I hate people touching me.
The origins of my disgust occurred at some point during school. Patronising taps on the shoulders from a teacher. Someone waking me up in the night.
This was a key reason behind getting into scuba diving. Heading into such deep water is paradise. I do not mind darkness and freezing temperature. Taking risks with no backup. Down here I am alone and in control.
I must be one of the first to explore this network of caves. The water is so silty that tight corners emerge through a foggy haze. My headlight provides brief glimpses of a world of stalagmites and seaweed, and nothing else
On my left is a porthole sized opening. The hand that reaches through and grabs my wrist is cold and scary. The eyes are reptilian, but with a deep knowledge underneath. Something cracks. Clouds of sand fog the way ahead, and those fingers will not let go.
I understand at last why people do not like to be alone.
