“Look out there,” Nathaniel had told Elena. Several whale blows appeared in the distance. “That’s a lot of activity,” she said. Nathaniel nodded. “Stay alert underwater.” Minutes later, he had slipped beneath the surface, never imagining how important that warning would become.
The memory disappeared when the whale suddenly rolled, and he was brought back to the present. Nathaniel was pushed against the tongue again. His shoulder struck soft tissue, but he was not badly hurt. He checked his air gauge. He still had time. The bigger question was why the whale had not released him.