ELEMENTS: Acquiesce

by Kathryn Andrews

  “Are you crazy?!” asked Lana.

  “I really wouldn’t advise it,” said Nerissa.

  “I didn’t realise I needed your permission,” said Cordelia.

  “You don’t,” said Lana. “We care about what happens to you.”

  “You’re not ready,” said Masika. “If you’re serious about going to the islands you need to be physically ready.”

  “Are you saying I’m not fit enough?”

  “Your tail,” said Lana, “you need your tail. Your powers function at less than half their capacity until you have your tail.”

  “When do you turn sixteen?” asked Masika.

  “May.”

  “That’s less than two months away,” said Nerissa. “Until then we’ll help you practise your skills.”

  “You need to discover your power,” said Lana.

  “My power?”

  “All mermaids have a power that’s stronger than the others,” replied Lana. “If you know what it is you can learn to use it to your advantage.”

  “D’you know yours?” asked Cordelia.

  Lana and the twins smiled.

  “Are you ready?” asked Lana.

  Cordelia nodded, wondering what they were about to do that she hadn’t seen already.

  Lana focused on the water, the gentle ripples flowing to the right.

  “Watch carefully,” whispered Masika.

  The direction of the ripples changed from right to left. Lana remained focused and the water level began to fall. Their feet were no longer submerged. Just as quickly the tide turned and their feet were covered again.

  “You control the tide,” said Cordelia.

  “The only mermaid to do so this side of the hemisphere,” said Masika.

  “Overpowering the moon is pretty impressive don’t you think?” asked Nerissa enthusiastically.

  “Very,” said Cordelia. “So the tides will always be in your favour.”

  “Only in times of trouble,” explained Lana. “We don’t interfere with the natural world unnecessarily.”

  “So come on then,” said Cordelia, “what magic tricks have you two got up your sleeves?”

  “It’s not magic Cordelia, it’s mind control,” said Masika.

  “Magic’s for witches and wizards, that’s if you believe they exist,” said Nerissa.

  Lana and the twins giggled.

  “The sixth sense is something that many fail to acknowledge,” said Masika. “Especially the town folk, they think it makes them sound daft. Tricks of the mind they call it and that’s the polite version.”

  “What else do they say?” asked Cordelia.

  “They call them crazy and lock them away,” said Lana. “It’s stupid if you ask me. Limiting one’s brainpower because you’re scared of what people might think. Likewise, refusing to acknowledge someone’s gift just because you’ve never explored your own potential is equally as stupid. It’s one thing I’ve never understood about humans.”

  “It is rather complex,” said Nerissa. “I think that’s why people tend not to understand it.”

  “How so?” asked Cordelia.

  “There’s many different aspects to it,” said Masika, “intuition, telepathy, premonitions, communicating with those who have passed, there’s a list of different elements as long as my arm. People like to fit in. Even if they did tap into their sixth sense, they’d never admit it. It would be viewed as taboo.”

  “Just like we’re taboo,” said Nerissa. “We exist, but we’re also a myth. We’re blamed by some for all manner of deaths at sea yet people are also thought to be crazy if they say they’ve seen us.”

  “It all sounds ridiculous to me,” said Cordelia. “Why can’t people be honest?”

  “Unfortunately, you will never sway public opinion,” said Lana.

  Cordelia had been listening intently, wondering what she was capable of. After all, Lana had said her powers were currently working at less than half their potential. The thought of what she could achieve with enough practise filled her with excitement.

  “Come on Nerissa, you’re keeping me in suspense,” she said.

  “Ok, feet out of the water,” said Nerissa.

  She focused on the water for only a few seconds and a whirlpool emerged, tiny at first, then rapidly growing larger and spinning faster. “I’ve never found much use for it.” said Nerissa. “We’re protectors of sailors so I’d hardly want to drag a sailing boat to the bottom of the sea, unless they were hunting whales, that would be different.”

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to demonstrate mine another day,” said Masika, re-bandaging her wound. “My skills are way off at the moment.”

  “Can you tell me what it is?” asked Cordelia.

  “And spoil the surprise?” teased Masika.

  “Fine. I won’t beg,” said Cordelia, sticking her nose in the air and turning away, quietly confident that Masika would give in.

