Troubled Waters

by Connie Cao

The gentle sway of coral reefs and the usual chitter of marine animals filled the sea. Schools of fish danced in the water. Dolphins whistled and chased each other’s tails. Stingrays swished and swayed like seaweed.

Most days, I entertained myself by swimming past the uncharted coral reefs and searching for food on the ocean floor. Finding food these days was relatively easy. There was plenty of seaweed around. It seemed to overrun the coral reefs.

A sudden blur of grey swam past me, grazing me with its fins. “Hello!” the blur proclaimed. It was a fish with the same grey and white scales as me. “Want to race?”

“Only if you’re ready to lose!” I grinned, and we started racing one another around, under, and above the reefs. I chased him, laughing as we dove past other fish, dolphins, sting rays, and sharks.

Many other fish joined in on our fun. As we swam, I couldn’t help but think back to previous races when it seemed like entire schools of fish participated. Our races were much smaller now, and many of the fish who had once eagerly joined in were gone. My thought was interrupted when I realized I was alone and the other fish were far ahead. I increased my speed and caught up with them. We swam until sunset fell.

After our race, we all cooled down, and the tranquil sound of the ocean filled my ears, making my heart beat slower. The other fish began to return to their homes inside the coral reefs.

A sudden loud sound blasted from above. The water went cold, and a dark shadow loomed over us. A grand net plummeted into the sea and began making wide circles, rapidly coming my way, tearing at the corals and seaweed. I froze. My heart raced. Was I supposed to run? I looked at the others. There was panic in their eyes.

The net closed in on me, swallowing the other fish around me, too. It held us tight and hauled us out of the water. I squirmed and wiggled with all my might, but it was useless. We were stuck. The net tightened. I screamed out in pain, my eyes blurred, and my head spun.

The net moved from side to side, and I felt myself getting pushed to an opening. I hauled myself to the hole and pushed my head through. The hole was small but just big enough... I winced as the ropes tautened around my body. My heart beat slower, and I felt nauseous. I finally squirmed out of the ropy confines and rocketed myself back into the sea.

The chilly water helped me regain consciousness; I felt my fins loosening on my sides and I was able to move my tail again. I looked up and realized the dark figure had gone, leaving only faint bubbles behind. And all around, emptiness and silence.