West Park Asylum

Within the sudden storm, the tiny vessel is tossed and spun by the waves. Carla holds on tight while her muttering companion does his best to prevent the boat from flipping over. Kyle has given up trying to use the oars and shifts his wait while physically moving the screaming woman. He regrets accepting the offer to take Carla to Raven’s Hold even though he really needs the money she offered. For his entire life, the black-haired man has been told to never go to the founder’s property and he forgets the warnings at the sight of a large number next to a dollar sign. Peering over his shoulder, he can see that the island remains in the distance as nothing more than an indistinct blob against the darkness.

“This storm came out of nowhere!” Kyle shouts over the wind. An eddy spins the tiny vessel, leaving him disoriented and unsure of their original direction. “I don’t know if we’re heading the right way. Too choppy and rough to use the oars. How strong a swimmer are you, Mrs. Nash?”

“But which way do we go?” she asks, barely able to understand what he is saying. Kyle makes an exaggerated paddling motion with his arms, which turns into a flail as he almost falls out of the boat. “I know enough to not drown in a pool, but this is too much. There are lifeguards who couldn’t survive out here. Just keep trying to get to land! It doesn’t look too far away! I can even see lights!”

“Those are probably the stars, lady,” the terrified man mutters under his breath. A blast of lightning rips through the sky and briefly shows they are heading for Raven’s Hold. “Not to sound unchivalrous, but I can’t save you and myself. If we go into the water then you’re going to be on your own. All I can recommend is to not panic and try your best to remember which way is up.”

Carla squints at Kyle as if that will make his words clearer, but the wind and rain are too loud for her to understand anything. She assumes he is telling her that they are almost there or he will do what he can to keep her safe. A bitter chill strikes the back of her neck while deafening thunder makes her ears ring. Carla rubs her eyes when she sees howling faces rise from the frothy water and pop when their mouths open too far. With every flash of lightning, schools of fish leap out of the waves and bash themselves against the small boat. Another eddy spins the pair and does not release them until Kyle tumbles into the ocean. He breaks the surface for a moment only to be washed away by a powerful wave.

“I’ll come and get you!” Carla shouts as she grabs an oar and tries to steer the boat. She attempts to imitate what she has seen Kyle do, but she has very little control over where she is heading. “I can’t get anywhere! I’m sorry!”

The storm eases enough for her to locate the man, who is struggling to swim for the distant shore. Carla is relieved to see that he is alive and puts her hands to her mouth in order to call for his help. She freezes when a rumble of thunder comes from behind her and continues for over a minute. Not wanting to look over her shoulder, the terrified woman beats the water with the oar and prays that she can get to the island. Her movements are too chaotic to be of any use, so she is trapped within the current. Far ahead, Carla can see Kyle pointing and waving at whatever is approaching.

“I’m going to regret this,” she whispers before turning around.

Blocking her view is an immense tidal wave that she swears is crested with a row of sharp, foamy teeth. Lightning flashes above to pierce the incoming wall, but the holes are swiftly filled by the churning water. Numb and confused, Carla drops the useless oar overboard and sits in silence. She can hear Kyle yelling, but her mind is unable to understand his words. With a blank expression of utter defeat on her face, she turns to the man and wonders if either of them will survive. All she can think of doing is a feeble wave before the tidal wave crashes over them with the sound of slamming jaws.