The Return of Atlantis

Chapter 3 - The Storm

Hearing the soft, long groaning of boredom and exhaustion from June, Matthew gulped as he peered into the horizons beyond the coastal line. He forgot how it was like to feel the breeze, brushing his hair back, the fresh smell filling the air as he took a deep breath. The next moment he found himself miles away from the equal rows of piers, all he saw now was water; high above water.

The ship moved at a moderate speed as he ambled over to the other side of the ship to settle down next to June, who was resting her head on her hand, frowning into the distance.

"You forgot what it's like," Matthew began. June didn't answer. He continued, "I also forgot what it's like to be out here. In the breeze, watching the sun peaceful set down to the horizon."

Hearing the last few words June looked up, she looked from Matthew then to the sun, which was getting ready to make its way down to the horizon as Matthew had said. 

"Being out in the seas is way more fun than to hang around in the city." Matthew said as he peeled his eyes away from the sea back to the faint shape of the houses and shops of Wales. June sighed, Matthew turned his head to look at her, but the cool, chill breeze was messing her hair, blocking her face, so he was unable to see her expressions. He looked at the sun.

"When we find Atlantis, we'll get the evidence and prove the world that Atlantis is real."

"Matthew," June began, "Atlantis is The Lost City. It's unidentified, how would you even know whether your opinion is true? How are you going to prove the world wrong?"

"That's the problem." Matthew replied coldly. "But we'll find out—"

The water streamed peacefully, bringing the ship towards the unknown. The remaining people of Matthew's father's crewmen who survived were walking around, making sure that everything was in order.

"— eventually."

As the boat continued its way in a straight line, the sky was a shade of pink, the clouds were blending into orange as the sun slowly vanished from sight, and the next moment the sky was massed with shimmering stars as the moon rose up as the obvious source. June and Matthew were sitting down by the side of the ship as less men on the ship disappeared through the door that led into the deck. Only a five to ten men were still outside, probably enjoying their last minute moment before they head inside to rest. June and Matthew were seeming like their moment could last all night. But Matthew was starting to have trouble keeping his eyes open. 

"Should we get some rest?' June said, studying the exhausted look on Matthew's face. He had been helping all day, carrying heavy stuff here and there, loading them to where they are supposed to be, he even helped climb down to check the engine at the back of the ship. 

"No... I need to make sure—"

Matthew's head lolled sideways, but he immediately kept it straight.

"— that no storms..."

He was already on his way to dreaming.

"... approach us."

And he was asleep. June let him lean against her as she struggled to the other side of the ship into the deck. Most of the men were already snoozing. June slowly let Matthew slide out of her arms onto the little bed. Matthew knew what was happening, but he kept his eyes closed and pretended to be asleep. June stared at his face. She wished he would just show his eyes— his dazzling eyes. 

The waves brought the ship up and down wildly as the translucent clouds started to form a shade of grey. The ship rocked as it startled the men, waking them up. Matthew and June were sleeping at the corner when a wave collided against the ship. Matthew woke with a start, his heart pounding, probably more alert than he was, for his breathing was rapid. He crawled over to June, who was surprisingly still snoozing comfortably.

"June," he whispered desperately, "June wake up! It's a storm!"

Matthew glanced through one of the rounded windows of the deck and then back at June, who was just starting to open her eyes.

"June!" he raised his voice. A soft moan escaped her mouth.

"What is it?" she yawned.

"It's a storm, June, we need to get out of here now!"

The men were already outside dealing with the sails. Matthew and June hurried outside, bursting through the door. They looked at their surroundings. Memories rushed into Matthew. He looked from the panicking men to the grey, thundering clouds that could smash the ship into pieces at any moment with a single lightning bolt. The moment he found himself right before the clouds. Matthew knew just what to do. But it would be too risky for the men.

"What other choice do I have?" he muttered as he rushed into the steering room. The man at the steering wheel turned to Matthew.

"Alexander, listen to me. Do you trust me? ( Alexander nodded ) Good. Go straight into the storm, it's the only way to get us straight into Atlantis."

"Are you mad?!" Alexander bursted out right before Matthew could say another word. "I take back what I said, Leverton. That cloud will smash us to pieces!"

"Exactly what I thought, now do it!" Matthew said a firm way, and it was such an un-Matthew-like way that Alexander immediately sprang into action. The waves were now making the ship spiral around into the storm. Alexander tried to keep it straight and succeeded, but the ship was pushed upwards, looking as though it just did a backflip. June was at the front of the boat, helping the men heave the loads onto the higher parts of the ship. She spun around to see Matthew just exiting the ship. Yes, the other men looked terribly panicked, but Matthew looked as though he had just confirmed that something bad was going to happen.

"Matthew!" June ran up to Matthew. Matthew looked at June, his eyes showed it all. 

They stood there for quite a moment when a huge a lightning bolt startled everyone of the ship. Matthew braced himself for the storm.

"Sir!" Alexander yelled. "There's a wave about 50 feet tall!" 

As the familiar words hit him, Matthew's heart started to pound faster than ever. His breathing started to catch up with the rate of his heartbeat. The wave hit the ship and Matthew saw him.

The man who guided him to come this far, standing right in front of him.

"Dad?" he whispered before his eyes closed to complete pitch black.