Pretty Fin- Raging Seas

by Smokey Moment

  After an hour on the road, Lance pulled into a large parking lot. Fin smiled. The place was teaming with families. She looked at the interesting building with its unique structure and eye catching shiny blue color. Fin quickly turned to Lance. Her smile meant everything to him. Her love of sea animals was the inspiration behind him picking this particular outing. The family took their time getting out of the car and making their way to the aquarium. Isla and Nimah were overjoyed. They danced around and rushed Fin and Lance, in a hurry to get to the fun. There was a lot for children to enjoy. Lance had read up on all the activities and had his brochure in hand.

  “Oh honey this is amazing. I can’t wait to see what’s inside,” Fin exclaimed. The family headed inside, marveling at the large whale and smaller fish that hung from the ceiling. The views were spectacular. The girls marveled at the fish inside the aquariums, as they excitedly ran up to the glass to get a closer look. Fin seemed to be just as excited. Lance watched as she had moment of silence, staring into the eyes of several fish. “It’s so beautiful here. Thank you. I love this place,” Fin said. Lance smiled. “You’re welcome. I was hoping to see that beautiful smile,” he replied. Fin touched his arm and gave another approving smile. It was an awesome surprise. She was in her element. Among the creatures of the sea.

  The family walked to another area. They entered a tunnel and into a room that was one giant aquarium bubble. Fish swam all around. Nimah got excited then kicked to get down. Fin let her down and Nimah and Isla ran to the glass. It was overwhelming feeling. The room was designed to make you feel like you were in the middle of the ocean. Fish were everywhere. Nimah shuffled her feet and ran to the adjacent glass. Fin followed her, as Isla stayed with Lance.

  He followed Isla to a small school of fish and read his brochure that showed pictures of some of the ocean life and gave details on some of the species. Isla stared at the fish. They were swimming back and forth as one, then suddenly made their way to the glass. Lance continued reading as he looked for a picture of the fish. They were large and gentle looking. Other species of fish swam to close to them. Lance imagined they wouldn’t horrify guest by placing carnivorous fish in with mild-mannered plant eating fish. He glanced back at Fin. She stood over Nimah pointing and telling her about the fish. Lance furrowed. He wondered how Fin knew so much about them. The sea animals in her world were different. He chuckled then looked in the brochure. He was anxious to take the girls to an outdoor area where there were playscapes with fish themes and a pond full of fish.

  Fin looked over at Lance and Isla, then glanced around at the other children. A little boy made his way to Nimah then offered her some of his cotton candy. Nimah looked up at Fin. “Say thank you,” she said, as Nimah reached out and took some. The little boy turned and walked towards the glass. Nimah followed him. She stood close then peered deep inside the aquarium. The toddlers placed their faces close to the glass. “Stand back baby,” Fin warned. “It’s okay. They can touch the glass in here. They just can bang or tap on it. It can agitate the fish,” a woman said. Fin gave a quick smile. She appreciated the advice.

  Fin could see a small spotted shark. She stared at it, as it swam in the distance. Nimah pointed at the shark. “I see it honey,” Fin said. Nimah was excited. She hit the glass. “No honey. You can’t hit the glass,” Fin warned.

  She glanced over at the little boy’s mother. She could see Nimah was hounding the baby for more of his cotton candy. “Where did you get that candy?” she asked the mother. “There’s an area outside. Near the tables. There’s a stand with all kinds of wonderful snacks for the children,” the woman replied. “Thanks,” Fin said, as she turned her attention back to her child.

  Suddenly and without warning the fish charged the glass near the toddlers. It moved swiftly through the water and rammed its head. Nimah and the little boy jumped. The toddlers burst into tears as the shark continued to ram the glass. Onlookers watched in horror. Nimah ran to Fin and buried her head in-between her legs.

