Chapter 1

"You ready for the water or what?"

Catalina grinned, as she hurled her bag over her shoulder. She was always ready for the ocean. The weight of the bag threw her off balance a little as she hiked through the sand.

"I can't believe Roy's dad let him borrow the boat again. After last time's incident, you'd think he'd be more cautious," said Heather.

"He trusts him," said Heather's boyfriend Alex, "Roy had a little moment. It's fine. He's one of the most talented captains I know." Catalina rolled her eyes. Roy was definitely not a captain. He had commanded a few small fishing boats, and his dad's small cabin cruiser twice. One of those times, he had not been paying attention and had nearly run over a surfer. The other time he nearly crashed it onto a rock, again not paying attention. He had scraped up the side of the boat and had put his friends in danger. His dad had to spend over a thousand dollars repairing the boat. Catalina had not been there either time but had heard all about it from Heather.

But this weekend was a celebration. It was Valentine's Day, and Roy had convinced his dad to let him take out the boat. He had invited his girlfriend Maya, his best friend Alex, and Alex's girlfriend Heather as a sort of double date. The only problem was, Heather had a roommate, Catalina, who was alone on Valentines' Day, and Heather wanted her to come along.

"Can Catalina come too?" Heather had asked Roy.

"No, I mean why? This is more of a couple's thing," Roy had protested.

"But she's alone, please. She won't be awkward, I promise." Roy had quietly contemplated it. He had only been dating Maya for a few weeks but had always had a secret sort of crush on Catalina. She was his dream girl. She was tall, athletic, and slender, with bright blonde hair she had dyed a light purple. She was also quiet and mysterious, with deep-set blue eyes that spoke of secrets. It also helped that they shared similar interests, such as surfing, volleyball, and a love of football. She also loved ska music, which Roy was pretty much obsessed with.

"Fine," he had said finally, "she can come, but make sure she brings some drinks or something."

Catalina had fulfilled that request and had brought a pack of boozy seltzers with her. She had also brought some chips and crab dip, her favorite. While she loved the ocean, and any opportunity to be near it, she was hesitant to be on the boat with Roy behind the wheel after the last incident. Having lost her parents in a boating accident as a child, Catalina was fearful of getting on boats with inexperienced drivers. That's how her parents had died. But she had put those fears to rest after Heather had convinced her back at the condo that everything was going to be fine. After a few glasses of wine, Heather had told her she needed to relax and start trusting people more. Catalina had reluctantly agreed.

As the three finally made their way across Earl beach and to the marina, the faint smell of seawater filled Catalina's nose. Seagulls mewed from all directions, and the peaceful sounds of waves crashing in the distance made Catalina feel at home. Dozens of boats were docked in the marina, and Roy was already untying the dock lines to the dock with Maya.

"You guys are late," he said grinning, "all aboard." Alex and Heather laughed and climbed over the side of the cabin cruiser, while Catalina paused on the side of the boat. She couldn't shake the bad feeling she had. Heather turned around, her brassy red hair shining in the sun. She frowned then smiled softly at her hesitant friend.

"Come on Catalina, you coming? Here, hand me your bag," Heather reached out to grab Catalina's heavy bag, as Catalina swung her leg over the side of the boat and climbed up. She looked up and noticed heavy clouds that had begun to roll in towards the marina. I should have checked the weather, Catalina thought. That was her own fault, as she had worked all morning and afternoon, then had got ready for the trip in a hurry. Sam's-by-the-Sea, the bar she worked at, had been slammed all afternoon by patrons in town for the surf competition a few beaches away. In fact, she had finished her shift and had hurried home to shower, only to come out of the bathroom looking at a very confused Heather. She had completely forgotten about the boat trip. But Catalina had debated on going with them since the surf competition was going to be televised that day and she had really wanted to unwind after her seventh day in a row working. But Heather was persistent that she join them on the trip and wasn't going anywhere until Catalina went with her.

"I really don't think you should be here alone on Valentine's Day," Heather had said with a pout as Catalina had emerged from the bathroom in sleep shorts and a t-shirt.

"That's sweet and all, but I don't really care that much. I don't mind being alone. It's just a stupid Hallmark holiday anyway, like, it means nothing to me."

"Come on, it's going to be fun. Who else do you know can take us boating? Have you seen Roy's boat? It's badass."

"Roy's dad's boat, not Roy's. And last time he took people out, they almost died."

"Dude, we'll be fine, you worry too much. I really think you need to chill. It'll be nice to just get out and be on the water." Heather had stood, ready to go with bag and car keys in hand, watching Catalina sit down on the couch with a judgemental look on her face. Catalina was used to this. She had always preferred to be alone. Perhaps this was why her social circle had remained so small over the years. At least Heather was patient with her.

