The Cage

Tony had known before even stepping on the boat that this was a bad idea. No, not a bad idea a stupid idea. The worst his friend Dave and his wife Kathleen, or Kat as she now liked to be called had ever come up with. Like the new haircut, and sports car she’d gotten recently ever since that women over forty empowerment weekend she’d been making a lot of changes. Changes that Tony had done his best to support, but the thrill-seeking was probably where he should have drawn the line. Especially, when it started to include him.

Yet here he was out in the middle of the ocean, somewhere off the coast of Australia in a rented boat. One filled with diving gear and a huge man-sized cage hanging off the back. They were all licensed divers and had gone all over southeast Asia and most of the Caribbean together. The big difference on those trips were the crew that had come out with him.

Professionals who knew the seas they traveled on like the back of their hands. Now it was just the three of them and a shark cage in the middle of the ocean.

She’d wanted to take this trip for a while. At first it was just a beach trip, then it had included scuba diving and now a shark cage. With work pressures, Tony hadn’t been able to get away and had to keep putting the trip off, which had given his wife more then enough time to plan new and exciting ways to get them both killed. He had known that Kat resented him for it for a little while, but he was still surprised when she’d made the recent change to their trip, usually she liked partying on the beach and only doing the occasional diving adventure during the day.

A shark cage and spending nights on the open ocean was new for both of them. Of course, they’d all talked about it over beers in their 20’s when everything seemed possible. Now, pushing 40 Tony felt all too mortal. And coming face to face with the world's biggest shark in its domain wasn’t exactly on his to-do list.

But, she’d insisted, and so had Dave. After all, he’d already rented the boat and got dive cage certified. Tony and Kat’s dive certs were up to date so they could go just the three of them. A little holiday they’d told him. As the boat came to a stop in the middle of the ocean, Tony wished her and Dave had just gone on this holiday themselves and left him out of it completely.

“Tony!” Dave called out to him. Motioning that he needed help in the back of the boat. Dave was Tony’s opposite. Whereas age had caught up with him, it seemed to have skipped past Dave altogether, he still had the same abs, tan and full head of dark hair that he’d had at 25. Some guys got all the luck. Tony thought walking back to help his friend move their gear from the interior cabin to the back of their rented boat.

He passed by Kat who was lounged out soaking up the sun. She looked amazing showing off all the weight she’d lost. Tony didn’t know why but these past six months she’d been almost insane about going to the gym. Looking at her now and feeling the jiggle of his own gut as he navigated the boat he wished he’d joined her. Even he had to admit she looked great, as he always reminded her he’d never thought she’d looked bad in the first place.

It was good though, she found a hobby. One he might need to do start too after all they weren’t getting any younger, he thought smiling at her as he walked past. She didn’t even look up from what she was reading.

Dave was at the back of the boat pulling locking chains off of the cage. “Once, it’s free I need you to help me push it off into the water.”

“Won’t it sink?” Tony asked, thinking about how hard it would be to have to swim down to a rapidly sinking cage.

Dave laughed. “No, it will drop off the back of the boat. But, there's not enough slack in the chain to let it sink all the way. The way I’ve got it rigged it will be close to the surface allowing you to climb in first.”

“Wait, I’m going first?” Tony asked.

Dave looked up from the chains. “Yeah, didn’t Kat tell you? She said you’d want to go first. Besides I’m the only one that knows how to work the damn thing.”

Dave had him there and his wife was right he thought he did need a little adventure. Even if it was with a giant fucking shark. Who knows maybe there won’t even be a shark, after all they were in the middle of the ocean. What were the chances that a great white would just be hanging around.

Tony couldn’t help himself, “Dave what’s the chances of seeing a shark?” He asked, rather hopefully.

“Pretty good. This is a pretty notorious hot spot. Plus, I’ve got several buckets of chum below deck to help if we need to use it to see one.”

So much for that. Tony mused.

“Alright, help me push.” Dave told him.

Not knowing what else to do, he did as he was told. Surprised at how light the cage was, a quick shove and it quickly slid off the back end of the boat and splashed into the crystal clear blue water. Rippling the otherwise calm water. Well, as calm as the ocean could be.

For a moment he stared out at it, gazing at the endless blue water that stretched as far as Tony could see in any direction. His reverie was broken as Dave slapped him on the shoulder.

“Suit up.” Dave told him with a big smile.

Tony nodded and went below deck to slip into suit. Slip in was the wrong word. The only way he was going to slip into it was if he greased it up with butter. The suit was more than a few years old and he hadn’t realized how much weight he’d gained. Tony couldn’t believe that this suit had been too big when he’d first gotten it. Now it took every effort just to slip it on, maybe he should start joining Kathleen at the gym.

