I Chose the Sea Over Them

Silence fell the moment I pushed the door open.

Katelyn Schiff instinctively stepped behind Sean Copley, twisting her sleeve between her fingers until her knuckles turned white.

My gaze shifted to the papers on the table. Four withdrawal forms lay there, each signed a month ago.

Sean gathered them up and spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

“What’s done is done. We can’t leave Katelyn here alone just for your sake. We’ll apply for the next round within six months at the latest, then come join you.”

The others quickly chimed in.

“Exactly. When have we ever really abandoned you?”

“Just go ahead and secure your place. It’s not like you’re moving there permanently.”

I watched them close ranks around Katelyn, my throat tightening.

Katelyn bit her lip and looked at me timidly.

“Please don’t be mad, Cora. I never wanted them to give up their spots…”

Her eyes had already reddened, and her breathing quickened as though she were about to have an anxiety attack.

Sean slipped an arm around her shoulders and murmured reassuringly, “Take it easy. Breathe slowly. This has nothing to do with you.”

He turned to me, impatience creeping into his voice.

“Cora, look how terrified Katelyn is. If you have a problem, take it up with me. Leave her out of it.”

Joel Hepburn stepped over to join them, folding his arms across his chest.

“See? I told you Cora was sensible enough not to make a scene. Right?”

Isaac Cheever backed him up.

“Katelyn has always been in poor health. You could at least cut her some slack.”

Though Mitchell Gundry said nothing, he sided with Katelyn.

Of the five of us, four rallied around Katelyn, leaving me alone in the doorway like an outsider who had wandered uninvited into someone else’s family gathering.

I took a deep breath and placed the envelope on the table.

“The boarding passes are inside. Do whatever you want with yours.”

As I turned away, tears finally spilled down my cheeks.

I did not bother wiping them away. With my head bowed, I hurried out of the lounge.

Only after I left the research building and the cold wind brushed against my damp cheeks did I realize I had been trembling the whole time.

Just then, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Rowan Estabrook, the dean.

“Cora, the National Deep-Sea Research Institute is still holding a place for you in its joint research training program. It lasts eight years. You’ll spend the first three stationed at an overseas base, then join research vessels on their missions.

“Once you sign the agreement, your itinerary, communications, and whereabouts will all be subject to strict confidentiality requirements.”

I glanced back at the brightly lit lounge. It had once held the person I loved most and the friends I thought I would never lose.

But they were probably busy comforting Katelyn right then.

“Mr. Estabrook, I’ve decided to accept.”

Since they had tricked me into leaving alone, I would go even farther away, somewhere they could never find me.