Chapter 1: Scream Beneath the Waves (Jane POV)

"Hey, Jane! Are you even listening?" As the boat swayed softly beneath us, Paul's voice jolted me out of my reverie. The low buzz of the engine blended with the salty breeze that blew across the deck.

I muttered, "Yeah, yeah, I'm here," as I gazed out into the infinite blue. It was difficult to distinguish between the sky and the ocean since the horizon blended into the clouds.

Paul leaned closer and squeezed, "You look like you're somewhere else, What's going on?"

"Nothin'. Just exhausted." Not in the mood for one of his motivational speeches, I flashed him a weak smile and turned away.

Sharp and impatient, Elara's voice came from the control panel. "Come on over, Paul! We're picking up something big. Might be worth checking out."

Paul glanced at me and then jogged off to join her. As they rushed to get ready, the rest of the crew was a hive of activity, excitement blazing in the air. I was all too familiar with that sensation—the excitement of exploration, the quest for something novel. It felt more like dread lately, though.

"Jane, stay sharp!" Over her shoulder, Elara yelled.

I murmured, "Yeah, sure," and started to move in the direction of the cabin. I needed a minute by myself since my chest felt constricted.

The cabin was little, but it was enough to block off the outside world. I slipped onto the bed after shutting the door behind me. The weight of everything, including the monsters, this mission, and the never-ending cycle of capture and torture, made my head ache.

I reached for the remote control and turned on the small wall-mounted TV. After a brief static buzz, a news report appeared on the screen.

“Breaking news: Another wave of creature attacks struck the city today, leaving dozens dead and many more injured. Authorities are still scrambling to contain the situation...”

I stared at the video while I muted it. While people yelled and fled for safety, fires raged in the backdrop. The creatures, unfathomable, otherworldly things, moved like shadows, tearing through the streets.

My stomach rumbled. Wasn't this the reason we were here? To put an end to this madness? To find solutions? Trying to convince myself that what we were doing was worthwhile, even if it involved harming the creatures, I clinched my hands.

Paul entered as the door creaked open. “There you are.” When he noticed my face, his tone softened. "What's the matter?"

I forced a tiny smile and shook my head. "Just the news, Another attack. It's not good."

He came closer, crouching in front of me. “Hey, we’re doing everything we can, okay? You’re doing everything you can. Don’t carry this on your own.”

“I don’t know, Paul. There are moments when it seems like we're only making things worse."

His hand was warm and solid as he stretched for mine. “Don’t say that. You're among the most intelligent and driven individuals I've ever met. If anyone’s gonna figure this out, it’s you.”

I allowed myself to believe him for a second. I gazed into his eyes, trying to find the self-assurance I lacked. My heart skipped a beat as his fingers briefly touched a lock of hair away from my face.

"Paul..."

"Shh." I could feel his breath against my skin as he pushed in closer.

First slowly, then more deeply, our lips touched. The weight of everything around us seemed to melt away as his hands moved to my waist and drew me in.

But a sharp scream cut the moment short as my fingertips touched his shirt buttons.

We stopped.

"What on earth was that?" Paul was already standing when he whispered.

This time there was a louder cry. It came from the deck.

Paul took hold of my hand and pulled me in the direction of the entrance. "Stay near."

Chaos greeted us as we exploded onto the deck. Elara's face was white but resolute as she yelled commands. Some crew members clutched their weapons as they rushed in all directions, while others were immobilized in fear.

"What's happening?" Paul shouted above the chaos.

Elara's eyes were wide as she gestured toward the ocean. "There! We're being circled by something!"

My blood ran cold as I followed her stare. The sea roiled furiously around the boat, as though something enormous was churning just below the surface. Too big and too swift to be fish, shadows dashed through the waters.

In an attempt to obtain a better view, one of the crew members leaned over the railing. "I believe it's..."

Before he could continue, a black form burst out of the water and pulled him beneath.

“Holy shit!” someone screamed.

“Get back! Back, everyone!" Elara grabbed a harpoon rifle and yelled.

Paul pulled me behind him, shielding me as more shapes broke the surface. With their sleek, scaled bodies and luminous eyes that pierced the darkness like blades, they were enormous.

"Go to the cabin, Jane!" Paul snarled, but I was immobile. As I watched one of the beasts leap for the boat, its jaws snapping inches from another crew member, I felt like my feet were stuck to the deck.

"Jane!"

I was startled out of my trance by Paul's voice. I staggered back, but before I could reach the door, I lost my footing due to a huge wave that struck the boat's side. The world spun as water blasted over us as I struck the deck hard.

“Help her!” Paul was too far away to shout.

One of the beasts sprang forward, its claws slicing through the air, but another crewman reached for me.

As it sprang at me, its sparkling eyes meeting mine, time seemed to slow. I braced myself, expecting the end...

A painful roar followed a thunderous crack that split the air. Elara stood above me, her harpoon gun smoking. After a brief time of writhing, the creature retreated into the depths.

She cried, "Get up!" and pulled me to my feet.

Another wave of creatures attacked, and the boat rocked once more, causing more screams.

"We must leave this place!" Paul grabbed my arm and yelled. “We need to get out of the open!”

"Elara!" I made a call.

"I've got this!" she exclaimed as she loaded the harpoon cannon again. "Leave!"

Paul left me with no options. He dragged me over to the cabin and slammed the door.

“What the hell are those things?” My chest heaved as I gasped.

Paul's tone was tense as he said, "I don't know, but they're not here for tea."

The sound of harpoons and claws scratching across metal interrupted the screaming outside.

Paul ran his hands through his hair as he walked the cottage. "Out here, we're sitting ducks. It's over if they breach the deck."

My heart was racing as I gazed at the door. “There has to be something we can do.”

Paul mumbled, his mouth clenched, "We can pray."

I wasn't prepared to give up, though. Not quite yet.

“We need to get to Elara,” I said, determination hardening in my chest. "At this moment, she is the only thing keeping us alive."

Paul paused, his gaze darting from the entrance to me. "You're insane."

I retorted, "Maybe," reaching for a flashlight and prying open the door. "But we won't be saved by sitting here."

With a reluctant curse, Paul followed me into the chaos.