The Whiskers and the Water

Zlata tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear as she knelt by Azure Lagoon's edge. The water sparkled like scattered diamonds in the afternoon sun.

"Popsicle, come back!" she called to her dark grey cat, who had wandered toward the thick jungle plants.

Popsicle's yellow eyes gleamed as he pounced at a colorful butterfly. His paws slipped on the wet rocks, and he tumbled backward with a surprised meow.

Zlata giggled. "You silly cat."

The lagoon's surface suddenly rippled without any breeze. Fish darted in frantic circles below. Zlata frowned, watching the strange movement.

"That's weird," she whispered.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, though moments before the sky had been clear blue.

Voices in the Storm

Thunder rumbled as the first raindrops splashed into Azure Lagoon. Zlata grabbed Popsicle and hurried toward a cluster of tall palm trees for shelter.

"We should head home," she said, but stopped when she heard a faint voice calling from the water.

"Help! Someone help me!"

Zlata peered through the rain and gasped. A girl with short dark hair was struggling in the choppy waves near the center of the lagoon.

"I'm coming!" Zlata shouted back.

But as she stepped toward the water's edge, a massive wave crashed against the rocks, soaking her completely. The storm was getting worse by the minute, and the lagoon's calm surface had turned into angry, swirling waters.