“Peace and quiet,” Emeline Hastings sighed aloud. This had been a long deserved and well-earned vacation. She had worked like a dog for the last two years. Requesting time off had been frowned on several times in the past when she had put in for a vacation. Well, they could just kiss her ass goodbye when she returned! She didn’t care about the dirty looks and the veiled threats she received anymore. How dare her boss accuse her of not being a “team player”? The team, her team, worked hard. Yet, he had walked right over their backs several times, taking credit for it all. Her vacation was long overdue and she had a ton of time accrued. Good thing it rolls over, she thought.

She was taking a blissful week of sand and sun for herself. It was the perfect chance to recharge her internal batteries before returning home to start her job search. She momentarily contemplated taking her laptop with her so she could look around for a new career while she was off, but she was so done with it all and could not bear another moment of work. She needed a moment’s serenity to center herself. Focusing on bills, work, things to do were hell on her nerves. She was done with the long hours, crappy treatment and stagnant pay. At least the pay had been good when she started. It was the lack of raises since that got her even looking around.

“Yep, sayonara, dorks!” she whispered in a mock salute to the crystal blue sky with her cold Corona. The tin bucket full of ice and beers sat next to her in the hot sand as she lay soaking in the rays. The sand felt like a hot whisper against her skin. It wasn’t the rough, coarse sands she had seen photos of, leaving her pleasantly surprised again with her choice of vacation location. She was listening to the seagull’s squawk down the boardwalk, as some children fed them bread. I better not get shit on, she thought wryly pursing her lips.

South Carolina was gorgeous. She had originally regretted the cost of the beachfront cottage. Now? Not so much. The coupon online for the beach cottage had been perfect and gave her a chance to jump headfirst into a spontaneous vacation. It was breathtaking and awe inspiring to be able to have coffee in the ocean air, lunch on the deck and a cool beer in the surf.

Now, if the pervs would just stay away? She’d be happy. Random guys kept offering to put sunblock on her with annoying pick up lines that made her eyes want to roll right out of her head.

Hey baby, you an angel because you must have fallen from heaven.

Damn girl, how you like your eggs? Scrambled or fertilized?

Hot stuff, want me to put something white and creamy all over your back and buns?

EWWW!

That last one made her want to yack, hence the tin beer bucket she was now working on. At the blatant and disgusting comment, she flipped him off which resulted in him yelling to everyone nearby what a bitch and slut she was. Whatever. She was so far from his description and he was a no one. He didn’t matter to her. Just the ocean breeze and the peace that came with it, was all that mattered currently.

Emeline was athletic and trim, blessed to be given long, shapely limbs that looked fantastic in her fluorescent bikini. It was a last-minute splurge and hit all the necessities in her book: skimpy so the tan lines were few. Able to untie around the neck or back, again for the tan lines. Cheap, and that was for her wallet. She normally wore a one piece that covered everything. However, Emeline was turning thirty this year. She wanted to look good before she had her pity party of one, complete with a big box of tissues.

Twenty-one had been a big year, getting to buy alcohol. Twenty-five had been a silent salute that she was halfway to fifty. Thirty was the next forty. Dammit! She was not ready for it nor the daily reminder that she was old enough to be her coworker’s aunt. Her baby maker internal clock was going haywire. She just wished that her heart and mind agreed on when and where to play along.

She hadn’t been one to date around much simply due to her schedule. When she did, she tended to scare off the boys. They were definitely boys! All they wanted was to play. Play with her, play with their big trucks or fancy cars, play with her heart. She was heartily sick of the dating scene and the games that came with it.

Emeline was serious. She didn’t want to play around. She wanted a man who knew what he wanted. A man that went after his desires body and soul. A strong man who could be tender but fierce, she thought dejectedly. Passionate but gentle would be nice. Decisive yet listened to her input and wanted a partnership? Also, high marks on her list! She simply wanted the perfect man for her, a real man. She felt like she would never ever find him.

