14. Maya

Chapter fourteen

Maya

W e arrive at the dock, where Lori is already waiting with the dive equipment. "Everything's set," she says, handing us our gear. "You guys watch your backs"

Levi nods, a determined look in his eyes. "We will. Keep an eye on the cameras and let us know if you see anything suspicious."

Jim and Hank had finished setting up the cameras around the boat this morning. The added security is reassuring, but the memory of the severed fuel line still sends chills down my spine.

As Levi and the team prepare to head out for another day of research, I feel a sense of urgency. The poachers are getting bolder, and we need to stay vigilant.

Once the final safety check is complete, we head out to a different part of the reef, hoping to gather more samples and assess the health of the coral.

The water is calm today, the sun casting a sparkling glow on the surface. As we anchor near the reef, I take a deep breath, and prepare to dive in.

"Let's see what we can find," I say, adjusting my mask and slipping into the water.

The underwater world is both mesmerizing and sobering. The reef is struggling, patches of vibrant coral interspersed with bleached sections that speak to the environmental stressors.

Levi swims beside me, collecting samples of water, sediment, and small coral fragments. He takes notes on a waterproof tablet, pointing to the areas that need closer examination.

I spot a turtle nearby struggling, caught in a net on the reef. My heart races as we approach, carefully freeing the turtle and checking it for injuries. I write "poor thing" on my slate and show it to Levi, who nods in agreement.

Before moving on we carefully remove all the netting from the reef to avoid another tragedy for an unsuspecting turtle.

We continue our dive, documenting the state of the reef and collecting samples that will help us understand the ecosystem's health. The work is meticulous but necessary. The reef's condition directly affects the turtle population, providing both food and shelter.

After an hour and running low on air, we surface and head back to the boat.

"I can't believe we found another turtle entwined in those nets. It's no wonder the turtle population is shrinking." Levi hollows as we swim toward the boat.

"It breaks my heart every time we see the damage these poachers are doing to the reef and the ecosystem." I reply.

The team on board takes our samples and stores the netting away as more evidence for the Wildlife authorities.

As we're packing up our gear, a familiar voice calls out from a nearby fishing boat.

"Levi! Maya!" It's Joe, the fisherman who had given us information about the poachers. He waves us over, a serious look on his face.

We pull up alongside his boat, and he leans over and speaks quietly so his voice won't carry. "I heard about the fuel line. Those guys are getting desperate. But I think I have something that might help you." Joe says with a determined look on his face.

"I saw this boat around one of the remote islands. It looked suspicious but I was able to get close enough to see the name and call letters with my binoculars. I thought you might want to pass this alone to the Coast Guard."

Levi grabs a paper and pen to write the information down, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Where exactly did you see this boat?"

Joe points as he tells us where he saw them, "Just around that bend in a small cove."

"Thanks, Joe. This should be helpful if the coast guard can trace the owner."

As we head back to the center, I'm concerned that the poachers were so close to us today. They seem to be escalating their efforts, as though they know it's just a matter of time until they are caught.

Hopefully with the support of the local community, the authorities, and our team, we're getting closer to uncovering the full extent of their operation.

Back at the center, the team gathers around to discuss our findings and the next steps.

"We found some worrying signs of coral bleaching on the section of the reef today," I report. "And a turtle was caught in a net tangled on the same area of the reef. First thing we need to do is complete our findings and get the report to the authorities. Be sure to document everything and include it in our report for the Wildlife folks too."

Levi holds up the piece of paper with the information that Joe gave us about the suspicious boat. "This could be the most important clue we have so far. If the Coast Guard can identify the owner of the boat, we might begin to put this whole thing together."

Sarah looks at the paper and nods. "We'll pass this to the Coast Guard. In the meantime, let's focus on our research and stay alert."

As the meeting wraps up, Levi and I head out for a walk along the beach. The sun is setting, and there's a coolness in the air. A welcome relief to the baking sun we endured all day.

"Cutting the fuel lines was a warning," Levi says, his voice serious. "They're trying to show us how vulnerable we are."

I nod, the reality of the situation sinking in. "But we can't back down. The turtles and the reef need us more than ever."

We walk in silence for a while, the sound of the waves soothing my nerves. As the sky darkens, Levi reaches for my hand, and I don't pull away. In this moment, with all the uncertainty and danger around us, it feels safe.

