SURVIVAL

Chap 1-How the Journey Began

Lightning took another deep breath of air filled with salt water. She smiled at the scent and soon thoughts of the upcoming vacation came into her thoughts. Just a few more hours and she would be lying on a beach with her friends and family enjoying some well-deserved relaxation time. She and her friends have been looking forward to this trip all year. Dressed in a black tank top with a black skirt and flat dress shoes to match, she was more than ready for this trip. All of her friends and family chipped in and now the time had finally come. She smiled at the thought of finally being able to spend time with her younger sister, Serah but then frowned at the fact of her sister's boyfriend, Snow being on the trip with them. The only reason she agreed to have that idiot come was because Serah started crying and Lightning hates for her sister to be unhappy.

"Mommy!" Suddenly, Lightning's 10 year old son came running from the back and into his mother's arms. "Yes, Noel, what is it?" She asked. "Dad and Uncle Caius are playing hide and seek with me! Help me find a hiding space!" Noel pleaded with his mother as he grabbed a hold of her skirt and looked at her with his puppy dog eyes. Lightning couldn't help but chuckle at her son's playful nature. "Shh." She said as she took Noel's hand and led him into her room and into her closet. She closed the closet door and soon she and her son were engulfed in darkness. Noel chuckled a bit. Lightning told her son to shush once again as she soothed her fingers through his shoulder length brown hair. Noel stood still and tried his best to stay quiet.

Moments later, heavy footsteps were heard coming into Lightning's room. Noel's breathing quickened as he tried his hardest not to laugh. Lighting sighed at her son's enthusiasm for mischief. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped at the closet and Noel let out a small snicker. Even though it was small, Lightning knew that they have been exposed. The closet door flew open to reveal a 6'2 tall man with shoulder length purple hair, broad shoulders and chest. He was dressed in a black tank top and purple shorts. "Caius." Lightning spoke with a hint of mischief in her voice and a smile on her face. "Lighting." Caius' stern voice startled Noel but Lightning stood her ground. Caius bent down to Noel's level who hid behind his mother. "You little cheater." He growled with a playful grin on his face. "Caius, I can help my son if I want to." Lightning spoke. Caius growled as he stood back up to Lightning's level. He towered over here but she was not intimidated. "I do not recall you even agreeing to play with us, so therefore your involvement is against the rules." He said as he crossed his arms and frowned. Lightning rolled her eyes. "I make my own rules." She said. Caius chuckled and said "Typical Lightning." Lighting smiled.

"I am going to find daddy!" Noel said as he ran out of the closet, leaving Lightning and Caius to their playful squabble. Lighting attempted to move out of the closet but Caius used his arm to block her way. "Excuse me." She says as she attempts to move his arm but to no avail. Caius gives her his classic arrogant smirk that she learned that she hated long ago. Blue eyes meet purple and for a second, both felt a surge of electricity through their body. Lightning ducks under Caius' arm and she walks out the room. Caius admires her figure that is clearly shown in her outfit as she walks away. He then quickly walks away and scowls himself for looking at his best friend's wife. Lightning feels Caius' eyes on her but pays no attention to it. Every once in a while she is reminded of the past but quickly learned to let it go.

Serah was listening to her IPod while dancing around her boyfriend, Snow, who was trying to focus on steering the boat. However, the more she danced and smiled at him, the harder it became to focus on steering the boat. Serah purposely caressed her soft, delicate hand against Snow's rough stubble and in addition she flashed her bright blue eyes at her fiancé. Snow smiled and took a quick glance at the love of his life. He admired her beauty that only intensified with her outfit-a white dress that stopped to her knees and heels to match. He also caught a glance at her silver engagement necklace and the earrings to match. Serah then proceeded to play with Snow's engagement necklace around his neck and then she placed a sweet kiss on his forehead. Snow quickly put the boat into auto-pilot and took Serah by the hand. She giggled as he led them to her bedroom.