Catalina had sighed in disapproval but decided she could always watch TV, Heather had a point. Even if the boat was Roy's dad's, he was the only person in their circle who had access to a boat. Luckily, Catalina could get ready quickly, so she had thrown on some jean shorts and a tank top, and grabbed a pack of unopened seltzers on her way out from the fridge.

As the boat left the marina, Roy began blasting music and laughed with Alex as he steered the boat away from the shoreline and out into the vast deep of the Pacific Ocean. Heather and Maya giggled over their seltzers, and Catalina sat quietly in one of the cabin chairs thinking quietly to herself. Her friends were used to her shy behavior. In fact, this is exactly what Heather had meant when she promised Roy that Catalina was not going to be awkward. Somehow, and for some reason, Catalina always seemed to be in her own thoughts. While some people found it awkward, others found it mysterious or secretive. Catalina simply preferred to be alone, and even when she was in the presence of others, she tended to keep to herself, no matter how uncomfortable it made other people. Catalina watched as the shoreline faded smaller and smaller, finally disappearing from the horizon.

"Shots," exclaimed Roy as he poured himself a shot of the vodka Heather had insisted on bringing. Catalina sighed. She knew people drank on boats all the time, but she didn't necessarily approve of drinking and driving a boat. Glancing at the unarmed steering wheel, she decided to stay quiet. She was always being accused of worrying too much or trying to ruin the fun. This time, she would stay silent and try to relax. It's not like one shot would render Roy unable to command the boat.

THUD. Catalina looked back at Heather and their eyes widened.

"Roy, what was that?"

"What was what?"

"That noise, it sounded like something hit the boat," said Maya. She brushed her jet-black hair nervously off her face.

"I didn't hear anything," Roy said absently, filling his shot glass with more vodka.

THUD. They all looked up and exchanged glances. This time, they had all heard it.

"What was that? It sounded like something hitting the bottom of the boat," said Alex uneasily.

"Dude chill, it's probably the waves," Roy said, "you are all seriously tripping."

"No, that sounds like something," Maya said, sipping her seltzer. Roy sighed dramatically and set his shot glass down, "what do you want me to do about it, babe? Go down and investigate? Seriously, it's probably nothing. If it'll make you feel better, I'll take us back to shore."

"Please," said Maya sheepishly, "I'd feel better not hearing that sound anymore, it's creepy." Roy rolled his eyes and picked up the shot glass, downing the shot in a quick gulp. Catalina and Heather exchanged glances as he wiped his mouth, made puckering sounds, and headed over to the steering wheel.

"Back to the shore, it is," Roy exclaimed as he started the boat. Catalina sighed with relief quietly and Heather and Maya sat down on the other two cabin seats while Alex leaned up against the cabin wall next to Roy.

THUD. THUD. This time the noise was loud, and whatever it was that was hitting the boat was powerful enough to shake the entire boat.

"Let's go, dude what are you waiting for," Alex asked with urgency.

"Nothing, the boat is not moving," Roy said, "like I'm giving it gas but it won't move. We're stuck or something."

THUD. THUD. THUD. The third thud was so powerful, the boat shook violently swaying dangerously, from one side to the other. Roy and Alex both lost their footing and fell to the ground, as the girls cried out in fear. Then the noise subsided, while the boat swayed gently back and forth. The swaying felt unnatural. Alex and Roy didn't stand but instead, lay quietly on the floor, both staring at each other waiting for it to happen again. Maya and Heather both gripped their seats, both too frightened to move.

THUD. THUD. THUD. This time the final thud was so powerful, it sent the entire boat sideways, completely throwing the passengers against one side of the cabin. Catalina closed her eyes as her body slammed against the opposing cabin wall. She could hear her friends' shrill cries of pain as they, too, were slammed against the wall. The boat was now completely sideways, sinking fast. Water poured in from all angles, and Catalina opened her eyes to see Heather next to her grabbing onto the steering wheel to hold on.

"Help, HEELLPP," screamed Maya. She was frantically paddling as the cabin began filling with water. Catalina quickly looked around and noticed the two men were out of sight. With the cabin filling up with water, they had to get out fast. Maybe they could climb onto the boat. But as Catalina looked out the window she froze with fear. They were already underwater, meaning even getting out of the cabin would not help. Her eyes widened and she tried to think quickly. Maybe she could try the door and see if she could push it open. Closing her eyes, she held her breath and dove underwater. She opened her eyes and quickly realized that with the saltwater and its murkiness there was no way she would be able to navigate underwater by sight. She closed her eyes and swam across the cabin searching desperately for the door. The boat was sinking sideways, and fast.