First the head began to glow, then the tentacles. The eerie blue-green and red pulsing lights of the massive creature bathed the area.
"I didn't know they grew that large! And it's glowing," whispered Lisa in wonder.
Jack put his fingers to his lips.
Lisa frowned, but remained silent.
The alternating blue-green and red lights pulsing through the body were soon out of sight. Jack turned on the motor, and they began to move.
"That was the most incredible thing I've ever seen," whispered Lisa.
Jack grinned at her enthusiasm. "Definitely an undiscovered species of squid. I was sure it was going to notice us."
Lisa considered his concerns for a moment. "I think we're too small for it to care about us."
"I sure hope so," he replied, staring at the lights in the distance. Soon they could see the the rapidly returning creature clearly.
Unable to find another ledge, they were forced to leave the motor on.
"He's slowing down," growled Jack.
"He's probably just curious. Subs aren't really edible," Lisa reminded her friend.
Cautiously the huge animal approached the tiny yellow sub. Once the squid decided that it was safe, it began to investigate.
Jack took a deep breath. "I'm going to turn off the motor. Maybe without any noise or light it'll get bored."
Lisa nodded. "It can't make things any worse."
He sighed as he cut the engine. "I'm sorry I got you into this mess."
Her eyes widened. "Hey, I wanted to come as much as you did."
After the engine stopped, the two sat in silence. Instead of getting bored, the squid's curiosity increased. It wasn't trying to pull the little craft apart, but it was exploring every inch with its tentacles.
Lisa whispered in his ear, almost silently. "I think another one's coming up."
It was soon apparent that she was right. The newcomer stopped when it saw what was going on. In a flash, it was all over the first squid.
The second they were free Jack turned on the motor, but not the lights. "Let's get out of here."
After what seemed like an eternity, the little sub was pulled aboard the yacht.
The captain opened the hatch, a big smile on his face. "Did you have a good trip?" Looking at the two, his smile vanished. "What happened?"
After telling the story several times to various crew members, Jack and Lisa were genuinely excited about their harrowing adventure.
The next day, Lisa didn't go to the cafeteria. Instead she waited outside of Jack's door.
When it opened, she smiled. "Hey Jack, how would you like a ride?"
A hopeful look spread across his face, then disappeared. "Yes! I've been wanting to for years. But it's against the rules, except for VIPs."
"It's all arranged. When I told the powers that be about us discovering a new species of squid in the Mariana Trench, they approved for you to go up as much as you'd like."
He staggered a little, then leaned against the door. "You did that for me?" He stepped forward, and gently hugged her. "Thank you."
She smiled, eyes closed. "Without you, I never would have been able to go out there. I'll treasure the whole experience for the rest of my life."
He pulled back, looking at Lisa. His eyes were as big as saucers. "I almost got you killed."
She crossed her arms across her chest, and frowned. "You most certainly did not. I wanted to be there, probably more than you did. And I don't regret a second of what we experienced out there."
Speechless, he took her arm and led the way to the runway.
The two climbed into the cockpit, and Lisa took the jet up. "Let's try a few rolls," she suggested.
Jack grinned from ear to ear. "Sounds like fun."
As she went through one maneuver after another, the two laughed and joked.
"It's almost time to get back. We still have to get something to eat," she reminded him.
He became somber, looking down at the small dot which was Geddleson's Air Force Base. "Take me down the way you like to do it."
"But I thought that maneuver scared you?"
"It does, when I'm on the ground. I want to see it from your perspective. I think it'll help."
Lisa climbed higher and higher. Then she pointed the nose of the jet straight down. They plunged, laughing at the sheer exhilaration.
All of Jack's concerns melted away. The two of them sped towards the ground, then Lisa leveled off at the last second. The landing was so smooth, it was impossible to know when the wheels actually touched the ground.
Standing beside the jet looking at Jack admiring the sleek aircraft, Lisa smiled. "So, do I have your permission to come in the way I prefer?"
Rubbing his chin, Jack pretended to ponder the question. Then he grinned. "Only when you take me along!"
Describe what you see:
I see contrails from a jet going straight down. Usually they go sideways, or descend gradually.
Describe what you feel:
I feel like it's either an emergency or a training session.
#pic1000
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