"Daddy!" Noel said as he ran up to his dad and pounced on him. Michael was still looking for Noel in the kitchen. "There you are." Michael said through his laughter. He then lifted his son up in the air and up on his shoulder. Noel started chuckling and enjoying the free time with his father. Moments later, Lightning walks in. "So, this is where my favorite pair of males went to." She said with a smile as she went to join the group hug with her and her son. Even though Michael was much taller than Lightning, he enjoying running his fingers through her smooth, pink hair and hugging her small frame. Lightning closed her eyes as she rested her head on her husband's large chest and inhaled his normal scent. Noel started to play in his father's short blond hair. "Uncle Caius!" Noel exclaimed as he ran towards to entrance to greet his uncle. Lightning and Michael both rolled their eyes at how energetic their son was.

"Your wife is a cheater." Caius growled as he sat down with Noel in his lap. Michael wore a confused look and Noel took it upon himself to explain. "Mommy helped me to find a hiding space from you and Uncle Caius. That's all." He said. "But she wasn't even supposed to be in the game." Caius rebuked. Michael shrugged. "It's just hide and seek." He said with a smirk and Caius glared at him. "Thanks, dear." Lightning said as she stood up on her tippy toes and kissed him on his cheek. Caius looked away from the sight and Noel did an "ewww." Come on, Uncle Caius. Let's go try to catch some fish!" Noel said as he pulled Caius along out of the kitchen. Michael was about to walk out to but then was stopped by Lightning. "Michael, do you really think we are making the right choice? I mean," her voice trails off as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a piece of folded up white paper. It looked as if it was years old. "This could really ruin our vacation." She says in a shaking voice. "Hey, do not worry. We finally get a chance to make this right so let's take it. Everything will be ok." Michael flashes his famous smile and lightning admires the way his dark brown eyes sparkle. He then takes the paper and puts it in his pocket. "I am sorry." She says as she lowers her head. Michael lifts her up by her chin so that they were making eye contact. "Don't be. I am still here." He said as he embraces her.

Serah rests her head on Snow's bare chest as he strokes her damp pink hair with one hand and uses the other to hold her around her tiny waist. Serah raises her head to speak and says "I love you, Snow." With the most beautiful smile he has ever seen. Snow does his classic grin and says "I love you, too babe. That is why I am marrying you as soon as we get back from vacation." He said as he removes some of Serah's pink hair from her forehead and places a kiss on her forehead. "I cannot imagine life without you, Serah." Snow says with the most genuine smile and sincere eyes. "Snow…" Serah says with a smile as she gradually begins to fall asleep on his chest and with her hands tangled in his blond hair. Snow listens for any sign of trouble from the seas but nothing seems to spark his hearing. He then slowly lets his guard down and goes into a very light sleep.

Caius handed Noel a fishing rod. Noel quickly took it and plopped down near the edge of the boat. Caius chuckled at Noel's enthusiasm for fishing. Caius remembered he had the same excitement when his dad took him fishing. "Uncle Caius?" Noel spoke. Caius looked at him. "You and my dad have been friends for a long time, huh?" He asked with a glint of happiness in his eyes. Caius nodded. "So long that he made you my godfather." He said. Caius nodded again. "I wish I had a friend like that." He said with a sad smile. Caius embraced Noel. "You will, someday. It takes time and dedication. Just wait and see, Noel." Noel looked up and smiled big at Caius. The way that Caius used to smile when he was younger. Caius felt a pang in his chest but he quickly ignored it and returned the boy's smile. Noel snuggled close to Caius. He then hugged Noel tighter, pushing aside his ill thoughts.

Suddenly, an alarm went off on the boat and Snow sprint into action. When he reached the monitor, it showed enormous storm clouds moving quickly their way. He turned the auto-pilot off and tried desperately to drive them out of the storm. Serah, who was woken up by Snow's sudden outburst, followed by the rest of the crew, gathered around the monitor in horror. Rain started to fall heavily and the waves started to become fiercer. No matter when Snow turned, the storm was everywhere. A big wave was about to engulf Serah but her sister quickly pushed her out the way. The water filled Lightning's lungs and Michael had to run to her aid in the hard-to-see rain. Caius looked on, but was unable to do anything. He was tending to his scared nephew. Snow couldn't avoid the big rock perturbing from the waters. He couldn't avoid the boat sinking. He couldn't avoid himself and the crew being engulfed by waves of never-ending water.