‘Jump now,’ said Tranquil. ‘While no one is looking. Just step off.’

Mackenzie prepared to jump, but then something stopped him. There had been an undertone in Tranquil’s voice – the barest hint of humour. Mackenzie had grown up attuned to people taking the piss out of him. Years of being bullied and teased by his family meant that knowing when someone was making fun of him had become a survival instinct.

‘Go, Mack!’ said Tranquil, urging him over the edge. ‘I can’t protect you if someone else sees you!’

Trusting his gut, Mackenzie quickly checked every part of his equipment that he could see. When he got to the pressure gauge on his oxygen tank, he took a step back.

The tank was empty.

‘Ah, you fucking idiot,’ said Tranquil, seeing what he’d done.

He shoved Mackenzie from behind, but Mackenzie was ready for him. He grabbed the railing and slammed his body backwards, knocking Tranquil on his arse.

A dazed Tranquil tried to pull himself to his feet, swearing, holding a nose blooded by the oxygen tank. ‘Help! He’s trying to get away!’

Mackenzie scrambled to grab another tank from the rack, praying that it was full. There was no time to attach it.

He threw his arms around it and leapt out into the ocean.

The moment he hit the water he felt the weight of all that gear dragging him down. Cold water rushed over his skin and he gasped for breath. No one would be foolish enough to follow him into this water, but he’d need to be swift anyway – the cold would overwhelm him before long.

He tried to inflate his BC, forgetting the current tank was empty, and endured a brief moment of panic when nothing happened.

He forced himself to calm down, feeling his confidence surging back with the rolling waves. Remember, the water is where you’re at home. You’re safe here.

Calm returning to him, he expertly detached the empty tank from his BC, then hooked up the tank he’d grabbed before it sunk under the surface. The waves had pushed him away from the boat, threatening to pull him under, but Mackenzie was strong, the cold water easing his aching body as he kicked his fins, favouring his sore knee.

The new tank was attached, the BC settled across his shoulders, the regulator was in his mouth, and he was descending, down to where the Black Wind’s dangerous currents weren’t as strong.

Breathe in, bubbles out.

Before long, an all too familiar hum filled his ears. He could see the surface rocking with it, and he felt himself pushed to the side by weird currents.

Breathe in, bubbles out.

He kicked towards shore, his fins biting into the water. He watched the silt moving in the current, seeking the places that looked gentler, like steering a boat through rough water.

Breathe in, bubbles out.