Aaron Young

25 August 2022

Period 7

Lane Line

There was a time that stood out in Aaron's mind, always noticeable like a sore thumb.

Back then, there was an Aaron who could spend more time in the water than now. If Aaron now

was a spring chicken in the days of his youth, then Aaron of around ten years prior was barely a

hatchling. Most memories were fuzzy, muddy and misty. He only remembered less worries, less

stressful homework and more summer camps. However, at one such camp, he would have an

unexpected hurdle, showcasing the series of mishaps to come in his life. The Venetian pool

turned out to be much more ferocious than he could ever have foreseen.

He was too young to get into the pool on his own, so he had to wear a life jacket. Aaron

didn't mind much, as the only part that mattered to him was that he could swim in the pool in the

first place, even if he did need to wear a stiff and stale red vest. The pool itself was scenic, or

some could call it a marvel. Bright green waters that looked like that of Silver Springs, and the

sunlight reflected and refracted in a way that was mesmerizing. The swish of the water and the

push and pull gave it an air of beauty. As if it were alive, the water would breathe and move.

Aaron didn't think much of it though, and he got in the pool as swiftly as they would allow him

to. He barely paid attention to the the sloshing, the twisting and turning splashes he had created

by rushing in so quickly.

As he floated in the middle of the water, he noticed a waterfall nearby the claustrophobic

cave he was next to. Even though there was a slight odor of chlorine, it wasn't much of a

distraction compared to the sound and sight of the waterfall, as it was standing tall amongst the
rest of the vicinity as if it were dominating the rest. It commanded his attention with its majesty

and created what could only be called a feast for the eyes. Beyond its great height, acting like a

lighthouse in the darkness, it also had jagged and rocky edges. Aaron knew what the rocks felt

like, rough and tough like sandpaper. He didn't like the rocks that much, coarse, irritating, and

the pebbles and sand got everywhere. However, the low and deep rumble from the rushing water

could shake a man to his core. It sounded like ten thousand sheets being shaken, a cacophony of

noises and sounds that there are simply no words for. It felt and sounded like a massive

earthquake at all times around the area, and, ideally, it would never stop. The water was fast

flowing, forced by the pull of gravity to slam down into the pool below. In all its glory, the

waterfall sort of called out to the young boy, as if it was speaking to him, telling him to come

closer.

Aaron began to swim towards the waterfall, although the way he kicked and flailed was

more reminiscent of flopping than swimming. However, blocking his way was a simple divider,

splitting the lake into two. No matter, as it was really a glorified rope with discs on it. There was

simply no chance that this mere lane line would cause him to yield his approach toward his

destination. Despite his thinking, he was unfortunately very wrong in his premonition. Suddenly,

once he let go of the line, it caught on Aaron's life jacket, and it dragged him underwater. He was

caught off-guard, furthermore increasing his paranoia and timidity, laying on the pressure harder

than peers. Seeing the water below and then above him, only being able to breathe for half a

moment, and only feeling the intense tug from the line had shown him only a brief glimpse of

what Poseidon could do when he was angry. As much as he tried, he was helpless in bringing

himself out of this predicament. He couldn't kick, scream, or call for help; he was too focused on

keeping his head above the water to do anything else. He truly did feel helpless, especially when
nobody had come to help, as they were off doing their own things. He wasn't getting enough air,

and his eyelids were getting heavier by the second. There was a pain in his chest, like the acute

stabbing of a sharpened knife. He could only take the brunt of the water sloshing around him like

a fortress, while the water tried its best to show him Davy Jones' Locker. Before, it only seemed

as if the pool was alive. Now, it tried to kill him.

Aaron had no idea what to do as he vainly attempted to find a way to escape before

falling limp in the pool. He was his own Houdini, attempting to get out of an oversized milk can

of his own creation. This task seemed monumental at the time, as if he had to climb a mountain

range. He wasn't very smart, so trial and error had to suffice for his magic trick. As for what

happened next, it was only a blur to him. He simply did not know what he did to remove himself

from the belly of the whale.

All he did know was that he was out, able to breathe the chlorine-scented fresh air and

enjoy the pool once more. He flung himself up out of the water, breathing heavily while he

gasped for air. It was as if he finally found a glass of water before succumbing to thirst.

Subsequently, he had also realized that this bulwark, impenetrable as it seemed, was really

nothing more than just a divider. A rope, simply used to separate pool waters, defeated him and

routed him. He felt so ashamed by his plight, that he ended up resolving not to tell anybody

about his major blunder, and he was able to keep that vow until highschool, where he would

write an essay about his embarrassing tale.