A dark cloud drifted over the coral gardens. The pearl castles lost their sparkle.
Maris grabbed her seaweed satchel and swam toward the shadow. Her fins kicked hard. “I’m coming!”
A trail of glowing shells lined the seafloor. Maris followed Shell One past a snoring turtle.
Shell Two bobbed beside a crab’s claw. Maris followed it until Shell Three vanished into a narrow cave.
Inside the cave, a tiny sea star hung in a kelp knot. Its little light flickered. “Hold on,” Maris whispered.
Maris tugged with her fingers, then her teeth. She pulled so hard that—SNAP!—the kelp broke.
The sea star flashed bright gold and squeaked. Then it darted ahead, lighting the way home.
Maris followed the golden light past the snoring turtle and the crab. Behind them, the coral gardens sparkled again.
Maris settled on a soft bed of sand in her little nook. The sea star curled beside her like a night-light.
Pearl castles shimmered beyond the nook. Maris smiled at the golden glow as the kingdom settled into night.