He finally got it on, but it took a lot of sucking in and prayer. So he figured if he just didn’t breathe too deep or try to squat down he’d be fine. Or at least the suit would be fine. Besides it wasn’t like he had to do more than tread water in a cage anyway.

He made his way back to the deck, very concise of how the suit hugged and stretched with each step. As he made it back above deck Dave cracked a smile when he saw him.

“Little snug there.” He chided.

“Yeah, yeah.” Tony told him. “I’ll start dieting when I get back.” Or just buy a new suit, he thought wryly.

Katleen looked over at him and shook her head. “We should have gotten a new one.” She said parroting his thoughts.

“Well, live and learn.” Tony replied. She laughed at that. He didn’t know why though, it wasn’t exactly that funny. But he was happy just to see her smiling. It had been awhile since they’d done that together. Perhaps, this trip wasn’t a complete waste of time after all.

Dave helped him slide on his flippers and then got his tank on him. Before he forgot he put on his barometer watch, it had been a while since he’d dived and the last thing he wanted was to give himself the bends by accident. Now that, he thought would be more embarrassing than the suit.

Once everything was in place, he steadied himself and slid off the back of the boat. He was surprised at how cold the water was. Snug or not for the first time he was glad he was wearing the suit. The rest of the gear was heavy and the flippers were awkward at first, but muscle memory took over after a few strides and he swam over to the cage. Lumbering himself inside the small opening.

Once inside he shut the latch and threw the bolt. Wondering if it would actually be enough to stop anything that wanted to get in.

IT also surprised him at how simple it was. No locks or fancy gadgets. But then again he thought if sharks could open latches they would have more things to worry about. Dave gave him a thumbs up from the boat. And it was the last thing Tony saw before the cage started to descend.

Tony stopped thinking about all the issues that could happen with the winch as he went fully underwater. This was always his favorite part of diving. The ocean looked vast from above blue as far as the eye could see, but underwater it was something else entirely. Almost alien, as close as he would ever get in his lifetime to stepping onto another planet. The blues taking on various shades the farther from he sun you went. And even better was the abundance of sea life that seemed to take shape down here every direction you looked.

Even now close to the surface Tony could see schools of fish swimming in different directions. And below him farther then he could see he knew there would be crabs and other bottom dwellers. An abundance of life everywhere you looked.

And then something massive caught his attention. Tony swallowed nervously as it passed, it looked like Dave wasn’t going to have to chum the waters after all he thought. The shark was massive. Easily sixty feet long. He’d looked it up that’s how long a great white could get. But, on paper sixty feet doesn’t sound so big, not until you see it in person he thought. Just looking at it made him want to run, a normal reaction he figured.

But, he was safe he reminded himself. The mammalian part of his brain though, registered a large predator and nothing else. He was around twenty feet down now and now eye level with the large mass which was swimming out in the distance. The shark seemed to notice him as it turned towards him. As though it could feel his eyes on it.

This shark must have seen a cage before. He thought, maybe it thinks I’m going to throw chum. Or, he realized as one big predator it’s probably just trying to find out about the large object that just splashed into it’s territory. That made sense to him. As it got closer he wished that he’d brought a camera. A moment like this should be documented, to at least shown around the office.

Here he was below the water about to have his fist face to face with a great white. An apex predator, the biggest shark in the world. His blood was pumping through his veins and if he wasn’t afraid of drowning, he’d of attempted a whoop for joy. Kathleen was right he told himself, he had needed this. He just didn’t realize how much so until this moment.

It was less than ten feet away from him and for a moment he forgot to breathe. He fought the dumb instinct to reach out to it. Remembering how fast these creatures were. As it swam closer it wasn’t the teeth that caught his attention the most. Though they were large and very sharp. No, it was the eyes, so different from anything he’d seen. Black, cold, and completely dead in a way he couldn’t explain.

It was like there was just nothing there. No feeling, just cold, raw hunger. A purely, malevolent intelligence, he thought. As it passed it felt like the water had just gotten several degrees colder. He was still staring at the creature when his worst dreams came true.

Suddenly the large shark rushed the cage. With gapping jaws it smashed into the bars. Rocking it violently to and fro. Dave gripped the opposite side for dear life as it swung from side to side. Miraculously, the force of the blow didn’t bend up the bars. At least not in a way that it could get it. Just as suddenly as it started the shark stopped and swam away.

Only to return and begin circling the cage. Tony did his best to remind himself to take slow deep breathes, the last thing he needed was to have a full blown panic attack. Even though he was pretty sure he’d pissed himself. As the water around him got several degrees warmer he was positive. At least only him and the ocean would know.

