Owen McCuen

We each shrugged and knew our carefree day was going to have a little blemish in it.

I stepped back, ready to go on deck, when my foot slipped on something and I glanced down.

A thin layer of water covered the floor.

As I reached for the pump switch and turned it on, Tyler yelled and we rushed on deck.

As we got there, he was pointing at something underwater pulling away from the bow.

I didn't have time to take a closer look as I heard gurgling.

Looking below, I saw that the thin layer of water had progressed to several inches and was rising.

I could see the pump couldn't keep ahead of it, and now the boat began listing.

The side of the wanderlust seemed higher.

We were sinking.

I ordered everyone onto the other boat.

By the time I'd hoisted Tammy aboard, I had to pull myself up with both hands.

I looked down at the sinking boat and caught a last glimpse of the shape Tyler had seen receding under the wanderlust.

Within seconds, my boat was gone, the sail a white wraith disappearing into the ocean.

We stood on the deck, everyone speechless.

I still stared into the water, wondering about what Tyler had seen.

Whatever it was, the connection with the sinking of my boat was something I couldn't ignore.

I waited, expecting the same fate for this boat.

But nothing happened.

I heard nothing.