The Sky Beneath Her(94)

But now, I could see it was nothing more than a lifeless artifact. It wasn’t good or evil. It was metal and bone that had no power over me.

I lost track of time as I moved around the large guns and toward the center section. Disinterested fish swam past me, sliding in front but always out of reach.

This is for you, Mom. I hope you’re at peace.

A tap on my shoulder, and I turned to see Nathan. He was motioning his thumb topside. Time to go. Time to leave the Oceanus behind.

I nodded. As I turned, my necklace floated and tapped me under the chin. The sea glass had been with me every day since I’d bought it in that little shop. It was my final, almost-birthday gift from Mom. And the coin had joined it days later.

The current tugged at the coin and glass. It would have floated toward the wreck if not tethered by the cord around my neck.

Do you want it?

The ocean tugged.

I unfastened the cord and let the crystal and coin dangle. The undercurrents strengthened and churned around them. It was the last I had of my mother. The last tether.

My fingers opened, and the crystal and coin slid free, floating around my open palm before the duo fell like a creature finally free from captivity. The stream caught it. Fish circled around the pair in quick tight loops.

The water dragged the crystal willingly toward the gash in the Oceanus’ side. It vanished into the darkness.

I hesitated another moment before making my way slowly to the surface.





Chapter Forty-One


Tula





Friday, June 19, 2026, 11:00 a.m.


Once Nathan and I had returned to the boat, I was breathless. I pulled off my mask and shrugged off my tanks. Neither of us spoke as the other divers chatted about what they’d seen. He piloted the boat along the shore, and soon we were docked in the harbor. After the other divers had left, I lingered.

“You okay?” he asked.

I stared at the still, calm waters under the vivid blue sky. “I am.”

“Your mom would have been proud.”

I shook my head. “If she were here, she’d ask what took me so long.”

His smile didn’t dim the concern in his gaze. “You’ve jumped a big hurdle. What next?”

“Good question.” I could no longer see myself back in the cubicle. Like it or not, I was bound to the ocean. “I might stay here for a while. Kaitlin will rent me a room.”

“I’ll be here for the summer.”

He let the statement trail. No promises or big asks about the future.

“I was anchored to my mother. I was anchored to Dave. I don’t want to be tied anymore because I’m too afraid to take care of myself.”

He frowned. “I’m not asking you to do that.”

I sighed. “I know. But you’re the kind of person I could become attached to very quickly.”

A brow raised. “And that’s bad?”

“Not bad. I just need to figure me out a little. I need to know I can handle life without a prop.”

“I know you can, but you need to see it for yourself.” He lowered his tanks to the deck. “You aren’t really like your mother. She was always impatient, unapproachable at times. Often, she jumped before she thought. You were always more careful. And that’s a good thing.”

“Maybe too cautious,” I said.

“We can’t fight our nature.”

I closed my eyes. “I’ve read the manuscript. My employer said I could keep it. You can have a copy of it and use it for your film.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. I’ve made my peace with the Oceanus. And Mom. But I don’t know who died with the wreck and who survived. I need to get to the historical center in Manteo and see if they have a survivors list. I’m hoping the list will tie up a lot of loose ends.”

“Want me to come?”

“No. Thank you. I need to see this through myself.”

“Fair enough.” He leaned toward me and gently kissed me on the lips. The warm, soft touch made me want him more. “Meet me for burgers at Arthur’s later?”

Dinner I could commit to. “Sounds good.”



I dried off and changed out of my suit and into shorts and a T-shirt. I left Nathan on the dock and hurried to my car. By this time of day, folks generally were off the beach and shopping or hunting for an early dinner spot in Manteo.

The Outer Banks History Center was located near Festival Park, which overlooked Albemarle Sound. The center’s one-story building was nestled in a cluster of trees.

The air was hot and humid, and by the time I reached the front door, sweat dampened my neck and upper lip. Inside the air was cool and the lighting low. I crossed to the central desk, where a woman was studying a computer. She looked up as I reached the desk.

“Can I help you?”

“I was hoping to find out more about the Oceanus shipwreck. The ship was sunk by a U-boat torpedo in April 1942.”

She looked at the clock. “Do you have an appointment?”

“No. Do I need one?”

“Usually, yes.” She studied my damp hair and the faint line of the dive mask still on my face. “What do you need?”

“I found an old manuscript that details the ship’s last voyage. But the story kind of stops. I was hoping there was a list of survivors.” I decided to play the mom card. “My mother died diving that wreck seven years ago.”