The shark seemed content to circle him now that it knew it couldn’t get in. As though it had been in this situation before and was just double-checking that it’s prey was guarded. He was shocked that Dave hadn’t pulled him up after all that shaking. For the first time he realized that he had no way to communicate with Dave. That’s odd, while he’d never done a cage dive before surely he should have some way to get their attention if things went wrong?

He was still pondering that when the cage began to rapidly sink lower. To fast. He was descending to fast. The shark was following the cage lazily. But, his eyes were glued to his barometer. In this kit he couldn’t go much lower. Not without having some serious problems. He hoped for the best and unlatched the the bar, nervously watching as the top of the cage swung free opening him up to the open ocean.

Positive that he could make it to the top. The shark was now side by side with cage. It seemed that was what held it’s attention. Taking a deep breath he unlatched the top and swam out. Swimming slowly towards the surface as not o attract the sharks attention and to try and fight off the bends.

He didn’t stop until he was back to twenty feet below the surface again. That’s when he saw it another splash. Something small like a snake going through the water following the cage down. With terror he realized what it was.

The chain.

The chain to the cage had somehow come off the winch altogether. How could that even happen? And more to the point why weren’t Dave and Kat shining search lights in the water or diving in after him?

He looked down as something darted by him in the water. Something large. The shark. It swam around him, curious. But, amazingly didn’t attack him. For that he was thankful, though still terrified at being close to such a large predator without any kind of protection. Compared to it he was only the size of small dog. It seemed to be waiting for him to do something.

Instead of trying to figure it out he started slowly to the surface. The great white followed him swimming easily but keeping it’s distance. What was it going to do wait until he got to the surface and drag him back down?

He wondered, fighting his fear, knowing that panic meant death.

The cold intelligence looking at him from a mouth full of needle sharp teeth, gave nothing away. They simply watched, as it circled. He was only ten feet down when breathing started getting harder and he almost lost his shit. He tried to take a breath and nothing came through the respirator. He was out of air.

But, that was impossible. He flailed and the shark swam closer, holding his breath he got his panic under control and headed to the surface. As he breached he took deep gulping breathes. The shark circled him, it’s fin out of the water just like something from a movie, but gave him space. Tony was surprised to find that he was almost used to it.

The boat was still there. They hadn’t left him, he was glad about that. Yet, was still shocked to see that no one was on the deck. What had happened? He wondered.

Tony was about to shout for them to come help him. But, the circling fin kept him at bay. Would the shouting prompt the shark to attack? He wondered, not knowing what kind of tremors that would put out into the water.

He swam easily. Slowly, the shark still paced him. Waiting for something, he just didn’t know what yet. When he made it to the back of the boat it was a struggle to climb up where the cage had been. Somehow Tony did it, promising that the first thing he was going to do when he got back was working on getting in shape.

The first thing he noticed was the door to go below deck was shut. They hadn’t even been watching him after they sent him down, he realized.

A sinking feeling descended on him, whatever was going on he knew he wasn’t going to like it. Before he could find out what that was he needed to get this gear off. He did so slowly, quietly. He took off everything including the damn wet suit, which came off a lot easier than it had gone on.

And felt a lot better off. Still standing out there in his boxers was a lot colder than he’d thought, especially with the wind blowing.

Looking over the side he noticed that his friend the shark was still circling the boat. What the hell was it waiting for? What did that creature know that he didn’t he wondered. Either way he was strangely comforted by its presence.

Before he could think any longer he walked around the deck. Trying to find anyone. His foot hit something. Soft, something that wasn’t the carpet. He picked it up. It was the top to Kat’s bikini, he didn’t have to look long before he found the bottoms.

That’s when the truth hit him like a ton a bricks. Dave and Kat were having an affair. They were below deck fucking while he was almost eaten by a shark. In a rage he almost stormed down there and confronted them. But, then he saw the fin circling again.

And he understood. The shark was a predator and he wasn’t it’s prey. No, today there had been two other predators in the ocean. Somehow the shark knew that, two predators that had encroached on it’s territory.

All of it, Tony thought down to every last detail had been Dave’s and Kat’s idea from the start. The cage which only he could operate, Kat wanting him in the cage first, and the fact that Dave had filled the air tanks for them. Out of kindness he offered at the time.

The plan wasn’t to hard to figure out. By the time the cage hit the bottom Tony’s air would have run out. An accident, leaving Kat the grieving widow everything Tony owned. The houses, the cars, the money.

And Dave, his best friend, had been in on it.

