8. Maya

Chapter eight

Maya

I awaken to the gentle bobbing of the Island Dreamer, the sky just beginning to lighten with the soft hues of dawn. The air is cool, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed. I stretch, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from sleeping in a cramped cabin. The reality of our situation settles over me as I remember why we're anchored near this small island—stranded, awaiting parts to fix the engine.

I step out onto the deck, pulling my cardigan tight around me. The horizon is painted in shades of pink and orange, promising another beautiful day. Despite our predicament, the view is breathtaking. Levi stands near the bow, his silhouette dark against the rising sun. He's checking the radio, his movements unhurried and deliberate. There's a calmness about him that seems to mirror the sea around us.

"Any updates?" I ask, walking over to join him.

He turns, offering a reassuring smile. "Nothing yet. They're working on getting the parts to us, but it might take a bit longer."

I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. "Well, at least we're not adrift."

Levi chuckles.

"True. And we have an island to explore."

The idea sparks a bit of excitement. With our workday upended, I gather the team and propose we make the most of our forced downtime by exploring the island. "Maybe we can find some clues about the poachers," I suggest.

Lori and Jim are eager to join, but Hank decides to stay back and assist Levi with the endless list of maintenance tasks the Island Dreamer demands. As we prepare to disembark, I notice Levi watching me, a mixture of concern and encouragement in his eyes.

"Be careful out there," he says, his voice gentle.

"Always," I reply with a smile, feeling a familiar warmth in his gaze.

We use the dinghy to get us over to the island with our equipment, feeling the sand cool beneath our feet as we climb onto shore. The island is small, covered in dense vegetation with a few clearings here and there. Birds call out from the treetops, and the occasional rustle of leaves suggests the presence of small animals.

"Alright, team," I say, taking charge. "Let's see if we can find any signs of recent activity. Keep an eye out for anything unusual."

We split up, each taking a different path. As I walk through the underbrush, I can't help but marvel at the island's untouched beauty. It's a stark contrast to the mainland, and I find myself hoping we won't discover anything that would taint its serenity.

An hour into our search, Lori calls out. "Maya, over here! I think I found something!"

I rush to find her standing near a small clearing. On the ground, partially hidden by leaves, is a small shovel. It's broken and dirty, a clear sign of human activity. There is also traces of a campfire that could be where the poachers wait for the turtles to come lay their eggs.

"Good find, Lori," I say, examining the shovel. "This definitely suggests someone has been here recently."

Jim joins us, holding up a small, woven basket. "I found this near a disturbed nest. Looks like it's being used to collect something."

I take the basket from him, frowning. "Turtle eggs," I say, my voice grim. "We need to document all of this. It's clear someone has been operating around here."

We spend the next few hours collecting evidence along the beach; broken pieces of equipment, more empty baskets, and several nests that have been disturbed. The tracks in the sand tell a story of recent activity—footprints leading to and from the nests, indicating the poachers have been here recently, likely waiting for the turtles to come onshore to lay their eggs.

By the time we return to the boat, the sun is high in the sky, enveloping everything in its warmth. Levi and Hank are waiting for us, both looking curious and concerned.

"Find anything interesting?" Levi asks as I climb back on board.

"More than we expected," I reply, showing him the shovel and the other items, we collected.

"It looks like poachers have been using this island as a base. They've been stealing turtle eggs."

Levi's expression darkens. "That's not good. We need to report this."

"I agree," I say.

"But first, we need to get this engine fixed so we can get back to the mainland." Levi nods, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's secure this evidence and keep an eye out for any more signs of trouble."

As the team starts documenting the evidence, I feel a sense of purpose and urgency. We're not just stranded—we're onto something big, something that could make a real difference for the turtles we're trying to protect.

***

By late afternoon, I spot the harbor master's boat heading straight for us. My heart lifts at the sight, and I can't help but call out to the others, "Looks like help is finally here!"

Levi, who has been meticulously working on the deck, looks up and meets my eyes with a smile. "Finally," he says, stretching. "Hank, let's get ready."

As the harbor master, Joe, pulls alongside us, he tosses a rope to Levi. "Sorry for the delay," Ralph says, tying off his boat. "Had some engine troubles of my own."

Levi shakes his hand. "No worries, Ralph. We're just glad you're here."

Ralph hands over the much-needed parts, and Hank and Levi immediately dive into fixing the engine. The rest of the crew and I watch as they work with synchronized precision.

"Hand me the wrench," Levi says, and Hank promptly complies, both men focused and efficient.

Ralph stands next to me, wiping his brow. "Good thing it's a simple fix," he comments.

"Shouldn't take them long."

Sure enough, within an hour, the engine roars to life, a very welcome sound. Levi emerges from the hatch, grease-streaked but grinning. "Purring like a kitten," he announces proudly.

The crew cheers, and the tension that had been hanging over us dissipates into the salty air. The heat of the day has everyone sweating, and without a second thought, Levi strips off his shirt and dives into the clear blue water. Hank and the others quickly follow suit, laughing as they splash and swim.

