Kainda was out in the sea when she came across an orca. What was it doing in these waters? The creature sure seemed to have an inordinate interest in her. Was it because she was diving nude?
She was on high alert as the orca came closer. But it showed little more than a growing curiosity. Kainda decided she had nothing to fear. Besides, she doubted she was on the menu.
A few days later she was out in the sea again. And sure enough, the orca came by for another inspection. This time Kainda was bolder.
She caressed the skin of the large mammal. It did not seem displeased at her touch. Kainda let her hand caress the creature as it slowly moved past.
By now, they were growing used to each other with each visit. In fact, the orca seemed to watch for her appearance in the zodiac. Kainda enjoyed having such a special friend dive with her while she was naked.
The creature happily nudged her. Kainda brushed a hand along the side of the mammal. But when it moved unexpectedly, Kainda found herself riding it in reverse, looking at the dorsal fin and seeing where they had been.
The creature took her up to the surface where they both breathed. Kainda adjusted her position so she was facing forward. Then it dove downward.
She rode it down, thrilled at the depths it was taking her. Of course, she could hold her breath this deep. But the creature seemed to sense when it might be going too deep, changing course to take her back to the surface.
Kainda climbed off when the creature dropped her off near her zodiac. The female orca made some clicking sounds. “I enjoyed the ride!” Kainda called back. Then the orca blew air out of its hole before submerging.
Kainda made a point of heading out to sea every few days. She was pleased to find the orca waiting for her as though expecting her. She quickly ditched her zodiac and climbed aboard the mammal, enjoying another long, breathless ride to the depths.
The creature always took her into deeper water. But not too deep, it seemed. It was as though the female orca sensed just how deep this human could go before pushing her limits too far.
Kainda loved feeling bare skin upon orca skin. It gave her a thrill. She was developing a certain camaraderie with the mammal.
One day, Kainda sensed something was amiss. The orca seemed distracted about something. The naked young woman went for her usual ride. But this time she was taken deeper than she was anticipating.
She was angry when the mammal finally deposited her near her zodiac. “Not so deep next time!” she protested. The orca clicked at her before turning and heading North, this time staying up at the surface.
Kainda stiffened. “Wait; don’t go! I didn’t mean it!” But the mammal continued on until it disappeared out of sight.
—
Months went by. But the orca did not return. Kainda was disappointed.
She went out to the sea in her zodiac almost everyday. But there was no further sign of the orca. A heavy sadness settled upon her upon having lost her dear friend.
—
Kainda had unsettling dreams. The orca was out in the sea clicking for her. She would always awaken with a feeling of unease.
One day she was looking out to sea when she thought she saw it. Kainda thought for sure she could hear clicking. Was that her orca? It seemed unsettled about something.
She climbed into her zodiac and motored out. The female orca saw her and rushed toward her, still clicking. “I’m glad to see you too!” Kainda called out happily.
The orca was agitated as Kainda climbed out of the zodiac. In fact, the mammal seemed downright anxious for her to climb aboard. “Don’t be in such a hurry!” Kainda assured the creature. “I’m happy to see you too!”
She had to fill her lungs rapidly. A moment later, the orca took her downward. ‘What’s gotten into you today?’ Kainda wondered. ‘Hey; not so deep! Let me get acclimatized to it first!’
Kainda was starting to become alarmed. The orca did not seem concerned as to the depth she was taking the human this time. Would she be able to hold her breath long enough to get back to the surface?
The creature had gone crazy! Something must have happened during their time apart. Maybe it was time to get off and head for the surface before she got too deep.
They were approaching a sunken vessel she had never seen before. This was much deeper than she had dared dive. What was this all about??
Kainda was just about to slip off when she heard more clicking. Only it wasn’t coming from the orca she was riding. That’s when she looked down and saw…
‘Is that yours? Since when did you become a mother?? Is that where you’ve been gone all this time?’
A moment later, Kainda saw the reason the orca had brought her down. The young one’s tail was caught in some netting hooked to the wreck. It would drown if it was not freed in time.
Kainda slipped off the female orca and swam down to the young one. She unsheathed her dive knife attached to her calf, thankful she’d had it on her. Then she started sawing.
Goodness; there was so much netting! How had this happened?? The young one kept clicking while trying to move it’s tail.
Kainda was dimly aware of how deep she was. She needed to return to the surface. But would the mother even let her go??
She sawed and sawed, cutting through pieces of netting. She could tell she was having an affect. Then a quick glance up indicated she had a choice to make.
Kainda firmly kept sawing, telling herself she would have to take the chance. Who knew how long the young one had been down here entangled like this! It might not survive much longer!
She sawed and sawed as the mother drifted nearby. There was clicking between mother and young one. That’s when Kainda felt the burn in her lungs.
It was too late now. She would never make the surface in time. So she grimly kept cutting.
A tail began to move… ‘Not yet – not yet; keep still!’ Her lungs heaved in her chest. Then, with a flip of the tail, the young one broke free.
Kainda tried to head for the surface. But her lungs were on fire. She knew she was never going to make it. Then she was dimly aware of the mother moving her upward before she lost consciousness.
—
Several days later, Kainda happily rode the young one, the mother at their side. She was glad she’d been there all those months ago to lend a helping hand. Now she’d formed a bond with both mother and daughter. But she knew they would eventually leave one day to mate. Who would she get to meet then if – or when – they returned?
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