1 Prologue

I fall through the air and crash into the water. The sudden force of hitting the surface causes me to lose the air in my lungs. Frantically I struggle to the surface of the churning water. The bindings on my wrists and ankles make it difficult for me to rise to the surface. Suddenly my head breaks free from the freezing water and I take a deep breath of the clean ocean air. My mouth is free of the cloth that had been wrapped around my head preventing me from screaming for help.

But before I can alert anyone to my presence the ocean pulls me down again and I continue to struggle but it is no use. My hands are tied behind my back and I cannot kick my legs due to the rope binding my ankles. Even if I had not been tied up I have never learned how to swim.

I sink deeper and deeper into the ocean's arms. My brown hair floats at the edge of my vision. I try to keep my mouth closed, keeping as much air as I can but I am unsuccessful. Bubbles slowly stream from my lips and my vision gets blurry. I start clawing at my chest because it is so painful I need to breathe but I can't. I must not breathe in because I know that it is not precious air but water I would be inhaling.

The water ripples around me and a dark figure appears above me swimming swiftly towards me. But I can't hold my breath anymore. I must breath. I open my mouth and inhale the salty ocean water.