Oh, how the motives have turned

Life has a way of turning the tables, but I never expected this table to turn on me. My carefully planned payback was uncovered, a shocking twist especially considering the target. Upon receiving a message in the old university group chat, a new opportunity presented itself. I, Brooke Jacobs, am now determined to seek justice for my cousin, Faris, and I will not rest until it's achieved. Apart from overcoming my fear of water, my plan to expose Dalton Daniel's evil nature was less troublesome than expected. Committing a crime has never been my interest, but framing someone for something is my only resort. With my items and dedication, I head to my residence for the next 10 hours or so. Luckily, this reunion is also a birthday celebration, so no cost is spent on this break. Driving with Sandra makes the dusk and mission even calmer. If I informed her of my mission, she may discourage me or be deemed an accomplice, so we catch up on the way to the boat. I have never been on a boat for more reasons besides my fear of water, but I see the appeal of a catamaran. It's an interesting shape but gigantic enough for the twenty of us hoping to sail across Tampa waters. Water is an extraordinary force - both powerful and fragile, turbulent and serene. As Sandra expressed her thoughts while we boarded, I found myself lost in contemplation. Her grasp on my hand brought me back to the present, and her smile, which was simultaneously encouraging and teasing, added to her remark, "You do know that water can sense fear, right?" Her comment reassured me while reminding me of the different encouragement tactics she used during our high school swimming classes. "Thanks, but I slathered on extra sunscreen to throw off its senses. I can't believe I didn't catch the scent before I sprayed it.", I tell her. Her curiosity leads me to explain I bought it a while ago due to my faith in it from a review. Though the initial spray gave me pause, I persisted by layering on more perfume to mask the fragrance of an acquired taste. 

With the information Sandra received, we laughed all the way to our assigned cabin, but that bliss of observation and laughter was interrupted by the appearance of Demon Spawn Dalton. As resentment overwhelmed me, I quickly recovered to avoid ruining the moment with my best friend. Seeing him revived my motivation, and the plan was set in motion. Seeing him reminded me of the reason I was doing it in the first place. His vindictive nature sent my cousin to an accident and ruined his professional career and walking ability. As athletes and football teammates, I know that the value of the body is immeasurable, hence the panic of the accident, which was closely located between Dalton, Faris, and the floor. Like an older brother, my cousin supported me verbally and physically. As an anemic human, his blood match and regular supply assisted my long-drawn spell before recovery. Seeing him fallen and in tears broke something in me, filling me with only vengeance as Dalton acts unaware of the situation. While it could be mistaken for a misunderstanding, his intentions were revealed to me during an overheard phone call on my way back to my dorm. My plan is simple yet effective. As everyone knows of my water anxiety, hence their shock when I accepted the invite. Using this fear is tricky and risky, but it is worth it, knowing my best friend and our associates would be on board. Another falling incident in his close proximity would seem less of a coincidence, stirring questioning of the precious incident years ago. 

Dalton's ill comments would contradict the warm comments I would use to strike up a conversation with him. To prevent the obvious awkwardness, I planned to speak to everyone at the welcoming cocktail party and pace my words to him over several hours. Sandra and I prepare to reunite with everyone after choosing our drinks and appetizers. Talking with everyone was more pleasant than expected, and it lessened my guard as the evening went on. The beauty of the sky, water, music, and joyful discussions calm the storm in my heart for a while before I hear the voice of the one man I should have kept my eye on. He joined me at the edge of the boat closest to the water to increase my confidence of falling in despite the advantage of the sped-up process; this awakened all my senses. He asks, "How's Faris doing?" This man's audacity and statement anger me, but I steel myself to respond with as much kindness as I can cough up without any issues. Something irks me the moment he laughs, and all my suspicions are validated. He brought up my change in behaviour from tolerance to hostility after the accident and asked why. He adds that he knew someone heard him on the phone after the accident but wondered why I never spoke up. My lack of evidence and hope of mishearing clouded my judgment while I focused on my distraught cousin. Dalton tilts to each side before saying he felt something was odd, but he will help me get justice. Without hesitation, a second later, he 'mistakenly' dives in with his back to the water and a smile to my face. This selfish jackass. Ha, he's smarter than I thought. See you soon, Dalton.