They all float in the water.

Despite the mandatory knee-high socks the café requires, Ivy's feet are freezing. She lifts a hand, growing pale, into the water and gently caresses it. Ivy wonders why her sheets have grown so cold, and why the ceiling above her seems to shimmer.

Next to her, Alvaro claws at the water. His screams are muffled by the water around him. His feet, not used to swimming, brush through the water as he tries to pull himself up to the surface. It doesn't occur to Alvaro that he isn't sure which way is up or down.

Tim is petrified. His body is frozen, arms pinned against his side. He feels like wet laundry, left out to dry on a clothing line. The only difference is that the wind is the current and it's pulling him under.

Unlike Tim, Mickey is calm. He continues to walk, even though there is no ground beneath him because he is sure that his brain has officially cracked into two pieces. One which knows that his surroundings are a lie, and one which tricks him into falling for the ocean's cool embrace. When water enters his mouth, his eyes widen.

Adwin blinks his eyes open but closes them at the sting of salt. A cough threatens the back of his throat. He can feel his life ticking down like a clock. So, he reaches down to untie his heavy shoes. The lighter he is, the more likely he is to move upwards.

Against her immaculate lips, Flo receives the ocean's kiss. Her hair floats around her, as does her fur shawl. She grabs it in the water and wraps it around her exposed arms to keep her warm. Her head pounds in rhythm with the waves crashing above her.

Clara feels herself falling in the water. Her dress is heavy, and it waves her down. She stares at the ocean surrounding her, from every single angle. The water is murky, but the bluest colour she has ever seen. As she feels herself begin to sink, her feet flutter beneath her and propel her upwards.

Loosening his necktie, Maverick keeps his jaw clamped shut. His legs dangle beneath him, wading loosely. He knows he hasn't got much time, but he feels a sense of calm washing over him anyway. The muscles in his arm loosen, and he gives himself one second to breathe. Only he chokes.

Bev knows that she has no hope. Her dress is restrictive, nearly as dastardly as her petticoat and corset hidden beneath. Rather than try to escape it, she paddles in search of the bottom of the peer from which she came. Only, the world above her has changed.

The ocean lets Hubert see the others. He blinks in the water, catching a glimpse of the others with him, all having plunged down to the depths with him. In the brief second before he recognizes them (not for who they are, but for who they ought to be), Hubert prays that God will bring them all to salvation, rather than let the water take them.

The ocean releases them, and so they burst to the surface.

~~~~~

Hey guys! The first official chapter is to be released next (probably within a week). If the last few people who have only completed half of the relationships could finish them, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!