1 The beginning (1/2)

CH: 1

Looking around, the body of water stretched endlessly along the horizon, in all directions.

The gently blowing wind, the serene blue-colored water, the almost cloudless sky along with the hypnotizing sound of waves… all of that formed a calming sea-song that drew away all the worldly worries.

All of these elements combined, induced tranquility in the soul along with a warm sense of comfort that has a certain irresistible, breath taking magic to it.

In this endlessly stretching sea, a fishing boat floated still on the body of water.

At the rear side of the boats' body, a youth was sitting relaxed on a chair. He was wearing a t-shirt and short pants that extended a bit below his knees. Attached to the chairs' arm set he was sitting on, was a semi-translucent umbrella that shielded him from most of the yellow sun's rays.

He was leisurely reading a book while allowing the gentle, fresh breeze to blow against the exposed skin of his arms, legs and face. Some wind would occasionally slip inside his wide t shirt carrying away the sweat vapor and inducing a comforting, cooling sensation.

Flapping the book pages, he reached out to a small table beside him, grabbing a small bottle of juice to take sip. However, upon lifting up the bottle, a sigh escaped his lips.

Its light weight seemed to remind him that less than ten minutes ago, he had already drunk its entire content.

With another sigh, he put the book aside and got up to bring another bottle.

The moment he stood up, a sudden gust of cool breeze blew over, collided against his body, and permeating through his thin fiber, fluttering clothes and taking along all the remaining traces of worldly concerns, and bringing about a magical sensation, that one would wish for it to last forever.

He immediately shut his eyes closed and spread his arms, welcoming the billow of cool wind, wanting to perceive it with all of his body.

After few magical moments, the sudden wind went away, bringing an end to the serene moment.

He opened his eyes, casting his sight over to the sea, allowing the breath taking scenery to settle in his memory. He briefly closed his eyes again and took a very deep breath, wanting to enhance the marvelous scene with smell and to capture the magic of this moment so that he would never forget it.

To him, this was the first time he had seen the sea in his 22 years of life. In a few days, he would enter the jungle of life to struggle for survival. So, this was probably the last chance to relax and boast up his spirit.

Although the impression this trip had left in him would definitely bring him back here again… but, he had no idea when he would get the chance to do so, or even if ever.

So, he wanted to imprint this wonderful painting in his memories, to recall it whenever life goes hard on him, to remind himself; that good things also exists in this life, that he shouldn't allow the current of life to overwhelm him, and drain away his youthful spirit.

Opening his eyes, he moved to the cabin. Another youth of similar age to him was laying sleep on the captains' chair. Seeing this youth, he smiled, as a feeling of gratitude surged in his heart. This whole trip was thanks to this sleeping youth, both in idea and execution.

They had graduated from college less than a week ago. And in no time, they would part ways, each following his own path.

To Ramie, after over a decade of painstaking efforts, struggle, stress, and endless nights of studies… this was the one time chance to catch a breath.

Although his all out hellish efforts throughout his school life had eventually fallen short of his ambitions and dreams, he had done all that he could, but this was life… one simply can't get all what he wants... or deserves.

And now, in a few days, he's going to enter the struggle of life, to continue the fight.

So this trip was something he direly needed but didn't know he did, not until the sleeping youth had forced him to come along. For that, he was deeply grateful.

He took out a bottle of juice from an ice box and walked back to his chair.

Mid way however, he paused in his track…

An abrupt a sense of chilling coldness spread through his body. His hair stood to end, his skin goose bumped all over his body, sending signals crazily to his mind, as though a ghost had just passed through him…

'What is this feeling…?'

All of sudden, frightening sense of foreboding erupted in his heart, throwing his thoughts in disarray, and sending him in a state of bewilderment.

'This…?'

Perplexed, he started looking around in confusion, looking for any sign of trouble that might have caused him such a feeling… yet there was nothing out of usual.

The sea was calm, the wind moderate and the boat was fine… everything was… Yet his heart did not calm down in the least, but instead, Palpating even harder.

It was a sort of inexplicable feeling that has no basis for it. This was the first time this kind of feeling accrues to him, which made him feel great discomfort and frustration.

The way he saw it, everything happens for a reason… so, why did he had such bizarre premonition.

Before he could think any further… suddenly, his body shook violently as though he had been struck heavily from all directions at once. His vision blurred and an abrupt feeling of sharp pain drilled its way through to the core of his brain, making him feel as though thin needles were being stabbed into his head.

”Urgh…!”

Thud!

A sound rang, but he was in no condition to care for it, he wanted to breathe the pain away. It had caught him unprepared. Even though it wasn't the worst pain he had ever felt, but it was simply too sudden, catching him completely off guard.

As he tried to regulate his breath, the pain started fading away, quickly… before finally disappearing, just as inexplicably as it had arrived.