1. THE CANOE #3
“Hell yeah, he was a tyrant,” Dyson said as our dive instructor approached and introduced herself to the group as Kareena.
She looked around our age and had a soft Spanish accent. Dyson was done for the second he saw her. I smiled as he shamelessly tried to catch her eye while she briefed the group.
As we moved to the edge of the boat, I gazed out into the vast blue wilderness and exhaled. Out here, there was nothing to think about except the ocean stretching endlessly around us.
I braced myself—mask in place, regulator secured—then pushed off. The water swallowed me whole. I steadied my breathing, then dropped beneath the surface… into another world.
Color exploded everywhere. Coral bloomed beneath us while fish wove through it in flashes of neon. A manta ray drifted silently past, massive and almost unreal. I hovered there, suspended in the water, watching it glide away into the distance.
Dyson froze nearby as a fish nearly his size cruised past him. I kicked deeper through the rocky outcrops, careful to stay close to the group. Under the spell of the reef, minutes slipped away in what felt like seconds.
Kareena drifted into our bubble and, with two fingers side by side, signaled toward the surface.
What? Already? Too soon!
Finning upward, I slowed as a cluster of green and yellow turtles glided past. Then, a few meters above Dyson, a gray shape cut through the water.
My gaze locked on the fin. A shark. Heading straight for us.
He and I exchanged a look and froze… but it slid past without a second glance, vanishing into the blue. My breathing slowed to a more normal rate, and I pushed upward again.
Dyson burst through the surface beside me, hauling himself up the ladder as I climbed up behind him. “Holy shit!” he yelled, tearing off his mask. “Did you see that?”
“Hard to miss it,” I said between breaths. “That was unreal. Not sure I’m in a hurry to repeat it, though.”
Kareena climbed aboard last. “Hey guys, how was it down there?” she asked, looking straight at Dyson.
He grinned from ear to ear. “We just had a close encounter with a shark. A big one—gray.”
“That would’ve been a gray reef shark,” she said. “They’re pretty harmless if you leave them alone. You were really lucky to see one. They’re an endangered species.”
“You know your stuff,” Dyson said, impressed.
Her mouth curled up at one corner. “Yeah, I spent a few months on a Sea Shepherd ship during one of their whale defense campaigns.”
“Damn,” Dyson said. “That’s badass. And now you get to do this every day.” He gestured toward the water.
“I know, right? This place is special. My days are amazing out here… but the nights can be quiet.”
“We can fix that,” Dyson said immediately. “Dinner tonight?”
She smiled. “Sounds perfect. Meet you at eight at the dive club bar,” she called over her shoulder as she joined the others.
I wandered over to one of the seats and settled into it. I could get used to this. I bit into a ripe mango.
***
Later that week I joined Dyson one of the island’s open-air bar, and we watched the sun dip into the ocean while the sky burned red, slowly fading into dusk.
A waiter appeared with our tapas.
“I ordered already. Hope you don’t mind,” Dyson said.
“All good,” I said, taking a mouthful before we ate in silence for a while.
“So, what’ve you been up to?” I asked after we’d almost finished eating. “You went MIA after the reef.”
“Sorry I ditched you.” He grinned. “I’ve been exploring with Kareena. Moped rides, a helicopter trip to Whitehaven Beach, the whole thing. Whitehaven was spectacular. You should totally check it out.”
“No way,” I said. “I went yesterday with Otto. You know the old guy moored next to us? He wanted some company. Didn’t see you guys there.”
“Yeah, it was the last flight of the day. I booked it as a surprise for her. The view of the islands was incredible from up there,” Dyson said, draining his glass.
He looked happier than I’d seen him in a long while as I waited for him to elaborate.
“She’s great. We snorkeled, chilled with a picnic beneath some palm trees, and spent the rest of the afternoon drinking champagne. And the sand… it must’ve been the whitest in the world. Now I’ve got it in every piece of tech I own,” he laughed. “Totally worth it though.”
“I can tell.” I chuckled.
“What about you?” He raised an eyebrow. “Any island romance developing?”
“Nah. Not unless you count Otto.” I grinned. “Besides, I’m trying to keep a low profile, remember?” But a part of me wished otherwise.
“Turns out Mitch was right,” Dyson said. “I could stay here forever. I’ve never felt so relaxed.”
“Look out,” I said. “The tropics have got a hold of you. Can’t believe we’re setting sail tomorrow, though… at this rate, Kareena’s probably going to emerge from your cabin a few days in.”
“That’s actually not a bad idea. Thanks.”
“Did I hear my name?” Kareena appeared and wrapped her arms around Dyson from behind. “I can’t believe it’s your last night here!”
“We were just talking about you stowing away,” Dyson replied, making us all laugh.
“Thanks for keeping him occupied. It’s been nice finally getting a bit of peace,” I said with a grin.
“My pleasure.” Her eyes sparkled. “So, where are you headed when you leave tomorrow?”
We talked about the next leg of the trip, the islands we wanted to explore, the trip to the Gold Coast Dyson was insisting we make until the music inside suddenly pulsed louder.
“I love this song!” Kareena grabbed Dyson’s hand. “Come dance with me.” The two of them disappeared inside.
The last remnants of red vanished from the sky.
Dyson had always brought fun into our controlled school existence, and I’d miss that when he left. But even from across the world, I knew he’d still drag me into his—
A series of clicks behind me caught my attention.
Shit, not again! My gut twisted.
Cameras were everywhere, closing in fast as questions fired from every direction. “Please,” I said, backing toward the door. “Just give me some space.”
“Karson!” someone shouted. “Will you join SolStar now that you’ve finished at Drake Academy?”
“Can you make a statement about your father’s latest project?” another called.
“Are you seeing anyone right now? We won’t tell,” one of them joked.
I bolted inside, slamming the door shut behind me.
A stocky man in a resort uniform stood with his feet planted apart, fists curled, ready for battle. He signaled to security. “Mr. Wells wants his privacy,” he told him. “Hold them back.”
“I’m Ronnie, the manager,” he said, turning to me. “Sorry about that circus.”
“Call me Karson,” I said. “And thanks.”
“You need a way out?” he asked.
“You bet I do.”
He grinned. “Follow me.”
We cut through the kitchen. The noise dropped away, and suddenly everyone was staring at me.
“Nothing to see here!” Ronnie barked. “Back to it, all of you!” The clatter of crockery snapped back to life behind us.
He pushed through a back door into a dim corridor, stepping out into the shadows. A red golf cart sat beneath a tree. “How’s this for a getaway car?” He flashed a toothy grin.
“Perfect.” I chuckled.
“Hop in, mate.” He jumped in and slapped the seat beside him. “Where we headed?”
“To the marina,” I replied, launching myself onto the seat.
“No worries. Hold tight.” The golf cart lurched forward as we tore off down the road.
I grabbed the roof handle, peeking over my shoulder as he steered the cart onto the road. No one was behind us, and I sighed in relief.
Ronnie cracked lame jokes the entire way as somehow, I laughed harder than I had all night. By the time we screeched to a stop at the marina gate, I was pretty sure we’d set some sort of golf cart speed record.
“Righto, you’re all clear now.”
“Thanks, Ronnie. And if I ever need a getaway driver, you’re hired.”
He chuckled. “Sorry again about those clowns,” he called before tearing off into the night.
I hurried down the dock and climbed aboard The Canoe, pulling out my phone as I stepped onto the deck.
KARSON: Dyson, watch your back. The pack’s on the hunt.