My Short Short for the Day

“Look out!” 

Ally ran as fast as she could, crashing through the waves and plunging into the icy cold depths.  The fin had sent chills down her spine as she watched her son splashing with his friends.  There had never been any sightings this close to shore before.  Her heart thundered in her chest as she sliced the water with her strong, even strokes.

The children were too far away to hear her.  All she could do was swim as fast as possible and hope.  Hope that she could reach them first.  If not…no, she couldn’t think about that.  Swim!  Faster!  Hurry!

Then she stopped. The water was still.  She listened but no sounds.  She couldn’t see anyone. 

“Henry!”  Her voice cracked as she fought back the panic. 

She lost her voice but her heart roared inside her chest.  She gulped air then dove down.  Deeper and deeper, willing her eyes to see a flash of color from their clothing.  Something to give her hope.  The water was too murky to get a clear view.  She thought she saw something but no.  Her lungs burned.  She knew she had to resurface soon. 

A shadow glided above her.  Might as well take me, too.  She went limp, letting go.  One last look at the sun, she thought, just one more time.  She looked up and that’s when she saw.  The whale was gently strolling along in the water above her, almost as if it were waiting.  Waiting for something…for someone?

Ally felt a sudden surge of hope.  She kicked her legs, begged her lungs to hold on and swam with all her might.  She surfaced, gasping for air, fighting back the bitter despair with hope. The tiniest shred of hope. 

“Mom!”  Henry cried in delight.

She whirled around.  Ally smiled warmer than the sun.  Henry and his friends were on the whale’s back, safe as can be.  Ally felt a gentle nudge and clamored on in a less than graceful manner.  She hugged the boys tight.  The whale gave a short snort from its spout and glided to shore. 

The boys slid off the whale’s back and quickly dashed to the sandy beach.  Ally slid down but instead, walked to the front of the whale.  Joy flowed from her as she gently touched the whale’s face and looking into the whale’s eyes she said, “Thank you.”

After a moment, Ally stepped away and the whale drifted off back into the ocean depths, strolling along through the waves and she could hear the faint sounds of its song floating on the breeze.