In "Whispers of a Drowning City," Anukriti, a determined young woman, navigates the oppressive atmosphere of a city submerged in relentless monsoon rains. As she heads to her coaching center, preparing for a crucial exam that could change her family's future, she notices the streets flooding more quickly than usual and senses a growing unease. Despite her own apprehensions and warnings from her friend Richa, Anukriti convinces herself to stay focused on her studies, hoping the storm will pass.
Memories of her parents weigh heavily on her mind-her father's sacrifices to pay for her education and her late mother's advice about the unpredictable nature of water. As the storm intensifies, the coaching center's basement grows darker, and a sense of dread fills the air. When Richa urges her to leave, Anukriti hesitates, but the reality of their situation becomes undeniable when she sees the streets outside have turned into raging rivers.
Before they can escape, a torrent of water bursts into the basement, overwhelming them in seconds. In her final moments, Anukriti thinks of her father, feeling regret for not fulfilling her dreams and his expectations. The story ends abruptly, emphasizing the unpredictable and devastating power of nature, leaving Anukriti's aspirations drowned along with the city she called home.
Geoff and Naomi are dead, and they're depressed, but when Geoff's cat Bernie dies as well, they embark on a wild journey to find it in the underworld.
*****
When Geoff dies, alongside his girlfriend Naomi, they end up sharing an apartment in the Underworld as skeletons. But after a few years, Geoff starts suffering a mid-death crisis. What's the purpose of going through the motions as a skeleton if you can't really live? Then he gets word that his cat, Bernie, just died and he can collect him and bring him home! Geoff and Naomi hurry to get Bernie only to discover that, due to a clerical error, their cat has been lost. With the hunt for Bernie giving new purpose to Geoff's un-life, he and Naomi begin a quest to get back their cat. Battling skeleton pirates, climbing the sky ladder and facing off against the villain who took Bernie, Geoff is determined to find his purpose - or die a second time trying!
[[2018 Wattys Winner - The Originals]]
[[word count: 30,000-40,000 words]]