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| Biker Buddy is standing in for Buck Skillin here photoart by me |
Discovery on Little Hog Island, Chapter I: The Warning
iii. Buck Skillin (Read part ii here)*
He looked her up and down. "You don’t look wet," he said.
"No, I took your advice and did not swim here." Dana heard her voice come out calmly and normally, though inside it felt squeezed with fear.
"Good choice," the man said, gruffly, his voice low and gravelly. "So what did you do, fly?"
"I paddled."
"At night? That ain't exactly safe, either," he drawled. "Why are you standing in the munitions shed? What are you doing here?"
"I was curious. I wanted to look around."
"You could see better during the day. Name's Skillin. Buck Skillin." He held out his hand. She took it gingerly. It was warm and dry. Hers was clammy with fear. "And you?"
"Dana. Dana Waznik."
"Wanna Beer?"
"A beer?" Dana heard her voice rise with surprise, almost incredulity.
"You a TEE-totaler?"
"No. I just didn't expect you to offer me beer?"
"Why not, seems like the polite thing to do when you have company. Come on, I'll introduce you to the guys."
Buck Skillin turned and walked back toward the stone building. Dana followed, feeling nervous. Beyond nervous. She didn’t know if she should bolt for the darkness, grab her kayak, and paddle madly away. But she didn’t. She followed Buck. He held the door for her.
"Boys," he said, "We have company. Four faces turned toward Dana. They all rose to their feet. They did not look happy or friendly.
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