234 - true exit

elissa admired the shape of her own body in the mirror that doubled as the hotel room's closet door. She felt good in her wetsuit and she looked good, too. She didn't need to put it on just yet, but she had something of a tradition of being ready before it was necessary.

Today of all days, she could hardly wait to get suited up. Last night had been like Christmas Eve years ago, when she still believed in Santa Claus and had trouble falling asleep. Just as she had woken up early the next morning back then, today she had no need for an alarm clock to rouse her from sleep.

Only now, it was not a pile of presents she anxiously awaited. All she wanted was her official scuba certification, which she would be granted upon passing today's final sea trial. Though she was confident in her ability to pass, the adrenaline and expectation made her feel restless and impatient.

Today's examination was the culmination of countless hours of effort, and so much expenditure that Melissa preferred to not even think about it. Her friends and family had told her that she was crazy. What kind of midwestern girl suddenly takes up scuba diving as a hobby? She couldn't quite explain it herself, but she had brought the dream to life.

A knocking at the door interrupted her reflection on the journey thus far. Melissa glanced at the bedside clock. She hadn't been expecting Julie for another thirty minutes or so. Julie was rarely on time, certainly never early. Melissa imagined how odd it would be to open the door with a stranger on the other side while she was dressed in her wetsuit.

As a precaution, she inquired to the identity of the person rapping the door with their knuckles. A familiar voice reverberated through the wood, "it's me." Apparently, Julie was capable of being early after all. Melissa bounced to the door and threw it open.

She expected to see her friend in similar high spirits. If anything, Julie usually had the more effervescent attitude of the two. Julie's face was, upon viewing, decidedly sullen, especially when placed into contrast of Melissa's expectant energy.

"Hey Julie, you're here early," Melissa offered as a greeting, still trying to get a read on her friend and discover the source of her mood. Julie's expression did not lighten at all upon hearing Melissa's voice.

"Mel, you," Julie trailed off for a moment, trying to build the appropriate sentence in a troubled state of mind. "You haven't seen the news, have you?"

Melissa was not particularly fond of staying abreast of current affairs even under normal circumstances. On a day like today, the thought of turning on the TV and flipping to a cable news station had not even been given a microsecond's consideration.

She began to imagine all the possible world tragedies she could be currently unaware of. The look on Julie's face was at least less of a mystery now, although Melissa was certain that there was truly something to be concerned about.

"No," Melissa replied. "Why, what happened?"

She wondered if the big news would put a damper on her plans for today. She felt it was a little unfair that she might not be allowed to bask in her accomplishment or even be given a small triumphant moment of celebration.

"The o-ocean," Julie stammered. "It's gone."

"What?" Melissa asked in disbelief. How could the ocean, the entire ocean, be gone? She ran to the TV, fumbling with the buttons until it displayed an image confirming what Julie had said.

The wetsuit felt tight to the point of choking.