Deep Sea Discovery In The Golden Age

Grace polished the brass dials of her grandmother's antique wooden submarine toy. Rain lashed against her bedroom window, reminding her of the great storm she had braved to find healing herbs years ago. I wonder if this has a secret, Grace thought, adjusting her golden headband to keep her chestnut-brown hair out of her face. She carefully twisted the submarine's tiny periscope. Click. Whirrrrr. The wooden toy began to vibrate, growing larger and larger until it filled the entire room. A heavy wooden hatch popped open. A rush of warm, salty water spilled out, pulling Grace inside. She tumbled through a vortex of swirling blue light and bubbles. Am I time-traveling? she wondered, squeezing her hazel eyes shut. With a soft thump, Grace landed on a bed of pink sponges. She opened her eyes, gasping—and realized she could breathe perfectly. She wasn't in her room anymore. The wooden submarine door bobbed above her, dropping her into a bright coral reef. "Oh, splendid! A surface-walker!" a voice bubbled. Grace blinked. A bright yellow pufferfish wearing a tiny kelp bowtie floated right in front of her nose.