Prompt#21: Start-End

Word Count: 397 of 750 MAX
DAY 21 Prompt: Start-End - The last 2 letters of each sentence must be the first 2 letters of the next sentence. The first two letters of the first sentence must be the last two letters of the last sentence.

         “Get your head out of your ass and row faster before they realize we’re gone.”

         Never before had someone dared speak to her that way. Ayelia didn’t voice her anger, knowing it would only add fuel to Borca’s abuse. Sensing another volley of insults was about to come her way, Ayelia doubled her efforts and put her back into it.

         “I told you we shouldn’t have brought her with us. Useless bitch…” Chilling whispers spoken just loud enough to be heard over the splashing oars and creaking boat.

         “At least I earned my spot,” Ayelia said. “I don’t recall seeing you helping when we made our escape, Itàyo. You’ve got a lot of nerve calling me useless, you cowardly little mouse.”

         Seconds ticked by, a tense silence weighing heavy between the six women.

         “Enough of this! I should have left both of you back there,” Borca hissed between clenched teeth. “The only thing that matters is getting across this damn lake. Keep your thoughts to yourself until we get to the other side. Death is our only alternative.”

         “Very well,” Ayelia responded all the while maintaining eye contact with Itàyo. “You and I will be settling up once this is over and done.”

         Neither said another word as the small boat crossed the waters and edged towards the far shore.

         “Remember, we all agreed to this. I shouldn’t have to remind any of you what will happen if you’re captured okay?”

         Ayelia was about to say something when she was interrupted by sudden shouts and bright lights coming from the other side of the lake.

         “Keep to the plan like we agreed on. One of you gets caught, you know what you have to do.”

         “Don’t worry about me,” Itàyo snickered as they all tumbled out of the skiff. “If anyone is going to get caught, you know who its going to be.”

         “Best to get moving,” Borca said to Ayelia before following Itàyo and the other women into the overgrown brush.

         She stood alone on the shore, listening to the sounds of their retreat. At some point, she became aware of the men rowing her way. Ayelia snapped from her limbo. Borca’s words came back to her and she turned in the opposite direction the others had gone.

         “Next time, Itàyo,” she whispered with a smile, before disappearing, swallowed by the moonless night and dense foliage.