"Fuck... that hits the spot,"
Lucas Carter leaned against the ferry's railing, his hands gripping the cold metal as the wind whipped through his messy dark hair.
The rhythmic crashing of the waves below had a soothing, almost hypnotic effect.
The sun hung low on the horizon, its warm glow reflecting off the endless expanse of ocean, making it seem like the ferry was slicing through liquid gold.
"Hard to believe I'm actually here," Lucas muttered under his breath, staring into the depths below.
This trip was supposed to be the highlight of their senior year — a two-day excursion to a resort as part of some "team-building" project dreamed up by the school board.
He wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of spending an entire weekend surrounded by classmates he barely talked to, but it was better than being stuck at home with nothing to do. Besides, the promise of adventure — exploring caves, hiking through the jungle, maybe even swimming in crystal-clear waters — had been enough to pull him out of his usual routine.
And, of course, there was another incentive.
Lucas's eyes flicked toward the upper deck, where a group of girls stood chatting and laughing.
He immediately recognized Sophia, the girl everyone — including him — had a crush on. She was radiant as ever, her golden hair catching the sunlight in a way that made her look almost angelic.
Beside her was Nina, the star athlete, her toned frame leaning casually against the railing as she gestured animatedly.
Lucas's lips quirked into a sheepish grin as his gaze lingered a bit too long. He didn't consider himself a creep, not really. But he was eighteen, and well... some habits were hard to suppress.
"Hey, Carter, you're gonna burn a hole in your head if you stare that hard."
Lucas jumped, nearly losing his grip on the railing as Leo, his best friend, clapped a hand on his shoulder.
The taller boy was grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying the way Lucas flushed in embarrassment.
"I wasn't staring," Lucas muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sure, and I'm the principal's favorite student," Leo teased, leaning against the railing beside him. "You've got to be more subtle, man. If you get caught ogling, they'll eat you alive."
Before Lucas could fire back a retort, the ferry rocked slightly, causing him to grip the railing tighter.
"Is it supposed to be this shaky?" he asked, frowning.
Leo shrugged. "Probably just a big wave or something. We're in the middle of the ocean, dude. Relax."
Lucas wasn't entirely convinced, but he let it slide, turning his attention back to the water.
The ocean stretched endlessly in every direction, a reminder of just how small and insignificant they all were out here. It was both humbling and unsettling.
The chatter of students behind him grew louder as more people came out onto the deck to enjoy the view. Among them was Ms. Elara, the principal, her sharp eyes scanning the group like a hawk.
Despite her stern demeanor, there was something undeniably captivating about her presence. Lucas quickly averted his gaze before his thoughts wandered too far.
"You know," Leo said, breaking the silence, "this trip might not be so bad. A weekend away from homework, a cool island to explore, and, best of all, no parents breathing down our necks."
"Yeah," Lucas agreed, though his voice lacked enthusiasm.
He wanted to be excited — really, he did — but something about this whole trip felt... off. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the nagging sense of unease wouldn't go away.
Just as he was about to voice his concerns, the ferry jolted violently, sending a wave of gasps and screams rippling through the crowd. Lucas grabbed the railing to steady himself, his heart pounding in his chest.
"What the hell was that?" Leo exclaimed, his earlier nonchalance replaced by alarm.
Before anyone could answer, the ferry lurched again, harder this time. The deck tilted dangerously, and students scrambled to grab onto anything within reach.
Lucas's stomach dropped as he heard a deafening crunch beneath the boat — a sound that could only mean one thing.
They'd hit something.
"Everyone stay calm!" the captain's voice boomed over the intercom, though the panic in his tone was unmistakable. "We've encountered some... unexpected rocks. Please make your way to the center of the deck and remain seated."
Chaos erupted almost instantly.
"Unexpected rocks?" Leo shouted over the din. "What does that even mean?"
Lucas didn't answer. His mind was racing, trying to process what was happening.
The ferry wasn't just shaking now — it was listing to one side, the metal groaning ominously as water sprayed up onto the deck.
"Lucas, come on!" Leo grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the railing.
The students and teachers were already gathering near the center of the deck, their faces pale with fear.
Ms. Elara was barking orders, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but it was clear that even she didn't know what to do.
Another jolt sent Lucas sprawling to the ground, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He scrambled to his feet, his pulse hammering in his ears.
"Is this thing sinking?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
"I don't know, but we need to move!" Leo replied, dragging him toward the crowd.
The captain's voice crackled through the intercom again, but this time it was barely coherent, drowned out by the sound of rushing water and the panicked cries of the passengers.
"Abandon ship!" someone shouted, and the words sent a fresh wave of terror through the group.
Lucas's instincts kicked in. He scanned the deck, looking for anything that could serve as a lifeboat or flotation device.
The ferry wasn't a luxury liner — its emergency equipment was minimal at best — but there had to be something.
"There!" he pointed to a row of life jackets hanging near the cabin.
Leo didn't hesitate, bolting toward them and grabbing as many as he could carry. He tossed one to Lucas, who fumbled with the straps before finally securing it.
The ferry tilted again, more sharply this time, and Lucas realized with a sinking feeling that they didn't have much time.
"Get to the lifeboats!" Ms. Elara shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Lucas followed her gaze and saw the small, inflatable rafts being lowered into the water. Students and teachers were scrambling to climb aboard, their movements frantic and uncoordinated.
"This is insane," Lucas muttered, his grip tightening on the life jacket's straps.
"You think?" Leo shot back, shoving him toward the nearest lifeboat. "Move it, Carter, unless you want to end up fish food."
Lucas didn't need to be told twice. He stumbled toward the edge of the deck, his heart pounding as he climbed into the swaying lifeboat.
The moment his feet touched the rubbery surface, he felt a strange mix of relief and dread.
As the lifeboat hit the water, Lucas looked back at the ferry. The once-sturdy vessel was tilting dangerously, its stern already slipping beneath the waves.
This wasn't how the trip was supposed to go.
It wasn't how it was supposed to go at all but did he have a choice in the matter?