Author's notes: Hi! I first started writing this almost two and a half years ago. I thought that I'd never do anything more with it, but here we are.

If for some reason you were among the group that read this in 2014 (A: how. B: Nice to see you again. C: How?!) I've edited it slightly and condensed the chapters somewhat, but left it mostly intact. As I don't expect anyone to remember a glimmering of a story from two years ago, I'm not sure why I'm telling you this.

If, however, by some off chance you have an incredible memory, go ahead and start at Chapter 4.

As to the rest of us normal blokes, you'll want to start below. Have fun. :)


Chapter One: Water and Ice

Agatha Clarke pulled her coat around her as tightly as she could. Icy wind whipped her hair and stung her cheeks. Agatha was very, very frightened.

Another blast from the wind nearly knocked her over. Agatha was starting to realize that it was a very poor decision to leave the building. A very, very, horribly, awfully poor decision. There was no way she could drive in this storm, and she was starting to realize that only a miracle would take her to her car.

An even stronger gust of wind threw her against something—or something against her. Hard. The last thing she remembered was a hollow thunk against her head before the white of the storm was replaced by black.

Across the continent, the weather was nicer, but only just. It was, after all, a pretty wild day to be doing this, especially alone, but Clarisse McDowell ignored the cautionary voice. She paddled her surfboard out. The wind was whipping the waves into a frenzy. Her hair, too. Clarisse spit out the lock of blue hair that had found its way into her mouth.

Ah! Her daring was rewarded. She saw it building, the biggest wave she had ever seen. She readied herself, waiting for the moment of adrenaline. Acting on some primal instinct rather than a cognitive decision, she stood up and began to ride the biggest wave of her life. Both the sky and the ocean were grey, and the wind was wild, but Clarisse had never felt more free.

But even the most talented can fail. Hubris can take the best of them. And for Clarisse, it was one long, strung out moment…she lost her center of gravity and was unable to regain it…she fell…her surfboard, propelled by the power of the sea, bearing down on her…

The last thing she remembered was a feeling of extreme disappointment before her head collided with the surfboard and she felt no more.