Stone Cold

Planet or Plastic

The sun comes up, casting a yellow glare over the crystal blue oceans.

I smile, getting out of bed, and swimming out into the depths.

The water is clear at this time in the morning, no sounds, and not a soul to be seen.

The early morning fish traffic doesn't start for a while, so the creatures are making the most of a lie in.

I flick my tail and the faint light of a passing boat tints the ocean a pearl colour.

I stretch my scales and sigh, time for the normal routine.

I swim slowly over to the coral reef and tap the coral.

"Pearl" I mutter, swishing my tail impatiently.

I wait for her to emerge.

"Why do we always have to wake up so blooming early" she complains, pulling herself out of her coral bed.

"Because, this is the best time"

She smiles, "yes it is"

We set off, leaving early was a good idea.

I squint as we make our way closer to the shore, we shouldn't be here.

We slow down as we approach the rocks.

"Quick hide" I pull her behind a large grey stone.

A devilish smile plays on her pale face, and her emerald eyes dart around.

I hold back a laugh and force her to stay quiet.

We wait a few more minutes before swimming around the rocks.

"We're here" she breathes, her arm twitching happily.

I nod and she darts off.

I look around nervously, hoping not to see one of the patrols.

I love coming here with Pearl, it's our spot, but we aren't allowed to be here.

It was forbidden by our ruler 11 years ago, when a human was spotted around this area.

But of course we had to keep coming, we've been doing it since we were young.

I chase after her and sit on the sand, shaking out my tail.

I turn my head around so I can see most of what's in front of me.

The sparkling water is reflecting off my scales, casting an aquamarine glow on the water.

My eyes cast to a sea horse, swimming through the water, peacefully.

I shush Pearl and she frowns, calls me a spoilsport and darts off.

I roll my eyes, and focus on the small sand coloured sea horse.

It's tiny eyes looking around nervously, swishing it's tail in warning.

It's soft ridges looked dipped in cocoa powder, and its honeycomb underbelly is smooth and pale.

I close my eyes, opening them quickly.

My eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"Pearl?!" I call out in worry.

Swimming forward, I find myself in my home area, the coral reef in sight.

But instead of the clear water, there is rubbish floating, covering every square inch of the water.

Tears float to my eyes as they meet with a saddening sight.

The seahorse, swimming slowly past a plastic water bottle.

It's small tail, wrapped around a small pink stick, with tiny fluffy clouds on the top.

***

499 words.

My entry for the planet or plastic competition!

I worked really hard on this, and I'm quite proud of it.

I wrote this because I feel very strongly about the planets welfare, and even though this first chapter is just a short story for the purpose of the competition, I'm going to write short story's for all the areas that I feel are important to save the planet.

So I hope you enjoyed it, it's a serious issue that needs to be addressed and I'm happy Wattpad are addressing it.

Thanks for reading!

- Feather In The Wind 💫