Tina turned to Gianna."So, wanna go get our stuff?"
"But we're coming back."
She could get her computer, where all her books were.Personal things like her makeup and favorite hairbrush.Whatever she could fit in her backpack.
But that was it.
Just what she could carry.
Tina nodded."We can come back."
"You know I'm going to drag you back, kicking and screaming if I have to."
Tina nodded."I know."
"So, you'd better be prepared."
“That should do it,”Gianna muttered as she wrapped her computer in yet another layer of plastic wrap.She had no idea if anything would damage it, but if she had to go back through the water to get to the portal, then she'd better be prepared.
Her shoes squished from the water they’d come through and landed in the portal.The portal would be likely under water, at least partially, when they go back, no matter what time they went through.
Gianna didn’t want to get stuck here, because she waited too long for the water to go down to go back.
She was going back.As quick as she could.
Her cell phone laid on the table with a few missed calls and messages, but nothing that really mattered.She emailed her foster mother and told her she was going to start touring the world and she could get rid of everything in the house.
Told her where the key was and that the lease on her beach house was paid up for two months.She didn’t like the idea of turning it over to the foster parents, but she didn’t know what else to do.
She only had minutes to decide.Her foster family was it.
She was almost ready to go when she saw the lights.
"They've called the police on her," she said.
Sure enough, a string of first responders -- mostly police, but there were some fire trucks coming soon.
Heading straight for Tina’s grandparents’ house.
And Tina was so sure they’d be happy to see her.She shook her head.
“Goddammit,” she muttered.Gianna did the only thing she could think of.She texted Tina and told her they were coming.
And she ran.
Fast, toward the cave.
She looked back down the beach, and there came Tina, running at top speed toward her.And behind her?Of course.
The police had their K-9 units.
Great.
"Come on, come on!"
They were going to get there just about the same time.Gianna was blaming her backpack that seemed to get heavier with every step as she ran.
She had just gotten inside the cave when Tina entered as well.And the water level had raised.Quite a bit, already.
