The following day dawned, casting an eerie light upon the grim gathering. Old man Carl stood resolutely on the shore of the sea, his face devoid of any trace of a smile. His stern expression and commanding voice cut through the air as he explained the rules of the game to Ashley and her group, who faced the submarines assigned to each of them.

An intense tension settled upon the shore, amplified by Xander's frequent glances in Ashley's direction. She stood a mere inches away from him, next to Jake, while Carl loomed behind them all.

"Each of you knows exactly why you're here, you bunch of assholes," Carl began,...