by Sandra Cox
“Doctor’s orders.”
“That old quack.”
“Gramps.”
He waves me off. “Have you stayed out of the ocean?”
“I said I would.”
He studies me until I squirm uncomfortably. “It’s hard on you.”
“I’d be happy to go out with her, Mr. Dunn.” Tyler volunteers.
He’s probably wondering why it’s hard on me.
Gramps brightens. “It would make me feel better. Asking Piper to stay out of the sea is like asking a greyhound not to run.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Tyler glances at me. “I spoke to several other students today. They’re incensed that someone is hunting the dolphins. Do you know Anna Marie?”
“Vaguely.”
She’s organizing the students. The ones whose families have boats will patrol. Others will put up fliers and contact the local media. It’ll take a few days to get everybody organized but hopefully it’ll take care of the situation.”
“That’s wonderful. Thank you.” I give him a warm smile. I can continue to keep an eye out without being visible. “I really appreciate it.”
I glance over at Gramps. He’s eaten half his sandwich and his eyelids are drooping. I take his plate. “Why don’t you lay down, Gramps?”
“I think I will.” He pulls himself out of the chair. “You and Tyler take your swim.”
Swimming with Tyler is tricky. But I’m so anxious to get in the water, I’m willing to deal with it.
“My trunks are in the car. I’ll get them and change.” Tyler rises.
“Be careful, Pip.” Gramps pats me awkwardly on the shoulder and shuffles to his room. I go to mine and step out of my clothes. As usual, I’ve got on a two-piece in place of underwear. Some girls collect shoes. I collect swimsuits. I have a couple dozen. The one I’ve got on is pink with black polka dots.
I walk out and Tyler is standing in the living room, his trunks hooked on one finger. He looks at me and his eyes cross. Heat floods my face. I point down the hall. “You can change in the bathroom.”
He nods. A slow appreciative smile crosses his features, his gaze travels from my head to my toes and back again. “Nice swimsuit.” He strolls away whistling.
When he comes out, he’s in gray, knee-length trunks with a green drawstring and large pockets. I glance at him unobtrusively, taking in his long lean body, the flat stomach, and ropy muscles.
He catches me looking and teases. “No touching the merchandise. We’re just friends, remember?”
I glance away.
He chuckles. “And as your friend, let me say, you look damn hot. Not that I notice.”
I roll my eyes. How I’m going to keep him in line is beyond me. We leave the house and stroll down the path to the water. I try not to remember what happened the last time we were here. Of course, it’s the only thing I think about.
I look anywhere but at Tyler’s face. Glancing down, I notice the bulge in his pocket. “What’s that?” I point then feel myself blush, hoping he doesn’t misunderstand and think I’m making sexual innuendos.
If he does, he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he reaches in his pocket and pulls out an underwater camera. “In case you want to swim out further or get too far ahead of me, I can keep an eye on you.”
Never known for thinking on my feet, all I can think to say is, “Oh.” I hold out my hand.
“It’s a digital with night vision. If we see the ship, I might be able to get some pics.”
“What a great idea.”
“Thanks.” He hooks it around his neck. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
We wade into the water. The cool slapping liquid is in direct contrast to the warm humid air on our shoulders. When the water hits my waist, I begin to swim, Tyler follows suit.
I flip onto my back and watch him. He has a strong sure stroke. I roll into a ball, like an otter playing, before I stretch out and swim. Tyler stays at my side matching me stroke for stroke. I could outswim him but have no desire to.
A few moments later, something wet and slick pushes us apart.
“Hey.” Tyler looks around wildly. I laugh.
The dolphin pulls ahead of us, lifts his head out of the water and chatters.
“How cool is that? Though, he nearly gave me a heart attack.” Tyler dog paddles and pushes water out of his face. “Does this happen to you often?”
“Yeah,” I admit.
“You’re an amazing girl.”
Two more dolphins join us. Tyler takes out his camera and starts shooting. When he turns his camera in my direction, I hold up my hand. “None of me.”
He opens his mouth then nods. “Okay. How about you take one of me with our friends here?”
I take the camera and as I click, one of them jumps in the air and comes down with a splash that drenches us.
We laugh. I hand him back his camera.
Suddenly, Tyler stiffens and points. The dolphins grow quiet. In the distance is the shadowy outline of a boat.
Paddling with his feet, Tyler raises his camera, focuses and starts shooting.
“Let me see.” I hold out my hand and he hands me the camera. The view is distorted. I blink, wipe the water out of my eyes, and focus. The boat is dark and nondescript, not easily recognizable, but what isn’t are the two divers looking over the side.
Chapter 25
“It’s the same boat, Tyler.” The water ripples around us as we paddle in place.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course not,” I snap. “I’m going closer.” I move forward.
“Wait.”
“What?” My mind is already on getting closer to the boat, diving down and seeing if they have any unsuspecting dolphins in tow.
“These guys are dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful. I’ve got to see if they’ve captured any dolphins.”
The gray waves lap around us. The moon shines down, making the sea sparkle. It outlines the boat and the figures on it. I wonder uneasily if they can see us. I’m used to swimming underwater, not on the surface.
