Suddenly

Laura and Ben choose to detour from their planned route to Port Eden and sail toward a remote island near the end of the world. They check the weather and believe conditions will hold for the near future. They anchor the boat and bring a small inflatable dinghy to shore, planning to explore and possibly shelter there.

The couple explores the island and lands via the dinghy, savoring the island’s beauty. They climb a rugged hill to get a better view of the coastline and any signs of civilization. The isolation becomes apparent, and they prepare for the possibility of staying longer.

A storm forms on the horizon and seems aimed at their position. They hurry back to shore and try to launch the dinghy to reach their boat, but the waves are too high and they cannot maintain control. They choose to take shelter and wait out the storm.

After the storm, they can no longer see their boat. Laura fears it sank, but Ben suspects it may have drifted away or been dragged by a failed anchor. They must decide how to survive now that their only means of immediate escape is gone.

They climb higher to see if the boat is visible or if there is a route around the island, but the mountains are too steep for the moment. They notice a sign declaring the island a wildlife preserve, which makes them wonder if a research station could exist somewhere on the island. Ben volunteers to probe higher for clues.

They discover the ruins of an old cabin and remnants of a whaling operation nearby, which they use to patch together a temporary shelter. They survive by collecting shellfish and hunting penguins for food. The harsh environment tests their resourcefulness.

One evening they glimpse a distant boat on the horizon. Laura suggests building a fire to attract attention, but Ben takes the dinghy to try to reach the vessel. The boat remains farther away than expected, and the dinghy’s engine runs out of fuel.

When Ben returns, he has an open wound on his ankle from sharp rocks. Laura tends to the wound and cauterizes it to stop the bleeding, but his condition worsens over the following days. The injury adds urgency to their need for proper shelter and help.

Laura spends days improvising crampons from scrap metal and other materials to traverse the wintry landscape. She prepares to undertake a trek to reach potential help, pushing herself to improvise equipment and shelter. The winter landscape becomes a formidable obstacle.

After several days, Laura reaches a research station made from shipping containers. It is stocked with food, an HF radio transceiver, and a generator, but no people are present. She cautiously explores the facility, hoping for means of communication and escape.

She tries the radio briefly but cannot hear any signals. Her inexperience with radio procedures is evident, as she simply transmits 'hello is anyone there' on a frequency she does not know well. The equipment remains silent, deepening the isolation.

Inside another container she finds a plastic boat with a small engine, which she hauls down to the shore. The find gives them a potential means of reaching Ben and leaving the island.

Laura locates Ben in worse condition and drags him into the boat. They make their way back to the research station, where the warm environment helps him recover. The moment marks a turning point in their struggle to survive.

Back at the station, they realize they have everything they need and there is no immediate pressure to leave. Their trust and reliance on each other have been tested, questioned, and rebuilt throughout the ordeal. They choose to endure together.

The couple's relationship survives the extreme isolation and the harsh environment. They decide to remain at the station for the time being, focusing on survival, companionship, and hope rather than immediate rescue.