Chapter 1

Our research team set out for the Sunstone Desert, known as the Sea of Death.

While crouching down to measure the sand temperature, the ground beneath my feet gave way.

I sank into quicksand. Struggling only made me sink deeper.

When I realized what was happening, I immediately shouted to my boyfriend, Ethan:

"Quick! Throw me the rescue rope!"

Ethan stood on the sand slope but turned to look at our junior teammate, Aria.

"What's she saying? I didn't hear her."

Aria raised her hand to brush back her hair. She moved closer to him, whining coquettishly:

"Ethan, look at my face—did I get any darker from the sun?"

By now I'd sunk up to my chest. Breathing was becoming difficult.

Ethan stared at her face, examining it carefully.

"No, you're not darker. Actually, you look even more fair."

He glanced back at me and said to Aria with a smile:

"Look at Quinn, still over there playing in the sand."

Aria followed his gaze toward me.

"Ethan, she's being so reckless. She needs to be careful or she'll really sink in."