Summer Lies

The sun hung high above the white sand, and the waves lazily lapped against the shore. Greece was scorching today – but not just from the heat. Sarah pulled her sunglasses down over her nose and let her gaze sweep across the beach. “Why does Emily always have to follow us?” she muttered under her breath. Emily, who was laying out her towel a bit further down, looked up – as if she’d heard. She didn’t say anything. Not yet. Katy smirked. “Maybe because she still thinks we’re friends.” Sarah scoffed. “We never were.” A little further down, Ethan was playing with the sand between his fingers, shaping it into little towers only to destroy them seconds later. His eyes drifted toward Emily – and quickly away again. She made him feel something he couldn’t explain. Luke strolled over with two smoothies – one for himself, one for Sarah. He knew how to stay on top – money, charm, and a perfect smile. But his eyes flickered slightly when he saw Ethan looking Emily’s way. “Here,” he said, handing Sarah the drink. “You look like someone who could use something cold.” “I never look like anything,” Sarah replied, but took the drink anyway. And then there was Isac. He lay on his towel with headphones in, singing loudly – completely off-key. The others laughed, but he loved it. As long as people were laughing with him, not at him. Suddenly, he stopped singing, sat up, and looked around. “Did you guys hear?” he asked. “Someone found something underwater. Something… old.” Everyone turned toward him. “Old how?” Emily asked. Isac shrugged. “Some say it’s a chest. Others say… it’s a message.” Emily stood up, brushed sand off her legs, and walked over to him. “A message?” she repeated. “From who?” Isac grinned. “That’s the exciting part. A boy went diving this morning and saw something carved into a rock. He said it looked like a warning.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, are we in a horror movie now?” Luke snorted. “Probably just something someone scratched in to be dramatic.” “Drama makes things exciting,” Ethan mumbled. His gaze drifted to Emily again, but this time she held eye contact. “Want to go see it?” Isac asked. “The rock’s not that far out.” For a moment, no one said anything. Then Katy stood up and brushed off her bikini. “Come on, Sarah. If someone’s going to find a mysterious treasure, it should be us.” Sarah sighed but nodded. “Fine. But if this is a prank, I’m dragging you all under.” They started walking along the beach, their footprints quickly washed away by the waves. The sun still burned, but the wind carried a new feeling now. One that had nothing to do with summer or sunscreen. Down by the cliffs, the water was darker. Colder. An older man stood nearby, staring out at the sea. He said nothing – just had that look. Like he knew something they didn’t. Emily felt it first – a twinge of unease in her stomach. “This,” she said softly, “doesn’t feel like just a beach trip anymore.” “We need to find out what it is,” Sarah said firmly. They headed back to their stuff to grab snorkels and gear. The sun was still blazing in the sky, but the air felt heavier. The man still stood there, watching the sea. As the group neared the water, he suddenly shouted: “What are you doing?! Run – before it sees you!” Everyone froze. A couple of them giggled nervously. The man turned abruptly and ran off. As soon as he was gone, they burst out laughing – all except Emily. She still looked like she had a knot in her stomach. “Do you really think this is a good idea?” she asked quietly. “What if there really is something in the water?” Silence. Sarah folded her arms. “Seriously? You’re afraid of some crazy old man yelling at kids? He was probably just trying to scare us. Let’s dive already – we’re here to have fun!” They walked into the sea. The water was surprisingly cold, but that only made it more exciting. They strapped on their gear and dove below the surface, where everything was silent and blue. After a few minutes, they split up to search separately. But suddenly… Katy was gone. They regrouped at the surface. “Did anyone see her?” Luke asked, panicked. “No,” said Ethan. “She was right behind me.” They scanned the water – nothing. Not even bubbles. They swam to shore and ran up and down the beach. No sign. Katy was gone. They rushed to the police station but were met with tired looks and shrugging shoulders. “It’s probably a prank,” one officer said. “She probably just snuck off to scare you. Give it some time – she’ll turn up.” But none of them were laughing anymore. Hours passed, and Katy didn’t come back. The group’s mood had shifted completely. What had felt exciting now felt terrifying. Emily sat alone on the cliff as the sun began to set. She stared out over the darkening sea, where the waves lapped softly. “I can’t stop thinking about what that man said…” she whispered. Ethan sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I know. I thought it was just some sick joke. But now… everything feels wrong.” The others sat silently farther up the beach. Isac kicked at the sand. “If the police won’t do anything, then we will. She’s one of us.” “But how?” Luke asked. “We don’t have anything to go on… just the ocean.” Sarah stood abruptly. “We’re going back tomorrow. Same place. If there’s something down there – we’ll find it.” “And if that’s why she disappeared?” Emily asked quietly. “Then it’s time we got some answers,” Sarah replied coldly. Night had fallen like a blanket over the town. Sarah couldn’t sleep. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of the old beach house they’d rented. Everything felt off. Like something – or someone – was watching. She got up and tiptoed into the living room, where she found Ethan scrolling on his phone. “Can’t sleep either?” she asked quietly. “No. I… I’ve been thinking about Katy. She’d never just vanish.” Sarah nodded. Her hair was messy, and for the first time, she didn’t seem like the cold ‘mean girl’ everyone thought she was. “Do you think… that guy was right? That something… is watching us?” They sat in silence. In the next room, Emily and Luke tossed and turned in bed. Emily had a dream. A woman’s voice was calling her, but the words were muffled – like echoes underwater. She saw flashes of something glittering beneath the surface. Something ancient… and dangerous. Emily woke up, sweating. She sat up, gasping. “You okay?” Luke mumbled sleepily. “I… just had a weird dream.” The next morning, they got up early. Tension filled the air. No one spoke much. They packed diving gear, snacks, and their phones. No one mentioned the obvious – that Katy was still missing. Back on the beach, everything felt… different. Like something was waiting. Emily slowly walked toward the water. She knelt down and noticed something glinting in the sand. She dug it out – a small pendant, covered in seaweed and grit. It was shaped like an eye. “Hey, look at this,” she called. They gathered around her. Isac picked it up and turned it in his hands. “What is it?” he asked. “It’s hers,” Sarah said softly. “Katy had one. Her grandma gave it to her.” They stared at each other. Their hearts beat faster. “This isn’t a coincidence,” Ethan said. “We have to find out what’s going on.” One by one, they suited up again. As they stepped into the water, the sea almost seemed to pull back. A breeze stirred. And in the distance… a shadow beneath the waves.