Finding Athena

Part One

WAVES RUSHED ACROSS MY FEET and they sunk deeper into the sand. I looked out at the ocean spreading as far as I could see in front of me. In the twenty years I've lived I've lost count of the times the beauty of the ocean in the morning took my breath away.

At this time in the morning there were only a few groups scattered around the beach, which was nice. This beach was special. It wasn’t one of the main beaches that the tourists flocked to like Waikiki, sure, but it was special to me because my mother used to take me to this beach after school. She always said the same thing. As a wind brushed past me, I could almost hear her voice in the wind.

‘Kalani, the faster you finish your homework, the faster you can go to the ocean.’

I looked out at the clouds wondering if she was up there watching over me. If she was, she'd be upset that I was at the beach and not at home working on the final paper I had to write for class.

I heard a mother nearby calling for her kids, and they complained they had to stop playing. As the went silent, I chuckled thinking she must've given the look that all mothers learn. My eyes drifted down to the waves washing over my feet as I walked up the beach.

Something white floating in the water just a bit further out in the water than I was caught my eye. It took me a second to realize that it was clothing and there was also a head with brown hair.

“Someone’s hurt! Call 911!” I called out to the family that was now taking out food from their cooler. I saw the mother scrambling to take her cellphone of her bag.

I dropped my slippers that I had been carrying and ran out further into the water towards the floating person. As I got closer, the blood in the water started to wrap around my legs. Relief tightened my chest seeing he person was floating face up. At least they could breath if they were still alive. I pulled their head out of the water as I pulled them towards the shore.

It was a young woman around my age. Her wet short light brown hair fell back revealing where the blood was coming from, a large gash on her forehead. As I pulled her up onto the beach, I could hear sirens already heading towards us. I placed my fingers against her wrist to check for a pulse. Blood started to ooze out of slashes on her wrist as well.

Did she slash her wrists? Was she trying to kill herself?

My gaze shot to the ocean. There was not a single boat out to sea.

Where did she come from?

Stolen novel; please report.

I lifted up her arm to take a closer look at a bracelet around her wrist. It was a simple metal rectangle with black cords that tied it around her wrist. There was one word etched into the metal, ‘ATHENA’.

* * *

I sat on my bed in my room with my laptop open. I had multiple tabs and the report I was writing opened. I had been staring at the screen for the last hour since I got home. My mind kept going back to the girl I had fished out of the water. The paramedics had taken her off to the hospital and I was interviewed by the police. I had gotten caught by a TV reporter before I was able to get out of there. The mother who had called for the ambulance had told the reporter about me and my heroic act.

Heroic act? I was glad I was there to help but being praised for it made me uncomfortable.

“Kalani! Dinner! I got plate lunches, yeah?” I heard my dad shout from downstairs.

Walking into the living room, I saw my dad had already set my plate and a glass of soda to drink on the coffee table. I picked up my plate, and flopped onto the couch. I turned my attention to the TV. When dad was home, it was always the same, dinner and the six o'clock news. My dad, having retrieved his beer from the fridge, joined me with his plate.

After the intro music to the news ended, they cut to the familiar news anchor. “Good evening, Honolulu. I'm Kenji Mori, and this is your local news at six. We begin tonight with a heroic act that unfolded earlier today at one of our beautiful beaches. A young man is being hailed as a hero after rescuing an unconscious woman from the ocean. Our Jaden Lee, has the story.”

The scene cut to the reporter that had interviewed me. “I'm here at Kaalawai Beach, where a local resident, Kalani Kapule, demonstrated tremendous courage earlier today. Kalani, can you please walk us through what happened?"

I cringed as soon as my face appeared on the screen, I cringed even more hearing my voice. “Well, I was just taking a walk along the beach when I noticed something white in the water. As I got closer, I realized it was a woman. I jumped in to bring her back to shore.”

“That's truly remarkable, Kalani. Can you tell us about the condition of the woman when you pulled her from the ocean?” the reporter asked.

“She was unconscious but breathing. She had a pretty bad gash on her head which I put pressure on until the paramedics arrived.” There was so much nervousness in my voice.

“Can you tell us what went through your mind during the rescue?” the reporter asked.

“It all happened so fast, but I knew I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Instinct kicked in, and I focused on getting her out of the water and ensuring her safety. I'm just grateful that I was able to bring her to shore in time.” I had said.

“Absolutely. Can you provide any update on her condition? Has she regained consciousness?” the reporter asked.

“I'm not sure about her condition right now. The paramedics arrived quickly and took over. They're doing everything they can to help her, and I'm praying for her recovery.” I awkwardly did something like a bow signaling I wanted the interview to end.

The reporter picked up on my body language. “Your quick thinking and actions undoubtedly played a vital role in saving her life. Thank you for sharing your story, Kalani. Your bravery is an inspiration to us all. We sincerely hope that the woman regains consciousness soon and is reunited with her loved ones. Back to the studio.”

The news cut back to the news anchor in the studio. “Thank you, Jaden, for that inspiring interview. Our thoughts are with the woman as she continues to receive medical care. We urge anyone with information that could aid in identifying her to contact the HPD. Remember, together as a community, we can make a difference”.

My father muted the TV. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“You just got home! When did I have time to talk story?” I said shoveling macaroni salad in my mouth.

“I might've just gotten home but you could've sent a text.” My dad’s frown then turned to a smile. “I’m proud of you.”

“You are? Thanks.” I smiled and he patted me on the back.