Page 25 - Highlights 2020 FINAL

I didn’t really have a choice in the end, for the something

turned out to be a someone quite determined to yank me
beneath the surface.

Below the surface it was pitch black. My head felt heavy and
even the water’s flow sounded distant. After a moment I

found a pair of glowing eyes staring back at me, seeming to

emerge from nowhere in the dark. I tried to speak, not sure

if I should thank or reprimand the creature whose hands
were still on my ankles, whose eyes were looking into mine. I

couldn’t speak so I remained still, quiet, trying to convey my

confusion with my face.

The creature spoke, and I began to see the rest of its

humanlike face, colored brightly as if painted on porcelain.

“You are safe,” it said. I nodded slowly, realizing I definitely
did feel
safer anyway.

It took its hands from my ankles and grabbed my hands
instead. It began to swim and pulled me along. I kicked to

keep up.

Before long we reached the underside of a rock outcropping,

covered with algae and seaweeds. The creature gently pulled

a strand of it from the gently swaying mass, then weaved it
into my hair.

Highlights 2020 Jewel of the Sea 25
Highlights 2020 Jewel of the Sea 25