The Cay

Phillip describes life on the Dutch island of Curaçao during WWII, the German U-boat threat, and his mother's growing fear, which will eventually force their departure.

Henny insists on sailing for Virginia despite the danger. The S.S. Hato is torpedoed, and Phillip wakes on a life raft with Timothy and Stew Cat.

Days pass on the raft. Phillip's head injury worsens and his eyesight begins to fail. Timothy navigates by stars and current, while Phillip's resentment toward him grows.

Phillip wakes on the raft completely blind. The darkness is total and permanent. Timothy reaches the cay and begins building a shelter, while Phillip adjusts to his new reality.

Timothy begins teaching Phillip to navigate the cay without sight. Phillip resists, clinging to helplessness and prejudice. The tension between them builds.

Phillip's frustration reaches a breaking point and he strikes Timothy across the face. Timothy accepts the blow and says nothing. The moment changes everything between them.

The relationship between Phillip and Timothy deepens into genuine friendship. Timothy teaches Phillip to fish, builds an alarm system of ropes, and begins preparing him to survive alone.

A massive hurricane strikes the cay. Timothy lashes Phillip to a palm tree, then stands over him in the open storm as a human shield. The hurricane kills Timothy.

Phillip is alone on the cay, blind and grieving. He buries Timothy, maintains the signal fire, and discovers how completely Timothy has prepared him to survive.