What sleeps in the deep

Ch 13: Mother Eyes

Both Stella and Nate were frozen in the middle of a new discovery. As anyone would have said in their situation, both bit off more than what they could chew. The loud echoing ROARS that this sea creature released, felt powerful. But now with no lights to guide to the  source of the sound both stayed in place in fear.  But with the moon shining some light to make out some figures in the sea floor, the white animal gracefully moved beneath them. 

Stella quickly got her camera and flashed some pictures. The sudden flash of the camera revealed a much bigger animal was approaching them. Nate seeing what the flash revealed and panicked as he started to frantically swim back.

Stella quickly realized the kind of attention both her camera and Nate's frantic trashing kicks in the water. She quickly grabbed the kid and pulled him to the surface. 

"Nate! Don't swim off like that. If you do, that thing will think your food."
"So, what can we do? " [with fearful eyes.]
"We got to stay still and once it leaves, we escape."
"Okay. Hey there is something bright in the water over there."

Stella looked in the direction where Nate pointed and figured out that it was one of the flashlights they lost. She quickly turns to Nate and orders him to go back to the boat while staying on the surface as she gets the flashlight. Stella had a theory that if she can draw the animal away from Nate he would have a chance to escape. But what then?

There was no time to argue with herself, the waves were getting stronger and the reflection of the animal was becoming more visible.  Stella swam towards the extended rocks and followed the muted light beneath the waves. As she finally reached the rocks she then dived down and saw the flash light wedged in the smaller openings. She yanks out the flashlight and started to wave her light towards the ominous clicking sounds. Nate was making his distance quickly but didn't realize that the animal was starting to follow him. Seeing this Stella desperately started to wave her light towards the beast and as predicted the white beast now approached her.

With the waves pulling away from the rocks, Stella floated in the middle of the sea-with a light by her side and a camera around her neck. Her heartbeat pounded so loud that it rang through her head. Then suddenly, silence.

It was as if the whole ocean stayed quiet in reverence to what was appearing. Then the face of the monster looked upon Stella. She was so horrified yet astound that she couldn't move. The beast looked at her in curiosity but was so large that it faced her sideways revealing it eye. And what beautiful eyes they were, despite the harshness of the flashlight- the eyes revealed an undiscovered galaxy. Instinctively Stella began photographing the impossible. The animal stood it ground and continue to observe Stella but then the smaller cries of the sea creature called out to her and driving her away. As the magnanimous creature swam away, the strength in her body created it's own current almost sweeping Stella away as she swam the opposite direction. The train of it's body seem to go on without end, until her tail remained and moved as a whip working too balance the beast's gracefulness.

Stella photographed what she could and tried to see where they were disappearing too. But, as Stella was getting ready to leave she saw that the beasts were following whale trails. This means that these animals do not venture during the day and if that's the case they would rest at the fault lines or in the ocean trenches. But big sea creatures weren't the only ones that like to be around fault lines-so do oil rigs.

Finally, the answer dawned upon her as she watched the aquatic family disappear. The areas marked in red had to have something to do with their homes. The BWEN company probably drilled into their homes which was probably the reason for their resentment of the drill. This new revelation hit her like a baseball bat. All of this alone was enough motivation to keep her swimming fast.
As Stella managed to reach the boat where all the other guys were trying to shine the old lantern that hung on the boat to hopefully find her. Stella waves and calls out to them. Kilo immediately grabbed the rope that tied Nate earlier and tossed it to Stella.
"OH MY GOD-I WAS SO WORRIED"
"Ahhhhh, you have no idea how HAPPY I am seeing you guys."

Kilo quickly pulled Stella on board and wrapped her in his jacket as he tried drying her up.
Luis was breathing much easier, "Let's get outta here. We had enough adventure!"

Everybody whole heartily agreed.

After some time steering the boat and getting back to shore. Stella was still shivering. Nate seeing this commented, "Hey Stella, why don't we go to my house before you guys leave? My grandmother would like meeting you and she knows how to make some good tea."
"That's really sweet of you Nate. But she could be asleep. I don't want to bother her."

As Spike pulled the boat on shore an older woman sitting on a log got up and directly helped Spike get the boat on shore.

Everyone sat quietly and looked at the older woman; Spike uncomfortably stood there quietly looking at the strong old lady. As the woman looked at everyone, she broke the silence.

"Boys! What did I tell you about night fishing?"
Both Nate and Spike were too stunned to speak.

The older woman kept her stern gazed onto the boys and then carefully observed everyone else in the boat. 

"I see you brought some friends Nate. You and the girl look wet. Is anyone hurt?"

Before Nate respond, Stella interrupts. "No madam, just cold."

"Alright. Everyone please get inside-you too ESPECIALLY." 

After the command, everyone from the boat ran up the hill and straight into the house. Calmly the older woman walked behind. The older woman was in excellent shape and her figure made her look youthful but she bared her years in her hair and face.

As everyone in quiet obedience entered the cabin the older woman closed the wooden door and then locked it with a plank. The older woman than revived the fire in the fireplace to make the home warmer. As the fire softly toasted the two cold teens the older woman brought out some dry clothes.

"Get dressed in my room over there Hun and when your done bring your wet clothes here to dry."

"Thank you madam."