As I was still talking with the group of boys, the ferry staff's voice came over the speakers, announcing that the boat would be departing soon.
We were all standing out on the open upper deck when the engines rumbled louder beneath our feet and the ferry finally pulled away from the dock. The wooden planks vibrated gently as the boat gained speed. Behind us, the land and the glowing lights of the harbor slowly grew smaller and smaller until they were just a faint line on the horizon.
The sky kept getting darker the farther we moved out to sea. Everything looked beautiful in that fading light, the deep blue water stretching endlessly in every direction, the last orange and purple streaks still left from the sunset, and the cool, salty sea breeze constantly washing over our faces and clothes.
It was going to be a full overnight trip.
