The waterway set him down, at last, on a tiny island. Just a green rock, really — but a living one. Flowers everywhere, wild and bright. Wild pineapple plants. Scarlet ʻiʻiwi birds sipping at the blossoms, their curved bills dipping deep. Coconuts leaning overhead. Bugs and even bees busily collecting nectar. And little birds fussing in the leaves.

It felt, somehow, like people had been here. Like the island belonged to someone — someone who was away, but might come back.

Then he looked at the water.

All around the island, the sea flickered silver. Fins, slicing slow circles.

Shortfin Mako Sharks. The fastest sharks in the whole ocean.

And every single one was hungry.