Page 59 of No One Aboard

This isit, he mouthed.

At first, Rylan didn’t understand. There was nothing on the map where Nico had indicated, just empty space that represented the ocean. But when Rylan bent closer he saw a minuscule speck that stood for land. It was far south of Florida, closer to the Bahamas than anything else, and unlabeled.

An island.

That’s where Nico and Tia had found that they were going? To this dot in the center of the sea? Rylan swayed a little: he’d been holding his breath too long. He inhaled, but his breaths came shallower than he needed. He couldn’t look away from the map, from the wide white space and the small black dot. Something about it stunted his breathing.

Could it still be a vacation if the place they were going was the size of a piece of dust and wasn’t associated with any other place on the map?

Nico started writing, copying the coordinates in the ship’slog down on a separate scrap of paper that he placed inside his pocket before looking past his uncle’s sleeping form at the wall.

Rylan followed his gaze.

The ship’s radio sat in its cradle over the counter. Nico moved so he was almost touching Rylan.

“The radio is attached to a cord,” Nico breathed into Rylan’s ear. Rylan shivered.

Even if they managed to get the radio, the cord would keep them from sneaking back on deck to use it. There was no way they could use it without Alejandro waking up.

This is ridiculous, Rylan told himself, mouth dry.If he wakes up, what’s he going to do anyway?

Wake up Dad...

Rylan balked and tried to go back up the companionway, but Nico held him steady by the hand and gestured for him to breathe.

“Ican’t,” Rylan said between his teeth. “It won’t work.”

Nico hesitated, then released his hand and offered a kind smile. He wasn’t even angry at Rylan’s cowardice. It made Rylan sick. Tia should have been the one in here, but it wasn’t like Rylan could steerThe Old Eileen. He sucked in a breath. He should have stayed with Pirate in bed.

“What do you want me to do, anyway?” he whispered.

“Distract him if he wakes up. Just be casual.”

Rylan whipped his head from side to side.

Nico caught his shoulders. “Okay,I’lldistract him. You grab the radio.”

“I—I don’t know what to do with it even if I got it,” Rylan sputtered. He glanced to make sure Alejandro was still sleeping through this.

“Just press the button on the side and start talking.” Nicotilted Rylan’s chin upward and gave a heart-melting smile. “You’re braver than you think, Rylan. Trust me.”

Braver than you think... I’m braver than I think...Rylan filled his lungs, then snuck forward. His long arms easily reached over Alejandro’s slouched form, and the radio came loose from its cradle with a gentle click that made Rylan wince. But Nico was right beside him, ready to move between Rylan and Alejandro in case he woke up.

Rylan stepped back, radio in hand. His pulse made its way into every one of his fingers.

He held his thumb over the big button on the side. Once he pressed the button, static would crackle, and Alejandro would wake up for sure.

Rylan tried to organize his thoughts.This isThe Old Eileen. We’re being taken to some island without our consent.

The thought of the island made Rylan’s fingers buzz.

This isThe Old Eileen. We’re being taken to some island without our consent. Can you help us get home?

He had to speak quickly and articulately.

Would Nico be able to distract Alejandro long enough?

Nico signaled at him to go ahead. Rylan retreated as far from Alejandro as the radio cord would allow before he pushed down on the button.