Time: 11:00 AM

The sun shone brightly over Zyla Beach as the group ambled toward the dock, excitement buzzing in the air. Colorful boats bobbed in the water, each promising an exhilarating ride. Among them, one boat stood out—a sleek, shimmering vessel adorned with intricate carvings and a vibrant blue hue that seemed to blend seamlessly with the ocean itself.

“I heard this one has a special feature,” Zaire said, pointing at the unique boat. “Something about its ability to take you closer to the hidden parts of the beach.”

Samera’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I want to ride that one!” she exclaimed, bouncing on her heels.

As they approached, a line formed, with locals chatting animatedly about their experiences. The operator called out, “Only one person per ride for the first boat! Who’s brave enough to go first?”

Ignatius smirked and nudged Samera. “You’re up! You’ve been dying to get on that boat since we arrived.”

Samera hesitated for a moment, her excitement flickering with uncertainty. But determination set in her expression. “I’m going!” She turned to the group, a teasing smile on her lips. “You’ll miss me!” With a playful wave, she hopped onto the boat, excitement radiating from her.

As the first boat launched into the water, cutting through the waves, Samera settled in and glanced back, catching Ignatius’s gaze. “Get ready for some amazing shots!” she called out, her laughter mingling with the sound of the waves.

While they waited for the next boat, Zaire pulled out his phone, snapping a few photos of the serene beach scene. “We should get a group shot when we’re all together,” he suggested.

Meanwhile, Dionna stood slightly apart from the group, her brow furrowed. She had opted not to join the boat ride, feeling a deep sense of unease settle over her. “I don’t like this,” she murmured to Rai, who stood close by, his arm protectively around her shoulders.

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” Rai asked, concern etched on his face. “We could wait for Samera together.”

Dionna shook her head. “Something doesn’t feel right. I just… I have a bad feeling about this.”

A few minutes later, the operator called for the second boat. Zaire, Ignatius, and a few other eager riders climbed aboard, anticipation palpable as the boat sped off, leaving the shore behind.

They returned from their ride, exhilarated, but Dionna’s unease had only grown. “Where’s Samera?” she asked, scanning the beach. “She should have been back by now.”

Ignatius shrugged, attempting to mask his worry with nonchalance. “She was on the first boat, right? She probably got caught up taking photos.”

As the minutes ticked by, Dionna’s unease morphed into frustration. “We should have waited for her! You let her go alone!”

“Relax, she’s probably just enjoying herself,” Ignatius replied, though the doubt in his voice was evident.

Rai, standing at the edge of the dock, furrowed his brow. “I don’t see her. She should have come back by now.”

Panic began to spread through the group like wildfire. They rushed toward the dock, scanning the horizon for any sign of the shimmering boat.

“Let’s ask the operator,” Zaire suggested, his voice steady but anxious.

The operator, a local with a tanned complexion and a friendly smile, nodded. “The first boat should be back any moment. Sometimes, they like to linger a bit to soak in the views.”

But as the seconds turned into minutes, the group’s relief began to wane.

 Finally, the first boat returned, empty. Samera was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is she?” Dionna’s voice trembled, her eyes wide with fear.

Ignatius’s face paled. “She was right there… she must’ve gotten lost or something. We should have waited!”

Rai clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. “We need to look for her. She couldn’t have gone far.”

As they rushed back toward the beach, a sense of dread settled over them. Each wave that crashed against the shore seemed to echo their fears, and as they called out her name, the ocean remained silent, as if it were hiding secrets of its own.

                                                                                                                                                                          (Truvale Astra)