It's finally over.

As I sit here typing these words out on the laptop with the ocean spray, splashing

my face, I almost can't believe it.

The last few days it felt like nothing less than one long continuous nightmare

that I could never awake from.

It's what I imagine it must be like for someone in a coma, locked in endless sleep.

But it's over. But it's over.

The nightmare.

It's over.

Before I tell you what happened, let me just say one thing to all of you reading this

all of you who did all you could to help me and give me advice. I know I've said it so many times now that I probably sound like a broken record, but I need to say one final time, thank you.

I'll never forget any of you for everything that you did for me and if I can ever return the favor.

I will.

That being said, it's time. Time to tell you what happened.

When the three of us woke up, it was still dark outside.

According to my wristwatch, it was only a little after six in the morning.

None of us had a word to each other, only exchanging nervous, but determined glances,

as we packed the things we thought we'd need into a single bag,

including all the food and water we had left.

As I shoved the final things in, Andrew came up beside me, holding out another sheet of paper in which he'd written something.

Nate, I'm so so sorry about yesterday.

I read the note and looked up at the man's somber face.

...