Once the lights from resorts and bars were out of sight I twisted the key in the motor. And the boat glided to a stop. The slow stop pushed the glass-like water into ripples, which crested away from the edges of the vessel.
I turned around and picked up the small cold anchor from the deck, and slowly fed the piece of metal and its rope into the water. Once the rope was taut I sat down on a beam that crossed the inside of the Wavesailor.
I turned my head side to side. Nothing else. Only soft waves and the moon’s silver face upon them.
The salt in the air was a subtle aroma. It did not overflow, like the flavour of the waves below.
There’s no better time.
I stood up and turned to the side of the boat, raised my foot on the edge, and dove.
The ocean wrapped her cold arms around me, gently pulling me into her heart.
I opened my eyes to a growing black, the moon’s light was slowly fading as the distance between me and the surface grew.
The trail of bubbles that formed a trail behind me quickly rose to the air above.
I was a drop in a pool of melted onyx.
The darkness did not stay. A path stretched before me as my eyes adjusted to the dissolving light. This beam swayed as I moved my head. The ocean floor was all there to gaze at and admire.
A dozen metres away from me sat a large rock. Not unlike the ones near the cliffs or in the other reefs, but it invited me. So, I advanced towards it to see why.
After some time the need for air pressed from inside my lungs. My eyes moved towards the boat, and I calmly swam up.
My face had adjusted to the cold of the water, so the chill in the air pricked into my face. Droplets travelled from the crown of my head to my eyebrows and to my chin.
The scene was the same as it was before. No lights, signs of life or changes in the water. The clouds still curtained the moon and let his light pass.
My nose and lungs took in the cool air until they filled again. I looked down to my feet treading the water and lowered my head again. I wanted to reach that stone.
The depths welcomed me once more. My legs waved and my arms spread out quickly to reach the bottom.
Once the soles of my feet rested on the sandy floor I walked towards the stone and placed my hands on it. The surface was rough and coated in seaweed and tiny barnacles. The light from my eyes caught a glimpse of something nestled underneath the rock.
I leaned to the side and found a piece of seaglass. Still sharp on some edges, but the sea was doing its work. It was white, but the bronze coating that covered half of it shone. I turned it in my fingers and smiled.
Satisfied with my discovery I returned to the Wavesailor. The wood was brittle and dry under my hands as I pulled myself up. Then hoisted the anchor and set it down.
I almost didn’t want to switch the engine on, as it would disturb the quiet. Nevertheless, I switched on the engine and returned home, to come back again tomorrow.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels/Nuno Obey
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
