Water laps around my collarbone, each mocking crash of waves over my head a cruel mocking of my racing heart as I fight to stay afloat, spitting and stuttering harsh salt water on each resurface.

I was in the middle of who the hell knew where at this point- wherever the currents took me, alongside the wreckage of supplies and ship parts strewn about around me. I mean, I read up on rouge waves but I didn’t know they came out of NOWHERE, I assumed they only occurred during strong storm, but no storm brewed as the ocean gleefully ripped the ship apart.. I don’t know how long ago at this point. It couldn’t have been too long, the sun was still high in the sky, but even minutes became vengeful hours when you were alone, losing sight of my companions almost immediately in the torrential waters.

Ironically- a wave of relief filled me as a life jacket floated by, peeking out from some stray driftwood. Swimming desperately, I snatch the life jacket to my chest, clinging to it in order to stay afloat without sinking from exhaustion. Giving me enough of a break to try and shout for my companions- if I hadn’t of completely worn my voice the first minutes of being tossed, shouting out until my throat was red and sore from exertion and salt water that I choked in every time a wave pushed me under. Panting softly, I close my eyes, resting my head on the vest. Coughing every time a wave rose a little too high and filled my nostrils and mouth with a salty sting.

I continued resting on the vest until the sun started sinking towards the horizon- night was coming, and that meant predators would be more active -a dread filling my bones with the knowing that I was utterly defenseless in the water. But luckily, time passed, and the moon climbed the sky, and I was still here- floating in a dragging current, uneaten.

It was almost funny in a way, I loved all things marine- having a natural curiosity for the animals since I was a child -and yet there was almost no fear as deep seated as my fear for the open ocean. Fear and awe- it was fitting wasn’t it? The largest body of water clearly deserved nothing less. But it’s like they said, curiosity killed the cat and this time, I doubt any worth of satisfaction could bring me back from this dire situation.

Yawning, I began to feel my fingers slip off the vest as weariness drug my bones. The water slowly bringing a chill that curled around me and pierced my skin with its icy needles; making me even me drowsy and sluggish. I didn’t think I could hold on much longer… I don’t think that bothered me anymore though.

Letting the vest slip through my icy-numb fingers, I allowed the waves to cover my head once more. This time not planning to break its surface once more.

I spent my life researching and exploring the ocean and its contents, if I dedicated such time to it, it was only fair if I dedicated my life to its depths as well, was it not?