Jim Northum

A freak wave hit the crippled sailboat broadside, heeling it far over. Jenny Stark held on to the wheel as the craft righted itself. The terror of being absolutely alone screamed in her mind as she desperately searched for her companion, Jess Cook. The wildly rolling deck was clean except for a tangle of rigging and lines, one a bright orange safety line, stretched over the starboard side. Jenny worked her way to the lines and saw Jess floating face down in the tangle. She pulled with all her strength on the safety line to no avail. With no thought for her own safety, she bailed off into the churning water to help her friend. Can she reach him in time?