The Light in the Dragons Den (On Pause)

Chapter 2

The sweet melodic sounds of the ocean lapping at its own surface placed Anthy in a state of peace while her head rested on her pillow. Dinner came and went. Her eyes never stopped looking. 

Never stopped searching for Marco. She had hoped to sit down and talk with him about his research. What it was exactly he was doing out here in the middle of the ocean with nothing but miles of deep water on all sides. What he was working on. What he was profiting on. What he aimed to gain or fix. 

Norman assured her there was plenty of time to get the full scoop. And she planned on making the next issue top notch. Sending the competition a run for their money. For now, rest and observation were to be key roles. 

On the desk sat her laptop, plugged in with the screen on. Her camera was connected as it sat on a tripod that was leveled to her face, the folder from the memory card was left open on the screen. Empty except for a single subfolder that held a select few of her personal favorites. Every new edition of Nature Specter released, the camera was cleared to be prepped for the next assignment. The subfolder held many memories she herself had archived away. Archived with more subfolders dated accordingly. Right now, the device was left to charge for the morning light. Her work would begin. 

Anthy lifted her head to gaze out the window that she had opened. The smell of the gentle salty air that came on the cool humid breeze. Moonlight bathed the small room, glistening off the metal frame of the bed. It's peaceful nights like this that truly bring her a sense of lightness where a heavy weight usually sat in her chest. It also made her miss Beau who was usually the only pleasant weight on her chest. 

The full moon outside dimmed the stars in the sky, adding precious glittering silver lines in the few clouds that floated past on summer dreams. Anthy stuck her head outside, camera in hand that was still connected for a few stealing moments as she took a few shots of the seascape. Scenery like this made her smile. 

"What I'd give for this every day." She breathed. After a few more snaps, the camera was set back to its home and she rested on the window sill. Embracing the cool fresh air that caressed her skin. 

It was a blink. Just a blink. A whisper of a phantom and gone. A shadow in the distance beyond the waves. Anthy rubbed her eyes. Squinted. 

The image was gone. 

She shrugged her shoulders then turned to the bed where the comforter was tossed to the side and she slid between the soft cotton sheets. Her face buried into the pillows and she drifted to sweet slumberland with the roars of the waves echoed in her ears with the promise of tomorrow. 

***

Her camera snapped various pictures throughout the levels she explored. The labs opened to her with large clear sliding doors. Anthy took shots of the research teams, the interior, the technology and machinery who's power, like the rest of the facility, was generated by the ocean waves. Renewable and clean as the teams explained. 

She spied Rebecca who had her eyes focused deep in the lens of a microscope. Anthy crept up for a few snaps. Doing her best not to distract or disrupt the young girl. The glow from the light source illuminated the crystal blue eyes she possessed. 

A blush crept over her cheeks and a smile spread her lips over her teeth. 

"You're embarrassing me." She gushed. Blue hues turned toward Anthy who gazed at the small screen on her camera to view her newest capture. She showed Rebecca her work. Perfect contrast that highlighted the girls cheekbones. Lighting that made her eyes look near ethereal. So focused on her work that the camera didn't phase her until the clicking sound dragged her from the small world she had created.