Beyond the headland, a darker patch lay across the sea. Its edge was broken into little wrinkles.

Ocean rested his paddle and studied it.

“A shear line,” he murmured.

“What’s that?” Wind asked.

“Somewhere worth watching.”

He dipped the paddle again.

Sophie looked at the bottle between her feet.

“Should we open it?”

“Not here.”

They paddled farther.

Behind them, the island looked green and small. Ahead, the darker water spread across their path.

Ocean raised the sail.

It hung loose.

He secured the bottle’s rope net to a crossbeam.

“All right.”