I chase him down the steps along the cliffside to the boardwalk, laughing like a crazy girl at his white skin practically glowing against the dark smudges of trees. A few seconds later, a splash echoes through the air, followed by a string of curse words. My stomach knots. The end of the dock leers at me, and my legs tense, but Marcus chants from the water. “Faster, Mei! Don’t stop. Get in this water NOW! HUSTLE, MILLER!”

I squeal, plunging into icy water. Fear about what’s beneath me shoots me to the surface, and I burst out of lapping waves, gasping and shrieking. “So—cold!” I yell through clenched teeth.

Marcus whoops, swimming toward me, and pulls me against him as we tread water, sputtering and laughing. Moonlight shimmers around us like we’re in a spotlight, just two silhouettes in a very, very dark ocean