Hello guys, I hope that you are all doing great and happy. It is your very own Faran Nabeel, back again with another thrilling adventure which has heavy suspense. Fiction gives us the chance to escape, to feel the rush of danger, and the mystery of the unknown, and the beauty of bravery as all from the comfort of our imagination. Today, I bring you the tale filled with secrets, and sacrifice. Be ready to journey to strange island where the waves whisper and the truth hides beneath the surface..

Morning on the Island

The sun rise slowly over the beach, painting the sky with soft hues of gold. Waves lapping gently at the shore, a stark contrast into the chaos that had struck just few hours before. Around a small, flicker fire, ten crew members gathered—men and women both who had once built ships, and repaired engines with steady hands. Now, those same hands trembled with uncertainty.

^{Source: After Loosing the Leader}

Their ship, The Hope, Once a strong and a reliable, the ship now lay separately buried in the wet sand, like the promise that had been broken at that time. Its body was damaged, the sail was ripped, and the mast leaned to one side. Pieces from the storm were spread all across the beach, and the broken boxes, twisted ropes, the shiny tools partly covered in sand.

But the greatest loss was not the ship. It was Captain Leila Marwan who was fierce, brilliant, and unshakable—gone without the trace in the middle of the night. No cries for help at that moment, no struggle, only silence everywhere. All that remained of her was only her broken compass, which was lying beside the dinghy like a clue no one could understand. The crew exchange glances heavy with fear and confusion. Something was wrong on this island, unnaturally wrong.

---

The Search Begins

Lieutenant Rafiq, who was oldest friend of Leila and second-in-command, spotting one muddy footprint leading toward the jungle.

“She cannot be far,” he said, studying all prints.

They spread among the palm trees, but they could not found other tracks—only one which was the soft glow of strange lichen on the rocks.

---

A Dead Radio

^{Source: A Dead radio}

By through the midday, their radio—built from the ship broken parts—gave one last sound and went silent. Lightning still found in the sky. Nurse Aisha gently dabbed a cool cloth on Rafique's clammy forehead:

“Rest or you will collapse.”
“I can’t,” he replied back. “Captain Leila can never leave us on purpose.”

---

Inside the Cavern

That evening, the crew found a hidden cave mouth carved by waves. Inside this, glowing and shinning veins ran along the walls. Deep inside, A hunting chant spoken in a language none could understand. Their torch revealed Leila's face, kneeling before the stone altar and the glowing green pool.

“Captain!” Rafiq shout him as he rushed forward.

Leila looked up, during this her eyes shining.

“It is calling me,” she whispered.
“Something waits beneath the waves.”

---

The Strange Entity

^{Source: The Strange Entity}

Soft ribbons of light climbed from the pool toward Leila. Rafiq stepped closer.

“Please!! Come back to us,” he begged her.
Tears covers down her cheeks.
“If I break this seal, this island will drown quickly—and you with it.”

Suddenly, a big wave burst into the cave. The water swirled around altar like the living creature. Rafiq's hand went to his knife, but Leila held a hand gently. She closed her eyes and attracted in the same strange language. With each word, the light recoil and the water remain calmed. The altar suddenly cracked, and at last the cavern fell silent.

---

After the Storm

When the wind died away, Leila lay onto the sand, soaked and exhausted. Her eyes were now the deep, and ocean-blue. Rafiq gave help her to her feet:

“Finally, You saved us all. What happened there?”
Leila shook her head.
“Some things cannot be explained. Just need to know that some doors must stay closed.”

Behind them, The Hope glided back into the view, as if by magic. The crew carried their captain back to ship, unite her sacrifice and the secret she would never share.

---

Tomorrow, they would set sail for home.

Invite to participate

I challenge @suboohi, @sualeha, @ulfatulrahmah, @sdutaskitchen, @chant, @seh-rish, @josepha and @wilmer1988 to join this week's Steemit Fiction contest and let your imaginations set sail!

Regards,
Faran Nabeel
Discord : Faran Nabeel #8111