  “Shh. It’s alright,” Fin said, as she tried to comfort her baby. Lance ran over with Isla in his arms. The fish continued to hit the glass near the little boy as his mother held him. The mother was frozen with fear. Her eyes bulging and filled with horror. Fin became angry. She stared at the shark. Lance stood next to her. “Is she alright?” he asked. Fin was fixated on the shark. Lance rubbed Nimah’s head and tried to comfort her. He looked back at Fin. He wondered why she was so withdrawn. She appeared paralyzed. Unable to move or speak. The shark suddenly stopped and began to float. It had injured itself in the frenzied attack. Lance could see another shark racing towards the glass. Children shrieked in horror as the shark raced to the injured shark and bit a chuck of flesh from its side. The shark continued to float as other smaller sharks arrived and took bites. The sharks completely devoured the animal. “Everyone exit this way,” a guard said, as he pointed to an exit.

  The feeding frenzy continued as children screamed. The employees tried to get everyone out of the area. Fin snapped out of her daze. She looked at the mother who held her son. The woman gave a blank stare then carried her son out, shocked at the incident. An aquarium worker standing off to the side, stared intensely at Fin. She radioed to someone that their leopard shark was being devoured by the others. “Is everyone alright?” the worker asked. Fin looked away. Lance chimed in. “Yes! We’re fine,” he said, as he took Fin by the hand. She pulled her hand from his and grabbed Isla then walked out of the aquarium. Lance followed behind her.

  “Fin! Wait up,” he said. She turned around. Her face showing signs of stress, as she held their crying baby. Fin rubbed Nimah’s back as Isla held on to her leg. Lance could see she was upset. “We can go if you want. They’ve seen enough,” he said. Fin nodded. “She wants cotton candy. This was all over cotton candy,” she said. Lance narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t sure what cotton candy had to do with it. He got closer and kissed his wife on her forehead. “Okay! Let’s go to the car. I’ll get the kids some cotton candy and then we’re going home.”

  “Let me get two cotton candies, please. Mix the colors,” Lance said to the woman inside the concession booth. He grabbed napkins and then placed a straw in a smoothie for Fin. He glanced around. His perfect outing had turned tragic under strange and mysterious circumstances. Lance didn’t care what happened. He wasn’t sure. He only knew he wanted to get on the road and shorten the nearly hour drive to Olivenhain.

  “Excuse me,” a voice behind him said. Lance turned around. “Yes,” he replied, curious as to what the woman wanted. Her uniform made her instantly unwelcomed. The woman squinted from the glare of the bright sun. Her hands shielding her eyes as she looked around. Lance furrowed. “Yes!” he repeated.

  “My name is Sophia Dowell. I am a scientist and marine biologist. I work here, and was standing in the dome taking readings when your family was there. I study signals emitted from sea mammals as well as study marine animal behaviors. I was hoping to speak with your wife,” she said. Lance sighed. “No! Absolutely not,” he said. The woman stepped between him and the cashier. Lance exhaled sharply then stared fiercely into her eyes. She had stepped over the line. He was uncomfortable as was his family. They were ready to leave. Cotton candy was the only hold up. And his traumatized baby girl was patiently waiting.

  “I wanted to get a statement. We need to note the events. Just what she believed occurred. I tried to catch up with you but I lost sight of your family among the crowd. Please let me speak to her. I really need to find out what happened. Just a quick statement of what she saw,” the woman said. Lance scoffed.

  “No! She doesn’t want to give a statement. Is the shark under arrest,” he said sarcastically. “The shark was eaten. By its own kind. And the vibrations my equipment picked up were unusual. The whole incident is bizarre,” she said. “Uhuh,” Lance replied, as he grabbed the cotton candy and handed the cashier twenty dollars. “Have a nice day,” he said, as he walked away without getting his change. The woman followed him, walking qui
ckly until she caught up to him. Lance exhaled loudly glaring at her with contempt and refusing to stop.

  “What do you want? Stop following me. I told you she won’t be giving a statement,” he snapped. “Please sir. Just a second of her time. We have to make a report of every incident. The circumstances have to be noted. Just for clarity. That particular shark is gentle. Non-threatening. This has never been recorded. Ever! And those sound waves. The series of invisible vibrations. Very slight but very powerful. I have never seen anything like it. And the fish attacking the glass like that. Then being attacked by its own kind. It just hasn’t happened. I have to be very specific about what occurred,” she said. Lance stopped.

