We were a few miles off from Kingman Reef, my brother Wyatt was in his pod with our sister Hallie. I was diving outside my pod, exploring the surrounding area. We chose this area because of the reef’s uniqueness: the reef was like a giant circle with vibrant life around the outside while not much lived on the inside. It was an epicenter for giant clams and a variety of different species. I swam- observing the movements and life around me while my siblings weren't as enthused and impatient to get back to the ship; encouraging me to come along. Of course, they could have gone without me, but my dad had encouraged us to go out together. They didn’t share my enthusiasm of diving; to them it was simply a recreational activity. But loving the ocean was something mom and I shared, it had so much mystery and power to it. It was beautiful, they just couldn’t see it. Then again, my siblings and I didn’t have a lot in common in the first place. We were all totally different; Wyatt loved business and politics, Hallie loved social activities, and I loved the serenity of nature. Because we were so different dad was forcing us together more often to ‘strengthen bonds.’ In my opinion, it has made us drift further apart than where we started. Sigh, If I don’t want them angry at me later, I should go… Sighing once more, I quit observing the swimming stingray that was only a few feet below me and secure my treasure bag of today's findings (only a few shells and a shark tooth) to my waist. Turning to leave, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.
There was a small tunnel in a rock formation, nothing unordinary about it except for the odd colored item on the ocean floor not far from the entrance. Treasure or trash? I wonder if it will be something I add to my treasure bag. The tunnel was too dark to see into as I swam near, the item on the floor was a... book? Impossible, but my eyes weren’t lying. It was unruined by the water, but how is that possible? I radioed my siblings and they laughed at me telling me to get back to the pod. As I’m about to turn around though I see something further in the tunnel. Something large was coming. I watch as it comes closer but I can’t make out what it is. Suddenly, I’m pulled from behind; terror ran through me. I peer behind me and was flooded with relief when I see it was just Wyatt, he laughed at how scared I was and told me to come back to the pod. I glance back at the tunnel seeing nothing. The dark being gone.
Back on the ship, my siblings tease me about seeing things and head off to dinner. Not up to more mocking I head for my room instead. I KNOW what I saw even if technically it’s not possible…. or I really am seeing things…
No, I did see it. There was something down in the tunnel too. Needing to prove to myself I wasn’t crazy I decided after the ship was settled for the night I would go back and look. For now, though, I should face what is left of my family. It hasn’t been the same since my mother died; lonelier. Less laughter. Father rarely speaks to us, we eat dinners together twice a week where he tells us about the latest research he’s conducting. Wyatt is the only one who really engages him, Hallie is more interested in boys and the latest celebrity gossip than science. And as for me, I could care less what my father likes. Sometimes I wish he would accidently fall off the ship, but then again if it wasn’t for his interests and money I’d never be on the ocean. The ocean is my one true passion in life.
Tonight, at least, was not family night and I wouldn’t have to endure my father or my siblings. After eating, I clean my gear and tidy up my things for tonight’s dive and hide out in my room to wait. I also grab a book of my own to test in the waters myself. As much as I hate my father, I get my curiosity from him, and I am definitely interested in how a book can be unruined by water. I peek my head out of my bedroom and see no one, so I head to deck. Normally nobody is out this late but as of lately father has been busier with work and hired more crew. Crew which of whom like to roam around at all hours; it has become a nuisance sleeping because of it.
Luckily, none seem to be on deck because I am able to secure my pod and lower myself into the water. Manning the pod at night isn’t something I’ve done too often and I’ll be in trouble with father if he finds out I went out at night without telling anyone. I set a course southeast back towards Kingman’s Reef because the tunnel was only a few miles east of the reef. As I reach my destination I direct the pod back to the ocean floor. Although the waters off the Hawaiian Islands are warm, I put on a wetsuit with my air tank and get out of the pod. I turn on my beam and follow my compass toward the direction of the tunnels location. Soon enough the tunnel comes into view as well as the book sitting on the ocean floor. I rest my fins on the sea floor and pick up the book. It reads: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. How ironic. I take out my own book: Pride and Prejudice… and it’s not ruined! Why?? I look down the tunnel where I had seen the unknown shape. I have a nagging feeling that I will find answers and suddenly I’m nervous. I look behind me and see nothing; I look ahead into the tunnel. I follow the feeling in my gut and push myself forward. The tunnel is dark but after a short distance inside I see light off to my left. I shut off my own light and I follow it.
Comments (1)
See all