Finding Peace

The Search

NOT EDITED//

CHAPTER 19

The swim was long and hard. Silence was all that filled the crystal waters, and as the swim plummeted deeper into the blue, the colder and darker the waters grew. Fewer and fewer fish swam near the crew as they pushed on.

Arita let at a small irritated sigh, knowing the many hours they had just experienced, we're few of the next many.

"Guys," She groaned, swimming ahead. "Can we please do something? Like, fun?"

"Yes, please!" Brookie dramatically yelled.

Michael let out a soft chuckle and nodded, "Alright, like what?"

"I don't know.. Just any game, anything!" Arita pleaded.

Jacob chuckled in the back, but Nick plummeted on, un-moved by the boredom the surrounding teens.

"Alright," Michael began, "how about I-spy?" Arita gave a slight nod, "okay, just because I'm extremely bored. Not your best game Michael." Michael playfully rolled his eyes and Arita swam back to the rear of the group.

"Brooke, you start." Jacob insisted.

"Alright," she laughed. "I-Spy, something orange."

The three pondered for a moment then Michael jumped at the answer, "That orange coral, over there!" He pointed.

"Correct!" Brookie laughed, "alright your turn."

Michael thought for a moment and looked around, "I-Spy something blue." He let out a playful smile and looked back at the girls.

Jacob sighed, "Michael, everything's blue!"

Michael let out a laugh, "I know!"

Arita and Brooke exchanged looks of sarcastic irritation and went to looking for Michael's "blue" item.

After minutes of hopelessly searching for a blue item, but the farther out they swam, the less objects were seen.

"Michael, there's nothing out here!" Jacob huffed.

"Just keep looking!"

"Michael? Is it like, the water?" Brooke asked.

"Ding ding ding! Great job! Sure took you guys long enough." Michael laughed.

"Dork." Jacob added in a playful tone.

"Alright, new game!" Arita called out clapping her hands together. Brooke nodded, "What game now?"

"No. No more games, we need to keep moving." Nick spoke sharp and deep.

"And the silent monk speaks." Brooke mocked.

"Brooke." He said in a low stern voice. She threw her hands up in defense and Arita's eyes shot up in surprise. She gave Brooke and Michael questioning looks then swam up front to Nick.

"Nick?" She asked softly looking at his side profile.

"What?" He asked coldly, a furrowed line cutting a crossed his forehead.

"W-what's wrong?"

"Nothing Arita. Swim back in line."

"We'll maybe I wanna swim next to you?"

"No, we need to stay in formation."

"Nick, what's wrong?"

He sharply turned his head and coldly gazed into her eyes. For a split moment sadness pierced them, but it was gone just as quickly as it came.