Surviving in Paradise

You are invited to my birthday party on my private yacht, celebrating my 26th birthday. I hope to see you the 28th of this month at Paradise Haven. We depart at 23.00 and will go back to shore when the sun comes up.

I hope to see you then!

Sincerely,

Carlos

The music was loud, but by now the ship was so far off shore it was impossible for anyone to hear you. You were standing on the main deck with a glass of wine you weren't going to finish when Carlos decided to give a toast. He got up onto the bridge of the ship and addressed the partygoers. "Friends! Friends! I would like to thank you all for coming to this party. I wouldn't want to miss any one of you. In 30 seconds it will be midnight, my birthday right around the corner. Let's count down. 10... 9... 8..." he had managed to excite the crowd enough for them to take over the chant. He then took off his shirt and on 1 he jumped off the boat. Everyone cheered and some screamed with excitement. When Carlos surfaced he yelled: "What are you guys waiting for? The water is great!"

Shirts and pants flew around as the more intoxicated partygoers got ready to follow Carlos' example. A bra was flung into your face, but you stayed cool. As the only sober person on the deck right now, you take it upon yourself to play lifeguard. You sit down on the side of the yacht and watch Carlos cozying up to some of the women with him in the water.

You nearly fall of the boat when you feel a hand on your shoulder. You turn around to see Carlos' wife, Jennifer. "Don't be scared. It's only me." she says. You see she has cried, and wonder what got her so upset. "Can I sit with you for a moment?" she asks. "Sure! Go ahead. How are you?" you ask. She breaks down on your shoulder, sobbing unintelligibly. You pat her on the back, assuring her of anything and everything.

You are pulled out of your moral support role and back into your lifeguard role by a loud yell. You look around to see who yelled, but the wind had picked up without you noticing and the waves were high. It also started raining and the sky was pierced by a lightning bolt. You stand up and started shouting for people to get back yo the boat. "Jennifer, see if there is anyone on the other side of the boat." you say to Jennifer.

The first swimmers are getting back onto the boat and you help them onboard. You grab someone's arm and pull them up, only to be greeted by the naked form of one of the more attractive partygoers. She nptes your shock with a grin and nods at you in recognition. You check the boat, but Carlos still isn't back. You spot him in the distance, way too far away from the boat. That dirty bastard! you think.

"Carlos!" you yell, "Get everyone back to the boat. A storm is approaching!" Your voice is drowned out by the wind, so you step onto the side of the boat and wave at the people in the water. Some cheer at you while others pick up on what you're trying to convey and start swimming back to the boat. That's when the boat is hit by a strong gust of wind and rocks to the side. You only realise you fell, when you hit the planks and your vision goes black. "Noooooooo." you scream out, though you're not sure if any sound actually came out.