What a depressing thought, she mused. Now if dreams could become reality, I’d be a happy camper! Last night, she had fallen asleep with the windows open listening to the ocean surf. It had been so soothing and relaxing. She had the most amazing dream of some dreamy guy making love to her in the most incredible ways. It had been so vivid, so intense that she had awoken in a cold sweat, alone in the bed. Try as she might, she could not remember his face but she sure remembered those beautiful golden eyes that had looked at her so tenderly. She hated dreams like that. Dreams that left her longing for more. It had been a long time since she had one that felt so real and left her so distraught. Emeline had literally rolled over and cried herself back to sleep at feeling like she was being torn away from something that seemed so real.

I’m gonna die an old lady all alone, she thought, sadly fighting back the depressing thought as soon as it surged to the forefront of her mind. Downhearted, she chugged down the cold, golden beer and grabbed another. Miserable, drunk and alone. The cold waves touched her feet as she sipped on this one. Gosh, it feels good out here.

The hot sand, cool water and the breeze were a majestic combination. Perhaps, she would relocate from International Falls. A city that was known to be the coldest ever in the United States during the winter. Maybe moving to South Carolina was a good idea. She had no house, only her car and her personal items. Perhaps she wouldn’t renew her lease on her apartment after all and just make a run for it. Or maybe it was the beer talking, she thought. Calgon, take me away!

There had to be more to life than just work, pay bills and get by. She wanted a life, her life. Freedom and to pursue her dreams. Wasn’t this America? Home of the free, because of the brave? Jeez, I sound like a Fourth of July car commercial, she thought sadly and sipped on her beer.

She wanted a fresh start. A chance to feel complete, to be in love and have a family. She wanted that feeling of being whole that her dream had held. That all felt so very unattainable right now and it was crushing. She felt empty inside. Fighting back tears, she shook her head.

“Yep, living the dream all right!” she whispered sarcastically to herself. But nightmares were technically dreams, she thought subconsciously. It’s all about perspective, Emmie! You focus on the negative? You are negative! Focus on the positive! It’s sunny and gorgeous out. You are off work, be happy! she mused shaking her head. Relax, woman!

Picking up her beer, she stood and stared at the water that beckoned to her. She could imagine how cool it would feel, and maybe it would shake the funk she was in. The blue-green, foamy crests tickled the golden sand. The tide was going out and it would be perfect to pick up shells for her bathroom shelf. She had always liked the sea. Photos of old shipping boats, sea creatures and netting were displayed all over her apartment. Though she had never been here before, it felt right.

She had gone with her gut instinct to book the trip and was enjoying every moment. Now, Emeline decided to go with her gut yet again. She headed down to the water for a swim. She put the half-empty beer in the sand next to her towel and walked out to the surf. Emeline stood in the cool, wet, sloshing sand that was kicked up by the waves. She almost giggled aloud as she saw bubbles creep up from tiny holes that appeared near her feet. Tiny, hidden, mysterious creatures burrowing looking for peace. That is what she wanted, to burrow away and find peace for her searching soul.

Practically lunging into the waist-deep water, Emeline dunked herself fully, feeling her body clench as the cool ocean water cradled her. Grinning, she saw a fish leap out in the distance and decided to swim towards it. Seemingly weightless, all her cares felt like they were being washed away. She needed this so much. She swam hard, pulling herself along the waves. Dipping, swimming into each crest, feeling more alive than she ever had. She had regretted the expensive membership at the gym at one time. But now? Now all those swimming lessons and lap pools she had used were paying off.

Seeing the beach far in the distance, she realized just exactly how far out she had actually gone. It was stupid and careless of her, just like the idea of leaving it all behind. She would go home, suck it up and be a responsible adult. Responsibilities would always tie her to her home, dragging her down. There was no fighting it. She would have to just keep plugging away at making a life for herself. Perhaps she would save up and take another vacation in a year or two. This had been such a treat, she couldn’t imagine being trapped in a cubicle again for hours on end. It was soul sucking.

Rolling over into a graceful flip in the water in order to change direction, Emeline turned to swim back to shore using her arms and legs to push her through the strong current. After a few minutes, she glanced upwards to see how much further it would be only to see that she hadn’t moved closer in towards shore but was farther out, much farther!

