"The fact that jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains gives hope to many people." - Annie Dillard

☀

Last year, Gi and I went canoeing at the Banks estate. We were absolutely hopeless at it, and we would fall in multiple times, laughing and splashing each other. Now, with water rushing into my mouth, nose and ears - I feel as if I'm reliving that memory... except Dad and I aren't laughing.

I shut my eyes against the pressure of the water and grip dad's hand tightly. My hair tickled my arms as it floated around me, and I frantically kicked my legs in an effort to reach air. Swimming had fortunately always been my strong point. I was in the water as soon as I could walk. Living at Barren Bay, the beaches were always packed whatever the weather. Most of us children could hold our breath underwater for three minutes at least.

While I'm underwater, I try and think of calming thoughts, but the terrifying image of gigantic sharks and masses of jellyfish flooded my mind. I'm often known for my courage, but even lions have fears.

At long last, Dad and I break the water surface and emerge, coughing and spluttering water everywhere. The Raggedy Anne lays upturned on the waves. I look over at Dad. His eyes are sore, red and puffy, and the colour from his face is drained. There's a deep cut above his eyebrow and a couple of scratches on his cheeks. I daren't think what I look like.
There's this nagging feeling as we bob up and down with the currents. Under our very feet, the monstrous sea creatures of the lost island may lure, probably eying us up at this very moment. It makes me want to jump out of the water and scream.

The lightning is still flashing and the thunder rumbling. I can't see land for miles. Dad looks under water. The waves batter me endlessly and freeze me to death. Lots of Dad's mates have caught Pneumonia before. I remember seeing Big John in Barren Hospital, shivering to the bone, face deadly white. He died that very day.
Suddenly, Dad resurfaces. The look on his face is enough to make me ask.
"What's wrong?"
He shakes his head and pulls us further away, but the currents pushes us back.
"Jellyfish. Hundreds."

So, just to give you a summary of the day's past events: our was boat upturned, nearly drowned, lost at sea, freezing to death and now a bunch of poisonous jellyfish are below our feet. Great.
Dad's right. The hideous lilac organisms bob underneath us. Their venomous tentacled dangle precariously from their smooth, bag-like body, taking the appearance of a lantern.
While the jellies look quite effortlessly beautiful, they have enough venom to kill a human. These are the jellies of lost island we're talking about.

The loudest scream is said to be 116.8 decibels. I think I broke that record.
I shove the water forcefully to the side and kick like a bucking bronco. Dad helps me push away the currents and we make it about two metres away from the jellyfish swarm, when the currents push us back.
And it was too late.
The sting penetrated my leg like an arrow on fire and the venom shot up my limb like a rocket.

Serenity is said to be the state of being calm,peaceful and undisturbed. As I lie in the teal shallow waters of a shore, I think I fit that description perfectly.
"Stay still Mae."
Right. Maybe not undisturbed.
Dad rubs something on my leg and wraps something soft around my jellyfish wound. I can't remember exactly what happened after I was stung but Dad must have swam here with me over his shoulder. We didn't have another choice.
"We made it, see! We made it to the lost island!"

I look up at the shore behind me. Holy cow. The lost island was like a magnificent oasis from Barren Bay. It was lined with a tropical forest of palm trees and banana trees. The beach stretched endlessly in the distance. Glancing around, I took in the sparkling green sea, a bit of a shock from the grey, murky waves of Barren Bay's beaches. A little to my left, the shallow waters were filled with a coral reef; a glorious display of the sea's Crown Jewels. Paradise.
Dad smiles and I throw my arms around him in a hug.

We had done it. We had found the lost island.

☀