The Renewal, First Encounter

    ....In the distant darkness of the ocean, an object caught her attention. It appeared to be some large, floating debris. With a gradually expanding curiosity, it became a compulsion to watch it instead of the stars above. Lindsey's mind contrived and tinkered to guess at what it was-perhaps some treasure or a fragment from a shipwreck. The dim light of the stars agitated her curiosity and anxiousness in that it would reveal only minute details of the object. It continued to dance along the edge of the horizon as the mild ocean swells caused it to undulate in and out of view as if to tease her imagination. A startling splash diverted her attention as a dolphin playfully swam about the yacht. It was rare to see them this late at night. Now another dolphin joined, both dancing in the forefront of the distant object. At first they appeared to be two young dolphins playfully performing a dance, but their mannerisms seemed more desperate than playful. They repeatedly danced facing her, then swam jumping in and out of the waters seemingly toward the distant object, which only added to the mystery. The taunting enticement of the dolphins initiated a call to action. The rumble of the boat's engine excited the dolphins to lead the way; they continued to hop in and out of the water ahead, traveling under the light of the moon. When they gained sufficient distance, they would dance to allow the yacht to catch up, providing a more convincing argument that they were trying to lead Lindsey to something, perhaps the distant object or maybe something else beyond. They did seem to be heading in the direction of the object. The object was now becoming discernable as an old, abandoned boat covered with vines and other dead vegetation. It was perhaps forty, maybe fifty feet in length. The boat was unlike any known and appeared very old, she thought. What a find! Seeing it more clearly inspired an intense anxiousness to board the boat and see what kind of treasures might be hidden within. Could this boat have been afloat and undiscovered for so many years? Maybe it was grounded and then lifted from its rest by the tide or maybe a storm to resume its ocean journey. The latter seemed more likely, she thought, viewing the dense vines that were dangling and dragging in the water. Nearing the old boat and slowing down to examine it seemed to agitate the dolphins, which were well beyond the old boat. They immediately returned and fervently scolded any thought of boarding the old boat while at the same time urging the continuation of the journey. Torn in the misery of two unfolding mysteries, the old boat and the urgings of the dolphins, was frustrating. Before her eyes could be a very significant find, one filled with treasures or at best artifacts of another time. It could hold answers to historical questions of a time long passed. Leaving the old boat behind would most certainly render it open for discovery by someone else. On the other hand, the urgings of the dolphins could not be ignored. It was obvious that they wanted the journey to continue. At the same time, they might be forbidding Lindsey access to the old boat. If they didn't want her near the old boat, there must be a reason. Could it be that some looming danger awaits any visitor to the old boat, or was their concern merely an urge to continue the journey to another unknown destination? If some other destination lay beyond, then what could it be? Knowing that dolphins are friendly toward humans and have been known to rescue humans from danger made the need to continue more important. To ignore the urging of the dolphins could result in someone's death at sea. Reluctantly leaving behind the old boat but worrying that someone might be in trouble, Lindsey noted its position on the moraine and decided to resume following the dolphins. The old boat was now sitting on the horizon behind as the dolphins continued to lead Lindsey further into the ocean. Soon the concern for becoming lost at sea began to fester. Could it be that her interpretation of the dolphin's urgings was wrong? Maybe they were just playing, teasing yet another human. Thinking that it might be getting too dangerous to continue, Lindsey decided to slow the boat down and begin to turn around. The dolphins were now very agitated, almost angry; they brayed out and danced fervently in the boat's path. Lindsey was now perplexed. Should she continue further out into the unknown darkness of the night, leaving her fate in the hands of the dolphins? In a quandary, she decided to shut the engine off and think about her situation before continuing or abandoning the mystery.