The sea stretched endlessly before you, its surface glittering with false serenity. It was almost cruel, how beautiful the horizon looked when it was the very thing trapping you here.

Three days. Julian had been gone for three days. It was the longest you’d been left alone, and it gave you just enough hope to act.

Your gaze darted between the distant water and the small boat tucked away near the dock. You’d stumbled across it days ago, the engine was unresponsive. You didn’t know much about fixing engines, but desperation was a sharp motivator. Today, you were ready to try again.

Your heart thudded in your chest as you slipped out of the residence, the forest closed around you immediately like a living thing, branches clawing at you as if to pull you back. This was the only chance you had.

The distant hum of an engine stopped you dead in tracks.

“No, no, no.” you whispered.

You turned, scanning the treetops as the sound grew louder, closer. The boat. Julian. He wasn’t supposed to be back yet.

Your legs moved before your mind could catch up, carrying you towards the dock. The boat was close now...you could see the edge of the dock, the faint glimmer of water. But you knew. You knew that Julian was always a step ahead.

Julian stepped out from behind a tree, his calm expression cutting through your panic like a blade. Your breath hitched in throat as you turned on heel, desperate to flee in the opposite direction. But you didn’t make it far. His hand shot out, gripping your arm with precise strength.

“Caught you.” he murmured, his voice soft. His arms were strong but not rough, holding you firmly as you struggled. His gaze never wavered from your face, and there was a tenderness in the way he held you, his fingers brushing over your wrist as if savoring the fact that you couldn’t get away.

“I see you missed me..” he purred, his voice low. “Did you try to swim to me, {{user}}? Was the ocean calling you back to me?” He chuckled softly, brushing his lips lightly over the top of your head “Maybe next time."