"Well done, Celia! You are improving," shouted Robert, her 19-year old diving coach as she broke through the water gasping for air. They had been free diving for 2 painful hours and Celia was still struggling to reach the 20m-mark. She inhaled deeply to catch her breath. Her pulse was racing. The darkness of the deep waters and her claustrophobia made her panick a lot more than necessary. She couldn't believe that she had to do this. Complete and utter torture was all that it was.
"It's hopeless, Robert. I just can't swim that deep. I'll never be as good as...as Toby." exclaimed Celia dismally as her heartbeat slowed to a normal pace.
She swallowed hard to clear the lump in her throat. Even saying her brother's name was painful. Toby Woods had always been the name on everybody's lips when it came to watersports. Nowadays...it was different. Celia's emerald-green eyes grew hazy with the thought that the police might be right. If his body was somewhere on the ocean floor, they would never even know.
Robert stared at her long and hard. He and Toby had been good friends until Toby started acting strange. Robert looked as if he wanted to say something but changed his mind and shook his head instead.
"You're just beginning to learn. Toby is...was five years older than you and had much more experience so you don't need to worry. You'll soon be able to compete in the u/16 diving competitions. I think you've been at it long enough. Let's call it a day."
He hoisted his muscular body up onto the boat and extended his hand for Celia. She gratefully clambered up next to him and they both started taking off their diving gear in silence. If only her father could accept that she and her brother weren't the same person, she would have never even tried diving. She would still be going to school and still be doing normal things with normal friends. Celia knew that her father would never allow that now.
The old fishing boat creeked as the waves whistfully lapped against its side. The sun glowed red on the horison like a ball of fire flecking the sky with shades of deep pink and purple. Celia sighed and laced a strand of auburn hair between her fingers. Her brother would have loved this sunset. If he was still around, he would probably have been here instead of her.
Celia turned around, suddenly realising that Robert's brown eyes was gazing intently at her. His face looked serious and he spoke in a low quiet tone which was very unlike him.
"Celia, there's...there's something I need to..." His voice faltered.
The peaceful scene was suddenly disturbed as a large chubby man of about 60 years of age burst through the captain's cabin singing a merry, old pirate tune. He had a friendly face and spoke in a booming loud voice with a rich Italian accent. Their conversation would have to wait.
"Ah Celia! Roberto! I was starting to worry about you. Your father would kill me if something happened to you."
Celia laughed and jumped up to give her uncle a hug. Robert cursed irritatedly under his breath but also got up to greet the old sailor. Celia flashed her perfect smile.
"Graçias, uncle Alberto. I'm sorry it took so long. I'm still struggling."
Alberto shook Robert's hand with unnecessary hard force and he cringed. It almost looked as if Alberto purposely hurt Robert. Celia bit her lip. Did something happen between them that she didn't know of? Her uncle wasn't really the angry-type. She pretended not to notice. Alberto turned back to her and gave his usual warm smile.
"Well, I started to worry that young Roberto might have let you drown." Alberto forced out a laugh but it did not sound like a joke.
Celia laughed nervously and decided it was better to change the subject.
"We should probably head back to shore, it's already 8 o'clock ."
That was the one of the best parts about living in the Italian coast. During summer, the days were endlessly long and the nights were nice and short.
"Ah çi çi! We must hurry because we must be on time." Alberto disappeared into the cabin.
The Woods's Family dinners were taken very seriously since Toby's disappearance and being late was totally unacceptable. Robert glanced down nervously at his watch.
"He's right. You don't have much time. I also need to be somewhere. I might swing by later. Send my regards to your father."
Celia now noticed a man in all black with a jet ski next to the boat. His face was covered in a black ski mask. Where did Robert need to go so quickly? He wasn't really the social type. And who was the man on the jet ski?
"Oh, of course..." Celia said asRobert started gathering his gear.
"Oh, um and you wanted to tell me something earlier?" Celia asked hesitantly in a hushed voice. He stopped.
"We'll talk later, okay?"
"Oh, yeah sure. No problem. Um, where are you going tonight?" Celia asked trying to not sound over-curious. Robert climbed onto the back of the jet ski.
"Just taking care of some business. Nothing to be worried about," he said with a wink.
Celia blushed lightly. Hopefully Robert couldn't see in the evening light, she thought. The jet ski lurched forward. They drove a few meters when Robert suddenly turned and shouted,
"Celia, I think you should get some rest. You're going to need it...and soon." With that they sped off into the horizon.
