Chapter 113

The One Underwater

A R I E L L E

Today’s plans include something called a SeaTrek—it’s a cool sort of excursion where we get to walk underwater together while observing the various things that are sunken into the sand.

It was Nate’s idea. I never even knew shit like this existed, but I’ve been excited about it ever since he told me. I’m a little nervous too because I’m worried about how it’ll feel having the helmet on and the way it will limit my movement, but knowing that Nate is here to do it with me is helping reduce the anxiety.

When we first arrived at the area where you do it, they started rambling off a series of safety protocols. They’ve even made us sign some sort of paperwork that I assume protects them if shit hits the fan. I don’t really see how it could, but I guess anything could happen.

The safety shit lasts longer than I anticipated. We’ve probably been standing here for fifteen minutes before someone walks around and requests each person’s size for a pair of water shoes and giving them to us to put on.

I think it’s another safety thing, considering we’ll be walking on the base of the ocean. It’s not a deep drop, but there’s really no telling what could be between the grains of sand.

Eventually, the employee is finally done spouting off safety protocols and Nate grabs my hand in excitement. He’s been raving about doing this all morning, so I know he’s been looking forward to doing it ever since he decided to come. Which only makes me more happy that I agreed to join him when he invited me to come to Anguilla.

I mean, it was really no decision. The second he asked me, I knew I wanted to go. Wherever he is, is where I want to be. He’s my best friend. I love spending time with him—no matter how uneventful it may be.

The employees begin helping each person into their helmet, securing small hoses that will provide oxygen for them while they’re on the floor of the ocean. I took a glance over the edge of the platform we’re on earlier and it really isn’t that deep—I can actually see almost everything down there—but it’s still nerve-racking to think about.

When it becomes my turn, I slip the massive thing over my head, letting it rest on my shoulders. It doesn’t feel awfully heavy, but I feel a tiny bit panicky as it confines my personal space.

Nate quickly gets his on and then turns to me, adjusting my helmet as he sees fit. “You alright, my love?”

I try to nod, but the damn thing doesn’t allow me to very successfully. “Yeah,” I reply, my voice echoing around me. “Just a bit anxious.”

He grabs my hand, interlacing our fingers. His eyes meet mine and I see the concern etched in his facial features. “I’m right here, yeah? If at any time you’re uncomfortable, we’ll quit.”

The line begins moving—at a rate quicker than I expect—as each person heads down into the water. The closer we get, the more nervous I get, which causes Nate to scoot in front of me.

I watch him crawl down the ladder with ease, and it calms my nerves slightly. He doesn’t seem to have a single concern about it and it makes me feel safer. I know he’d never purposefully put me in any sort of danger and I do my best to remember that fact.

I’m next in line and I glance down to see Nate waiting at the bottom of it. He’s extending his arms, as if to encourage me that he’s there to catch me if I fall—which is funny because I don’t imagine falling would hurt nearly as much because of the fact that the water would sort of cushion it.

Nonetheless, it helps me as I spin and begin the descent down the ladder. By the time I’m at the bottom, I feel Nate ‘s hands on my hips as he aids me down the last few. When my water shoes hit the sand, I barely feel it, but the nerves I once had dissipate quickly as I spin and glance at the floor of the ocean.

I don’t think describing it would do it justice to how striking it is. From the fish that swim quickly around us, to the kelp, algae, seagrass, and coral—all of it in a rainbow variety of colours—that live at the bottom, it has me clutching my chest in shock of its beauty.

It’s similar to the snorkeling we did, but it really doesn’t even come close.

It instantly makes me happy that I overcame any of the nerves I felt. I would’ve regretted it if I didn’t do this. Thank God Nate helped convince and calm me.

As we begin to follow the path that’s been already laid out, I grab hold of the bars along it to stabilize myself. Something about walking on the bottom of the ocean has me feeling a bit wobbly so it feels good to anchor myself with the provided railing. Add to the fact that it’s difficult to put one leg in front of the other while fighting against the water and avoiding sinking too far in the sank and it’s a workout, to say the least.

Lucky for Nate and I, we’re at the back of the pack. It’s giving me the freedom to take as long as I feel I need to. I don’t want to rush through this and I don’t think Nate does either. If someone was in line behind me, I’d feel that constant pressure to go a little quicker than usual so they’d be able to enjoy their experience, too.

The first thing that makes me stop is a bell, half sunken into the sand. The metal is faded, dull from years of being under the surface. It’s covered in some sort of growth—a form of algae, I’d assume, but I’m not an expert—and sports writing on the side that I can’t quite make out.

I wonder what a bell so large could’ve once been used for. Some sort of tower? Or was it specially made for this excursion?