While I was lost in thought, I thought I heard Selina and Jocelyn crying nearby. When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself lying on a beach.
'Did Selina succeed? Have we finally made it ashore?'
Reaching the land was just the beginning, though. We were on a lonely, deserted beach with a dense forest in front of us. With no one in sight, the forest seemed eerie and intimidating. Exhausted, the three of us leaned against each other as we slowly made our way toward it.
"Zack, we did it! It's day nine, and you have to believe me—I'll save you, no matter what!" Jocelyn, usually so quiet, tried to lift my spirits. Her uncharacteristic enthusiasm touched me but also filled me with sadness. I knew she was trying to cheer us both up.
'It's already day nine. I have, at most, two days left. C
