Submerged

Wanderers

It was late October, the suns reflection off the waves of the ocean was always a view to cherish. I always thought freedom is something to be gratified, even when you're restricted to the contained area of a boat.

My job was a pleasure, it was really more like a passion. Every day was the same old thing, but you never really got sick of it. Waking up to the gentle rocking of the waves and being refreshed with the ocean's winds, it was a renewed satisfaction that hits you every time you opened your eyes.

So, what exactly was my job?

I was an oceanographer, I explored the endless seas and set sail to the unknown waters. I discovered the biological and physical phenomena of everything underwater. Most people are afraid of the ocean, but I always found it to be my one true place to be free. I found it to be the peak of my excitement, the times in which my best adventures would take place.

I was a couple miles offshore and in the middle of the ocean you're alone ninety-nine percent of the time. I was suiting up to catch breakfast, the skin-sucking scuba suit was always a pain to get on and off. Normally, in a crowd of fish a speargun would do the trick, and it usually did. I strapped on the remainder of my equipment and grabbed the shiny, metal spear and loaded it into the gun. You always have to be careful before jumping into deep waters, take a good look for any hostile creatures waiting to pray on you. I'd have to mention the obvious: sharks, barracuda, one-hundred foot death mark'd kraken. You can never be too sure of what lurks below you. The waters appeared cleared today, and without hesitation I jumped in.

I was surrounded with blue in every direction I looked. Below me was the darkness of the unknown, and to this day I always had an urge to explore the deepest of depths. Beneath the shadow of the boat, a school of silver colored fish swam by. It was majestic really, with every change in direction the fish would flash a streak of silver. I had to float in the water for a second just to admire that.

The fish seemed to be comfortable around me, I could almost feel a hint of trust. I grabbed the harpoon-like weapon and detached it from a loop on my suit. It weighed me down every so slightly, and that with the currents, it was difficult to achieve a clear shot. Quickly and without aiming I shot the spear into the middle of the crowd, hoping to hit the silver targets taunting me with their rapid movements. The spear fired into the blue, leaving behind a trail of bubbles. And what was blue water quickly stained red.

I climb the ladder back into my boat, with the spear in my hand and a bleeding fish attached to it. On the deck of my ship I had basic appliances to help me survive in the ocean, one of which was a barbecue. I lit up the grill and slapped the fish onto it, it started to sizzle as the black lines of the grill were engraved into its body. In the distance was a reflective light on the horizon, I figured it was just another fisher, it couldn't be an issue.

After the fish had turned a bronze color, I took it off the grill and placed it on a white plate. I sat down at an outdoor table that was directly in the middle of the deck, placed the plate down and sliced open into the fish. A cloud of steam blew out from inside the layered meats. It suddenly occurred to me that in the background was a buzzing noise, that of an engine. I looked up to see empty waters, then I checked behind me to see the reflective light growing larger. In an instant the small white light had caught up to me and it was a little speed boat. Cute.

The boat had pulled up beside me and turned off its engine.

"Hello, who are you?" I asked politely.

"Are you Alaina Cross?" Asked the older gentleman that had gotten up and out of the beige leather seat. This little boat looked precious. The interior consisted of all leather seats, stained wooden steering wheel, and every little bit of luxury that money could afford.

"Yes, is there something wrong?" I asked out of instinct. I had no idea what was going on, but if someone tracks you down in the middle of the ocean, it can't be good.

"No no, you've been called upon for an expedition into one of the deepest ocean points in the world, The Blind Abyss" The older gentleman said, pouring relief into my heart.

I was worried my mother had died or something like that. This was a great opportunity to explore the darkness that I had never gotten to see; to shed light on a mystery.

"I have a couple questions regarding this expedition?" I said with slight uncertainty.

"Shoot" The man replied without hesitation.

I liked this, for once it wasn't a man handing me a folder concealed in a plastic bag, or an email that would be sent out shortly after their departure. It was someone I could sit and have a conversation with if I wanted or someone who at least had the decency to inform me themselves.

So I asked a few questions regarding the expedition. The more information I knew about the trip, the bigger that urge developed. I had to go; I had to visit the unexplored to discover the mystery.

Shortly after I asked those questions, the man said goodbye and started his engine. He told me that I would have to expect seeing him again after I returned to shore. Every couple months or so someone would come wandering around my boat, looking for an oceanographer to guide their expedition, but this was something new, something totally thrilling.

I will admit, it gets lonely on the seas. I usually have a lot of spare time, but I spend it writing notes and studying. Sometimes I wish I had someone to chat with or just share my feelings. Generally, my satellite is too weak to pick up any connections, so Skype isn't an option. I guess sometimes you have to learn to survive on your own, or you really can't survive at all.

It was nearing midnight, and the white moon reflected off the waves of the ocean. It was a beautiful sight to fall asleep to. I changed into an old tee shirt and pair of shorts. My "bedroom" was in the bottom of the boat. It can usually be a bit nerve-racking hearing the creaking as the boat moved. I hopped under the covers and as the waves rocked me back-and-forth, I drifted off into tranquility letting my dreams switch with my reality.