Zubiya sputtered as her head broke surface before a massive wave slammed her back underwater. Her stomach lurched, and only desperate kicks and arm chops kept her from being sucked away.

A moment of calm came and Zubiya looked around in a panic. Where was the ship? Her heart raced wildly as she realized she couldn't see The Blue Heron anywhere.

Zubiya took the moment of calm to begin swimming, though the waves made progress difficult. Saltwater stung her eyes, her vision blurred as she fought to keep her head above the rolling swells.

At last, her feet scraped against something solid. With the last of her strength, she pushed forward, clawing her way out of the water and onto the shore. The wet sand clung to her fingers as she dragged herself onto the beach, collapsing onto the cool, firm ground.

Zubiya lay there, gasping for breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she stared up at the sky. The stars were just beginning to peek out from behind the grey clouds, tiny pinpricks of light in the vast darkness. Her hair, usually tightly curled and tied back, was now slicked against her face, a sodden mass that clung to her skin. Her clothes were soaked through, clinging to her body like a second skin, heavy with seawater.

But she was alive. She had made it to land.