The evening sky draped over the city like a velvet curtain, its deep indigo hue punctuated by flickering stars. I slumped onto my couch, exhaustion weighing down my limbs after a long day at work. My phone rested in my hand, its cold glass screen reflecting the dim glow of the lamp beside . Just as I was about to unwind, my phone buzzed, shattering the silence.
"Ergency eting," a clipped voice announced the mont I answered.
My brows furrowed. "Now?"
"Yes. Get to the office imdiately." The call ended before I could ask for details.
A sigh escaped my lips as I dragged myself off the couch. So much for a peaceful night. I threw on a jacket, ran a hand through my disheveled hair, and grabbed my keys before heading out.
The office was eerily quiet when I arrived, the usual bustle of the day replaced by an unsettling calm. The overhead lights cast a sterile glow, reflecting off the polished floors. As I entered, my manager, Mr. Frank, looked up from a stack of papers.
"Good evening, sir," I greeted, trying to mask my frustration.
"Yeah, welco, Eddy," he responded with a tired nod. "Sorry for the late call, but I need to adjust your schedule. The shoot's been moved up—we're leaving tomorrow morning."
I blinked. "Tomorrow? But I thought we were scheduled for next week. And... it's my day off."
Frank let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temples. "I know. This change wasn't my call, either. Sothing ca up, and we need to get it done imdiately. A car will pick you up first thing in the morning."
Disappointnt gnawed at . I had plans for the weekend—plans that did not include an impromptu trip. But arguing wouldn't change anything.
"Understood, sir," I said, suppressing another sigh.
"Good. See you tomorrow."
As I returned ho, fatigue settled into my bones, but the looming trip kept my mind restless. I grabbed my suitcase and pulled open my wardrobe, hastily selecting a few T-shirts and jeans. My stomach grumbled in protest, reminding that I hadn't eaten. I considered ordering takeout, but a quick glance at the clock told it was already past midnight. Too late.
Yawning, I flopped onto my bed and reached for my script. The words blurred before my tired eyes as I reread my lines. This is the ocean where my parents took as a kid. It's my peaceful place, so I want to take the one I love. How do you see it?
I barely made it past the next line before sleep pulled under.
---
The Journey Begins
A sharp chi jolted awake. Disoriented, I sat up, my brain struggling to catch up with reality. The doorbell rang again, more insistent this ti. Groggily, I shuffled toward the door, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
A man in a black suit stood at my doorstep. "Mr. Eddy, Mr. Frank sent to pick you up," he said professionally.
My stomach twisted. Shit. I had completely forgotten.
"Uh—give a minute!" I slamd the door and rushed to get ready, taking the fastest shower of my life. Within minutes, I was dressed, suitcase in hand. The driver opened the car door for , and I slid into the seat.
The city blurred past as we drove. Morning air kissed my face through the half-open window, carrying the scent of damp earth and fresh coffee from street vendors. The farther we traveled, the more the landscape transford—glass towers giving way to open roads, the sky stretching wide above us.
When we finally arrived, the view stole my breath.
The Seabreeze Beach Resort stood proudly against the backdrop of a vast, endless ocean. Sunlight danced on the waves, the water a srizing shade of blue. Seagulls glided above, their cries blending with the rhythmic sound of crashing waves. A gentle breeze carried the scent of salt and warmth.
"Welco to Seabreeze Beach Resort, Mr. Eddy," a staff mber greeted with a polite bow. "Allow to show you to your room."
A bellboy took my suitcase while I followed, still absorbing the sheer beauty of the place. Not long after settling in, a knock sounded on my door.
"Eddy, we need to start shooting before the weather changes. Get ready," Frank's voice called from the hallway.
I quickly changed into my outfit and made my way to the beach, where caras were already set up. The scene was simple— and the female lead, sitting by the shore. As the director called action, I lost myself in the mont. The cara faded from my awareness, the script lines flowing naturally.
The shoot went smoothly, and as soon as we wrapped up, my stomach made its presence known.
"God, I'm starving," I muttered.
"Great work, everyone," Frank announced. "Let's get so breakfast and rest."
The resort's restaurant was as stunning as the view. We gathered around a long table, ordering dishes that slled absolutely divine. As I waited for my food, a young waitress hesitated beside , her notepad clutched tightly.
"Um... Mr. Eddy?" she said nervously.
I looked up, offering a polite smile. "Yes?"
"I'm a huge fan! Could I... could I get your autograph?"
I chuckled, taking the pen she offered. "Of course."
Her face lit up, and as she thanked profusely, I realized sothing—I had more fans than I thought.
