AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Each step deeper brings a thrill of joy. Swimming... how I’ve missed it.
I haven’t been swimming in so long, not since I moved to the city for work. Growing up, swimming in the rivers and lakes with my friends was a beloved pastime, a slice of freedom we cherished.
Now, in the welcoming embrace of the sea, I let myself go, like a part of me I’d forgotten was suddenly reawakened.
The water wraps around me like a silk blanket as I float on my back, staring up at the vast canvas of the sky. My limbs move languidly, caressing the water, carrying me farther from the shore. The sounds of the resort fade into a background hum, replaced by the gentle whispering of the waves.
I sigh, a deep, content sound that echoes the freedom I feel. Freedom from schedules, responsibilities, and the frenetic chaos of city life. The water around me is gentle, accommodating, a soft cushion that carries me along in its warm embrace.
Closing my eyes, I immerse myself in the surrounding sounds, letting the rhythm of the sea lull me into a tranquil state. The faint laughter from the beach, the gentle push and pull of the waves, and the distant sounds of the resort all blend into a harmonious lullaby. I let the world wash over me, the water’s sway lulling me into a serene state of relaxation.
I’m jolted out of my peaceful reverie by a sudden wave washing over my face. Spluttering, I wipe the water from my eyes and flip upright, treading water. I gasp when I realize how far I’ve drifted away from the beach. It seems that while I was basking in tranquility, the ocean and the sky had other plans.
What was once a peaceful, picture-perfect sunset rapidly transforms into a brooding storm. The once golden sky is turning an angry gray, mirroring my growing sense of panic as dark clouds roll in, obscuring the last traces of the setting sun.
The distant shoreline seems to be moving farther away, the only signs of life the group of orcs still lounging near the volleyball court.
I wave frantically, attempting to scream for help, but my cries are swallowed by the roaring sea. Each wave that crashes over me is stronger than the last, filling my mouth with briny water and silencing my calls.
The more I struggle, the farther I seem to drift from the shore. Every powerful wave drains me, stealing my strength and pulling me further out to sea. Panic sets in, clouding my thoughts.
As the waves continue to batter me, my desperate eyes catch sight of my resort bracelet. With my remaining strength, I press the emergency button, my heart pounding in sync with the raging sea around me.
A final wave, larger than the ones before, washes over me. It pulls me under, and as the water closes over my head, I am engulfed in darkness, my breath stolen by the cold embrace of the sea. The last thing I remember is the haunting glow of my bracelet beneath the waves.
CHAPTERFOUR
ZETHE
The once serene sky morphs into an ominous gray as a sudden storm brews, ruining what was to be a calm evening. It wasn’t in the forecast, and its abrupt appearance sends a ripple of alarm through me.
I turn to Zero. “Call for assistance to secure the resort,” I order, my voice barely audible over the growing roar of the sea. There’s a sense of urgency in the air, palpable as the wind picks up.
The birdman flock scatters, taking flight into the safety of the trees. The catman model gathers his belongings in haste, making a swift exit, his tail puffed out. The werewolf pack living on the resort jumps into action, helping to gather the lounge chairs and umbrellas, securing them against the storm’s wrath, their faces set with determination.
As I scan the beach, my gaze catches on a pair of flip-flops and a beach towel left abandoned near the chairs. A pang of worry hits me as I recall the resort’s first human guest, Rey. I peer into the distance, but there’s no sign of the woman.
My gaze shifts to the choppy waters, where something catches my attention that should not be there. The faint outline of a figure struggles against the waves, her brown hair and purple bikini a stark contrast against the dark sea.
The realization hits me like a punch to the gut.
It’s Rey, the resort’s first human guest…
I failed Svea by not keeping my eye on her under my watch.
Without a second thought, I dive into the tempest, determined to reach her before the sea claims her. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline fueling my swift movements.
There’s only one thought on my mind: Save Rey.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I dive beneath the monstrous waves, my tentacles propelling me against the harsh current. My protective underwater eyelids slide over my eyes, shielding them against the swirling debris and saltwater.
With the strength and finesse of a creature of the sea, I swim powerfully against the storm’s waves, each stroke taking me closer to Rey. My tentacles work in perfect harmony, propelling me through the water with rapid efficiency, navigating its depths with an ease that few creatures possess.
Every twist and twirl of my body, every flick of my tentacle is an art form, a dance with the ocean I’ve perfected over years.
I scan the underwater chaos, desperately seeking any sign of Rey. The world underwater is a realm of distorted shadows and muted colors, the storm above churning the sea into a frothy chaos.
And then I see her—sinking deeper into the tumultuous embrace of the sea, her figure hazy, her arms splayed out around her like a starfish. Alarm slams through me as I notice her body motionless, her wristband flashing urgently.
