural interference by mermaids, spirits, and a dragon. All have their own reasons for watching the humans. Some are good; some are bad. Can the kids work together to avoid danger and help in their own rescue?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandy Pants Publishing
• Release date: Mar 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224062713

Ashlyn Chase

Ashlyn Chase describes herself as an Almond Joy bar.  A little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet, wanting only to give her readers some great entertainment.  She holds a degree in behavioral sciences, worked as a psychiatric RN for 15 years and spent a few more years working for the American Red Cross. Most authors, whether they know it or not, have a theme—something that unifies their whole booklist. Ashlyn’s identified theme has to do with characters who reinvent themselves. After all, she has reinvented herself many times. Now she is a multi-published, best-selling, award-winning author of humorous paranormal and contemporary romances, represented by the Seymour Agency. She lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her true-life superhero husband who looks like Hugh Jackman if you squint. She and Mr. Amazing have adopted two beautiful shelter cats. Where there’s fire, there’s Ash Sign up for my newsletter right from my home page: www.ashlynchase.com While you’re there check out my news and reviews. Join my facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshlynChase Chat with me: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashlynsnewbestfriends/ Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ashlyn-chase …and I tweet as GoddessAsh. https://twitter.com/#!/GoddessAsh Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashlynlaughin/  Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/ashlynchase/  

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Marooned © 2024 Elisabeth Lorow

Cover design by Ashlyn Chase

Illustration purchased from Depositphotos

Edited by Lee Behlman

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Published by Sandy Pants Publishing, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

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Marooned

by E.B. Lorow

Chapter 1

Jamie:

The boys are going to win! my cocky brother David shouted as everyone cast off.

The girls are going to win, our higher voices yelled over the wind, from our identical sailboat.

Brian and Terry, the sailing camp instructors, seemed to enjoy the healthy competition, smiling at us kids and at each other. I had to admit the married couple had performed their summer jobs well; teaching six teenagers, three boys and three girls, to work together toward a common goal: Learning to sail, having fun, and not drowning.

David and I had been swimming since we were infants and were the only brother and sister here. With one of us aboard each boat, we added a nice dose of sibling rivalry to the race.

There are lots of sailing camps on pricey Caribbean Islands, but our parents worked their butts off to send me and my eighteen-year-old brother to this less expensive version off the coast of North Carolina. And I bet we’re having just as much fun as the rich kids.

David wants to work aboard a yacht someday. He jokingly told me I should too, since maybe I’d meet a famous rock star and marry up. Frankly, I’d rather aim toward the Summer Olympics. I might have made the swim team, if I had started training hard, three years ago.

Besides, I could never attract a rich and famous rock star. I’m nothing special. Brown hair, brown eyes, flat chested... Oh well. I’m only sixteen. My mother thinks I might still grow a decent set of breasts. At least the summer sun gave me a tan and put some golden highlights in my hair. 

Last chance to forfeit, David yelled.

You forfeit!  Chris yelled right into my ear.

Jeez, you’re going to make me go deaf! I yelled, then glanced over at the other boat sheepishly. Had Kyle heard me? He wore a hearing aid, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to have noticed. He was a good kid, and I’d hate to hurt his feelings.

Terry, pointed to the main sail, which was starting to flap. Focus on your sailing, girls. This is your chance to prove you’re every bit as good as the boys. Sailing isn’t about strength or size. It’s about strategy, skill, and the prevailing winds.

Well then, we’ve got this, Gigi yelled.

A few minutes later Terry called out Tack! Her husband Brian gave the same command at the same time. They chuckled and watched as we swung the sails to the opposite side, ducking under the boom as it flew across. The boats turned and caught a nice tailwind.

Now, we’re flyin’! I shouted.

Terry stepped aside and let me take the wheel. See if you can make it to ten knots, Jamie.

The sails billowed out to their full capability. All I had to do was keep it like that and try not to gloat when we passed the other team. To beat David and the rest of the boys would make my summer complete. But the wind could be fickle. There was no predicting the outcome of a race this early. 

I was so focused on the instruments in front of me, I didn’t notice a large dark cloud rolling in from behind until the sun disappeared and the cold air gave me goosebumps. I struggled to hold a steady course, but the wind surged, as if wanting to blow us right into the other boat.

What the heck? I felt my body lifting off the floor and tried to brace my sneakers against something...anything, to keep from blowing away.

Let me take the wheel, Terry yelled.

I was torn. I didn’t want to let go, because I was afraid we might turn and ram the boys’ boat. I glanced over and noticed David struggling at their wheel too.

Rain spattered the deck. I let Terry take over for me, but she was having as hard a time as I was. I glanced over at the boys’ boat and saw that Brian had taken over for David too.

Get below! Terry yelled.

What if you need our help? We should take down the sails.

"Don’t argue. Get below and brace yourselves in your sleeping berths! Keep your life jackets on. Go! Now!"

Wow. I never heard Terry yell like that. The three of us did as we were ordered. I really had my reservations about leaving Terry all alone up top. Just before I closed the door, I glanced over at the boys’ boat and saw David descending the stairs and closing the hatch behind him. I guess my big brother and his crew got the same orders from Brian.

The three of us were practically tossed into our sleeping berths when a huge wave tipped us in that direction. We scrambled into the space under the hull, which was about three feet high and seven feet long. I shared my berth with Gigi. When the weather was nice, Terry and Brian slept under the stars. When it wasn’t, she shared the other berth with Chris.

Another wave tossed us up so high, we the hit ceiling. Ow! I hit my head.

We should put our sleeping bags on top of us as a cushion, Gigi shouted.

Good idea. I wish I’d thought of it. I came up with something else to contribute to our safety. And maybe we should brace our backs against each other and our hands and feet against the walls.

Yeah. Let’s try it.

I wish I had someone to do that with, Chris yelled through the wall. I’m bracing my hands and feet against both walls over here.

I almost laughed picturing her spread eagle, but this was no laughing matter. Another monster wave hit. We were lifted off the thin mattress but pushing my life preserver hard against Gigi’s life preserver and the wall, I didn’t smash into the ceiling—this time. 

I was waiting for a loud crack to herald the splintering of our main mast. Then I remembered they were made of some kind of fiberglass, harder than any boat plastic. Whew. They might survive. I just hoped we all would! I couldn’t help worrying about Terry and Brian, but we heard them shouting to each other. The wind muffled their words, but at least they were still out