Of course, he had, when Tony had buckled down and started to get serious about his career, Dave had kept on like they had in their twenties. He wondered what motivated him more at this point the money or Kat?

How had he been so blind?

The sudden interest in the gym. Dave being back in town all the time. Had he just not wanted to see it? What was worse he thought, his best friend and his wife fucking or trying to murder him.

Grabbing one of the beers from the cooler he chugged it. Had they really thought that he’d gotten so fat and out of shape that he’d just what? Not even try to save himself? Let himself die.

Fuck this. Tony grabbed one of the plastic oars from the side of the boat and opened the door to the rooms below. He could hear Kat moaning. He’d recognize it anywhere. He was seeing red.

Carefully he walked down the stairs. He could see them. The door was wide open. Dave was on top fucking his wife for all he was worth and neither of them could see him. He turned thinking about what to do he headed back up the stairs.

“What was that?” He heard Kat exclaim as he was back up stars. Out of sight.

“Oh you like that?” Dave said with a laugh. “Baby, that’s my special move.”

“No, you idiot what was that noise like someone on the stairs.” She told him, louder. “I swear I saw a shadow.”

“Really?” Dave asked her.

“Really.” Kat told him. Her voice stern. Tony knew that tone of voice. There was no arguing with her once she used that voice. Apparently Dave knew that too. He sighed from down below. “Fine I’ll go check it out, but your coming with me.”

Tony had tears running down his face and felt like he was going to be sick. He listened as they came closer.

“How’d the door get opened?” He heard Dave say.

“Maybe it’s Tony?” Kat told him.

“That fat fuck’s at the bottom of the sea baby, this was probably just the wind.” Dave told her.

Tony’s knuckles were white on the oar handle. He listened as they came up on the deck. It was dark out, the sun dipping low and night coming on fast. They couldn’t see him from where they were. He watched as they both strutted naked to the back of the boat.

They looked over. “See nothing-“ Dave started then stopped when he saw the diving gear.

They must have been a little drunk, or high. Because they were slow moving. Too slow. Before Dave could even spin all the way around Tony charged him with the oar. Kat shrieked as the flat part of the oar connected with the side of Dave’s head. Sending him careening off the back of the boat into the water with a splash.

Kat had her hands to her mouth. She was in shock. Tony realized almost laughing. She just tried to kill me and she’s in shock that I’m fighting back. He looked at her, naked the woman he had loved for more than twenty years of marriage. And didn’t even recognize her.

Her eyes green and lovely met his. But, they only reminded him of the sharks. “Please, baby he made me do it. All of it.” She begged coming towards him.

“Stop.” He said.

The pleading look in her eyes turned hard. “Oh, what are you going to do. Hit me. you don’t have the nerve. And when Dave comes round he’s going to kill you. So why don’t you do yourself a favor and just end it yourself so we can spend your money and get on with our lives you fat useless fuck.” She said, pointing at him with every word.

He’d be lying if he’d said the words didn’t hurt. But, the woman standing in front of him now wasn’t the woman he’d fallen in love with. She was more monstrous then the creature circling the boat. “You’re right.” He told her. “I’m not going to kill you.”

She looked smug as he dropped the paddle. Then he turned and reached behind him, he hoisted a bucket and showered her naked body with the contents.

Kat screamed as it hit her. Standing there she was now covered in the blood and other parts from the chum bucket. “What the fuck? What’s wrong with you?”

He took a step towards her and she stepped back. “Ton-“

“Shh, Kat no more lies.” He told her. “I said I wasn’t going to kill you. But, I owe my knew friend dinner.”

For the first time Kat looked backwards over the side of the boat. She saw the fin, and realized a little too late that Dave never resurfaced. “No, Tony baby please...” She started frantic. But, it was too late Tony charged her, and since she had lost so much weight these past couple months easily lifted her over the side and threw her into the water below.

She screamed as she hit the water. Panicking splashing. Tony knew that those were all bad things to do. He didn’t stay to watch as the fin in the water turned and made a bee line straight towards her. Some things he didn’t need to see.

He busied himself with throwing the rest of the chum where Dave was floating unconscious and eventually the screaming stopped. Then he threw over everything else, her bikini and Dave’s trunks. Before walking below deck. He got on the radio.

“Hello, anyone there. Mayday. This is the Dave’s Lady.”

“We hear you loud and clear Dave’s Lady.” A voice cackled over the line.

Tony took a deep breath and another pull from his beer. “Mayday. There’s been a terrible accident.” He started, then told them the sad story of his wife and best friend had went night swimming. After all, while great white attacks are rare, they do happen.