a chance. Now, the only hope was to save one. My Ava Grace.
I did everything I could to set up an escape. Her documents were in place. I’d arranged to meet one of the helmsmen down at the east dock. Thankfully, I spent some time figuring out how to access the computer program and put in an order from my father’s desk. It simply stated that the Department of Documentation had a pick-up on the east dock at 1800 hours. My picture was the primary ID on the order. Since I had no access to a photo of Ava, I couldn’t make her an authentic ID. Rather, I used a photo of the closest match I could find. A stock photo I’d found online. Hopefully nobody would recognize the face was not hers and deny us entry. At least I had the right prints. I had lifted them from a music box I’d given her on my last trip to the island.
If only it was as simple as taking the raft the way we had talked about so many times as young teenagers. Such fools we were to think we could escape the security of the perimeter. Never once did it cross our minds that mines, explosives, and deadly gasses had been set in place. Not to mention, the aircraft carriers and countless weapons would be pointed at anyone who tried to flee the doomed island.
Seven years later, I was wise enough to internalize the reality of the situation. Sweat began to pour from my hands at the realization that every time we took that raft to the peninsula, we were just a half-mile away from termination. My time on the island had shown me that unless I made the proper connections and set every detail precisely, death was imminent not only for Ava Grace, but for both of us. I could only pray I hadn’t overlooked anything. Now, it was a matter of time. Hopefully there was enough of it left.
• • •
There I was looking into the dark chamber trying to pull my mask over my suffocating face. If I didn’t get to her soon, I’d be one of the lifeless bodies I was beginning to stumble over. The gas had begun to filter through the vents and into the passage, crawling its way up the dirt walls of the dark cave. Flashing the light of my phone, I searched the ground. Nothing resembled her. “Ava,” I whispered as I moved along. Trying not to call attention to anyone who might still be moving, I whispered again, “Ava Grace!”
I was met with silence.
Kneeling down, I began to crawl through the bodies, lifting arms and legs. Sifting through the remains, panic began to overtake me. Maybe I was too late. Maybe she was already gone. “Ava,” I whispered again.
Nothing.
My heart pounded as I checked my watch. There were only minutes left until the submarine would pull away from the dock without us. Frantically, I pushed and shoved bodies until at last, I saw what looked to be a shell necklace lying on the ground. It reminded me of the set we’d made years before on the beach. “Ava,” I whispered with desperation. “Ava Grace!” I couldn’t help the whimper in my voice as I continued to flip and turn bodies to get to the one I was looking for. And there, buried beneath one of the men, I saw a dainty hand.
As I tugged him from her, I unfurled his arm from the long, brown hair. The girl was lying face down. I pulled her into my arms and rolled her sideways, gently brushing the hair away from her forehead. Her beauty was unmistakable. “Ava,” I shook her. There was no response. Quickly, I leaned into her to listen for breath. There was only stillness. Desperately, I pulled her face to mine and set my ear to her lips. Through the heat of my pounding face, I felt a cool wisp of air sweep down my cheek. She might not have been conscious, but she was breathing. It was indubitable. I felt Ava’s breath against my face.
With all my strength, I came to my feet and hoisted her over my shoulder. Then, taking a deep breath, I slipped my oxygen mask onto her. Gaining significant ground, I carried her toward the entrance until I could no longer hold my breath. I had to stop and take in some of the oxygen. Gently, I removed the mask and filled my