  “Specific huh. Okay…Let’s get specific. Make sure you put this in, along with your notes. I brought my wife and children here for our first outing as a family. This place terrorized my youngest and my wife is distraught and inconsolable. If it’s a lawsuit you fear, save yourself the worry. We won’t be suing. Money can’t undo what has happened here. My baby will be afraid of fish now, thanks to this place. And as far as that shark being gentle…I guess this blows that theory out of the water. No one can predict what every animal will do. Science only goes so far. And then there’s life. There are always anomalies. Now, if you’ll excuse me…I have a wife and children to tend to,” he said, as he turned and walked away.

  The woman sighed. She was desperate to see what her instrument had picked up. It was in her pocket. Dialed to a higher frequency in order to decipher the sound waves. Sound waved that shouldn’t exist in air. It beeped when it should not have been reading anything. And the gage went haywire when she pointed it at Nimah and Fin. The woman had a master’s in marine biology. She was using new technology and she wasn’t sure what she had just witnessed. It was possible that it malfunctioned. That what she told herself. But then she ran behind the family pointing it at other guests. And the gage did nothing until she pointed it at his family. Okay. That was a coincidence. That’s all. A coincidence. Besides…No one would ever believe me, the woman said, as she walked back to the building.

  “Are you alright?” Lance said, as he got in the car and turned the key. He was ready to leave but not before he checked his girls, including Fin. Fin looked at him. She appeared relaxed. It was a huge relief. Lance looked back at Nimah. She was intently focused on her cotton candy and completely unfazed. Isla smiled at her little sister as she picked off pieces of her swirled cotton candy. Everyone was okay. Lance decided not to tell Fin about the woman who wanted a statement from her. He put the car in drive and pulled away. His nightmare outing was over.

  Fin was quiet during the start of their drive home. Lance glanced over at her occasionally wondering why she was so affected. He imagined it was her affinity to the creatures since she was a woman of the ocean. But he felt something else was amidst. He wondered what was really on her mind.

  The tension in the air was thick. Fin stared at the trees along the highway. Her mind racing. Lance noticed she hadn’t looked behind her to check the girls like she often did and he became increasingly concerned. “Fin. Talk to me. I can see something is wrong,” he said. A moment of silence followed by several deep breaths cleared the way for her open dialog. Fin turned her head to him. Her emotions open for him to see. Lance tried to keep his eyes on the road. He slowed and glanced at her several times. “What?” he said, his nerves now on edge.

  “I want to move back to our old house. I’m not happy. I need the water. I need to feel close to home,” she said, unapologetically. Her face showing the seriousness of her request. Lance drove, his mouth slightly opened. He had no immediate reply. Fin waited. She watched as he rubbed his facial hair. Lance exhaled sharply. He exited the highway and pulled into a small gas station and parked on the side. He put the car in park and leaned back. Fin shook her head. Lance was being dramatic. It was a simple request. They still owned the house. This was an easy fix. Move their items from Olivenhain to Malibu.

  “What about the girls? Did you think about what’s best for them. You think a house with no yard, surrounded by the ocean is good for two toddlers?” he said, as he looked straight. Fin rolled her eyes and looked out her window. Lance was being ridiculous. She imagined her children would be fine. There was enough land around the perimeter of the house for them to play on. She was sure this was not about them.

  “Why don’t you say what you really fear,” she said. Lance turned to her. “What would that be Fin?” he replied. “Me returning to Madaka,” she said. Lance shook his head. She was right. He was. And he hoped that wasn’t what the request to move was about. The ocean would tempt her. One leap and an hour or two at her top speed, and she would be back home. Lance started the car and backed out of the space. Fin teared up. He hadn’t answered her. Something he did when his answer was no. He hated to say no. But she was asking the impossible. And as Lance entered back on the freeway, she could see he was shutting down on their talk about the possibility of moving.

  “Are you going to say something? We’re not going to talk about it?” she asked. Lance changed lanes. His mind and heart at odds for the first time. He wanted her to have whatever she wanted. But a move back to the water would soon lead to a request to visit Madaka. And his heart couldn’t bear it. “I’m not saying no. I’m not saying yes. I just need to think about it. Okay,” he said, keeping his eyes on the road. Fin looked back at the trees. She knew him. And his lack of a yes or no meant no.

