Heart Of Atlantis

Trapped in the grips of an relentless sea, David struggled to keep himself above water has massive waves dashed upon him.

 The sky was pitched black, thunder rumbled as the wind roared causing rain to blur his vision. So desperately he searched for any sign of life through the chao, for someone dear.

 Elina he shouted his voice was raw with panic and fear, but the storm swallowed his cries. but then through the sheets of rain, he cut a glimpse of someone, a small figure in a life boat tossed merciless by the unforgiving sea. Elina clung to the side of the boat her face covered with fear. 

 with all his strength, he battled through the relentless water trying to reach her, but the sea was stubborn pulling h bim down into the cold dark water.

 his heart raced with the terror of losing her forever, just has huge quickly stretched forth his hands to grasps hers, the sea opened up beneath her swallowing the life boat and Elina into into the depths.

 David jolted awake, he held his chest has he gasps for air, he could the sound of his heart racing, Sweat covered his skin, the nightmare had felt all too real. For a moment, he lay in bed, confused and disoriented, before slowly realizing he was safe at home. But the fear from the dream still lingered in his mind, echoing the worries that troubled him even when awake.

 Before he could fully shake off the nightmare, the door burst open, and Elina leapt onto his bed, nearly startling him out of his skin. "Happy birthday, Dad!" she exclaimed, her voice bursting with innocent joy, completely unaware of the fear that had just gripped him.

 "Ahhh, thank you, my little pumpkin," he managed to say, pulling her into a tight hug. "But maybe take it easy with the jumping next time; you don't want to hurt your heart," he added with a playful wink, trying to steady the emotions swirling inside him.

 "Did I scare you, Dad?" Elina asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

 "You sure did a good job, pumpkin," he replied, as they both burst into laughter.

 Elina had been suffering from a heart condition called Atrial Septal Defect, since the day she was born. The same condition had taken her mother when Elina was just two, leaving David to raise her alone. Over the years, her condition had worsened, and now she was in desperate need of a heart transplant, a need far beyond David's financial reach. As a news writer for The New York Times in the mid-nineties, his income was modest at best, and the weight of his daughter's health was a burden he couldn't just bear

 Dad, when are we going for ice cream as you promised, considering today is your birthday?" Elina asked, her eager eyes cutting through his heavy thoughts.

 David smiled warmly, trying to push aside the weight of his worries for a moment. "Okay, we'll go for ice cream today, but that'll be after school. So quickly get dressed; you don't want to miss the bus."

 "Okay, Dad! But we'll go to that big ice cream shop at Times Square, right?"

 David chuckled, nodding. "Yes my dear, anywhere you want to go."

 Few hours later, at New York Times, David sat at his typewriter, lost in his work, the clatter of keys a temporary escape from his worries. But his focus was shattered when a familiar voice broke through.

 "David! David!" James hurried toward him, his face flushed with urgency, several articles slipping from his grasp.

 David looked up, confused. What's going on, James? he asked 

 I think the rumors are true, James whispered, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening.

 David leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. What rumors?he asked, his eyes narrowed on James trying to read the expression on his face.

 James handed him a crumpled article, The lost city, the one we've been researching on for a while now.

 David raised an eyebrow, a mix of skepticism and mild amusement playing on his face. Oh James don't tell me you're still hung up in this scam fantasy. 

 But James's expression was deadly serious. "It's real, David. And there's proof."

 David's curiosity got the better of him. "what Proof? From where?"

 James leaned in, his excitement barely contained. "This came in last week. A man named Thomas Edul was found washed ashore, drenched and terrified. He claimed he saw something out there."

 David's interest was piqued. "What did he saw?" he asked, his tone more intrigued now.

 James lowered his voice even more, as if the walls themselves might overhear. "A beast that's said to have ruled the waters centuries ago. The 'Teriane,' guardian of Poseidon's wealth."

 David's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're telling me he saw the Teriane? The monster that guards Atlantis?"

 James nodded vigorously. "Yes."

 David let out a short laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "James, either he was drunk, or he'd lost his mind. Stop chasing these fantasies."

 But James's eyes were alight with conviction. "David, the details match previous reports. This can't be a coincidence. Atlantis could be real."

 David sighed. "If it is, then why hasn't anyone found it?"

 James gave a sly smile, as if he'd been waiting for that question. "You know the Gregio map?"

 David nodded slowly. "The one that led nowhere?"

 James's smile widened. It wasn't really a dead end, I figured something out. You know the map says Atlantis lies beyond the wall of Hercules under Asterius's sight.

 David frowned, yeah we all know it, "Asterius sight ", which didn't clarify where Atlantis is.

 No it actually did, James said. Asterius is the god of the stars. So indirectly, the map was telling us to follow the stars beyond Hercules's walls."

 David stared at James, his skepticism returning. James, for God's sake, there are millions of stars in the sky. How do we know which one?

 James leaned in closer, his eyes locking with David's. That's why I need you, David. You're the best analyst around. If anyone can figure it out, it's you.

 David sighed deeply. I have more important things to deal with, James, than pursuing the impossible.

 Their conversation was cut short by the sudden ring of the landline on David's desk. The caller ID was unknown. David grabbed the phone, a sense of unease creeping in.

 "Hello?" David answered, his voice cautious.

 Am I speaking with David Specter? asked the voice at the other end. (was a ladies voice)

 "Yes, this is Specter. Who's calling?"

 "I'm from Nashville High School. Is Elina your daughter?"

 David's pulse quickened at the mention of his daughter Elina. "Yes, she's my daughter. Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice faltering.

 The voice remained calm but conveyed urgency. "Your daughter collapsed earlier today at school, and she is now at New York Central Health Clinic. It's critical. You should come right away."

 David shot up from his chair, hastily grabbing his bag.

 "David, what's going on? Who was that?" James asked, alarmed.

 "It's Elina. I have to go," David replied, his words rushed as he bolted out of the office...