The Shell’s Call

Kaia wandered the sun-kissed shores of Cayo Costa each and every morning, collecting calcium carbonate treasures and listening to the gentle hum of churning ocean water.

It reminded her to breathe, these quiet hours to herself. A welcome daily ritual. No people, no promises. Just peace.

Squinting against the white hot glare of sand and sparkling water, she clutched her salt-soaked burlap bag tightly in her fist, the sound of seashells jingling inside.

Satisfaction crept onto her face, her lips curling into a grin. There was no feeling quite like it—a successful ocean haul. Kaia glanced down, peeking into her bag. There were pink and violet banded tulips, glossy, cream-colored olives, shark eyes, even a bright, blazing orange horse conch.

Marvelous. Simply marvelous.

Eventually, the sun climbing higher into the sky, Kaia sighed with reluctant acceptance: Time to go home.

Shrugging her shoulders, Kaia began shuffling back up the beach through the coarse sand, bag and sandals in toe.

Over the nearest dune however, something beached in the shallows caught her eye.

It was a shell—a giant, shining frog shell conch, lying there in the surf. Easily the length of her arm, from the tips of her fingers to her elbow, it gleamed in the sunlight and bubbling foam. She had passed by the spot earlier. How could she have missed it?

Kaia placed her bag carefully in the sand, covering it with her sandals to avoid any wandering eyes. But as she cautiously glanced around, she saw no one.

No one else was around to appreciate the enormous and incredibly rare ocean jewel that lay twinkling in the morning sun, washed up from the depths of the sea like a lost pirate relic.

On top of the world, Kaia raced down to the damp shoreline, her feet smacking against the hard, water-logged sand. She stopped just a foot from the shell, not daring to get her hopes up—if there was a snail or crab living inside, she'd have to leave it behind.

Wrought with worry and eager anticipation, she reached for the shell. As her hand grazed its smooth exterior, she took a deep breath and grasped the narrowest section firmly. The sand would not release its grip on it easily, each wave that washed ashore eroding the sand around the base of the shell, burying it deeper.

Yet with a determined heave and squishy pop, the shell released its hold on the earth and landed in Kaia's arms. It was heavy, but as she turned it around and peered underneath, Kaia realized with a hearty chuckle there was no one home. The shell was hers.

Overjoyed, Kaia examined her prize. The shell had a pearly white interior, smooth and undamaged. The exterior was wrapped in beautiful mottled trails of browns and oranges of all shades. A perfect specimen to the eye—now for the ultimate test.

Under no circumstances can a true sea sheller pass up the chance to hold up a perfect conch to their ear and listen to the soothing sound of the ocean. Kaia, superstitious as they come, knew she had to give it a try.

As she raised the shell to her ear, she expected to hear that familiar rushing sound of air passing through the shell's spiral cavity. She expected that unmistakable, nostalgic ambience of ocean waves crashing against her ear. But that's not what Kaia heard.

Rather, Kaia's breath caught in her throat as she heard a soft voice. A man's voice, deep and certain, but softer than a whisper.

Escaping the mouth of the shell, the voice called to her. A man’s voice, quiet as a whisper.

Return with me to the sea, or renounce your claim on me.

Enchanted by his words, Kaia held the shell closer, straining to hear more. Whether this encounter was real or imagined, her mind could not decide. But instead of feeling fearful or disturbed by the voice coming from the shell, she felt comfort. Even longing. But who was speaking to her?

Allow me to introduce myself. The voice answered, his words leaking into her thoughts.

Let it be known: I am Kaito. Fear me not.

Intrigue cradled her, a smile spreading across her face at the name. Glancing around her once more, she decided not to speak, for fear of any passing ears overhearing. Her thoughts reached out to him cautiously. Hello, Kaito. My name is Kaia.

Fair Kaia, the voice answered, steady and warm. The pleasure is mine.

Your shell is beautiful, Kaia thought, giggling at the silliness of the statement, then gasping at a sudden realization. Was that rude? I'm sorry, I guess I don't understand whether you are the shell or it is your home.

On the contrary, Kaito answered, matching her friendly, inquisitive demeanor. This shell is my vessel. It allows me to traverse the seas in secret. I myself am far from where you are.

