Above Water

Part 1

pt. 1: Ignatius

The ocean was a giant blue blanket. It's constant waves provided comfort, a home within its folds, and so much more. But what was seen at the surface was an orchestrated facade. The salty parade rippled with power through all hours of the day, only able to be tamed by the timid moon. It was a loose leash the bright lunar kept on this deep beast. Far more often, the ocean reigned without remorse. It contained spaces no one could explore and species considered alien in nature. Man thought he could own the ocean, but the ocean was unrelenting and made it clear that it was owned by no one. Indeed it was a blanket, but one that covered a cold body that turned up dead in the dark of night.

Ever the epitome of mystery, the ocean never failed to strike fear in the hearts of humans. The threat of drowning or the waves/current pulling someone out to sea was always prevalent, but less talked about was the threat posed by the creatures of the deep. Filled to the brim with apex predators and other animals armed with unimaginable ammunition, the ocean was the hood that made you check to make sure your doors were locked when you drove through. It didn't help that those marine species were bubbling with anger at the way the humans treated their waters. The ocean was their home and it was a matter of time before the animals decided they wanted it back.

Ships plagued the water and those below the waves hated them, but they learned to live with these giant sea locomotives. After all, interfering with the massive water tanks only caused problems in the depth. They threatened oil spills and debris pollution. It was risky business messing with the ships. So, they continued to slice through the waves like sharp knives through tender meat.

Down below in the trashing sea, Little Ignatius watched a boat move like a snail through the water. From where he sat perched on his rock, he could see the giant spinning blades propelling the massive piece of technology. He frowned in fear and glanced at his pet resting on his shoulder. It was a little orange named Silky. Ignatius relaxed as the small animal folded his tentacle up to touch it's little ear, but his serenity was short-lived.

"Hey Iggy!" a voice shouted, darting from behind Ignatius. The merboy gasped in fright and his fins stood on end, a defense mechanism against perceived threats. Ignatius placed a hand over his chest and looked at the grinning boy before him.

"Lucky," Ignatius breathed, "you scared me."

Lucky giggled. "I know!" Ignatius pouted. "Wanna play?"

"Sure, where do you want to go?" Ignatius said, swimming off of his rock. Silky followed close behind him. "Wanna go to the coral reef?"

Lucky hummed. "No, the coral is boring."

That simple statement worried Ignatius. Since Lucky was his best friend, Ignatius knew that the merboy did things without first considering the consequences and he often dragged Ignatius down with him. The last time Lucky said those words to Ignatius, they ended up in a deep sea cave, struggling to escape the sulfur vents. The two nearly died and while Lucky had thought it was fun, Ignatius was scarred and swore he would never let Lucky influence him into doing something so dangerous again.

"Let's play up there," Lucky announced, and pointed a webbed finger up. Ignatius looked up at the surface where the boat was still passing by and swallowed hard.

"Please Lucky, let's just go to the coral," Ignatius pleaded, letting himself sink down as if to put distance between himself and the surface. He might've been young, but he knew the problems that going close to the surface brought. The current and waves were strong enough to drag him away from home and he risked the chance of being spotted by humans or being picked at by birds. His parents always warned him to stay away from the surface.