“Okay, let’s go.”
I look at him. “I’ll be swimming underwater.”
“I can swim underwater.”
“I’m sure you can, but not for the length of time I’ll be down.”
“How can you stay underwater?”
“Not now.”
“Then I’ll swim on top.”
“No, they might see you. Just stay where you are and keep an eye on things.”
“I’m not letting you .”
We both know it’s an empty threat.
“At least stay near, until I get closer.”
“Okay.” I nod reluctantly. We swim forward another hundred yards, then another. The murky outline of the craft becomes more distinct.
I motion Tyler to stop. I drop my voice to a whisper. Sound carries on the wind. “Better not go any further.”
He touches my arm, his voice low and urgent. “I don’t have scuba gear. I can’t go down and help you if you get in trouble.”
“Who’s going to get in trouble?”
“Famous last words.”
“If I see anyone, I’ll swim for the surface. Okay?”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Be careful.” He kisses me quick and hard, his lips cold and salty.
“Always.” I curve my body to drop down into the sea.
Tyler grabs my arms. His grip slips but he holds on.
“How long can you stay under water?”
“Half an hour.”
“Half an hour?” His jaw drops.
“Don’t say a word.”
“Half…”
I put a finger to his lips. “Not a word.”
“All right, all right not a word, but if you aren’t back in half an hour, I’m coming looking for you.”
“Whatever,” I mumble under my
breath before I drop into the ocean. I go deeper into the murky dark. I blink several times, my eyes adjusting to the black. Stretching out my arms and kicking, I swim toward the boat. I should have given Tyler Gramps’ distress watch.
Oh well, if something goes wrong, I can at least contact Gramps. But it would have to be an emergency. Gramps’ heart can’t take the stress.
A school of small, gray fish swim close by until they notice me and dart in a different direction.
Next to the boat, a young dolphin is caught in the trap. I swim closer. He doesn’t look good. How long has he been here? His color is off. The eyes have a dull, glazed look instead of the bright lively intelligence that normally shines through them.
I draw closer. He either recognizes my dolphin DNA or still has an innate trust of humans. His tail does a short wag like a dog’s.
“There, there,” I coo into the water, bubbles spewing out of my mouth.
I pry open the door.
He flashes by then comes back and shoves me hard. A warning. A second later, I’m grabbed and pushed into the cage. The dolphin darts around chattering.
Before whoever is behind me can shut the door, I grab the sides and kick at it. I push backward. Someone grabs my thighs and shoves me forward.
I twist out of his grasp, kick straight back, catching my attacker in the stomach. Frantically, I propel myself backward, my legs free. Freedom is close. I’ve nearly wiggled out of the pen when another set of hands grabs my left thigh. I kick out with my other foot and catch him in the jaw. He lets go. I drop lower. I’m almost free when he grabs my arm. I ball my fist. Before I can strike, his fingers bite into a nerve. I cry out, bubbles pouring out of my mouth.
My arm is momentarily numb. I strike out with my other. He brings the side of his hand down on my shoulder. Both of my arms are now useless. The numbness will fade, but will it be soon enough?
I draw my knees up to my chin, ready to kick out. By now the other man has recovered. They both dive at me. I make one last desperate kick. One grabs my feet, the other my legs and they push me into the cage and swiftly lock the door.
One motions toward the surface. They swim to the ladder alongside the boat and pull themselves up, leaving me to drown in the cage.
Chapter 26
Oh my God. How much time do I have left? Twenty minutes?
I frantically punch the button on my watch. Not that it will do any good. Gramps can’t possibly get here in time. He’ll freak. But if I don’t press it and disappear, he’ll do worse than freak. Stress either way.
Tyler! No. Tyler can’t reach me, he’s too far away.
Are they seriously going to leave me trapped here to die? For freeing a few dolphins? What kind of monsters are these people anyway? My heart pounds. I’m on the verge of hyperventilating. I push frantically at the bars. Maybe I can work the lock from the inside. I stretch my hand out. No, I can’t reach it.
The cage lurches. I clutch the bars.
It’s being hauled up. The cage breaks through the water and I’m dangling over the boat, breathing hard. I chuff. Water powers out my blowhole. I hope it’s unnoticed in the streams of water pouring off me. “Tyler!” I scream.
The cage rocking, the divers lower it to the floor of the boat. Thump. I feel the jar from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. Panicked, I breathe in short, sharp spurts. Fear rips through me. I try to pull myself together, afraid I’ll pass out. Oh God.
“What are you doing?” My voice is raw with terror. My worst fear in the world is being realized.
They don’t answer. Instead, the man closest to me turns and asks, “You called out a name. Is someone with you?”
I stare at him defiantly. No easy feat, since I’m trembling like a leaf.
“We better get out of here,” he says to his partner. The man with him disappears below and the boat starts moving through the water. It picks up momentum. For a craft its size, it’s moving quickly.
“Help!” I clutch the bars and try to rattle them. I think I hear a muffled cry further out, but it’s drowned out by the boat.
