Chapter 12: Into The Water
The scent of roasted fish and salt lingered in the air, mixing with the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore.
While the boys had set off in the rafts to fish once again, the girls remained behind, dealing with the morning's haul.
A few makeshift fire pits burned steadily, their flames licking at the wooden skewers placed above them, each lined with freshly cleaned fish.
Others were boiling in large metal pots the teachers had managed to recover from the wreckage of the ferry. Several barrels sat nearby, filled with water and fish that had yet to be gutted.
Sophia and Mia were among those assigned to the fish preparation, sleeves rolled up, fingers slick with fish scales as they worked quickly and efficiently.
The group had divided tasks among themselves — some were gutting, others were cleaning, and the rest were roasting or boiling.
"This would be a lot easier with an actual kitchen," Sophia muttered as she wiped the back of her hand against her forehead, smearing a bit of fish guts across her temple.
Mia snorted. "You'd still complain if we had one. You're always whining about cafeteria food."
"I have standards, Mia," Sophia said with a smirk.
The girls around them chuckled, continuing their work.
Despite the grim situation they were in, they had formed something of a routine.