After that, I hit my head against a rock, I think, and I passed out. So much for being a trooper.

Blaire awoke with a headache and a dry mouth – which was filled with sand.

Shuddering with disgust, she spat out the mouthful of silt and tried to prop herself up with her hands.

Blaire cracked open her swollen eyes, hurting at each and every strain of her body.

At first, she thought she was dreaming – died and gone to Heaven – but if she was in Heaven, that wouldn’t explain her leaden limbs or her pounding temples.

A wave of cold water rushed over her legs and she gasped, her vision sharpening.

Blaire looked around, and the first thing that came to her mind was survivors.

She had to find out if anyone else had survived the storm.

Blaire tried to remember what had happened; all she could recall was Tray and Anastasia being launched forward into the sea – everything went promptly black after that.

Shaking with exhaustion and fear of the unknown, Blaire made herself stand on her feet.