The weather was perfect as Ravenna, Risa, and Aris made their way from the dock to the shores of the island of Ethos. To say the sailboat was twenty feet long seemed an exaggeration to Ravenna as the boat crested the waves offshore. But it was relaxing for the two young friends as they lay on the front of the boat, watching the graceful sail above move them toward their destination. The bow of the boat sliced through the blue-green water, churning waves in its wake, with the wheel in the firm hands of Aris, an experienced sailor.
After what seemed an eternity, they saw Ethos on the horizon, but it still took them over an hour to reach the small island. The island was formerly owned by a Turkish shipping magnate who started to build a house on the tiny deserted island but abandoned it when the oil market collapsed. The government of Greece foreclosed due to nonpayment of property taxes, and it sat unfinished and vacant for years until the walls crumpled to dust. But the island’s beautiful, white sandy beaches were legendary, once you made your way past the rocky shoals protecting the small inlet.
They anchored offshore and rowed into the cove using a small rubber dingy. If Aris was upset that he did not have Risa all to himself that day, he did not show it. He was gracious and charming, and with his quick Greek wit and flashing smile, he made them laugh the whole day. Ravenna was smiling again, something she had not done in a long while. I am glad I came here today, she thought to herself, looking out past the beach to the restless seas beyond.
“Here’s to the three musketeers!” He toasted them with a fresh bottle of Demestica red wine. Both Risa and Ravenna had brought food for their picnic that day, and after they had eaten their fill they still had plenty left over. They lay on the beach afterward, dozing as they watched the blue sky above and saw the heavenly white and grey clouds drift by them.
They were awakened by the sound of thunder just beyond the horizon, telling them their picnic was over. The skies became overcast and the wind began to blow. A slow drizzle started, then it rained in earnest, and the earlier small splotches of grey completely covered the canvas of the sky. They rushed to pick everything up and head for the dingy.
“I’ll get the baskets and the trash,” Risa said.
Ravenna hurried to pack up what was left of the food and put it in the baskets. Aris went to prepare the dingy for their departure. Lightning struck close, unloosing a clap of thunder. They ran as the rain came down harder and the winds blew stronger, causing white caps on the water. The water was rougher and the wind pushed them back, making walking difficult.
“We have to get to the boat and get off this island, now!” Aris yelled.
They made it to the dingy and trolled toward the boat. The waves rose and fell like a rollercoaster. The wind howled; it was a Southerner, a squall storm that came out of nowhere with intense winds and rain. They rode a wave high on its crest, then came thundering back down. Water breached the boat and pulled Ravenna away from the small boat, into the surging waves.
Ravenna swam back toward the dingy, trying to keep herself from panicking, but the waves forced her back. The water was cold. It took all of her strength to battle the crushing waters as the cold rain pelted her face, numbing her. Aris and Risa screamed her name, holding their hands out to her.
The rip currents underneath grabbed her legs, pulling her in different directions, dragging her under the crashing waves. Ravenna swam with all of her strength and could see the boat ahead, but it was no use, it was no nearer than when she started. She saw them waving frantically, tossing a float to her, but she could not reach it.
She struggled to swim and forced her tired limbs to go further. Water rushed into her mouth and filled her mouth, causing her to gasp and cough. She fought the waves, trying to move forward, but her arms and legs were beginning to cramp.
Ravenna tried to yell to them, but a huge wave hammered her down, driving her deeper. Her hand reached high above the water, but it was no use—the rip current yanked her under like some underwater sea god. She was dragged below one final time, pulled to the depths, and she was unable to control her destiny any longer. In an instant, she was gone…