As Levi and I walk along the beach, I find myself breathing a little easier. The tension from the day slowly melts away with each step we take.

"You know," Levi says, breaking the comfortable silence between us, "there's a town festival tonight in the city square. I used to go all the time when I was younger. They have great food, music, and even dancing. What do you think? Want to go check it out and have some fun?"

I glance at him, a smile tugging at my lips. "That sounds perfect. It's been a while since I've done anything like that."

"Great," he replies, his face lighting up. "Let's grab some dinner there and maybe dance a little. It'll be a nice break from all this stress."

As we walk back towards the dock, Levi tells me more about the festival. "They have these amazing food stalls with everything from fresh seafood to homemade desserts. And the band playing tonight is supposed to be really good."

"It sounds wonderful," I say, feeling a flutter of excitement. "I could use a little fun right now."

We head back to our respective places to freshen up. I quickly shower and change into a sundress and sandals, brushing out my hair and adding a touch of makeup. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. It's been so long since I've allowed myself to relax and enjoy the moment.

Levi arrives to pick me up, and we make our way to the city square. The festival is in full swing, with colorful lights strung up and the lively sounds of music and laughter filling the air. We weave through the crowd, stopping at various stalls to sample different foods.

"Try this," Levi says, handing me a skewer of grilled shrimp. "It's one of my favorites."

I take a bite, savoring the perfectly seasoned shrimp. "This is amazing," I say, my taste buds dancing with delight.

We continue to explore, our conversation flowing easily. It's like we're transported back to simpler times, before life got so complicated.

As we pass a stall selling homemade ice cream, Levi stops and grins. "Remember how you always used to get chocolate chip mint?"

I laugh, nodding. "And you always got rocky road."

"Some things never change," he says, handing me a cup of chocolate chip mint. We sit on a nearby bench, enjoying our ice cream and watching the festival-goers.

"Do you ever think about those summers we spent together?" I ask, feeling a pang of nostalgia.

"All the time," Levi replies softly. "Those were some of the best days of my life. We were so carefree, just two kids exploring the world together."

"I miss that," I admit, looking down at my ice cream. "Life seemed so much simpler then."

"We can't go back," Levi says, "but we can make new memories. Starting tonight."

He stands up and extends his hand. "Come on, let's dance."

I take his hand, and he leads me to the area where couples are dancing to a lively tune. We join in, laughing as we try to keep up with the fast-paced music. It's exhilarating, and for a moment, all our worries fade away.

As the song transitions to a slower melody, Levi pulls me closer. We sway gently, his arms around my waist and mine resting on his shoulders. I can feel the warmth of his body, and the familiar scent of him brings back a flood of memories.

"Remember the first time we danced together?" he asks, his voice a low murmur.

"At the summer fair," I reply, smiling at the memory. "We were so nervous."

"And I stepped on your toes," he adds, chuckling.

"You did," I laugh, "but it was still one of the best nights ever."

We dance for a while, the soft music wrapping around us like a warm embrace. I feel a sense of peace, something I haven't felt in a long time.

As the song comes to an end, Levi looks into my eyes, his expression serious. "Maya, I know things are complicated right now, but I'm really glad you're here. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," I confess, my heart aching with a mix of emotions. "Being here with you, it feels right."

He leans in, and for a moment, I think he's going to kiss me. My heart pounds in my chest, but he stops just short, his breath warm against my skin.

"We should get going," he says softly, his eyes searching mine.

"Yeah," I reply, feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment.

We make our way toward the festival entrance, the night air cool against my skin. As we walk, we talk about our plans for the next day.

"I think we should head out early," I say. "I think we should visit some of the small islands and see if we can locate any turtle nest. It would be good to see how many are still undisturbed and how many the poachers have stolen the eggs."

Levi nods. "Agreed. We'll stay vigilant and keep an eye out for that boat that Joe told us about.

We arrive at my apartment, and I turn to face him. "Thanks for tonight, Levi. I really enjoyed the evening."

"Me too," he says, his smile warm and genuine. "Get some rest, Maya. We have a big day tomorrow."

"Goodnight," I say, stepping inside.

"Goodnight," he replies, waiting until I close the door before walking away.

I lean against the door for a moment, my heart full. Tonight was a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there can be moments of joy and connection.