King of Atlantis: Love in the Deep

Skylar

Many people were by the beach, and some cried.

There were news crews on land informing the public about what occurred. Ever since Marina went missing, her family was contacted about what happened and went to the beach where she went missing.

Yet, Marina's story was different, as many people knew the ocean waters were known to be infamous because of the Bermuda Triangle.

News crews recorded police officers with Marina's mother and father; beside Marina's family stood her friends. When the police officers were done speaking, Professor Diotami walked forward. Her facial expression was grim. She did not want to tell Marina's parents the truth, but there was a major possibility that Marina was dead. Part of her blamed herself for bringing Marina and other students to this dangerous area. She was a bit of a skeptic regarding the Bermuda Triangle. That was why she wanted to study it, to prove that the triangle was not responsible for the disappearance of many people. Now, Marina was missing; she was proven wrong.

Many reporters began to yell out questions about Marina and the Bermuda Triangle.

"Professor Diotami! Do you believe that the Bermuda Triangle is responsible for the disappearance of your student!?" yelled out a female reporter.

The Professor sighed heavily before answering. "I cannot be certain. There are other possibilities for my student's disappearance. The day she disappeared, there was a storm, and I prohibited all of my students from going to the ocean, for the conditions were not safe."

"Do you think that Miss. Marina went out to the ocean of her free will?" asked another female reporter.

"That could be a possibility. Miss. Marina was always a fearless young woman, a trait many admired."

An older male reporter then blurted out another question. "Professor, the Bermuda Triangle was always a hazardous site. Why would you and your students try to go there, despite the risks?"

Professor Diotami clenched her fists. She hated to admit that her pride got the best of her, and Marina suffered for it. 

She was about to answer, but one of the police officers intervened. "No more further questions at this moment." He then motioned her leave the podium and return with Marina's loved ones. She could feel the intense stares of Marina's mother and father. She knew they would never admit it, but they blamed her for their daughter's disappearance. The Professor could not blame them, but at the same time, she felt that she wasn't entirely responsible.

Marina was very stubborn and would get into risky situations.

Then, the police officer announced they would begin the search and do everything they could to give the family information about Marina's whereabouts.

The conference ended, and many news crews interviewed the parents and some friends.

Professor Diotami walked to the ocean shore, looking at the water. So many thoughts were going through her mind. She was worried about how this would affect her career. The project and the well-being of her students were her responsibility. The university was going to have her head if Marina was not found.

"Professor," said a masculine voice.

Diotami turned her head and saw a young man. He looked twenty-five years old that was 5'7 tall with a dark blonde short hair hat that was nicely combed. The young man had light blue eyes with medium skin with a few wrinkles under his eyes that made him look older than his age. The man had a light blonde beard that was nicely trimmed, making him look mature. He had an average body and wore slightly baggy clothes.

"Yes? Who might you be?"

"The name is Skylar. Marina and I were childhood friends."

"Ah, what may I assist you with?"

"The Bermuda Triangle is considered to be very dangerous. What exactly lies beneath the triangle?"

The Professor was a bit surprised by his question. "There are many theories on what lies beneath. Many say it is a black hole others say that Atlantis lays there,"

Skylar gave out a small gasp. "D-Do you believe that Marina is dead?"

The Professor gave out a long sigh. "Yes. No one had ever survived when they went to the Bermuda Triangle. No one was ever found when they disappeared. It wasn't very smart bringing my students here. Marina's disappearance hurt many people."

Skylar looked at the ocean and then at Diotami. "We are going to start the search. Are you going to join us?"

"Perhaps another day. I need to call the university about the update of the situation and have to do some paperwork as well."

"Maybe you could do that later. One of your students has gone missing. I think the university can understand."

Diotami sighed. "It is not so simple. I need to clarify some things; if not, I will lose my job." She began to walk away.

The young man clenched his hands into fists. "You care more about your job!? It is because of you that Marina disappeared! This is how you repay her family!?"

"I strictly forbade her and my other students to go out to the ocean during the storm; Marina refused and went anyway. She brought this upon herself. You tend to blame me. Before all my students became interns, I told them where we were going and the risks. They all agreed. Now you all tend to blame me? She's an adult and made her choice. People tend to blame others for their wrongdoing of others. If you excuse me, I have some business to attend to."

Skylar watched as she left. He looked at the ocean once more. "Deep down, I know you are alive and well, Marina, and I will not stop until I find you. I promise you that I will not give up."

About an hour later, the search team formed by law enforcement, members of the community, and Skylar began the search to find Marina.