Maya and the Signal Rock

Maya grabbed Leo's sleeve as the little dinghy bumped away from the shore. "It's leaving!" Leo cried. The empty boat drifted past the jagged tide-pool island, where salt spray stung their cheeks and waves climbed the black rocks. Maya needed to reach the high signal rock and wave her red jacket before the rising tide trapped them, but the easy sandy path was already shrinking.

"Beach first," Maya said, trying to sound steady. She led Leo across the wet sand, past pools full of tiny crabs that lifted their claws like rude little forks. Halfway across, a wave rushed in with a slap. It snatched their snack bag, spun it like a leaf, and spread cold water over the sand in front of them.

Leo hopped back. "Our crackers!" "Forget the crackers," Maya said, though her stomach pinched. The beach had turned into a shining sheet of water. If she guessed wrong, Leo could slip, and the thought made her throat feel tight. "New plan," she said. "We try the ledge."

A narrow shelf ran along the cliff, with a skinny bridge of gray driftwood wedged between two rocks. Maya crouched and pushed the wood with both hands. It gave a loud crack. At once, gulls burst from the cliff holes, flapping and scolding. Leo ducked as wings filled the ledge. "Nope!" he squeaked.

Maya stared up. The signal rock rose above them, black and tall, with dry space at the top. She could climb fast by herself with the jacket. Leo was smaller, and his knees were trembling. Another wave boomed below, swallowing the place where the beach had been. Maya took one breath, then another. "I am not leaving you down here," she said. "But you have jobs."

Leo blinked. "Jobs?" "Important ones. Hold my jacket high and dry. Watch my back foot, not the waves. When I say 'freeze,' freeze like a lizard." That made Leo snort, which was better than crying. Maya chose the lower rocks, where the stones were wide but slick with green seaweed. She stepped first, pressed her palm to each rock, and pointed. "Your left foot goes where my left foot was."

They moved slowly. Foam hissed below their ankles. Leo whispered, "Left, right, lizard," each time he copied her. Once his orange shoe slid, but Maya said, "Freeze," in a calm voice. Leo froze. Maya grabbed his wrist, waited for the water to drain away, and guided his foot to a dry notch. Her heart thumped hard, but her voice stayed steady. "Good job. Next rock."

At last Maya scrambled onto the signal rock and pulled Leo up beside her. The sea had covered the beach completely; only dark rocks poked through the water like sleeping whales. Maya took the red jacket, stood tall, and whipped it side to side. "Boat!" Leo shouted. A fishing boat turned, its engine chugging closer through the spray.

When the boat reached them, the fisher tossed a rope and helped them aboard. Maya looked back as a wave washed over the last low rock they had crossed. Leo handed her the soggy jacket and grinned. "Captain Lizard says nice leading." Maya laughed, salty and shaky, while the signal rock grew smaller behind them.