Jack moved first. Slow. Careful steps across the deck. Eyes scanning everything. “Deck’s clear,” he said quietly. Andrew checked behind them. Nothing. No one hiding. No one injured. Just empty space. The cabin door stood ahead. Closed. Jack stopped in front of it. His hand hovered over the handle. He glanced back.
“…You ready?” Andrew nodded once. Jack pulled it open. The door creaked. Both of them leaned in— and froze. Empty. Completely empty. The wheel shifted slightly with the motion of the boat. The radio crackled with music. A pair of sunglasses sat on the dash. Untouched. Andrew stepped inside, checking every corner.
“No one here.” Jack checked again anyway. Behind seats. Storage. Floor. Nothing. He straightened slowly. “…There’s no one on this boat.” Andrew’s eyes moved to the passenger seat. A wallet. And beside it— a life jacket. Still neatly folded. He exhaled slowly. The realization hit hard.
“He didn’t leave this boat…” Jack looked at him. Andrew met his eyes. “…he fell off.”