A lot of stories start out with What if''s and But's. This story is no different.

I often find myself wondering What if dad never left? What if I never went out to search for him. What if I had gone with dad that one dark stormy day?

But, most of all, I wonder What if I never met Lance?

Would everything be different?

ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ

I propelled my tail through the murky waters of the deep trench. My illuminated purple scales were the only source of light as I swam deeper into the trench.

"FATHER!" I shouted, cupping my webbed fingers around my mouth to form an amplifier for my voice.

No response.

I should know by now that he's gone. It's been years since I last saw him; since he disappeared.

I twisted around protruding rocks and their rough surfaces. The deeper I got, the narrower and more suffocating my surroundings were becoming. I would have to turn back soon.

One last time, I shouted for my father. Again no response, other than the growing heat from a nearby underwater vent.

I sighed and swiftly turned around, swimming up and through crevices of the precipice.

I will continue tomorrow.