A riptide was dragging her from the shore out into open water. Emeline coughed as a wave smacked her in the face, pushing water into her open mouth. Sputtering, she tried to keep from panicking. Keep calm, swim sideways and you’ll get out of the riptide, she thought. Catching her breath, she swam to her left for quite a while and then tried to swim back towards the beach. After several minutes, again she glanced up and found herself no closer.

Gasping because she was out of breath, Emeline was starting to get scared. Her arms and legs were starting to cramp. As she attempted to tread water, Emeline noticed that she was getting pulled farther and farther out. She wasn’t making any progress at all and it made no sense! How big of a riptide was this?

Keep calm, she thought. Channel your inner Dory! Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming! she sang aloud in her mind. Emeline could have sworn she heard a giggle in her head or nearby. Glancing around wildly, she treaded water momentarily, thinking there must be a boat near with other swimmers. Seeing none, she shook her head and focused on a plan. Swim sideways, get out of the riptide!

I am sooooo not drinking anymore! she thought. Turning, she swam the other direction for quite a while until she felt her body cramping again and turned towards the beach.

“Please let this be the end of it. I’ve got to get back to shore,” she whispered aloud in a prayer and began her long haul back towards the shoreline again. Massive strokes as she swung her arms in a freestyle motion to carry her through the water. Heavy kicks that made her body burn with intensity to propel her forward. Chancing a glance up from the water, Emeline practically wailed in desperation. She had been carried farther away from the shore.

“Is this some sort of sick fucking joke?” she yelled angrily to no one and felt something wrap around her ankle. Okay, panic! Panic NOW! Forget calm! she thought wildly. Is that seaweed? Getting tangled in seaweed could be deadly, or so she had read. Swimming in lap pools kept her from having to mess with slimy, scaly fish or vegetation. This was the real deal now and it was touching her! Touching!

Taking a deep breath, Emeline dunked her head underwater to unwrap her foot. Keeping her eyes shut, she tried to free herself blindly and failed. Breaking through the surface, she took another deep breath and prepared herself for the sting that the saltwater would bring to her eyes. You are gonna look high when you get done with this fiasco, Emmie-poo! she thought to herself. Taking another breath, she dropped her head underwater and opened her eyes. Gritting her teeth at the sudden stinging irritation to her eyes, she looked down and began to kick wildly in full panic mode.

A black-haired woman with no snorkel or facemask sat calmly underwater with a firm grasp of her left leg, staring directly at her. Smiling. Her hair floated eerily around her pale face like tendrils of ink spilled across a tablecloth. Desperately, she tried to free herself in a mad panic, but could not break the woman’s firm grip.

What the hell is going on? she thought wildly as she tried to pry the woman’s fingers off her ankle. Shaking her head “no” at the woman and pointing, she wildly gestured in silence and began to scream underwater as the strange woman shook her head calmly in a negative fashion. Coming up for air, Emeline gasped, terrified, expecting the woman to come up beside her momentarily. How long had she been down there and where were her air tanks? What the fuck is going on? she thought horrified and felt another massive yank on her leg dragging her under.

Screaming silently, she saw the woman now had an angry, hard look to her face. Emeline tried prying the woman’s cold hand off of her ankle again. When that failed, she began flailing. Kicking and punching at the woman, she made contact with only the water. Her lungs were burning and she tried desperately to get back to the surface, only to be yanked down again.

No! she screamed silently as the woman pulled her into a hug in the water. Contact with a cold body made her feel infinitely terrified, but at least it was solid! This she could fight against, not just water. Why in the hell is she hugging me? Let me go! Emeline thought crazily, terrified. Pain lanced through her chest. The cold saltwater flowed into her as she bucked desperately. She began to thrash in pain as her body fought the cold water in her lungs instead of the warm sea air. Burning heat in her chest fought with the cold water filling the cavity where air should have been. The cold, dark woman held her tightly as she fought mightily against the watery blackness surrounding them. No! I don’t want to die, she thought desperately as her vision faded away into darkness.

Finally, you said it. Sheesh! Emeline heard, a female’s voice echo in her head moments before blacking out. You’re going to be a stubborn one.