Unease began to creep into Kaia's mind at that response. Then where are you? What are you?

As if sensing her unease, Kaito answered soothingly.

Rather than tell you, his voice crooned, would you prefer I show you?

Enchanting as his voice was, Kaia still felt a twinge of discomfort in the back of her mind, caution seeping into her words as she answered. How would you show me?

Right as the response escaped her mind, the sand began to shake beneath her. Where she had been kneeling she now fell over with a thud, dropping the shell in the water. Terror seized her mind, which was now connected to the shell, and she watched in horror as the ocean waves before her began to part like retreating walls. The narrow passageway the water formed led straight out to sea, out toward the horizon where it disappeared into the setting sun. The sun was already setting?

Enter, Kaito stated, softly but firmly. Carry my shell and follow the path before you. I will see you soon.

Awestruck by the sight before her, Kaia shakily rose to her feet, swallowing hard. What if I refuse? Are you asking or commanding me? Where does this lead?

Linger here... Ignore the path I have created for you... And you will never hear my voice again. I will return to the sea and you will forget I exist. But follow the path... Bring my shell back to me... And I will be yours forever.

Moved by his words, Kaia watched as the sun sunk lower in the sky, tracing bronze streaks across the white caps miles from shore. She wondered what he meant, what awaited her in the depths. There was only one way to know for sure.

You must promise me, she thought, cautiously picking the shell back up, out of the cool water. You must promise me nothing bad will happen. Promise the walls you've created will hold, that you will guide me through the dark. And promise me you're telling me the truth... If I do as you say, we will be together, and that is what you want? Kaia felt tears in her eyes as she awaited his response. The grip of intense curiosity, confusion, even danger strangled her mind. But the sensation paled in comparison to the newfound longing and burning desire she felt taking root deep in her lonely heart. She felt drawn to Kaito. She had to know who, or what, he was.

Hear me, sweet Kaia, Kaito replied, his response like sickly sweet honey. You found my shell, you heard my voice. No other ever has. We are bound, in heart and mind. And I promise, I speak truthfully. No harm will come to you. No darkness will befall you. And you will soon be mine. We have finally found each other. I want no other. I am yours and you are mine. Forever.

Everything happens for a reason, Kaia thought to herself. I will come to meet you, Kaito. But Kaito did not reply.

Against her better judgement, Kaia clutched the heavy shell to her chest and began walking toward the water.

Ripples of bubbling sea water greeted her on both sides as she marched through the path Kaito had carved into the sea. As she descended further, she watched as the walls of water grew taller around her, eventually curling over the pathway, blocking out the night sky. She was now in a tunnel, leading into the ocean's depths with no stars left to light her way.

Terrified of the dark, Kaia halted, waiting for even a drop of light to show itself. Kaito? Are you there?

In response, the shell in her hands began to glow, illuminating the black water around her. No darkness will befall you, my love, Kaito whispered.

Sighing and feeling reassured, Kaia continued her descent, holding the shell higher in the air to be able to see further. After what felt like hours, she finally reached the ocean floor. And there, just a few paces more ahead of her, stood a towering entrance to a cave. Expecting nothing but more darkness, she was surprised to see faint, glowing light emanating from inside. She could feel it. That is where I’ll find Kaito.

Yes, Kaia, Kaito replied warmly. Welcome home.

Overwhelmed with relief and hope at the potential happiness awaiting her, Kaia made her way into the cave. The light ahead glowed brighter. Each step she took felt more certain. She called out to Kaito in her mind, giddy with excitement. I’m almost there, Kaito! Soon we’ll be together!

Unaware of the cave mouth closing behind her and ocean water beginning to flood inside, Kaia continued forward, her mind drunk on the thought of finally meeting her true love. Kaito! Where are you? I’m here! But the colossal angler fish did not respond, the light of its shell and gleaming lure fading away, plunging Kaia into darkness in the pit of its flooding, hungry stomach.

Rain bombarded the shoreline of Cayo Costa the next morning, rejuvenating its beach with treasures anew. And there, among the salt and sand, tangled in a clump of seaweed, washed ashore the shell. Its beauty intact. Its exterior pristine, with the same smooth, pearly white interior, home to no crab or snail.

Secrets kept safely inside.