Chap 1
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Darkness engulfed my vision, and a chilling cold rushed in from all directions. An invisible force pressed heavily on my chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
I thrashed my limbs with all my might.
In my head, I frantically recalled the swimming techniques I had learned back in the children's swimming class during kindergarten.
I tried my best to keep my body balanced and swam toward the faint, flickering light above.
I had no idea how long I struggled, but after fully channeling the precious spirit of "never give up, never surrender," I finally broke through the blurry barrier and surfaced from the water.
Gasp... gasp... gasp...
I gulped down the fresh air like it was the most precious thing in the world, trying to force out the stale air trapped in my lungs.
Each breath sent a sharp pain stabbing through my chest, straight to my heart.
Slowly opening my eyes, the glaring sunlight stung a little.
I rubbed my eyelids, helping myself gradually adjust to the brightness after soaking in the water for so long.
Looking around, I saw I was in a not-too-large lake.
Maple trees lined the shore, and since it was autumn, the red leaves looked especially vibrant under the sun.
I didn’t have time to think. My body, utterly exhausted, longed to get to the shore.
Swim... swim...
Swim... swim...
I paddled with my tiny arms and legs, and after a difficult struggle, finally dragged myself onto the bank.
Gasp...
Suppressing the pain in my chest, I exhaled a shaky breath.
This time, I had really used up every ounce of strength. My entire body felt like it was made of lead, collapsing onto the damp, leaf-covered ground, unwilling to move an inch.
Where is this place?
My memory still lingered on the moment just before I fell into the sea.
It was a clear, starry night. For some reason, I had stood on the railing at the bow of a luxury cruise ship, imitating that iconic scene from Titanic, arms outstretched, pretending to fly.
Then, right as a security guard shouted, I slipped and plunged headfirst into the Pacific Ocean.
The last thing I heard was, “Hey! Who let you climb up there!”
I blacked out — and when I came to, it was now.
I honestly didn’t understand how I had gone from the vast ocean to grabbing some miraculous straw and drifting into this filthy lake.
And come to think of it, this lake looked like stagnant water, full of fallen leaves and giving off a foul stench.
Ugh, how tragic!
I spent three whole years saving up my writing royalties just to fulfill my dream of traveling the world on a luxury cruise. And yet — I boarded in the afternoon, and by night I had already fallen into the sea!
Oh no, I didn’t even get to eat that first-class French dinner!
Oh no, I didn’t even get to chat with the handsome Italian guy on board!
Oh no, I need to demand compensation from that travel company!
But for now, the most urgent and practical task is to regain my strength.
Can someone give me some water?
Is anyone here?
Help! Help me!
I cried out silently in my heart, but the area around me was deserted.
Looks like there's no help coming — I’ll have to rely on myself.
Better rest a bit longer and recover some energy before trying to crawl out of here.
I lay weakly on the shore.
Thunk! A sharp pain suddenly struck my head. I groaned. A small stone rolled to the side.
Who? Who was that? A three-year-old kid?
What kind of prank is this!
Thunk! Another stone hit me — this time square in the forehead.
Ouch!
“Wh-who...” I choked out the words, barely managing to speak through my parched throat.
