“What? It won’t hurt you, and its good bait.” Summer backs away shaking her head no. Jonah frowns and lectures her, “If you want to eat, you have to catch your own bait.”
“I am not in the mood for fish anyway. It’s much too early for such a heavy meal.” She squeaks out and grabs her robe. I don’t believe I shall learn to fish after all.” Summer snaps as she hurries to dress.
Jonah stomps outside muttering, “Girls are weird. I will go find some worms then.” Victor is still laughing when he goes outside.
Chapter 22
London, England
“Two Weeks! I can’t possibly wait that long. You must look again!” Alex demands
The clerk stares at him with a blank look. “Look around, Mr. Denning. Everyone here is desperate to leave. I can give you two tickets on the steamship. It has excellent accommodations…”
As he glances around, he knows the clerk is telling him the truth. Alex leans forward and keeps his voice down. “I can pay extra. I assure you it is an emergency. I must get to Boston; my sister is there!” He pulls out cash hoping to entice the clerk.
Greed fills his eyes, now he has him. Money is the great communicator. It has a way of helping people understand, or at least displays just exactly how desperate someone is. Quickly the clerk writes down a number and slides the paper towards Alex.
Alex stares in shock at the amount, but quickly turns to Seth and calls him over. “That's highway robbery,” Seth snarls, but Alex shoves him and holds out his hand. Seth sighs and hands over his cash as well.
“It will be worth it, gentlemen. This is the last first-class cabin, leaving in two hours for New York. It's been a pleasure, Mr. Denning.”
“I said I needed to get to Boston, not New York!”
“I understand, but the ports are still closed in Boston, New York is the closest port due to the epidemic. Now if you’ll pardon me, I need to get back to work.”
Fresh pain rushes through Alex as the fear for his sister's well-being floods his mind. He accepts the tickets and walks through the clamor of people. The threat of death hasn't slowed the tide of people rushing to find a new future across the sea.
Seth guides him and worries for his friend. “What will I find, Seth? How will she survive this long with no help?” All sorts of images, flash through Alex’s mind.
“Cheer up, mate. Summer is brilliant. I am sure she has it all worked out by now. The first order of business is to get on the ship. Let’s go!”
It is a two-week journey, minimum on this ship. The cabin is excellent, and conditions are favorable for a quick crossing. Alex is oblivious to the excitement fluttering about him as he stands on the deck staring out to sea. He is conjuring up the different ways he can kill this doctor who destroyed everyone he loves. “Hang on, Summer. I'm coming.” He whispers and tosses his cigarette out to be swallowed up by the waves.
Chapter 23
“Jonah go play while we finish packing up.” The child squeals in delight and runs with his wooden sword down to the river to throw rocks. “Don't fall in, Jonah,” Victor yells and laughs at the sound of rocks splashing.
“Good thing we aren't fishing for our food. Surely he’s scared all of them away by now.”
Summer shudders when she thinks about the slugs, Victor sees her reaction and leans down behind her to whisper in her ear. “Don't worry, I will keep you safe from all the bugs.” Goosebumps erupt as he nibbles on her neck. She turns into his face and stares at his mouth with a smile.
“Oh, really. Mr. Yates, I can handle my own bugs.”
“Well, isn’t this a pretty picture?” Victor and Summer freeze at the sound of a familiar voice. “The whore got to you after all, didn’t she?”
Victor starts to move, but the sound of a rifle being cocked has his blood running cold. “Mr. Sanders, surely we can talk about this?”
“Hands up, Yates.” Jim Sanders points the rifle at the two of them and keeps his distance. He laughs at the look on the Summers' face when Jonah comes running back to them. He gazes at the gun and points his wooden blade at him.
Victor jerks him behind his body and snaps, “No, don’t son.”
“Don’t worry, Jonah, I'm not here for you. I prefer women, and this one owes me.”
“I’ll pay you anything…” Victor tries to bribe him.
“Shut up!” Jim screams and the rifle trembles. “You sent the constable after me, Yates. I ought to kill you where you stand, but I thought of a more just punishment for you. I will take what you desire, and you will be powerless to stop me, just as I was when you beat me.”
“Mr. Sanders, this is how it's going to go,” Summer calmly interrupts. “You're going to let them go. They will leave in the carriage, and I will not fight you.”
“Quite right, now you get it. Some Lady you are. I’ve been trailing you for days.” He turns back to Victor, “If you come back, I will kill them both while you watch. Are we clear?”
“NO,” Jonah starts to shout out, and Victor picks him up and shushes him. “It's going to be alright, son.”
“Go, before he changes his mind,” she refuses to look at him.
“I’m sorry…” Victor says.
“I know, just Go,” Summer whispers. Jim laughs at the look of rage on Victor’s face when he jerks Summer to his side. Victor walks quickly to the carriage and forces Jonah inside. The sound
