The Siren was almost directly above us. A silhouette on the surface. A sanctuary.
When I was far enough away from Ariel, I flailed my arms and legs, trying to draw the shark’s attention.
It didn't take long for the big bastard to key on me.
Stubborn as ever, Ariel began to flail her arms and legs, vying for the shark’s attention.
My jaw clenched tight around the regulator, and anger swelled. I was trying to save her. She was trying to save me.
She drew the shark’s attention, and the leviathan swam in her direction.
I watched like a train wreck in slow motion. There was nothing I could do.
Ariel stood her ground, but this wasn't the kind of shark you could gently nudge in another direction.
It swam toward her, and dread twisted my stomach.
The massive shark brushed past her, doing an exploratory pass. I figured the next time it drew close, it would be for the kill.
The shark angled around and headed in my direction.
My heartbeat elevated.
It homed in on me.
The outboards of the Siren rumbled to life, and the noise and splashing of water drew the shark’s attention. It veered sharply and angled to the surface at the last moment.
My heartbeat was through the roof, and I breathed a momentary sigh of relief.
Jack threw a beef quarter over the gunwale, tied with a polyethylene line. It wouldn't last long, but hopefully it was enough of a distraction. It splashed into the water and got the shark’s attention. A small morsel. An appetizer before the main course.
I swam to Ariel. We inflated our BCDs and began our ascent.
Time was running out.
Without fins, it took longer than I would have liked.
If we didn't do our safety stop, we were going to get bent. There was no two ways about it.
Jack throttled up and pulled the boat away from the dive site, trailing the chunk of beef in the water.
The monster chased after the boat.
When Jack got far enough away, he cut the line, then circled around for us. With any luck, the hybrid would occupy itself with the quarter of beef.
Jack made it back to the original dive spot.
Ariel and I splashed through the surface and paddled to the swim platform. I helped Ariel aboard, then followed. We climbed onto the aft deck, and I slid the tank from my shoulders and laid it flat on the deck. It felt so good not to be on the menu anymore.
"I thought you guys were dead for a minute there," Jack said.
"So did I," I said. "Get us the hell out of here. We’re going to be bent. Call Jay at the Oceanographic Institute and tell him to prep the decompression chamber.”
Jack hustled into the wheelhouse, throttled up, and brought the boat on plane as we headed back to the island. The outboards howled, and we left the monster in the distance.
My heart still pounded, and my veins coursed with adrenaline. I looked at Ariel. "Are you okay?"
She swallowed hard and nodded.