My shoulders sag. Even if Tyler saw me in the cage through the camera, now the boat’s moving he can’t possibly get to me in time. Better if he doesn’t try. The boy would drown. And Gramps can’t possibly get to me either. My only hope is he can follow the GPS signals.
I scream loud and long. When I stop for breath, I hear sounds from the deep. A whale responds. Dolphins chatter. The sounds are faint. It’s hard to hear below the sea when I’m above it.
A diver rushes toward me, grabs my arm, and swings me out of the cage. The feeling is back in my arms and shoulder. I put my fists up. Before I can get in a fighting stance, he gets me in a crushing lock. There’s no doubt this man knows more about martial arts than I.
“Where are you taking me?” I manage to gasp over the restrictive pressure on my neck.
He doesn’t respond. His face gleams white against the dark. I’m sure I can see him more clearly than he can see me. The boat is running without lights.
He drags me below and tosses me in a small room that has a large tank filled with water against the far wall.
“Since you like to swim so much, maybe we should just toss you in the tank, water girl.” He laughs, then shuts and locks the door.
I pound on it. “Let me out.”
“What are the chances of that happening?” He laughs again.
His footfalls grow fainter as he trots up the stairs.
Yelling and cursing, I beat my fists against the door till they’re raw and bleeding. No one’s coming. I close my eyes, sag against it, and sink to the floor. I wait for my eyes to adjust to the dark and look around.
The sight of the water tank sends acid spurting through my stomach. How many of my aquatic brothers and sisters have been captured and used for unimaginable experiments?
Could these divers be working for the same people who experimented on my mom?
My head tells me it could be any number of people who are after the dolphins. Unscrupulous people who want to make a quick buck, maybe sell them to foreign marinas. My heart tells me it’s the same evil group that captured and did unspeakable things to my mother.
My breath comes out in a harsh sigh. Fear and misery permeate the room, leaving a sick smell of despair. For a moment, it coats my skin like dark oil. I feel helpless and alone. I curl into a ball and rock back and forth.
I don’t know how much time passes. Finally, I take a deep breath, exhale, and straighten my shoulders. I can’t give in to the feeling of hopelessness that engulfs me.
I try to think of a plan. I’m on my own. Gramps can’t call the police or coast guard. What would he say, “I need help, someone’s abducted my mutant granddaughter?”
I swallow hard. The authorities would inevitably lead to the government. All roads lead to an experimental lab.
I can only hope Tyler will report to my grandfather, not head for the police or coast guard.
I take a shuddering breath as I face the inevitable. I’m alone. I come from strong stock, I tell myself. I can and will survive. And I will find a way back home. I fight back the voice screaming in my head. I can’t survive this. I can’t. I can’t.
I hear footsteps. Two sets. I flatten my back against the wall behind the door. I flex my knees and fist my hands, forcing back the trembles.
When they step through the door, I leap and kick out. I catch the closest in the thigh. He crumbles. The other flips on the light, temporarily blinding me. “Nice kick, kid, but I wouldn’t.”
Blinking rapidly, trying to see, I whirl toward him ready to kick out. The gun in his hand stops me cold.
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Joe.” The other man picks himself off the floor. They’ve both changed into black jeans and black shirts. They’ve made no attempt to hide their faces, which doesn’t exactly make me feel all warm and cozy.
“You got any better ideas? How many times has s
he managed to escape? I don’t want to tell the boss we’ve failed again. Do you?” He doesn’t wait for an answer but points and fires.
I stiffen, waiting for the bullet to rip through me. All I feel is an annoying prick when the dart pierces my skin…then nothing.
Chapter 27
My head is muzzy, like it’s wrapped in cotton, my skin clammy. I sniff, expecting the smell of Gramps’ coffee. Instead, I smell sterility and antiseptic. Something dark and horrible shifts in the back of my brain. I sniff again, nothing, no stale food smells, no dirty clothes, no sunshine, no sea air.
I try to blink my eyes open but they’re pasty with sleep. I reach to rub them and discover my hands are strapped down. Oh My God. Memory hurtles back. Terror takes over.
I squeeze hard until I can pry my eyes partially open and squint. I lift my head to look around. When I’m extremely upset, my legs tingle. They’re tingling now.
I’m in a hospital gown strapped to a bed. The walls are pristine white, the floor white marble. There’s not so much as a speck of dust or dirt.
Dread slides up my spine like a slithering snake. It leaves me cold and shaken. I can’t stand it. I have to get out of here. I yank at my restraints. Then stiffen…someone’s coming.
The door glides soundlessly open. I smell him before I see him, spicy aftershave and sea air. No, not sea air…dolphin.
Dolphins have little to no scent. They don’t have skin glands so they don’t sweat. But to me they have their own special tang, a mix of sea salt and coral. The best smell in the world. Coral has a floral fruity scent with a wisp of salt.
I look up expectantly. When I see him, my breath catches and my heart stops. If it didn’t already belong to Tyler, I would lay it forever and irrevocably at this boy’s feet.
To look at him no one would ever know. He looks like he’s just stepped off one of California’s beaches, surfboard in hand. His hair is thick and streaked the color of wheat, his body lean and tanned. But I know. Feel it in every fiber of my being. A kindred spirit. A dolph.