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With a loud blast, a ship’s horn lets out a piercing bwaah…bwaah, and the low rumble in the water catches my attention for a brief second. This isn’t the first time my mind has tricked me into thinking I was being rescued, so I sink back into myself. My eyes are almost entirely closed, and my skin feels like it’s peeling off from the cold windburn and the dried saltwater. My body is so weak that I don't have the strength to lift my head and look around. Moments later, I feel icy cold water splashing on my legs, and the sound of a man yelling in my ear jolts me awake.
“Hello, can you hear me?”
I struggle to open my eyes; the sunlight is blinding. After my eyes adjust, I see a man in a jumpsuit and safety gear leaning over me. I'm shocked by the sight, and my dry throat burns as I gasp. My ears are ringing, and I feel like I'm underwater for a moment.
The man shouts again, “Can you hear me?"
Realizing this isn't a dream, I croak out, “Are you real?”
The man touches my arm and answers, “Sure am. My name is Brandon. I’m with the US Coast Guard. You're safe now. We’ve got a helicopter on the way to take you to a hospital.”
I'm still in shock, so I just stare at him blankly. The man grabs my shoulder, and I flinch. He speaks softly, “Everything's going to be okay. Can you tell me your name?”
I’m still too stunned to speak.
He tries again, “Do you have someone we can call?”
This time, I managed to get the words out.
“No, I don’t have anyone left. They’re all dead.”
ONE WEEK LATER
Beep. Beep. Beep. The sound of a monitor wakes me. My entire body hurts, and my eyes sting. Looking down, I see an IV sticking out of my arm — I'm in a hospital room.
“Hi there,” a voice calls out. I look up to see a man in a police uniform standing beside me. “Can you hear me?” His voice booms in my ears. My entire body is aching.
“Yes.” My voice is hoarse, and my throat is killing me. “Can I have some water?” I ask softly.
“Back away from my patient, officer,” commands a tall woman in a white lab coat, approaching me quickly. “Welcome back. You’ve been through quite a lot, haven't you?” I stare blankly for a second and all I can think about is how badly I need a glass of water.
“Water, please?” I beg, looking around for anything with a date on it.
The woman brings a cup with a straw up to my mouth and cautions me to take small sips. When she pulls away, I ask what day it is.
“My name is Dr. Jackson. I’ve been taking care of you. It’s March 17, 2014. You were found freezing in a raft in the ocean.”
“That's why we're here, ma'am,” the officer interjects. “Could you answer a few questions for us?” He has a belly that seems to be in a fight with his buttons to keep his shirt closed.
“Can this wait, officer? She just woke up from an extremely traumatic event and I need to run some tests,” says Dr. Jackson.
“I'm sorry, but it can’t. This is an ongoing investigation involving a large number of deaths and missing persons. We need to ask your patient some questions,” says the officer.
Dr. Jackson huffs, rolling her eyes. “Fine, but please make it quick.”
“I’m Officer Phillips, and this is my partner, Officer Cade. We have a few questions for you, if you’re up to it?”
“Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath.
“Can you start off by telling us your name?” asks Officer Phillips.
“Julie. It’s Julie Parrish,” I say.
“Parrish? As in the cruise line?” asks the officer, standing up straight and adjusting his belt.
“Yes,” I say.
I watch as Officer Phillips glances at Officer Cade and lifts his eyebrows, then Officer Cade inclines his head at him.
