“The next departure is at 5 P.M.,” said the associate at the ferry terminal. The speaker’s loud quality rang in Hyeon’s ears.

He was supposed to be on the 11:00 A.M. ferry from Bluff on the mainland to Stewart Island. Going by boat was the only way to reach that secluded place.

“Are y-you sure there are no other times before then?” his voice hitched from the looming panic. Hyeon wasn’t one to be late, especially for a job.

“I’m sorry, sir, but there are no other scheduled ferries between now and five. I recommend buying your ticket now and waiting nearby. If you miss the following schedule, the next one isn’t until tomorrow morning,” stated the employee, not caring about Hyeon’s urgency. Her tone sounded automatic like a robot, clearly having given the same spiel before.

“A-alright.” He inwardly groaned and purchased a ticket for the evening ride. He grabbed his suitcase and cat carrier. Plopping on the bench outside the terminal, there was no choice but to do what she said… and wait. It wasn’t like he could swim there.

Hyeon took Nammi from that mini prison and placed her on his shoulder, a spot she preferred when he did house chores. He poked her forehead. “This is your fault.” 

Nammi trilled as her hunting instincts locked on the birds overhead, tail smacking against his nape.

There was a reason for being late. As he was about to leave for the morning ferry, she had somehow escaped from their hotel room. After scouring the building, he found her in the cafeteria, munching on the buffet table’s spread. The staff and guests were watching in horror—seeing a fuzzy creature with its face submerged in the oatmeal pan would cause such a reaction.

That embarrassing event had set him back thirty minutes.

BZZZ. Hyeon felt his pocket vibrate. Seeing who the text was from, his stomach dropped—the new manager.

Manager: How is the ride? Please know the cost of the ticket will be reimbursed.

Hyeon: An emergency happened at the hotel so I missed the ferry. I’m very sorry. The next departure is at 5 P.M.

Since he didn’t get a response back… his new boss must’ve been irritated. 

As Hyeon stared at the ocean with the clear skies above, he wondered how he got this job. It was a high-end servant position, and his resume didn’t include the experience required. But he applied for the heck of it, messing around.

Yet…

It must have been a scam or the location. Stewart Island was the southernmost island in New Zealand and had less than 400 people. It wasn’t the most in-demand place to seek employment, especially for someone like him who obtained a one-year working visa. Usually, foreigners flocked to the big cities where all the excitement was.

He was genuinely surprised when this company contacted him. They conducted a video interview and offered him the gig right after. Hyeon hesitated to accept, but an inner voice told him to say yes—a sixth sense.

The day went by slowly until it was time to board the old boat. There weren’t many people—only himself and a family with a young child.

Once they were almost to the island, the kid noticed Nammi and asked, “What's that thing? What’s in your suitcase? Are you moving to the island?” 

Hyeon—grasping the bars on the side to steady his balance—wasn’t in the mood to chat since he had motion sickness. He didn’t need a mirror to know his face was green.

“She’s, ugh, my cat.” For a split second, he thought he would puke. “My suitcase has just summer clothes since I’m living there temporarily.”

“Summer? What about winter? Won’t you be cold?”

That’s a silly thing to say.

“Because it will be hot soon.”

The father overheard their conversation and came over with a worried expression. “Where are you from originally?”

“Came here straight from Canada, sir.”

With realization, the man eyes his suitcase and replied, “Son, the seasons are opposite on this side of the world. Your summer is our winter and vice versa. In other words, March through May is autumn, and June to August is winter. I suppose you can check the outdoor shop for winter supplies. Where are you stayi—”

BERRRR. 

Everyone jumped at the deafening air horn sound. They were approaching their destination. As the ferry slowed to dock, Hyeon began feeling nauseous and light-headed. His vision turned spotty with black dots. Was this motion sickness? It felt… off. 

The ferry gave off another BERRRR sound.

Hyeon lost consciousness, going down fast.