After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

43. The Storm

A/N Okay so probably no end of inaccuracies with the storm but I really don't lnow much about weather, so just take it for what it is...fiction haha.

Antti held out a hand to help Lottie down from the boat. They all waded through the shallows with instructions to be back at the dock for 3 o'clock. They headed inland, following the Captain's directions to the waterfall. They hiked for an hour before they finally came across it. Lottie was amazed at how beautiful it was and took loads of photos for Seb.

They went swimming in the natural pool at the foot of it and then they had a picnic in a forest clearing. It was an amazing place to explore but Lottie's mind was never far from Seb. She hoped that he was ok. She felt really bad for leaving him alone. Hopefully he'd be better tomorrow. They hadn't made plans yet as a storm was meant to hit overnight and the forecasters were pretty vague over how long it would last.

"Lottie, come on," shouted Sophie. "Let's go explore the caves." She jumped up and chased after her friends. Today was perfect apart from the one thing. No Seb.

***

Seb had managed to drag himself out of bed around midday. He'd showered and put some clean clothes on. He felt a lot better than he had. He hadn't been sick for a couple of hours now. He sat on the sofa, flicking through the channels until he found an old comedy film.

He found himself wondering what everyone was up to. He missed Lottie already but he was glad she was having fun with their friends. He couldn't wait for her to return later. The lack of sleep was catching up on him and he felt his eyelids growing heavy. Eventually he fell asleep on the sofa.

***

It was now 2 o'clock and the group were beginning to worry. The sky had turned very dark, storm clouds were rolling in. It seemed like the forecasters had got it wrong. The storm was early.

They waited by the dock in case the boat returned earlier than planned but it was nowhere in sight. The other group of tourists had had the same idea and were also waiting.

At half past two the first drops of rain began to fall, slow at first but soon the drops grew larger and heavier. They were only dressed in shorts and tshirts and were soon soaked through.

At 2.50 the boat finally docked. The crew didn't seem worried at all so maybe they would get back in plenty of time. A loud rumble of thunder sounded, flowed by a flash of lightning. The wind was getting up too. The waves splashing up the side of the boat were getting larger all the time.

"Are you ok Lottie?" Joel asked her. She nodded but deep down she was beginning to get scared.

Another loud clap of thunder sounded overhead. There was at least another hour left before they reached dry land. Joel grabbed her hand, holding Sophie's hand with his other one. Another large wave splashed up the side of the boat. Two of the crew members seemed to be panicking but Lottie couldn't understand their language.

One of the other tourists turned and said to Antti ,"The boats taking on water." Now Lottie began to panic. She began to feel nauseous. They were stuck out here in a thunderstorm, a boat taking on water, miles from land. She knew something bad was going to happen.

The captain began to address everyone, shouting to be heard above the storm.

"We are going to head for one of the smaller islands. It will be easier than trying to make it back to Dragon Pearl."

"Can't we go back to where we came from?" asked Antti.

" There's too many rocks. We would likely be sunk with this wind. We will make it ashore and wait until the weather calms down."

"Seb's going to be frantic," Lottie cried.

"Lottie,you need to calm down sweetheart," Antti said, trying to reassure her.

Suddenly the boats engine cut out. They were adrift with no power. A huge wave came over board. The captain was trying his best to get through on the radio for help but getting no response. "I'm so sorry. We are going down," the first mate said.

Everyone started panicking. "We have some inflatable rafts but they will be no good in these conditions." Eveyone got busy trying to help the crew bail out the water. But as soon as they'd cleared some another wave would deposit more water.

"Hey look I can see something!" cried one of the other tourists. Lottie peered into the distance and saw a light heading towards them. It was the coastguard. They were saved.

The boat drew alongside them. One by one they were lifted across to the larger boat. Matt, Abby, Sophie, Joel and Laura made it across. Then three of the other group. Lottie was just about to be helped over when the largest wave yet struck and flipped the boat over. Lottie and Antti were tossed into the stormy waters along with the crew and two other tourists.

"Noooo!"screamed Sophie. The coastguard shone their search lights. They managed to fish two members of the crew out but there was no sign of anyone else. Joel began to panic. Where the hell were Antti and Lottie? He held his sobbing wife in his arms. Laura was screaming hysterically, calling Antti's name but her cries were lost in the sound of the storm. Matt and Abby collapsed on the deck sobbing. Joel went to the side and threw up. Not Lottie. Not Antti. There was no way they could have survived that. How was he going to tell Seb that his trainer and the woman he loved were gone? This was going to break his heart.

***

Antti grabbed hold of Lottie as the boat capsized. They were initially pulled under but they managed to kick themselves up to the surface. There, a wave took hold of them, dragging them away from the boat.

They tried to swim back but the current was too strong. The had no choice but to let the current take them and hope that they reached land. They held on to each other. Then Antti lost his grip on Lottie and she was pulled out of his grasp. He tried to grab her again but she was sucked underneath the water.

"Lottie!'" he spluttered, choking on the salt water he ingested. He frantically looked around for her but she had disappeared.

***

Seb was woken by the sound of the rain. It was torrential. It had gone as dark as night out there. A loud clap of thunder sounded right above the villa, the lightning illuminating the sky. He looked at his watch. Surely the boat should have been back by now. He began to worry.

He went and put his shoes on, ready to head down to the docks. He was just heading out of the door when he saw a man heading up the road. He recognised Joel.

"Thank God," he whispered. They were safe. He ran out in the rain. As he reached Joel he grabbed the man in a hug.

"Thank God you're ok. Where is everyone?"

"They're down at the hotel. The owners are giving them hot drinks and dry clothes." Seb knew something was wrong. He could sense it.

"Joel. What happened?" he asked.

"Seb. Please can we go inside?"

"Joel, what happened?" he pleased, desperate to hear, but also not wanting to hear.

" The storm hit early. We started taking on water. The coastguard turned up. We were in the middle of transferring people but then a wave flipped the boat. "

"Joel?" Seb pleaded. His face lost all its colour.

"Seb, I'm so sorry, " Joel sobbed. "Antti, Lottie, they're gone. We tried to find them but the waves, they took them. I'm so, so sorry. " Seb just stood there. He must have misheard. Not Antti, not Lottie. He started shaking from head to toe. He shook his head.

"No, you're lying. It can't be true.  Don't say that!  Please don't say that!"

"I'm so sorry Seb."  Seb staggered towards the villa. He stumbled and fell to his knees.

"Nooooo!!!" he screamed, his sobs bursting out of him. The rain carried on pouring down on him as he wept. All Joel could do was stand and watch as Seb's heart broke and his world was ripped apart.