On a tranquil afternoon, the serene waters of the Pacific Northwest glisten under the warm sun, as a vibrant purple and green charter boat glides gracefully across the gentle waves. Aboard this vessel are three friends—freshly minted high school graduates savoring their summer before embarking on new adventures in college.
At the helm is Christopher Anderson, affectionately known as Chris. His slightly long, meticulously styled light brown hair dances softly in the breeze, framing his fair-skinned face and striking blue eyes. He's dressed casually yet thoughtfully in a light blue shirt outlined in dark blue, complemented by a teal hoodie jacket that adds a splash of color. His dark blue pants, cinched with a brown belt, and camo green and white sneakers ground his youthful appearance as he navigates the boat with determination.
One of his companions, Kate Keystar, is diligently scanning the boat's GPS, her cautious nature steering their mission as she seeks to ensure they don't drift astray in the vast expanse of water. Her waist-long light brown hair tumbles like silk, accented by straight bangs that frame her expressive face. With her dark skin glowing in the afternoon sun, her vibrant gray eyes radiate intelligence and resolve. She wears a stylish teal and purple sleeveless button-up dress, paired with navy blue knee-high boots, reflecting her confidence and focus as the responsible voice of the trio.
The final member of the group, Emily Evermore, embodies a spirit of cheerfulness with her lively ginger-red hair that catches the light, complementing her fair skin, light blue eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles across her nose. Dressed in a playful pink tank top and blue denim shorts, with cheerful pink boots completing her look, Emily's infectious energy brightens the atmosphere despite the seriousness of their mission.
Although the boat ride seems like summertime fun, the trio's hearts are heavy with purpose. They are on a heartfelt quest to find someone very dear to them, who has gone missing.
"AMANDA!" Emily called out, her voice echoing across the water, "ARE YOU AROUND HERE?!"
"Anything yet, Emily?" Chris asked, his brows knit with concern as he glanced at the bubbly girl.
"Nothing yet," Emily admitted, her tone turning solemn as her earlier cheer faded. "But I'll keep calling for her. I won't stop."
"Thanks for the heads-up," Kate interjected, her focus unwavering as she scrutinized the GPS screen. "According to our coordinates, this is where we last spotted Amanda before she vanished."
"I know," Chris sighed, a weight of worry pressing down on him. "It's been three weeks since Memorial Day weekend; I just wish we had anticipated that storm before it hit."
"Don't worry, Chris," Kate reassured him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder in a gesture of solidarity. "I know you'll never give up on your sister, so we won't give up on her either."
"Thank you, again," Chris replied, a flicker of gratitude lighting up his expression. "It means the world to me that you both came to help in this search."
"What else are friends of your sister for?" Kate teased with a playful giggle, leaning in to place a soft kiss on Chris's cheek, eliciting a blush that crept across his face. "And don't forget, I'm your girlfriend too."
The trio shared a light chuckle as Emily continued to call out for Amanda, her voice echoing over the gentle lapping of the waves. On this Memorial Day trip, Chris had hoped to take his younger sister out on the boat to help her cope with their parents' tragic disappearance a year ago. Their original plan had been to visit their beloved reef near the picturesque seaside town of Sandy Shores, nestled along America's Pacific Northwest coast. However, the idyllic getaway quickly spiraled into chaos when an unexpected, ferocious storm rolled in, tossing Amanda overboard before Chris could even react. Now, with the tempestuous sea calming over the past three weeks, Chris, Kate, and Emily found themselves searching for their long-lost friend amidst the boundless blue.
"AMANDA!" Emily shouted again, her voice tinged with urgency. "IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, PLEASE GIVE US A SHOUT!!!"
Suddenly, a cacophony of sharp shrills and clapping beaks rang out nearby, slicing through the salty air.
"Huh, interesting shout," Emily noted, only to realize something was amiss. "Wait a minute, that doesn't sound like Amanda."
When she turned around, a gasp of surprise escaped her lips. Perched on the charter boat was a magnificent winged creature she had never encountered before. With a wingspan nearing nineteen feet, it resembled a living relic of the past, its most striking feature being the vibrant yellow crest that arched dramatically from its head. While most people would recoil in terror at the sight of such a mysterious being, Emily Evermore was unlike most.
"Well, hello there," she greeted warmly, her curiosity piqued. "Are you out here looking for someone, too?"
The creature regarded her with wide, inquisitive eyes before gracefully settling on the deck of the boat. Both Chris and Kate emerged from below deck, their expressions transforming from disbelief to wonder.
"What in the world?!" Chris gasped, his heart racing. "Where did that thing come from?"
"I don't know," Emily shrugged, still captivated. "I guess it just came onboard while I was calling out for our dear friend and sister, Amanda."
As the mysterious flying creature observed the trio with keen interest, it clapped its beak a few times in a whimsical greeting. Kate, who was transfixed by the creature's gracefulness, suddenly had a thrilling epiphany.
"My word," she breathed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I think that creature might be a Pteranodon, specifically a Pteranodon sternbergi!"
"What?!" Chris asked, blinking in confusion. "Aren't those supposed to be extinct flying reptiles from the age of the dinosaurs?"
"Normally, yes," Kate admitted, her brow furrowing. "But how it has survived for over 80 million years to the present remains a mystery."
