Prologue (Part 1)
Most stories that you've probably read start with 'Once upon a time', or with a fair maiden, frolicking gaily through a serene meadow singing a lovely little tune. Well, my story, unlike those that you've probably read before, is real. Every word that I write from this moment on is true. I've tried to tell my story to others, but they all turned away, calling me 'crazy' or 'liar' behind my back. I tell you that I am neither and I intend on letting others know my story so that they will not make the same mistakes that I did. Everything that I write is for you. Please learn all that you can from it or all that I suffered through will be in vain.
The wind was crashing onto the waves causing mountains of salty seawater to rise above the broken vessel. The clouds were like a blanket and the lightning tearing holes into the black surface like a sewing needle. Rain came down more like bullets than drops, occasionally ripping the soaked wood into small, sharp projectiles. The storm was getting worse and every creature above and below the ocean knew it. Those below the ocean, though, knew they were safer than those above. Those like my husband and I.
"JUMP!!" screamed my husband to me from the lifeboat that he struggled to keep near the ship. Though I knew he had screamed, it barely was audible through the gale and sounded like no more than a whisper to me. The small craft was tossing and turning in the ocean below me. I was scared that if and when I jumped, that I miss the lifeboat and get swept away into the toiling ocean below.
"COME ON!! JUMP, CATHRINE!!" Suddenly, the boat came close enough for me to jump. I took the chance and landed solidly onto the slippery wood of the small vessel. My husband looked at me intensely and, seeing that I was all right, pulled me into a hug. I hugged back as hard as I could. As we parted reluctantly, a huge wave came upon us. We both saw it and knew that we didn't have time to move out of its massive path. We jumped out of the boat just as the wave hit where we just were. I struggled to surface myself as the currents began to push me toward the ocean's dark depths. I began to feel the pressure on my head and lungs. I couldn't think of anything to do. I was helpless and alone. Alone? Where was Henry? Where was my husband? I started to struggle again, finding a better reason to live. I struggled and fought with the current but I felt like I was swimming in place, I didn't feel the pressure relieve or the surface finally appear to me. In fact, I felt like I was going lower the more I struggled against the current. My body was tiring and I felt sleepy. I stopped struggling, closed my eyes and just let go of everything. All physical being, all senses in me went numb. The last thought that ran through my mind was "Where is Henry? Where is my husband?"