The Underwater World

By Matt Linton

“Dad I got one!” I shouted over my shoulder. The fishing line suddenly became taught, the pole bending under the immense pressure. I began to become a little nervous. This was the first time I had ever been deep sea fishing, and it was discomforting to think about what would happen if I fell overboard. The harness that kept me strapped into the seat began to strain from the pulling of the fish.

“Nice catch, I can all ready tell it’s a big one!” my dad shouted over the waves. The pain from the straps started to become quite painful, the tough material biting into my skin. I could now see a dark shape in the water, wriggling and writhing, refusing to give up. I watched it for a while, fascinated by the creature’s strength. Suddenly, the massive fish jumped up into the air, the water streaming off its fins. It seemed to freeze in mid-air for a moment, everything still, but then it slammed back into the water, plunging down, down, down. The boat started tilt, crates and barrels slamming into the downhill rail, some careening off the side. I could hear my dad shouting to me, but I did not hear what he was saying. All I could imagine was the dark loathsome depths below me. There was a sharp crack, and I felt my chair break free from the boat, the water coming closer and closer. I managed to unbuckle myself from the harness, but got my leg tangled in the fishing line. I streamed down deeper into the water, the pressure in my ears increasing. My lungs burned, my head hurt. I opened my eyes, noticing a faint light around me. I looked down, there below me, was a city.