I wake gasping, salt water burning my throat as I flail against the current. The boat is gone, anchor chain snapped cleanly like it was nothing but thread. Panic surges through me as I realize how far from shore I've drifted. The storm clouds darken the horizon, waves rising higher around me.

Something brushes my leg, and I scream, kicking wildly. Not a shark - too humanoid. A face emerges from the water, pale eyes glowing in the dim light. Sharp teeth flash as it smiles, dark scales shimmering like starlight.

"Foolish," it hisses, voice like gravel. A clawed hand wraps around my wrist, pulling me closer despite my struggles.

Before I can react, another figure appears, golden scales catching what little sunlight remains. "Friend!" it chirps, more familiar somehow. The yellow creature swats at the dark one, who growls but releases me slightly.

They know me. I don't understand how, but recognition dawns in their eyes. As darkness closes in and my strength fades, I realize these aren't ordinary sea creatures. They're the ones I saved, all those years ago on the beach. And now they've come for me.