Prologue: Over the edge...
I gave myself a once-over, making sure that I looked decent enough without looking like some water-jockey. My white sports shirt clung to my skin like it was hanging for dear like while my black swim-trunks lightly gripped my waist. You could see, but just barely, the muscles hidden by the pale fabrics. I flexed a bit, a smile flashing across my face at how silly I looked in the mirror with my defined, but not muscular, arms. I had almost no body fat on me, something that I was semi-grateful for, and gave me the appearance of a inspiring athlete while in reality I didn't do much to. Well, aside from swimming for hours on end on the weekends.
Content with my appearance, I closed up my duffle-bag containing all my possessions, aside from my diving knife, headphones, and iPhone which were safely tucked again in my Otterbox case, and closed the door behind me as I exited the mini-cabin. There was three other rooms, with two of them capable of housing two people while the last one was reserved for food. We normally ate out on the deck when it was calm enough, though I didn't think we'd be eating out there tonight as the waters were starting to get rough. I could already feel the boat rocking ever so slightly already, a ominous sign if there was one. Nevertheless, I made my way out of the main area of the boat and over to where my friends were.
The deck, aside from the edges, was flat area with enough space to hold a small group, such as the five of us, and a table comfortably. The table had been bolted into the solid deck some time ago and had a electric lantern lighting it up. Around it sat the four of others, all of them close friends, which included Jake whose father had agreed to lend us his boat for our little trip. Grabbing the last chair, I sat down and joined in the conversation as I reached for what was left to eat.
"Hey guys look, the fish-man has decided to join us for once!" Daniel said as he noticed me, a grin plastered on his as I rolled my eyes at the nickname. I took a spoonful of baked beans and shoved in my mouth, using the time gained by the action to come up with a clever reply. A grin of my own appeared as I swallowed moments later. "And it looks like the vampire has finally come out of his coffin to join the living once again!"
The blond-headed man, though he arguably acted less then his age, frowned while the others laughed. Jake couldn't help but join it. "Its true, you hardly get away from that computer of yours. I heard you went a whole week without removing your face from it and hissed when the curtains were opened."
Daniel opened his mouth to say something but, for once, was left without a witty remark. "Damn it, looks like you guys win this time." The others began chatting idly after out little match, with me tuning out most of it as I focused on eating. By the time I had consumed what little food was left, the others had drifted back to their rooms leaving me and Jake alone.
"So," I causally began, my impeccable social skills revealing themselves once again, "hows family been lately?"
The Raven-haired twenty-three year old let out a sad sigh, one of many I've heard over the last few months. "Dad's business has been taken off, one of the reasons he so readily agreed to let me take The Sun Streaker for our trip, while his relationship with Mom as been worsened. They rarely talk, and when they do its over the phone and usually lots of yelling. I've heard him grumble about getting a divorce but I like to think that he still loves here after all they've been through together."
I blinked a couple of times at the news, my happy mood not as cheery as it was before as I saw my friend's expression grow dark. We looked away, with Jake looking down at the ocean while I looked at the waters ahead. The waves seemed to respond to his mood, growing more aggressive and violent Moments with every passing moment. I thought I heard Daniel start to say something, but I dismissed it as I heard footsteps. I looked over my shoulder and I saw him waving to me, I could tell it was halfhearted given the mood. I smacked myself on the forehead at what I just did, mentally scolding myself. Ugh, that was stupid! Why the hell did I even bring that up?Great, now I feel terrible. Better go apologies, and even if it doesn't make him feel any better I will...
I took another look at the star-lit sky and the storm clouds hiding most of it from view, the moon still shining bright where it could penetrate the dark mass below it, before tearing my eyes away as I headed back to my room. The ocean had grown more violent in the ten minutes or so I spent on deck, with more and more water splashing onto the boat. I placed my hand on the outside of the cabin, though the sea-spray had gotten on it already and instead of helping me stand it caused to me slide. Coupling this with the fact that a particularly nasty wave happened to strike at the same time, I received what could be classified as a concussion as my head slammed into the carbon fiber that made up the entire shell of the boat. My eyesight became blurred and my ears rang, my footing rendered nearly nonexistent thanks to the water on the deck and before I knew it I found myself below the surface the raging waves. The Sun Streaker quickly fell out of field of vision as I was dragged deep and deeper into the ocean, my head feeling light and my lungs weak. I felt myself almost stop for a moment in the coldness of the water before a bright light pierced my closed eyelids, my mind unable to comprehend it as it shut down from the lack of oxygen.
