"Fine." I mutter getting out of the car. I'm the youngest of us and so they think I need almost constant protecting. I step onto the soft, white sand.

"Why do you want to come here?" Abriella asks.

"Just shell collecting. I want to remember this summer." I lie.

"Whatever, Kena." Abriella says roughly. I run to the farthest point of the beach quickly with Amber and Abriella screaming at me to wait up. I pick up a shell or two, "investigating" them carefully.

"Find what you want?" Amber asks.

"No. I want at least one Queen Conch. And they're way out there." I say pointing to the deep point where the splash was.

"Fine, hurry up and get one. I want to go to our favorite place tonight." I nod and run into the water. From the very corner of my eye I see them follow.

Darn it! I think, now I can't find out what the splash was. The water where the conchs are is maybe fifteen feet deep. I dive down to a little reef covered in shells. I smile brightly and head to the surface.

I gasp for air and explain, "There are plenty of Queen Conchs down there."

"Ok." They say in unision. We dive down together and each grab one shell. I grab a beautiful indigo Queen Conch.

"Got what you want now?" Amber asks. I nod excitedly. I wasn't really looking for conchs, but I got them anyway. I feel a poke on my shoulder. I flip around but no one is there.

"Hello?" I whisper as quietly as possible. They were already half way to shore. "Anyone there?" I ask cautiously. No one responds.

I feel a gentle tug on my arm. I look down see a hand on mine. I look around to see if Ariella and Amber are around but there is no sign of them.

Hello. A male voice says.

"Who's there!" I ask freaking out. I start backing up. Something tugs on my ankle. I scream as loud as I can but no on comes down to the beach for me.

Calm down. The voice says calmly. Just come under and you'll see me, I mean you no harm. I slowly admit defeat and slip under slowly. I open my eyes when I'm fully submerged.

I look around and see a male figure in front of me. He pulls my arm and takes me above surface. When we get above water my wet hair sticks closely to my shoulder. I comb it back with my fingures.

"Why didn't you show yourself earlier?" I ask looking up and down his face. His hair is a simple brown and so are his eyes. He has a soft and welcoming smile.

"I did, I knew you saw me. Over there." He points over to where I saw the splash.

"That was you!" I yell. "You scared me crapless back there! My friends thought I was crazy!" He puts his hand over my mouth shutting me up. I move my chin up slightly and bite him. "Don't touch me!" I shriek.

"You have asked for this." He growls. He comes in putting his mouth on mine. His lips are soft and strong. I push him off.

"What are you doing?!" I ask, frankly quite scared. My legs start to itch. I scratch at them like crazy. The itching fades into releaf. I sigh but then the burning begins. I shriek in agony.

"You're getting your payment. And it won't be paid off for a long time." He growls. I shriek again as the burning turns to agonizing fire.

"Stop! Stop it please!" I beg like a baby. Now my whole body feels like it's on fire. I writhe in pain.

------} Ocean