The ocean was a dangerous place. That's what all the people told me. Except for my grandma Tala. Like the ocean everyone told me things about her, mostly consisting of she is the village crazy lady, it's her job to tell me things like that. She told me the ocean was kind, that it was a natural friend. I didn't know who to believe. So I went down to the beach. I sat just close enough to the ocean so when the waves crashed they just barely misted my feet. I stuck my hand forward to touch the water, the water was cold. Unnaturally cold. It seemed almost to tug at my hand. I was completely baffled, how could the water... act so human. I stood up sliding the skirt i had on down my legs to reveal shorts. I waded into the water, ankle deep. The water swished around my feet and ankles, the slight tug remained. My heart beat faster, and faster. What the hell was this water doing to me. I walked further in against my better judgement. I was up to about my thighs now. The tug was a pull now. I dug my feet into the sand to keep my balance. The wet sand was smooth between my toes. I unburied my covered feet. I walked in even further my conscience telling me to turn back. The water was about up to my navel now. I dug my feet into the sand once again but the water swept the sand away. My feet were swept from under me. My head emerged under the water a forceful motion keeping me under. The air was flushed from my lungs water rushed in to replace it. I gasped on instinct more water came in, more and more water. I felt the tugging at my feet once again but it was much, much stronger now. It pulled me farther out into the water. I forced my eyes open, the salt stinging my eyes. Everything was black i kicked my legs as hard as i could my arms propelling me. The water held me down, i slowly made my way to the surface. Black spots dotted my vision. My brain fuzzed. I reached the top just as i felt my eyes droop. I gasped in long breaths. My feet were no longer able to touch the soft sand. The land was a thin line in the distance. How had i gotten so far from the island? There was no way i'd be able to swim back. Waves started to pick up, first calm, soothing bumps. But they picked up started getting faster and faster. The waves rising higher. Crashing harder. They whipped me back and forth tumbling me over. Every time i managed to get to the surface for a breath i was smashed back under the air escaping my lungs. The sky was a bright blue that didn't match the oceans mood. I felt the presence of something large swim under me. It brushed up against my feet. It wasn't scaly, but smooth, cold. Claws dragged at my feet. I swam fast trying to escape. A hand latched onto my left ankle. I kicked at the hand as hard as could, to no avail. I was dragged under. All that came was darkness... Then the light. I am Moana of Motunui and I have come to the light from the dark.