After eating, I returned to my room, sinking into the luxurious bed. The fresh linen slled of lavender, and the mattress cradled in comfort. Just as I was about to drift off, another knock disturbed my peace.
"Drew here," ca a voice from outside. "Mr. Frank asked to call you. We're having a small party downstairs with the team."
"Can I skip it?" I groaned.
"Not an option. Mr. Frank insists."
Sighing, I dragged myself out of bed and headed downstairs. The resort's outdoor lounge had been transford with peach-colored decorations, twinkling fairy lights, and the soft hum of ocean waves in the background.
Frank raised his glass. "Let all the stress go away! We only have tomorrow to wrap up the shoot, so enjoy the mont."
"Cheers!"
The party was in full swing—laughter, music, and clinking glasses blending into a lively harmony. For the first ti in days, I allowed myself to relax, letting the warmth of the evening wrap around like a familiar embrace.
---
The final day of shooting arrived. The team boarded a small boat for the last scene—a romantic ride on the water. The sea was calm at first, the sky a soft shade of gold as the sun climbed higher. But then, sothing shifted.
A sudden gust of wind swept across the water, sending a shiver down my spine. The waves churned violently, knocking the boat off balance. Panic surged through as the vessel tilted.
Then—chaos.
The boat capsized. Cold water engulfed , stealing the breath from my lungs. Voices rang out, distorted beneath the surface. I fought against the pull of the ocean, my arms thrashing, but the current was relentless. My vision blurred, darkness creeping at the edges.
The waves crashed against the jagged rocks, the salty breeze carrying the scent of the sea through the dense fog. A lone figure lay motionless on the damp sand, the foamy tide licking at his fingertips. His clothes were tattered, his body bruised, as if the ocean had swallowed him whole and then spit him back out.
A distant voice cut through the morning silence—a deep, gruff tone, edged with caution. "Dand! Over here!" Boots crunched over the damp ground, the weight of urgency pressing into each step.
Dand, a broad-shouldered man with sun-worn skin, squinted against the haze. His sharp eyes locked onto the figure sprawled lifelessly before him. His breath hitched. "Is he... alive?"
The younger man beside him, Adam, crouched down, fingers pressing against the stranger's throat. A faint pulse. "Barely."
Dand exhaled sharply, nodding as if making a silent decision. "Help carry him." He bent down, gripping the man's arm, noting the cold seeping from his skin. "We need to get him back before the cold takes him first."
Together, they hoisted the unconscious man between them, his weight sluggish, uncooperative. Adam stole a glance at the stranger's face—a ss of wet curls clinging to pale skin, a trace of blood drying near his temple. He looked young, not much older than Adam himself.
By the ti they reached the modest wooden house perched on the hillside, the sun had begun its slow ascent, casting golden streaks over the restless sea. Inside, the fire roared to life, heat pushing against the biting morning chill. Adam eased the stranger onto the cot near the fireplace, eyes scanning the torn fabric of his shirt, the deep scratches along his forearm. Whoever he was, whatever had happened to him—it hadn't been kind.
Dand reached for a damp cloth, wordlessly handing it to Artur before stepping back. Artur hesitated only a mont before wiping the gri from the man's face. The firelight flickered across his features, illuminating the deep lines of exhaustion.
The stranger stirred, his face twitching as if caught in a dream. A faint furrow appeared between his brows, a flicker of movent betraying the battle between unconsciousness and awareness. His fingers twitched, a shallow breath hitching in his throat—but he didn't wake. His body remained limp, trapped in the depths of exhaustion.
Artur's hand stilled, watching him carefully. "He's fighting it," he murmured. "But he can't wake up yet."
Dand crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he stared down at the young man. "What do you think happened to him?"
Artur shook his head. "I don't know." His gaze lingered on the peaceful rise and fall of the stranger's chest. "But I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Then, nothing.
When my eyes fluttered open, I was no longer in the water. The ceiling above was unfamiliar, wooden beams casting long shadows across the dimly lit room. My body ached, my head pounding as though a storm still raged inside it.
"You're awake," a deep voice said.
I turned my head, wincing at the movent. A man stood beside the bed, his expression calm yet concerned.
"Do you know who you are?" he asked.
My throat tightened. The words didn't co. My mind was blank—a void where my mories should have been. Panic clawed at my chest.
The man sighed. "You were in an accident. My na is Dand. I found you unconscious and brought you here."
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my racing thoughts.
Who was I?
Why couldn't I rember?
And why did it feel like sothing—soone—was missing from my life?
"My eyes were heavy, and my headache worsened. I fell asleep again."
Reviews
All reviews (0)