Winter escape
The winter chill wrapped the city in a blanket of frost, the cold air settling over the streets in a crisp layer. The world seemed to slow down, as people huddled inside their homes, seeking warmth. But for Dylan, Leo, Tarik, and Clara, the cold was only a backdrop to their long-anticipated winter escape to the sea.
They had been planning this trip for months—a journey to the coast where they could find solace on the water while the world around them froze. It was a tradition of sorts, a yearly retreat from the mundane, and this time, it would be aboard a catamaran. The morning of their departure arrived, crisp and clear. The docks were nearly deserted, save for a few fishermen tending to their boats. The catamaran waited at the pier, sleek and sturdy. Dylan, the group's unofficial leader, stood at the helm, breath clouding in the cold air. He smiled as the others approached.
Leo (aka Tomo) was bundled up in a red jacket, looking every bit the practical one. He carried a bag of supplies—thermal blankets, hot drinks, and snacks—for the journey. Tarik, with his easy grin was already ensuring that everything was secure.
Clara wore a windproof jacket, her fiery red hair adding a splash of color to the gray morning. She hummed softly to herself as she walked toward the boat, the crunch of her boots on the frost-covered ground breaking the stillness.
Dylan adjusted his jacket and he looked over at Leo, asking if the route had been checked. Leo nodded, confirming the course was clear and the seas calm. Tarik tied off the final knot, and with a nod from Dylan, they climbed aboard.
The boat slipped away from the dock, the gentle rocking of the catamaran the only sign of movement. As they sailed, the cold of the city seemed to disappear, replaced by the soothing winter winds of the sea. The landscape shifted around them, the blue waters merging with the soft sky, creating a peaceful, endless expanse. They sailed in comfortable silence, the rhythm of the boat and the wind filling the spaces between their words.
The hours passed with ease, the only sounds being the occasional soft splash of waves against the hull. Tarik pulled out a thermos of hot chocolate and passed it around. They toasted to their adventure, to their friendship, and to the quiet solace of the sea. As the afternoon wore on, the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and purple. The air grew colder once more, but the warmth of the hot chocolate and the comfort of each other's company kept them grounded. They sailed on, enjoying the moment, feeling as though the world had slowed down just for them.
When the evening arrived, they anchored the catamaran in a small port in a very adorable coast town, the water calm and still. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of waves against the boat and the distant calls of seabirds. For that moment, the world felt far away. There was no city, no noise, no distractions. Just the four of them and the sea—quiet, serene, and endless. The winter escape had been everything they had hoped for. More than a retreat from the cold, it was a chance to reconnect with each other and with the timeless rhythm of the ocean.
