Stranded by Dani Pettrey Read Free Book Online Page A

enormous model of a humpback whale suspended from the ceiling three decks above. It appeared to be gliding through the ocean-mosaic dome above it.
    The noise of the hall was nearly deafening as passengers milled about—parents pointing out the two-story-high pillar aquariums to their excited children, couples leaning arm in arm with exotic umbrella drinks in hand.
    â€œHey, Darcy,” Ted said, passing by her with a wave.
    â€œHey, Ted. Have you seen Gage?”
    â€œYeah, he’s running the rock-climbing wall,” he called over his shoulder, not slowing his pace.
    â€œGreat. Where is that?”
    Ted stopped and turned with a smile. “Didn’t Mullins give you the red packet?”
    Red packet? “You mean the folder thingy?”
    He chuckled. “She’d kill you if she heard you call it that.”
    â€œOh. Sorry.”
    â€œNo apology necessary. I think she’s incredibly uptight insisting we all refer to it as an orientation glossary.”
    â€œYeah, that was . . .”
    â€œRidiculous.”
    The two exchanged a good laugh.
    â€œBut,” Ted said, “it does contain a detailed map of the ship that you might find helpful.”
    She smiled. “Guess I better check that out.”
    â€œIn the meantime, the rock wall is that way.” He pointed across the hall to the south corridor.
    â€œAwesome. Thanks.”
    â€œNo problem. See you bright and early tomorrow.”
    â€œRight.” She still had no idea exactly what was happening tomorrow. Some sort of excursion. But after hearing Abby was gone, she hadn’t heard much else—her mind racing to remember every little thing Abby had told her leading up to her arrival on the ship, anything that might be of help in finding her friend.
    The corridor banked right, and Darcy followed it until it flowed into an enormous open space. The vaulted ceiling went up three full decks, just as in the main hall, but at the moment this space was much quieter. A variety of activity stations were dispersed throughout the area.
    The rock wall, standing almost the full three decks high, was positioned at the rear of the room. She moved toward it, catching sight of Gage’s muscular arm reaching up, his hand closing on a rung. She stepped around the punching bag obstructing her view, and her breath caught. Gage was climbing freehand, moving at an incredible pace toward the top of the wall—though gliding would probably better describe the ease of his motions. She followed his trajectory and saw a child—a boy no more than ten—clinging as if for dear life at the top rim of the wall.
    â€œIt’s okay, Isaac. Gage is coming,” a woman in her thirties, blond and wearing a pink velour jogging suit, called up.
    Isaac whimpered at his mom’s voice, his fingers white-knuckled on the rubber knobs mimicking rock handholds.
    Darcy stopped at the base of the wall as Gage reached the child, his hand resting on Isaac’s back. “It’s okay, sport. I’m right here. First time letting go is always a little unnerving.”
    She’d actually found it liberating, but she’d been a young adult at the time. For a ten-year-old, a forty-foot distance between him and the floor had to be terrifying.
    â€œHe’s holding everybody up,” a teenage boy sulked—clearly the self-absorbed older brother.
    â€œMarcus Sterling, not another word.”
    Marcus obviously thought about continuing until his mother held up a perfectly manicured finger, hot-pink polish matching her jogging suit.
    â€œNot another word,” she said between clenched teeth.
    Marcus kicked at the matted ground with the toe of his rock-climbing shoe but remained sullenly silent.
    Darcy turned her attention back on Gage, who had positioned himself next to Isaac. “We can do this, bud. One hand at a time.”
    Isaac shook his head.
    â€œIsaac, look at me.”
    After a moment’s hesitation the