I sit at the stern, my notebook forgotten on my lap, and watch them. Levi's strong, tanned back glistens in the sunlight, and for a moment, I'm transported back to simpler times when we were just two kids in love.

As the day wears on, Levi climbs back aboard and joins me at the stern. He sits beside me, his hair dripping water and a relaxed smile on his face. "What do you think, Maya? Should we call it a day and head back to shore?"

I glance at the sun, already sinking lower in the sky. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea. It's too late to move to another dive spot. We can start fresh tomorrow."

Levi nods, satisfied with the decision. "Alright, crew! Let's head back to the marina."

As we start our journey back, Levi approaches me, his hair still wet from the swim. "Hey, Maya," he says, his voice casual but with an underlying note of something more. "How about a tour around town? I'll show you how things have changed."

My heart flutters at the thought of spending more time with him, away from the constraints of work. "I'd like that," I reply, smiling up at him.

***

As soon as we dock, Levi, and I head back to the center to report to Sarah the evidence the team found on the beach. The center team will document our findings and do further testing for trace evidence to confirm our fears. Sarah will compile a full report for the authorities and alert them to our project.

Following the meeting, Levi and I stroll through the bustling main street of our hometown. The once sleepy town has blossomed into a vibrant community, yet the essence of its laid-back charm remained unchanged.

Levi pointed out new additions—a trendy coffee shop where an old bookstore used to be, a boutique showcasing local art—but also old haunts, like the corner where we used to hang out after school. We chuckled at the graffiti that had miraculously survived the years.

"This place," Levi said with a grin, "remember all the trouble we got into here?"

I nodded, unable to suppress my laughter. "How could I forget? The time we almost got caught sneaking into that abandoned building."

Our footsteps led us naturally to a familiar sight—the quaint diner where we spent countless afternoons chatting over milkshakes. Its neon sign flickered just as it did back in high school, beckoning us inside.

Levi and I settled into a corner booth at the familiar diner, the soft hum of chatter and clinking dishes creating a backdrop to our reunion. The menu, with its classic offerings, brought a smile to both our faces.

"This place hasn't changed a bit," Levi remarked, flipping through the laminated pages.

I chuckled, tracing the rim of my water glass with my fingertip. "Nope, still serving the best burgers in town, I bet."

A waitress in a retro apron approached, her pen poised over a notepad. "What can I get you folks tonight?"

Levi glanced at me, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Two cheeseburgers, extra pickles, and fries, please. And two chocolate milkshakes."

The waitress nodded, scribbling down our order with a grin. "Coming right up."

As she bustled away, Levi leaned in across the table, his expression earnest. "So, tell me about your job."

I nodded, stirring a straw in my glass. "Yeah, it's been intense, but exciting. I've been all over the world working on projects for different environmental companies."

Levi nodded thoughtfully. "I remember how passionate you were about environmental issues in school. It's awesome to see you living your dream."

I smiled gratefully. "What about you? How's the charter business going?"

Levi's face lit up, his enthusiasm palpable. "Better than I ever imagined. I've had a lot of unusual charters for high profile businesses and company parties. It's been a wild ride."

Our burgers arrived, sizzling and fragrant, alongside tall glasses of creamy milkshakes. We dug in eagerly, the conversation flowing effortlessly from work to travel to old friends we'd lost touch with.

Between bites, Levi shared a hilarious anecdote from a recent charter gone awry, and I recounted a near-disaster at an environmental convention. Laughter spilled out of us, mingling with the din of the diner.

As the meal progressed, the years melted away, replaced by a comforting familiarity. We talked about our shared memories—the school talent show where Levi's impromptu guitar solo stole the spotlight, the time I convinced him to skip class for a spontaneous road trip.

"So," Levi said between sips of milkshake, his tone softer now, "what made you decide to come back for this job?"

I hesitated, swirling the straw in my glass. "I guess I missed this place."

Levi met my gaze, his eyes warm and understanding. "I'm glad you're here," he said simply.

After dinner, we stroll out of the diner into the cool night air. Side by side, we walk along the pier, our footsteps echoing softly.

The silence between us feels comfortable now, filled with unspoken words and shared memories. As we reach the end of the pier, I turn to Levi, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Remember when we used to come here to watch the stars?" I asked softly.

Levi nodded, his expression softening. "Yeah, those were good times."

In the quiet of the night, under the watchful gaze of the moon, I know that tonight isn't just about reliving the past—it's about cherishing the present and the precious bond we share.

We stand there for a moment, the night around us whispering with memories old and new. In the gentle embrace of our hometown and each other's company, I know this night will be one we both carry in our hearts for years to come.

As we walk back to the marina, I realize how much I've missed this—missed him. The memories we're creating now feel as precious as those from our past.

We pause at the entrance to my apartment building, Levi turns to me, his expression tender. "Tonight was amazing, Maya."

"It was," I agree, my voice soft. "It really was."

And for the first time in a long while, I feel like maybe, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.