Tall black rocks jutted out from roiling dark waters. The great monoliths stood sentry before a tall rocky island. Heavy gray clouds cast shadows above and just beyond it all. A large entrance beckoned anyone daring enough to enter -- anyone foolish to get lost in its depths.

Serralynn sat atop a blanket on a sunny beach miles away from the island, staring at it. Behind her, she could hear someone spike a volleyball, a few children squealing, some vendor calling out a name, and general chatter. Some distance down the...