[WLW] An ambitious scientist won't let anything get in the way of her dreams--not even death. ⚓︎ When Malia set out to sea, she expected to make a life-changing discovery; instead, she received a life-ending doom. But death isn't her end, and she's granted another chance by the very ocean that she died in. That's according to Beatrice, a thousand-year-old water spirit that shows her the ways of their kind. After all, Malia isn't the first to be reborn, and countless souls lost at sea still live underwater, tasked with saving mortals from the same fate. It's a tough job, but if Malia does it right, she can win back her life on land. However, vengeful souls lurk in the waters, determined to destroy the mortals above them. These ghouls were the ones that killed Malia, but if she wants to return to the surface, she'll have to face them in a fight for her mortal life or eternal death. ⚓︎ SURVIVAL KIT ✓ Sapphic romance ✓ Magical "mermaids" ✓ Underwater adventures ✓ Science (specifically physics) FEATURED: ★ For AAPI Heritage Month and Pride Month ★ @FreeTheLGBT Pride Awards 2024 Grand Winner ★ @TheAmbys 2025 Grand Favorite ★ @Fantasy, @adventure ★ Former Amb profiles @talesofthedeep, @CitifiedFantasy, @ReshapeIt, @mythandlegend, @QuickFantasy, @YAFantasy, @The_Reading_Room ★ @AstaniaCommunity, @PrideReads ONC 2023 ENTRY Word Count: +33k Genres: Fantasy/Low Fantasy, Adventure, Romance Written: 05 FEB 2023 - 24 FEB 2023 Narrative: Third Person Limited, Past Tense ★ Cover and graphics made by the amazing @MoranaInDesign! ★ This story is only available on Wattpad by @laurendoubleu.

A stranger to her own existence, Kayla moves to a small town with the hope of finding comfort in a fresh start. But as she steps inside the unfamiliar classroom on the first day, standing in front of the class is a mysteriously familiar face, one that rouses memories of a time she believed had gone by. With past baggage catching up in the most intrusive ways, she stumbles upon unexpected comfort of friendship, unconditional love of found family, and a beautiful yet complicated bond between two hesitant souls. "This book was like a warm hug, and I might believe in love again." "I would give everything, especially my soul, to have the opportunity to read this book for the first time again." ────── CW: Substance abuse, harsh language, sexual content, mention of self-harm and suicide. ────── Started in January 2018. Re-published in November 2022. First draft finished in April 2023. ────── Copyright 2018 © Renee Steinberg All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced, copied, translated, or republished in any form without the author's permission, except for brief quotations or reviews with proper credit.