Gone Fishin' Part 3 (Patreon)

“You cannot possibly think we are going to make it out of the bay.” Belladonna was looking at Gabriel with the obvious hope that he would join her in the only semblance of sanity that was on the beach. But Gabriel only sighed with his shoulders sagging under his dark blue uniform. To an outsider, it wasn’t even noticeable, but Belladonna had been looking for it. “Really?” she asked. “You, Gabriel Caine, think this is a good idea?”

“I believe it is a course of action worth following,” he said diplomatically. Meaning it wasn’t a good idea. He thought it was a very bad idea. Which proved how dire the situation actually was.

Belladonna stepped aside. “Well, then by all means. Step aboard.” It was a challenge. Currently, only Milo maintained footing on the ship and even he was stepping lightly. Gabriel did not hesitate, because to Gabriel, hesitation was weakness, and stepped up to the boat, eyeing it critically.

“Need a hand, Gabe babe,” Milo crooned. No one would have faulted Gabriel for pulling out his sword and stabbing Milo.

The steps to the boat were half submerged within water. Either Gabriel was going to have to take Milo’s hand or he was going to need to get his boots wet. Both decisions were equally as heinous to the man. Milo had been arrested no less than twenty times by Gabriel alone and accepting help from the man was beneath him. Yet, so was ruining his uniform. He took great care to keep a fastidious image.

In the end, his pride won out over everything else and Gabriel had to let his black boots submerge. To his credit, he did not wince as the water rushed in, wetting his socks, nor did he acknowledge the glee that was on Milo’s face. The boat tipped a little with the added weight but did hold sturdy as Gabriel climbed aboard.

“Welcome aboard, Warden!” Milo slapped him on the back and quickly danced away. “I’ll move the boat closer so the rest of you can get on.”

Back on the shore, Malcolm rubbed a hand over his face. “We aren’t getting through this without Milo getting arrested,” he whispered to his sister.

“I don’t know,” Hazel tried. “He might calm down a bit when we get going.” It was a hope that had no roots in reality but they could both dream.

When Milo navigated the boat closer, Gabriel helped both Hazel and a reluctant Belladonna aboard. Hazel took a spot near the back of the boat, one that was clearly hers given the small knitted bag that leaned against the seat. Belladonna sat next to her, crossing her arms in front of her while Malcolm helped Milo push the boat out into the water.

The boat itself contained two large bench seats near the back and a singular captain's chair. The chair sat above a cabin that led below deck where a bunk bed and small kitchenette were located. Belladonna peeked down, making sure that the deck below wasn’t already taking on water.

“Please keep your arms and legs inside the boat at all times,” Milo was saying as they began drifting out into the water. “If in an emergency, we have two life vests, so pick and choose who you want to save. Fighting is strictly prohibited along with the use of swords. Food and bathroom is located below along with puke bags. As for the rest, enjoy your ride on this beauty of a vessel.”

“This is clearly not up to code,” Gabriel was muttering.

Malcolm sighed, facing Belladonna and Hazel. They were the only two he actually thought would be able to do anything with what they were facing.

“Let’s go over this again,” Malcolm said. “The tear in the sky appeared a year ago. We have no measurements of it then but the oldest reports say it was no bigger than the width of my palm. Last week, a fishman got caught in a storm and wandered out there by accident. He claims that it is now the length of the spice district.”

“It’s expanding at such a rate that we should be able to see the tear in real time,” Bella said, arms still crossed. Hazel was already silently fretting that she would get cold sitting out here in her evening gown.

Malcolm nodded. “We will. We need to figure out how to close it and we need to make sure there is nothing different about this tear than any of the other ones.”

“It’s not different, Mal,” Milo called. “I can feel each tear and this one feels the same.”

“Beg your pardon,” Belladonna said. “But you are not exactly the most reliable source when it comes to these tears.”

“Oldest Gatekeeper, sweetheart. That counts for something.”

“Milo Next, calling me sweetheart will have you thrown off this boat,” she said with a tight grin.

“Milo,” Hazel chastised. “Belladonna has been studying these tears for years. Her expertise is needed so we know how to prevent it from happening again.”

“Yeah yeah,” he said, already moving on.

Malcolm could feel a headache forming. “Sis, after Belladonna studies it, I’m going to need to see if you can get a sample of the other side. Then, we are all,” he eyed Gabriel, “going to need to support Milo as he closes the tear. I only ever closed two this size when I was a Gatekeeper and it knocked me out for days.”

Hazel bit her bottom lip. “How far away is it?” 

“Two hours,” Malcolm said.

Two hours with five people on the boat that could barely get along, navigating into a fog dense ocean, hoping to close a cosmic tear in the sky. What could go wrong?