When Nathaniel finally sat up, Elena asked, “Are you sure it was protecting you?” Nathaniel looked toward the pod. “I can only tell you what happened. It could have released me. It didn’t. Not while the shark was close.”
The research vessel started back toward shore with the coastguard beside it. Nathaniel sat wrapped in blankets while the crew replayed what they had seen. “I still can’t believe you came out of that mouth,” one diver said. Nathaniel smiled tiredly. “Neither can I.”