Chapter 48 – The Island Has Entered Countdown Mode
The first rays of dawn pierced through the canopy, but the morning brought no relief—only a deep, rumbling tremor that shook the ground beneath the sleeping group. Razan snapped awake first, his eyes widening as he took in the sight: their campsite, once dry and safe by the lake's edge, was now almost completely flooded, shallow pools of water spreading like veins across the grass and lapping at their sleeping bags.
He looked down at Loona still nestled on his chest and Charlie curled up by his side, drooling peacefully.
"Loona, Charlie, wake up."
Loona and Charlie stirred, opening their eyes groggily.
Loona mumbled sleepily.
"What is it? We still have time. Why do you have to wake me up so early?"
Razan glanced around pointedly.
"Well, if you don't mind turning into a fish, then you can keep sleeping."
Loona sat up quickly, finally noticing the water everywhere—puddles reflecting the early light, soaking the edges of their gear.
Charlie rubbed her eyes.
"Well, let's wake everyone up to warn them."
Razan raised his voice and shouted across the camp:
"Guys, you better wake up if your dream isn't to meet The Little Mermaid in person!"
Hank and the others bolted upright, blinking in confusion as they took in the flooded ground.
Sean stared at the water rising around their feet.
"What the hell happened?"
Razan shrugged.
"I think the island didn't like us getting close to the submarine safely. So it decided to switch the game mode from normal to hellish."
Hank, fully awake now, surveyed the damage with a grim expression.
"Shit, the situation got worse."
Kailani pointed at the spreading water.
"Where's all this water coming from?"
Hank explained.
"The liquefaction tripled overnight."
Kailani asked:
"What does that mean?"
Razan said with a dark smile.
"It means our lives have officially entered countdown mode to the end. Well, at least it was a good life."
Hank clarified.
"Well, in simple terms that's it: the island is going to sink much faster than expected."
Alexander frowned.
"You said it would be in a few days. Now it's more like a few hours."
Razan nodded.
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting all of you. Even though your lives are short, I'll remember you."
Sean shot back.
"If you forgot, you're stuck with us too. So if we die, you go with us."
Razan teased.
"Sean, you're very negative. Having to drag others to die with you because you can't die alone."
Hank raised his voice.
"Calm down, everyone. We just have to find the submarine in time."
Kailani asked worriedly.
"And if we don't find it in time?"
Razan replied casually.
"Well, then we'll all become part of this island's history as skeletons for the next group that comes here in 140 years."
Loona pulled Razan by the arm.
"Don't scare the girl more, you idiot."
Charlie said with a reassuring smile to Kailane.
"It'll be okay. We'll find the submarine and get off this island safely."
Kailani said:
"Well, thanks for the comfort."
She then looked around urgently.
"Dad, come on, let's go. We have to get out of here soon."
When no answer came, she scanned the group.
"He's gone. I can't find him."
Alexander tried to calm her.
"Stay calm. He must have gone to pee."
Kailani suddenly remembered their conversation from the night before.
"Oh no… no."
Sean looked at her concerned.
"What's wrong?"
Kailani explained.
"Yesterday he promised to send me to college. I know what he meant. He went after the mountain of gold. I have to go after him. You guys go to the submarine. If we don't make it in time, leave without us."
Sean protested.
"No way. You're not going alone."
Razan looked at Sean.
"And you plan to go with her for what? So she has to take care of her safety and yours while looking for a lost guy in the middle of a jungle full of giant animals that can devour you like a snack? The moment you need to run to save your lives if a monster shows up, what are you going to do with that injured foot?"
Hank agreed.
"Sean, Razan's right. You're not in condition to help her. If you go, you'll just get in her way."
Alexander said:
"Sean, he's right. You're not in condition to do this."
Sean insisted.
"Well, she can't go alone."
Alexander decided.
"Then I'll go with her. I'm the one who called you to the island. It's my fault you're in this place."
Razan announced.
"Well, I'm going too."
Everyone turned to him.
Razan smiled.
"Well, I wouldn't feel good leaving an old man and a girl going on a search in a place full of giant monsters alone."
Loona said:
"Well, then you go with them and Charlie and I go with Hank and Sean."
Alexander said:
"Well, then it's decided."
He then looked at Hank.
"Well, look at this map. If the map is right, the Poseidon cliff is 2 kilometers in that direction. Find the submarine quickly and pick us up on the coast."
Sean pointed out.
"We only have one map."
Hank said:
"Lend me the phone."
Sean handed it over.
"Here. But there's no signal. I already tried."
Hank positioned himself in front of the map and snapped a photo.
"Well, now we have two maps."
Alexander complimented.
"Hank, well thought."
Razan, observing, said:
"And you two don't go becoming friends now. When two people who don't like each other become friends, it means one is going to die. So save the feelings for later."
Loona and Charlie pulled his cheeks.
"Don't interrupt people's nice moment."
Hank, seeing this, smiled, already getting used to the antics. He then looked at Alexander.
"Thanks for finally being nice."
Alexander replied:
"Don't get used to it."
Kailani looked at Sean.
"Take care."
Alexander said to her:
"Let's go, dear. We have to find your dad."
Razan approached Sean.
"Well, looks like you finally got the girl's attention. Well, I'm going. Good luck."
As Razan started to walk away, Sean called.
"Dude, please take care of her."
Razan paused for a moment.
"Well, I'll take care of her. After all, our spoiled kid here finally managed to ask for help politely."
Sean said:
"Thanks."
Razan turned to Loona and Charlie.
"Take care of the group there. I'm going. We'll meet at the agreed spot."
Loona smiled.
"Go already. Stop the drama. We'll only be separated for a few hours."
Watching them depart, Hank looked at Sean, Loona, and Charlie.
"Well, let's go get this submarine to get out of this place."
Sean said:
"Let's go."
They then started walking toward the Poseidon cliff.