Alex finally came out, giving me a nod to indicate we were leaving. I hurried behind him, and we boarded our boat. I stole sidelong glances at him, trying to read his inscrutable expression, but he refused to meet my inquisitive looks - no doubt aware of the questions burning in my mind that he didn't want to address.

We hadn't gone far when the skies opened up in a furious downpour, the waters becoming dangerously choppy as powerful gusts of wind lashed the small boat. I thought I was going to die, so I began saying silent prayers, making my peace in case the worst happened. When I managed...