As the friends watched the Pteranodon resting atop their boat, it suddenly perked up, its keen senses catching something in the depths below. In an instant, it soared into the sky, a shadow against the sunlit horizon, leaving Chris, Kate, and Emily in a state of puzzled wonder.
"I wonder what got into him?" Emily mused, her eyes tracing the creature's flight.
Just as Chris or Kate opened their mouths to respond, something hefty collided with the side of the boat, causing it to lurch violently. The trio gasped in shock, rushing to the edge to see what had transpired.
"Do you think we hit a reef?" Kate asked, concern etching her features.
"I don't think so," Chris replied solemnly, his gaze scanning the vast water. "But whatever it was, I have a feeling it isn't good."
In an instant, a tremendous creature erupted from the depths of the water, breaking the surface with a splash that sent spray glistening in the sunlight. As Chris and the others squinted through the mist, the sight became clear: a gigantic swimming reptile, its scales shimmering in hues of deep blue adorned with bold black stripes, and a striking yellowish-white underbelly. Unbeknownst to them, they had just come face to face with a Tylosaurus (TIE-lo-SAWR-us), one of the most fearsome marine predators to ever roam the ancient seas, and it was now locking onto their boat as its next target.
"Yep, definitely not good!" Chris shouted, his voice a mix of urgency and adrenaline, as he bolted toward the boat's controls.
With frantic determination, the charter boat surged forward, slicing through the waves in a desperate attempt to evade the ravenous sea lizard. However, the cunning Cretaceous predator had another lethal tactic; it initiated a C-start technique, a maneuver that allowed it to propel itself with astonishing speed directly toward the boat. In a heartbeat, the Tylosaurus charged, colliding with the vessel in a violent crash that sent Chris, Kate, and Emily flying through the air like rag dolls, their world spinning in a blur.
When the chaos subsided, the trio found themselves washed ashore, unconscious on the soft, warm sands of a secluded cove, the echo of the ocean surrounding them.
After about an hour, they were roused unexpectedly by a peculiar sensation—a series of gentle, warm licks brushing against Chris's hair.
"What the heck?!" Chris exclaimed, heart racing, as he blinked his eyes open to the bright sun.
Peering up, he was met with the curious gaze of an undeniably young dinosaur, its small body eagerly licking him, clearly after the salty spray from his hair. This juvenile Kritosaurus, lacking the distinctive nasal crest of its adult counterparts, was seeking a much-needed dose of sea salt. Once satisfied, it darted back towards its family, leaving Chris and the ladies to recover from their whirlwind experience.
"Are you two okay?" Chris asked, concern lacing his voice as he examined Kate and Emily.
"I… believe so," Kate reassured him, though there was a hint of lingering disorientation in her eyes.
"Though I definitely don't want to go on that ride again," Emily added with a weak smile, still trying to process what had just happened.
"Agreed," Chris sighed, relief washing over him as he helped the ladies to their feet. "Now I just hope the boat is okay too."
As they surveyed their surroundings, the young friends felt a wave of disappointment wash over them upon discovering their charter boat had run aground on the sandy beach. Thankfully, it appeared to be largely unharmed. Climbing aboard with renewed determination, they made their way to the control deck, anxious to check on the radio and ascertain their next steps in this wild, prehistoric adventure.
"Hello, is this the Coast Guard?!" Kate shouted into the crackling radio, her voice laced with urgency. All that returned was a wall of static noise, suffocating her hope. "HELLO?!"
With a heavy heart, she let the radio drop from her grasp, the device thudding softly against the boat's hull.
"We're on our own," she murmured sadly, casting a glance at her friends, the weight of their predicament settling over them like a dark cloud.
"You mean… we're lost, just like Amanda?!" Emily gasped, trying to stifle the tremors of panic caused by the realization. Tears pooled in her eyes as despair threatened to consume her.
Overcome by emotion, Emily sank to the ground, her sobs breaking the stillness of the air around them. Seeing their friend in distress, Chris and Kate hurried to her side, enveloping her in a comforting group hug.
"Don't worry, Emily," Kate said gently, her voice steady and reassuring. "We'll figure out how to get out of here."
"She's right," Chris added, his tone filled with encouragement. "Just because we don't know where we are doesn't mean we won't find a way back home to Sandy Shores. So try not to worry too much, okay?"
"Okay," Emily replied, her voice muffled as she wiped her tears, the light of her usual cheerfulness flickering back to life. "So… how do we get the boat back in the water?"
"Good question," Chris admitted, a hint of determination creeping into his voice. "But if we explore this place, we might stumble upon something to help us get the charter boat back into the sea."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Emily cheered, her spirit rekindled. "Let's head out and find a lift thingy!"
As they prepared to set off, Chris, Kate, and Emily noticed the vast, tangled cedar swamp stretching endlessly beyond the cove—a sea of dark green and earthy browns, the trees reaching out like skeletal arms against the sky.
"I hope we can get out of here in one piece," Kate whispered to Chris, anxiety threading through her words.
"Me too," Chris replied quietly, his eyes scanning the dense, shadowy underbrush. "Me too."
With their options limited but their resolve strong, the three friends plunged into the swamp, their hearts pounding with both fear and determination. They were determined to find a way to uncover their surroundings and, hopefully, continue their search for Amanda Anderson.