Jack caught her gaze. “We did it!”
Her breath came in quick, shallow heaves. “Yeah, and I’ve never seen anything like that. Those fish—”
“
Told ya!” Mike pushed back his dripping hair from his eyes. “I would’ve taken you down there kickin’ and screamin’ if I had to.”
“
Yeah, and you might’ve ended up with a nice shiner,” she said. He laughed, and she turned her attention upward. Unmistakably, dual suns hung in the sky. “That’s no optical illusion, you guys.”
“
It’s a mock sun. I’m sure of it,” Jack insisted.
Mike pounded the water with his fists, splashing it in all directions. “Isn’t it awesome? Now, let’s go find a burger joint—and hopefully not a mock one.”
Casey smirked. “It’s morning, you goof.”
Drifting clouds floated above them, turning from gold to brown, and then to purple, pink, and orange. Casey stared at the surroundings in awe. Morning mist hung over a landscape that stretched for miles and miles. Palm trees lined the beach, and in the distance, green mountains dotted with color towered high into the sky. Canopies of leaves in the glowing hues of autumn decorated the dense trees. Where the sun seeped through, the skyline seemed to sparkle, like something right out of a fairytale.
“
What’s up with the leaves?” asked Mike. “’Cause I swear it’s July, not October.”
Fall in the tropics?
Even if it was, the leaves usually dried, dropped, and fell to the ground without any brilliant display of colors. “I dunno, but I’m going to paint this when I get back home—all of it! It’s going to be a masterpiece.”
Jack touched her elbow and smiled. “Okay, Picasso, but for now let’s get to shore.”
“
Race ya!” she called over her shoulder.
“
Ohhh, you’re on.” Mike submerged and breached the surface a few feet past Casey, then cut the water with expert precision. He was so competitive and could never resist a challenge.
Jack gave Casey a push-off and yelled to Mike, “You’re going to need that head start. She’s gaining on you!”
Casey heard Jack’s chuckle and a big splash behind her. She glided through the pink water in pursuit of Mike.
That’s it. Remain focused. Good body position and kicking.
All she had to do was roll her head easily to the side to breathe.
Nice, smooth, long, powerful strokes. Steady rhythm.
I can beat these guys.
As she picked up speed, something brushed against her legs. She came to an abrupt halt, her gaze darting left and right as she scanned the surface of the water around her. She opened her mouth and took a huge breath. “What was that?”