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On the sunlit beach, Chris kneels near the shoreline, brushing wet sand from his short black hair and smiling in relief. Behind him disappearing footprints trail toward squawking gulls, while seashells lead his gaze to whispering palm trees.
Waves nudged Chris onto warm sand. He blinked, brushing short black hair. "I’m okay," he said bravely. Footprints vanished behind him as gulls sang. He followed seashells toward whispering trees.
Inside a vine-framed jungle clearing, evening light filters onto mossy stone steps where Chris kneels, brow furrowed, fingers pressing glowing sun, wave, and star symbols. The newly opened doorway behind him exhales cool mist.
Vines parted, revealing stone steps. Curious symbols glowed across ancient walls. "A puzzle!" Chris whispered, tracing swirls. He pressed sun, wave, and star shapes. A doorway opened, carrying cool air.
Within the dim hall, drifting firefly-like lights hover above rolled maps spread on an ancient table. Chris walks beside them, eyes wide and mouth open in wonder, soft moonlight slanting through arches to reveal distant courtyard doors.
Inside, tiny lights bobbed like fireflies. Chimes echoed through the hall. "Are you guiding me?" Chris asked, smiling. The lights drifted onward, illuminating maps. He followed toward a moonlit courtyard.
In a moonlit courtyard rimmed with stone arches, Chris sits cross-legged on a crate sketching the island on parchment, face focused yet hopeful. He tilts a polished shell toward the sky, reflecting starlight toward a distant ship flashing lanterns.
Under stars, Chris sketched the island. "You’re not lost anymore," he said. He mirrored moonlight with polished shell. Far off, a ship blinked back. Waves cheered as he readied signals.