Beyond the coastal village, the lagoon shimmered silver under the evening sky.
Ella crept to the water's edge, toes wiggling in the warm sand.
The silver water gripped her ankle and pulled. Whoosh!
She splashed and scrabbled at slippery rocks, but the current tugged her deeper. Splash, splash!
From the reeds came a silver scorpion, its shell gleaming. Two blue fishes darted beside it, watching her.
The scorpion raised a claw. The fishes swapped glances and swam after it into the dark water.
Inside the cave, a thick wall of seaweed blocked the way out. It looked impossible.
The scorpion pinned the seaweed with its claws and pushed. The blue fishes whirled their tails, loosening knot after knot.
At the deepest part of the cave, Ella saw silver shells glowing with a soft blue light — pulsing like tiny stars.
She touched one shell. The whole cave burst into light — the exit was there, glowing all the way!
Ella swam fast, following the shining trail. The scorpion and fishes swam beside her all the way.
She burst through the opening into warm evening air. Whoosh!
Ella stood on the sandy beach, dripping and laughing. 'I made it!' she cried.
The silver scorpion and the two blue fishes waved from the shallows. Goodbye, friends!
Ella kicked off her sandal and hopped toward the water. Not away this time.
Her laugh rang clear across the lagoon — she couldn't wait to come back.