Crosswinds snapped the mast and left me helplessly adrift in Neptune's anger, making living the next moment doubtful. I was holding on for dear life when I heard a faint cry. I instinctively reached out into the blinding tempest and felt the arm of someone. I put a death grip on it as a swell washed over us, dragging us seaward. His other hand found my wrist and grabbed it, sinking his fingers in.