Lost Treasure

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Ryan yells over the beating wind stirred from our rushing boat.

I balance an old compass in my hand as I gaze out towards the opened water. Then, without a second thought, I reply, "I'm sure."

An honest grin grows over Ryan's face. I duplicate his action with my expression.

I ask, "What?" In regards to his evident, infectious joy.

"You are crazy." He answers coolly.

I am not offended, especially with such a playful tone. But, for some reason, Ryan makes me feel different than I've ever felt. Ryan, my not-so-official partner on my conjured adventures, is one of the most honest, fearless, and enthusiastic people I've ever met.

In some other dimension, I'd like to think we'd be connected in ways much different than exploring the depths of the world. All of that is far too trivial for my life, and I think we know. But there's no harm in a bit of fun.

"Crazy?" I laugh, "How so?"

He answers over the breeze as he stirs the boat in the vast rested ocean, "Maybe crazy isn't the right word."

"Oh?" I question as I slink closer.

"Passionate." He glances at me as he speaks with the biggest smile.

I impishly pat his shoulder as I take my attention to an entry in an old notebook. Its cryptic message makes me think every time I lay eyes on the scribbles. These marks are that of my brother. I lost him years ago. He was off doing something just as senseless as I am now.

After a long pause, I announce just as if Ryan had been in my mind with me, "Coordinates, that's what the numbers must mean. If I'm right, this could be the end of our journey."

Ryan presses his lips, "Bitter-sweet as ever."

There is a long pause before I start fumbling around with some equipment.

I look up from my task to point, "There!" I announce.

It's a section of ocean that looks just the same as every meter before it, but I know it's the right spot. Ryan doesn't hesitate to stop our pursuit upon my announcement with a nod. Then, I begin lacing my diving equipment on, taking special care to make sure it's all accurate.

Ryan asks, "Are you sure you don't need a wingman? It's been a while since I've seen a sunken ship."

His lighthearted tone always makes the stress melt away. I shake my head, "If you go down with me, who's going to help pull me up with my box full of treasures?"

Ryan laughs, "A full box of treasure? I don't know if I can pull you up with all of that."

I playfully slap his chest, "You know I'm only going for one thing."

I pull out my notebook and point. A crude drawing of a small box with magnificent engraved detail is beside the scribbles, then an arrow pointing to an open version of the same package, and a necklace beside that.

"And you're sure your brother knew what he was talking about?" He asks.

I furrow my eyebrow to answer, "Yes, he was the best-"

"Hey," he stops my defenses, "I don't doubt him or you. Just- be careful down there; you never know what you might run into."

I accept his regret immediately and answer with a joke, "Certainly not pirates."

"I hope not," He laughs.

Balancing on the edge of our little shanty boat, I turn my back to the water and place a breathing device in my mouth.

"This is it," I am thrilled.

"Yep," Ryan nods.

"Remember, if I need your help pulling me up…." I let my seriousness fade for one last jest, "with all my treasures…." Then, I'm back to a straight face, "I will tug on my tether just like this."

I pull on the end of the cord that runs from me to the boat.

"And what if it doesn't work?" He worries.

I shrug, "Even from all the way down there, you'll know when it's intentional."

"Whatever you say." He answers with utter confidence in me, "Have fun down there, captain!"

With a deep breath, I release my weight into the water below. I can feel the change of pressure as I sink just below the water surface with a thud.

The deep blue sea is one of the scariest and most striking visions. It has a gradient effect from the surface down to its unseen depths. Each time I experience Mother Natures' vast glory, I feel these overwhelming scenes of security. It's all a phenomenon that I don't feel one human will ever be capable of describing on their own.

I fall deeper and deeper into a dark abyss. Things are getting foggier; little creatures smaller than an ant float like confetti as I dip.

I spy on one of the world's most misunderstood marvels with one glance up to the surface. I can see the bottom of the boat and where the sunlight peaks around all of its sides. Through the beautiful gleam of light, a shadow of a shark passes. It takes my attention for long enough to feel pure as I wonder if I am more afraid of it or it is me.

With a swift turn, I'm back on my pursuit. From my readings, the box should be located on the sunken ship known as 'Escape.' I joked with Ryan about pirates, but in a way, they are genuinely what I am looking for. I'm searching for an old pirate ship. Sure there might be treasures, but this package is the only one I care about.

The necklace was my brother's last expedition. He won awards for all of his work, and this necklace is the thing that stumped him.

