That morning had started quietly. Nathaniel had stood on deck drinking coffee while Elena checked the diving tanks. “Easy day today?” she had asked. Nathaniel smiled. “Never say that before a dive.” His main goal was simple: film damaged coral and compare it with their older surveys.
Nathaniel had spent years studying reefs. The crew trusted him because he rarely panicked, even when equipment failed or weather changed suddenly. Before entering the water that morning, however, he had noticed something unusual. Huge groups of fish were gathering close to the reef.