“It’s the same boat, Tyler.” The water ripples around us as we paddle in place.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course not,” I snap. “I’m going closer.” I move forward.
“Wait.”
“What?” My mind is already on getting closer to the boat, diving down and seeing if they have any unsuspecting dolphins in tow.
“These guys are dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful. I’ve got to see if they’ve captured any dolphins.”
The gray waves lap around us. The moon shines down, making the sea sparkle. It outlines the boat and the figures on it. I wonder uneasily if they can see us. I’m used to swimming underwater, not on the surface.
“Okay, let’s go.”
I look at him. “I’ll be swimming underwater.”
“I can swim underwater.”
“I’m sure you can, but not for the length of time I’ll be down.”
“How can you stay underwater?”
“Not now.”
“Then I’ll swim on top.”
“No, they might see you. Just stay where you are and keep an eye on things.”
“I’m not letting you .”
We both know it’s an empty threat.
“At least stay near, until I get closer.”
“Okay.” I nod reluctantly. We swim forward another hundred yards, then another. The murky outline of the craft becomes more distinct.
I motion Tyler to stop. I drop my voice to a whisper. Sound carries on the wind. “Better not go any further.”
He touches my arm, his voice low and urgent. “I don’t have scuba gear. I can’t go down and help you if you get in trouble.”
“Who’s going to get in trouble?”
“Famous last words.”
“If I see anyone, I’ll swim for the surface. Okay?”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Be careful.” He kisses me quick and hard, his lips cold and salty.
“Always.” I curve my body to drop down into the sea.
Tyler grabs my arms. His grip slips but he holds on.
“How long can you stay under water?”
“Half an hour.”
“Half an hour?” His jaw drops.
“Don’t say a word.”
“Half…”
I put a finger to his lips. “Not a word.”
“All right, all right not a word, but if you aren’t back in half an hour, I’m coming looking for you.”
“Whatever,” I mumble under my breath before I drop into the ocean. I go deeper into the murky dark. I blink several times, my eyes adjusting to the black. Stretching out my arms and kicking, I swim toward the boat. I should have given Tyler Gramps’ distress watch.
Oh well, if something goes wrong, I can at least contact Gramps. But it would have to be an emergency. Gramps’ heart can’t take the stress.
A school of small, gray fish swim close by until they notice me and dart in a different direction.
Next to the boat, a young dolphin is caught in the trap. I swim closer. He doesn’t look good. How long has he been here? His color is off. The eyes have a dull, glazed look instead of the bright lively intelligence that normally shines through them.
I draw closer. He either recognizes my dolphin DNA or still has an innate trust of humans. His tail does a short wag like a dog’s.
“There, there,” I coo into the water, bubbles spewing out of my mouth.
I pry open the door.
He flashes by then comes back and shoves me hard. A warning. A second later, I’m grabbed and pushed into the cage. The dolphin darts around chattering.
Before whoever is behind me can shut the door, I grab the sides and kick at it. I push backward. Someone grabs my thighs and shoves me forward.
I twist out of his grasp, kick straight back, catching my attacker in the stomach. Frantically, I propel myself backward, my legs free. Freedom is close. I’ve nearly wiggled out of the pen when another set of hands grabs my left thigh. I kick out with my other foot and catch him in the jaw. He lets go. I drop lower. I’m almost free when he grabs my arm. I ball my fist. Before I can strike, his fingers bite into a nerve. I cry out, bubbles pouring out of my mouth.
My arm is momentarily numb. I strike out with my other. He brings the side of his hand down on my shoulder. Both of my arms are now useless. The numbness will fade, but will it be soon enough?
I draw my knees up to my chin, ready to kick out. By now the other man has recovered. They both dive at me. I make one last desperate kick. One grabs my feet, the other my legs and they push me into the cage and swiftly lock the door.
One motions toward the surface. They swim to the ladder alongside the boat and pull themselves up, leaving me to drown in the cage.