I think picking up his research was one of the last ways I feel close to him. Archeology wasn't in the family, but it captivated us. I remember playing on the swings and equipment at the park. It was always a story of make-believe, and they were about some ancient venture. We grew up to be the very adventurers we imagined.

Although I never did go on an expedition with him because he would tell me it was too dangerous, he did share his findings with me. He'd be a fool to think those warnings would keep me away. I was always too captivated and curious to turn away from the pull of passion.

Here I am, diving deep to finish his last quest, knowing full well the hunger isn't going to stop after this. I have the journey in my heart, too. Despite his caution, there is no controlling the soul's destiny. I think he always knew there would be a day I ignored his advice. I'm sure he is looking down on me now, knowing this is exactly what I was meant to do.

There is a point where you can feel everything shift. The flow around you gets far colder, the murkiness denser. I squint to try and see farther into the haze to no avail. I'm lucky the floor is beneath my feet. Although I've dropped considerably lower than a diver should, this isn't the deepest patch of ocean, just deep enough to wonder what could be prowling just out of sight.

I turn over my shoulder to spy on the faint outline of a ship. It makes me feel accomplished even though I have yet to explore. With each weightless step, I make my way over to the specimen.

It's vast and majestic, just as you'd imagine. For being at the bottom of the ocean, much of its phasic is still intact. There is one hole at the base, which likely caused the vessel to plummet. Other than that, it sits proudly as the prize that once sailed the seas. I trace my hand over the mossy sideboards before swimming towards the deck.

Onboard, I notice a million things I'd like to examine. These artifacts are exciting, but none more than the necklace.

The captain's chambers sit opened but relaxed among the rest of the splendor.

I peer through the open doorway and into the room. Everything is tossed to one side of the room. I start to rummage when I see it; the box sits just out of hand's reach. I lean to grab it when a startling alarm calls for my attention. Just on my right shoulder, a bright red dot blinks, threatening a decreasing oxygen level.

This is when I should tug so Ryan can help me up to the surface. Every last bit of logic tells me to abandon the mission, but my stubbornness plugs on. I lunge towards the ancient box and nestle it tight between my arm and chest.

With strategic velocity, I swim out, following the trail my tether leaves behind. Using my free hand, I yank on the cord while ignoring the loud beeping in my ear. I can feel the aid from the other end help pull me along as the repetitive sound calls my attention.

Suddenly I stop. I see my tether pinned under some old debris. I am no longer moving towards escape. I brace myself on the ship's surface and tug at the wire, but it does nothing. I am nearly out of time and trapped.

Instead of functioning with any sense, I dare not drop my prize box. It's my reason for being, the entire purpose of my travels- my life. So instead, I twist and detach myself from my tether, one of the only things assuring my survival. It yanks through the debris without my weight to hold it back.

With puffed-out cheeks and the box burrowed under my arm, I try my best to swim. Dropping the box would make it far easier to maneuver, but my pigheadedness tells me I can make it. Slowly I pull myself to the top, with oxygen quickly fading. Then, lightheaded and in desperate need of air, I plunge forward towards the bright blue of the shallows.

The boat sits just before me. I can make out its shape and spy the loose tether hanging just off the side. I struggle but continue with all of my might.

Soon, I launch out of the water with every last ounce of strength. The inviting air fills my lungs with a pinch as I gasp.

"Sarah!" I catch Ryan screaming my name.

When I dry my eyes, I can see the boat bobbing close. Ryan reaches his hand into the water to lift me aboard.

I sit upon the deck, clearing my head and taking in the despite breaths, all while Ryan stands there half decked out in his own equipment. I feel humored by his appearance, "What is this all about?"

"When the tether came back empty, I thought I'd go find you." He was serious.

"Like that?" I giggle between refreshing breaths, "You wouldn't last a second!"

"Well, it was worth a try." He shrugs before continuing, "Are you okay?"

I nod as we both take our attention to the small chest on my lap.

"Is that the reason I almost lost you?" Ryan asks, referring to the box.

"Yep," I answer as I stare at its detail.

"Well, are you going to open it?"

He didn't have to ask me twice. It feels like I waited my entire life to open this box. Then, with a lift to the lid, captive water rushes out. I gasp when I realize its contents don't contain a necklace at all. Instead, it's a tablet scribed with another riddle.

"What does it mean?" Ryan asks.

I stand with the tablet laced between my fingertips, "It means this wasn't our last adventure."

Ryan nods with a halfhearted grin. As bad as I wanted the artifact, it might be even more delightful to keep searching.