Page 120 of Rescuing Mia
I tell myself, focusing on the rhythm. In two, three, four. Out two, three, four.
Slowly, the panic begins to fade, replaced by a strange sense of calm. I can breathe easily, and the regulator pushes more than enough air into my lungs.
I do nothing other than that until I’m brave enough to open my eyes. The sight takes my breath away. It’s a world of deep blue, an endless expanse stretching out in every direction. There are no fish, no seaweed—just the vast, serene ocean.
The faint sound of the trawler above, its engines vibrating through the water, enters my chest. The sound gradually fades as the boat moves away, leaving us in a silent, peaceful stillness. This strange, beautiful world beneath the surface is both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
After a few minutes, Rigel signals that it’s time to ascend. He does something to my BCD that slowly lifts me toward the surface. Nearly there, however, we stop and hover for a few minutes until finally, we slowly make our way back to the surface, his arm still around me, guiding me.
The journey is surreal, the blue around us lightening as we get closer to the surface.
Breaking through the surface, I gasp for air, relief flooding through me. I look at Rigel, his face inches from mine.
“How was that?” he asks, a small smile on his lips.
“It was—terrifying at first,” I admit, my voice shaky. “But once we were under, it was incredible. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.”
“You did great.” His eyes fill with pride. “Amazing, really.”
I did great because he held me the entire time. Nothing can hurt me when I’m in his arms.
I nod, the fear still there but tempered by the awe of the experience. Together, we float on the surface, waiting for the submarine.
Ethan gathers everyone around, and the men link up until we’re a solid mass floating on the surface.
Seven people with no land in sight.
No boat in sight.
Nothing but the infinite vastness of the Pacific.
And they’re totally chill about it. As if this kind of thing happens all the time.
The trawler is now a distant memory, leaving us in a serene expanse of water. The dark sky above is a stark contrast to the deep black below, and I feel incredibly small in this immense space. We have underwater lights, but those are to be saved for when it’s time to go under. Overhead, countless stars shine, and I trace the few constellations Rigel told me about to distract myself from the inky black water all around me.
Honestly, it takes my breath away.
Ethan, Walt, Gabe, Hank, and Blake form a loose circle around us, their faces relaxed yet vigilant. We have a few hours to wait for the submarine, and despite the danger, a calm camaraderie is sensed among the team.
“So, Mia,” Ethan begins with a teasing grin, “not so bad, right?”
I laugh softly, still feeling the residual adrenaline. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Hear that? We’ve got a new ocean lover on our hands.” Walt chuckles, nudging Blake.
“Better watch out for those sharks, though,” Blake smirks, looking at me with mock seriousness.
“Very funny. No sharks, please.” I roll my eyes, but there’s a hint of genuine worry.
Gabe, ever the joker, dips his ear into the water, listening intently. He does it a couple more times, his expression exaggeratedly serious. Finally, he looks up at me with wide eyes.
“You’re not gonna believe what’s down there.”
My heart skips a beat, and I instinctively grip Rigel’s arm tighter. “Is it a shark? A great white? Am I gonna get eaten?”
“No, no, listen.” Gabe shakes his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He puts his ear back in the water and then looks at me expectantly.
Curious and a bit skeptical, I follow his lead and dip my ear into the water. At first, all I hear is the gentle lapping of the waves and my own breathing, but then, faint and distant, a sound reaches me.