William Taylor lives with his parents in Allymera Bay, famous for its spectacular sunsets and beautiful beaches. He's enjoying his summer because he gets to spend plenty of time out on the water, swimming and surfing. He knows these waters like the back of his hand-or so he thinks. One day, he befriends two very interesting sea creatures named Silva and Bubbles-and they need his help. Suddenly, William's usually quiet world is turned upside down by his new friends. During this strange and beautiful encounter, William makes a promise to help them save Delphi Island, their home. And in the adventure they share, an unusual friendship is born. It's going to take all of their courage and faith in each other to see the adventure through. They're learning that the quest is much harder than any of them initially thought, but together, they know they're all better and stronger and braver. Given the enormous task at hand, can William keep his promise and help his friends save Delphi Island, their beloved home? Theirs is a magical story about friendship-and believing that anything is possible.

Ocean Blue

Delphi IslandBy Mia Matic

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2012 Mia Matic
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4525-0640-1

Chapter One

What a magnificent sight Delphi Island is! thought Bubbles as he swam towards his beloved home and sighed. It was nearing nightfall and the sun had just set behind the island. The orange afterglow was still visible in the sky and it illuminated the island, making the island appear mystical. The island, his beloved home, was in trouble and he wasn't sure who to ask for help, let alone how to help. Another day will go by, he thought bitterly and yet still no solution to the problem that threatens the existence of my home. Once the island stood in all its glory—appearing magical, even—as a beautiful, clean, undisturbed island that vibrated clear energy. Now it looked unclean with all the rubbish piling up on the rocks that surrounded the island. It was dirty and uninviting and killed all that got in its way, discriminating against none.

Bubbles remembered when the island buzzed with visitors. They were all friends: seals, otters, whales, turtles, sea lions, dugongs and even sharks, just to name a few. Now these friends didn't stop at Delphi Island anymore for fear of getting sick—or worse—from the unnatural items that turned up from the mainland. Allymera Bay was just across the water from Delphi Island and the bay inhabitants had pretty much left the island on its own. However, the items that were thrown into the ocean by the people ended up on Delphi Island. These items caused sickness and even death to some unsuspecting and curious sea creatures.

Bubbles arrived just in time for the gathering where the elder dolphins had assembled to discuss the challenge of clearing the rubbish. Bubbles noticed that all who loved and cherished Delphi Island were present and there were quite a number of participants. His heart swelled with pride at his community.

"We have called a meeting to agree on what action we shall take to protect our island from destruction," one of the elders began. "The rubbish that has polluted the ocean has somehow ended up here and we need to find a way to dispose of it and stop it coming with no harm to anyone here. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions this evening?"

Bubbles watched as a number of participants suggested a few plausible solutions. However, all were deemed unsuitable for the magnitude of the problem. Bubbles sighed and wished he had a suggestion.

The meeting went on for a while, but Bubbles was only half listening, as he was lost in thought. There must be a way to save our island. There must be a way! But how?

Bubbles was still thinking about a solution when the meeting came to a close with no definite action in place. Bubbles, feeling dejected, went home thinking, I must find a way!

Chapter Two

Bubbles arose from his rest excitedly, as he had a brilliant idea for how to save their island. However, he needed to get the appropriate people involved before he could bring his idea to the elders. He was certain that presenting the idea with no backup would prevent the elders from accepting the proposal. Bubbles knew deep down that the idea would work, but he needed to get things into place before the night's meeting.

Why he didn't think of it before baffled him, but it still felt like a sound and formidable plan to him. However, Bubbles wanted to be sure, so he asked his best friend, Silva, to go for a swim with him. He wanted to be out of earshot before he told her of his plan. Silva was always up for a swim and she sensed the excitement within him, so without any fuss they headed out to the deserted nearby reef.

After a preliminary but thorough check around, they were both content that no one was hiding or listening close by. "All right, Mr Excitement," said Silva cheekily, "what's going on? What plan have you hatched now?"

Bubbles laughed in delight and wondered how his friend knew him so well. Only the twinkle in his eye gave him away, but that was enough for Silva to realise he was up to something! Dear, wonderful Silva! What would he ever do without her? "Well," Bubbles said hesitantly, "I am not sure if this will work, but ..."

He looked straight at Silva, took a deep breath and told her of his plan quickly before he changed his mind.

When Bubbles was done, Silva looked at him—half in bewilderment and half in amazement—and said, "Well, if you can pull that off, it may actually save our island. It sounds like a great plan, Bubbles!"

Bubbles looked at his friend and said, "Yes, but you don't sound convinced, Silva." He knew his friend too well to know that she was not as convinced about the plan as he was and he wanted to know what Silva would object to.

"Well ..." Silva said slowly. She really wanted to support Bubbles in this "out there" but plausible plan of his, but there was one hurdle that seemed like a show-stopper already. "Do you know any person that could or would help?" She hoped she sounded a lot more optimistic than she felt, but she knew better than to drag Bubbles down, as once he had a plan in his mind, nothing could or would deter him from carrying it out. She should know. She once tried to stop him before but was unsuccessful. She learnt to be supportive and as adventurous as he was.

"Not right now, no. But that is half the fun. And actually, that is where you come in, as you intuitively know people's characters and natures within the first few minutes of meeting them," Bubbles said with a twinkle in his eye—the one that Silva knew would mean there was no point arguing with him!

If anyone had seen the two young dolphins together, he or she would think the two dolphins were enjoying the moment, talking, bantering, playing and having fun together. In reality, the two best friends were hatching a plan that, if carried out properly, would save their island—their beloved home!

Chapter Three

Why me? William asked himself for the millionth time as he sat on the beach while looking at the ocean, still in disbelief at what had happened that morning. What had started out to be his usual morning surf had turned into something very out of the ordinary. He had gone down to the beach early that morning to catch a wave and clear his head. Instead, he had made himself two unusual friends and allies. He made a promise that he wasn't sure he could fulfil. But he knew he would give it his best shot and he was waiting for a friend to deliver a message.

Was it real, or did I imagine the whole thing? William's head was swirling with questions. Why me? Why was I chosen? What makes me so special?

What kind of name is Bubbles, anyway? he thought crossly to himself. He thought of the way the two dolphins had appeared out of nowhere. They seemed to be swimming innocently beside him while he surfed. Then they came closer and closer until one toppled William off his board! He went crashing to the ocean floor and came up, gasping for breath, to find the two dolphins circling him in a way that made him even more unsettled. The dolphins were herding William towards the rocks. Strangely, the dolphins weren't even touching him; it was the current that pushed them along.

William was scolding the dolphins, saying it wasn't safe for him or them. He stopped in mid-sentence when out of the blue came the reply, "Yes, we know, but this is the only way we can talk with you!" He stared with disbelief at the two dolphins and then started to laugh as the dolphins looked kindly at him with their big,...