Missing Read Free

supply!
    Desperately I twisted and turned, but my hands couldn’t reach the valve. I was going to drown! Fear swamped me as I frantically pulled the useless regulator out of my mouth. How much air did I have left in my lungs? I spun wildly in all directions. I looked up and saw a faint glow above me. The moon! Could I make it to the surface in time? I kicked off from the bottom, swimming as fast and as hard as I could.
    I felt the weight of the water pressing down on me and forced myself to blow out slowly as I came up to avoid getting the bends. My lungs were screaming for oxygen and my heart was hammering in my chest.
    I kept striking upwards, kicking fiercely, as the moon shone brighter through the water. I spotted a darker patch—the boat! I had to get away from them. That last assault on me had been murderous. Now I was convinced whoever these people were, they
were
trying to kill me. I don’t know why they’d toyed with me before, giving me chances to work things out. I broke the surface as quietly as I could, swimming slowly to minimise splashing, but it was no use, a blinding light shone straight into my eyes. I’d been seen by my enemies! As I squeezed my eyes against the glare, I could hear my name being called. Somebody was cheering! What the . .?
    â€˜Hey, Cal! Come aboard! You’ve done really well. Come and get warm!’
    The light shifted from my face, shining a path to the boat. There I could see the three people who had attacked me waiting, calling out to me. Were these people
crazy?
    â€˜It’s OK. Come on up and we’ll explain everything. We’ll tell you what we know about Ryan. Everything will make sense, we promise.’
    â€˜No way!’ I shouted back. ‘I’d rather swim home!’
    â€˜Come on, Cal,’ called out the woman. ‘We were just testing you. And you’ve passed! Please trust me. Don’t you see now that everything you’ve gone through tonight was carefully planned? Come on board and you’ll see.’
    My teeth were chattering with cold by now. I desperately wanted to get out of the freezing water, but could I trust this gang?
    Wary, I swam over to the launch, ready to take off at the slightest whiff of more danger. The three of them were lined up along the side of the boat, as I swam nearer.
    â€˜Passed with flying colours,’ said one of the young guys, who was wearing a wetsuit. ‘And don’t worry, buddy. I’d never have let you drown.’
    Now
he tells me, I thought, angry.
    I let them help me up over the side of the boat where a small barbecue was sizzling. ‘OK,’ I said, pulling off the swim fins and slamming them down on the deck. ‘I want some answers. Who are you? What’s going on?’
    â€˜Take it easy, Cal,’ said the woman, flinging back her thick tawny plait and putting a hand out.
    â€˜Take it easy?’ I yelled, pushing her hand away. ‘Last time I saw you, you stuck a stun guninto me and I woke up in some kind of prison cell.’
    â€˜That was regrettable,’ she agreed. ‘But we had to meet you somehow.’
    â€˜How about asking? A phone call, maybe?’
    â€˜That wouldn’t have worked at all,’ she said, seeming to take no notice of my sarcastic tone. ‘My name’s D’Merrick.’
    I remained standing, still very cautious.
    â€˜It was impressive,’ D’Merrick continued, ‘how quickly you put the key together and got out of the room.’
    â€˜Nicely done,’ added the young guy in the wetsuit, reaching out his hand. ‘I’m Axel. No hard feelings, I hope?’
    â€˜And I’m Paddy,’ said the second guy, also extending his hand, a hamburger in the other.
    â€˜Not sure if I’m ready to shake hands with any of you,’ I said. ‘I’ve just been through hell because of you people.’
    â€˜Maybe a hamburger will help,’ said Axel. ‘And a hot coffee