Island of Shipwrecks by Lisa McMann Page A

water.
    â€œSpike!” Alex called, struck by an idea. “Can you use part of your body to plug the hole in the ship?”
    â€œI will try, the Alex.” Immediately the whale dove down and disappeared. Alex listened, and soon he heard faint cheers from below. Spike had saved them once more. Alex just hoped he wasn’t putting the whale’s life in danger by trapping her in a runaway vessel. He focused on the island, looming very close now. Alex could see the rocky coast, and he didn’t know what to do.
    â€œWe’re going to crash!” he shouted. “If we don’t slow down, we’ll have to abandon ship!”
    Word spread quickly from statue to creature to human, and before Alex knew it, Sky had arrived at his side, soaking-wet hair stuck to her face and shoulders. She was furious. “My mother can’t swim!” she shouted. “She can’t abandon ship—what are you thinking? We have to do something else!”
    Alex gave her a frantic look. He whipped his head around, looking for any possible solution to this latest problem, and his eyes landed on Florence, who was a rock in stressful times. “Get your mother,” Alex said to Sky in a voice more assured and calm than he felt. “Bring her up here.”
    She hesitated, skeptical.
    â€œI mean it. We don’t have much time.”
    Sky turned and made her way below.
    â€œFlorence?” Alex called.
    â€œYes, Alex,” she replied, not taking her eyes off the looming rocks.
    â€œI need the squirrelicorns to deliver Copper safely to the island. They can take up to two others who want to go by air—Ahab, probably, and someone else. Can you prep them? Sky’s coming up with her mother now.”
    â€œOf course,” Florence said. “I think Lani or Samheed should go too, or someone with magical ability, in case there are unfriendly islanders to greet us.”
    â€œYikes. I didn’t even think of that.”
    â€œThat’s why you have me,” she replied with an uneasy grin. Florence called the six squirrelicorns to attention and gave them their instructions. Within moments they were carrying Copper, Lani, and Captain Ahab—despite his protests—through the storm and out of sight in the dark torrent. With the hole plugged by Spike, the rest of the Artiméans trickled upstairs, some carrying supplies, prepared to jump.
    The wind and current forced the swirling ship uncomfortably close to a bevy of rocks near the island’s shore. Alex, grasping the railing for balance, pointed a blinding highlighter toward land, but it was useless—the rain was too heavy in his eyes, and he couldn’t see much beyond the rocks. He looked at Florence and she nodded. It was time.
    â€œEverybody, listen up!” he shouted. All of the Artiméans gathered together on the top deck, hanging on to the nets and railings as rain and wind stung their skin. “We can’t wait for the squirrelicorns to come back—we’re going to wreck. We’ve tried to control the ship but we can’t. Without Simber here, there’s nothing more we can do. So I’m ordering you to jump now, and swim for the rocks. Okay? Don’t try to make it all the way to shore. The squirrelicorns will come out for you. Pair up and keep track of each other!”
    The ship lurched and Alex lost his balance. He caught himself as lightning lit up the rocky scene, just yards away. “Go now!” he cried. “We’re going to hit! Watch out for the rocks!”
    Without a moment’s hesitation, Ms. Octavia wrapped her tentacles around Henry’s and Crow’s wrists. The three climbed to the top of the railing, and at the octogator’s signal,jumped into the water. Samheed grabbed Kitten and shoved her into his pocket. He helped Fox to the ledge, then held his hand out to Sky. She glanced at Alex. Samheed did too.
    â€œYou okay?” Samheed asked.
    Alex nodded.