Jack finished dressing, then grabbed my clothes and moved to help me.

"We'll go together, honey."

"Heather's parents saved my life. I can't just ignore their only daughter. So please, will you come with me? When we get back, you can yell at me, hit me, whatever you want."

I paused for a second at his words, then pushed his hands away and got dressed myself.

"Let's go."

I stormed out of the room without looking at him.

I hadn't taken more than a few steps before I felt a warm hand close around mine.

I tried to shake it off twice, but he wouldn't let go.

I shot him an exasperated glare.

"Slow down, honey," he said, his grip firm. "It's dark out."

Ignoring my anger, Jack held my hand tightly as we walked the short distance to Heather's house.

Since Heather's parents were gone, the base had been good to her, letting the orphan live in a decent-sized house by herself.

Right now, it was swarming with people.

The neighbor who first found her missing, Mrs. Lee, rushed over with a letter in her hand.

"Jack, I don't want to be a burden to everyone anymore. I'm going to be with my mom and dad."

Staring at the short note, Jack’s brow tightened.

He quickly started giving orders, sending people out in all directions to search for her.

Soon, the whole island was filled with people shouting "Heather!" with most of them concentrated along the coastline.

Worried that something terrible might have actually happened, I joined the search on the unfamiliar island, but figuring the coast was already crowded, I started checking all the nooks and crannies instead.

I didn't expect to find anything, but I did.

"Why is it you?"

"Where's Jack?"

Hearing my footsteps, Heather spun around with a hopeful look on her face, which instantly fell when she saw it was me.

Seeing her standing there on a cluster of rocks with a resentful expression, I just laughed.

"What, is a man who doesn't even have you in his heart worth risking your life over?"

Heather's face went from red to white, and she bit her lip.

"What do you know? Jack and I grew up together, and my family saved his life! If you hadn't barged in, I would be his wife!"

I scoffed at that. "Please. If he really had feelings for you, would I have even had a chance to 'barge in'? Besides, our families arranged our marriage when we were still in the womb. If we're talking about who was first, it sure as hell wasn't you!"

"So, you weren't part of the picture then, and you're not part of it now. Jack is my husband."

"But if he ever gets any funny ideas, I'm not above breaking his legs and gift-wrapping him for you. The question is, would you even be able to handle him then?"

With that, I turned to leave.

I had found her, and it was obvious she had no intention of actually dying.

This was just a classic girl-cries-wolf drama, and I had no patience for it.

But then Heather grabbed my arm, her voice a low whisper in my ear.

"Tell me," she said, "if we both fell into the ocean right now, who do you think Jack would save?"

Before I could even react, I felt a powerful force pull me into the sea.

I was completely unprepared and swallowed several mouthfuls of salty, foul-tasting water.

"Help! Jack, save me!"