  K

  ing Andreus headed towards his wife’s chambers. The castle was calm. Guards stood outside her door. Andreus sent them away then entered. He hoped their son was in his own resting quarters. Guida had a small bassinet made of branches and soft straw built inside her room. Andreus believed it was to discourage him from entering. But their son never slept comfortably in it. And Guida refused to have it hauled away.

  Andreus was entering and nothing would stop him. If the baby was there, he would have the baby’s personal guard Hanlo take him to his own room. He expected Guida to behave as a wife should. She hadn’t since he returned, behaving more like a house mate, and he was tired of waiting. She was his wife. And she would behave as such. The sex he despised so much, he wanted this evening. And he would take what he wanted if she refused.

  Andreus stood over her. Guida appeared to be resting. He exhaled sharply then removed his vest. He laid it over her chair then removed his leg wrappings and eased next to her. Guida awakened from the noise. He made no effort to move quietly. “What are you doing in here?” she asked. Andreus continued removing his things. They hadn’t had sex since his return from the sea. And he was anxious. It was a favorite past time of the citizens of Eulachon. It seemed every female nermein was with child. Andreus hated that Fin corrupted the women of Madaka. And there was turning back. The sins of the flesh that had his men weak and misguided had also charmed him. He hated to admit it. But it was invigorating. Stimulating. And it felt divine.

  Guida turned her back to him. Her breathing increased. The stress of his presence had her feeling out of breath. She closed her eyes tightly and prayed to whatever gods were listening, to no avail. Andreus climbed into her bed and directly on top of her. He began pulling on her long gown as she tried unsuccessfully to push his hands away. “You will submit. You belong to me,” he said, ripping her gown in his aggressive efforts to remove it. Guida fought harder. She screamed out. Guards entered. “Get out! And don’t ever enter here. Ever!” he shouted. The guards immediately retreated. Guida wasn’t surprised he was forcing himself. Everything went his way. He took whatever he wanted. And Guida could see in his eyes he was there to take her. He stared intensely at her. His breathing picked up pace, as he entered her.

  “You must give yourself to me,” he said. Guida looked to her ceiling. She was done fighting. She couldn’t say no. The last time she sent him away, he took it out on several guards, punishing them for taking a break from their post. He was easier to deal with when he had his way. Guida nodded yes, then raised her thin si
lk bed gown the rest of the way to prevent him from soiling it. The new silk she purchased from her outing with her mother was delicate and rare. Her mind turned to Lark, as Andreus thrusted inside of her. The unpleasant feeling began eating away at her spirit. She hated him.

  Her only solace was her son and thoughts of Lark. She could picture his face instead. It would help her through the long ordeal. Lark was the only man she ever loved. Her heart was broken. She felt she was betraying him. As far as she was concerned, he was her one and only true love. And she believed she was being punished for having indiscretions with him while her husband lay dying in the sea. She was sure the gods wanted her to pay for the night of lust and wanton desire. A night that ended with her and Lark enjoying intimacies under the night sky near the mountains close to the Palimora Sea. A night she would never forget.

  The king walked through the long halls of his castle. It had been several months since he took over Mojarro and was now thinking of Panga and Piratchu. His soldiers were cocky. They were ruthless and arrogant. They appeared to be ready for more. The men had gone beyond Andreus’ orders. They were to seize the land of Mojarro and find Lark. But Andreus received word that some of his soldiers had went into the homes of Mojarroian families and terrorized them. He had his lieutenants gather the men. Hundreds of soldiers lined up in rows were standing at attention waiting on his arrival.

  Not a single soldier from Eulachon was in Mojarro. Every soldier was summoned to meet with the king. The men were nervous. Andreus had a reputation for violence. He had not been softened by intimacy or touch. He was hard as nails. Able to coldly slaughter anyone with the blink of an eye. He was disappointed. All their savagery against the people of Mojarro and they still had not found Fin or Lark. He suspected that they had relaxed on trying to find Mojarro’s leaders. But it was important that they did. Fin and Lark held the key to his kingdom’s succession. To his power. He was enraged they were still free. So long as they were, he lived in fear of exposure. Someone would have to pay.