  “Okay, there’s no need to get all huffy. I can read minds,” revealed Masika.

  Cordelia glanced back at Masika with wide eyes. “So you know what I’m thinking?”

  “Not right now,” said Masika. “Like I said, my skills are a little patchy at the moment.”

  “But usually, when you’re well, you can read my thoughts?”

  “Not exactly, I have to tune in.”

  “Have you read any of my thoughts?” asked Cordelia.

  “Maybe, some.” Masika paused. “I was just interested to know who you are. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.”

  “Tell me, who am I?”

  “I don’t know,” said Masika quietly. “Neither do you.”

  “But it’s okay,” chirped Nerissa, easing the awkward silence. “It doesn’t matter to us, we’re friends, aren’t we?”

  Cordelia nodded.

  “I know how much you miss Flynn,” said Masika. “And I know how eager you are to go to the islands, but you must let us help you.”

  Cordelia’s eyes glazed over and a tear ran down her cheek. Lana reached out her hand and caught the aquamarine gemstone. She handed it to Cordelia.

  “I still don’t understand why I need to keep these,” said Cordelia.

  “If magic does exist then this is it,” said Lana. “The gems bring loved ones back from the dead.”

  Cordelia felt a lump in her throat that momentarily stopped her from speaking. “Are you serious?” she asked eventually. “If I found Flynn and he was dead I could bring him back?”

  Lana nodded reassuringly while a river of tears flowed from Cordelia’s eyes. Lana and Nerissa put their arms around her. After a minute or two she stopped.

  “If the gems can bring people back from the dead, why didn’t anyone help Nixie?”

  “It’s complicated,” said Lana.

  “I’m listening,” said Cordelia.

  “The gems have to be offered to the tree of the dead, buried in the ground by its roots,” began Lana. “It’s difficult to reach.”

  “Where is it?” asked Cordelia.

  “Thailand. There’s a lagoon surrounded by tall rocks, all covered in greenery, apart from one tree that stands barren all year round. They say the tree gives its life in return for the gems.”

  “Didn’t anyone find the tree for Nixie?”

  Lana nodded. “Her parents made the trip to Thailand and found the lagoon.”

  “And?”

  “They were killed by pirates at the base of the rock. They took the gems and…” Lana struggled to finish her sentence.

  “They cooked Nixie’s parents for dinner,” said Masika.

  “They ate them?!” exclaimed Cordelia.

  “Merfolk are quite a delicacy to pirates,” said Masika. “They say we taste like chicken and fish rolled into one.”

  “I thought people didn’t believe in us,” said Cordelia.

  “Pirates are a different kettle of fish altogether,” said Lana.

  “Couldn’t anyone else have tried?” asked Cordelia.

  “It only works if the
person offering the gems truly loved the person who died. Nixies’s parents were the only people who truly loved her.”

  Cordelia tried to take in everything Lana was telling her. Images raced through her mind, of Nixie, her parents, merfolk eating pirates, the tree of the dead and Flynn. Her mind was frantic.

  “I have to find him,” she said, rising to her feet. “D’you think Nixie knows where he is? She said she knows everything.”

  “It’s possible,” said Lana.

  “If she knew she’d have told me, wouldn’t she? She wouldn’t keep it to herself.”

  Lana and the twins exchanged looks of concern.

  “What is it? What aren’t you telling me?” pleaded Cordelia.

  “It’s like I explained about the tides,” began Lana, cautiously, “we don’t like to interfere too much. Sometimes you have to let things take their own course.”

  “Let things take their own course?” snapped Cordelia. “That wasn’t Triton’s philosophy when he rescued me and brought me here, was it?!”

  Taken aback by Cordelia’s outburst, Lana didn’t respond.

  “Where is she?!”

  “She could be anywhere,” said Nerissa nervously.

  “Nixie! Where are you?!” shouted Cordelia. She waited for Nixie to appear but there was no sign of her. “Nixie!”

  “She won’t appear if she thinks you’re angry with her,” said Masika.

  Cordelia wiped the tears from her face and inhaled deeply. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I think I’ll give the afternoon a miss. I’m not feeling so good.”

  Cordelia walked across the rocks to the cliff top.

  “Where are you going?” asked Lana.

  “For a walk,” Cordelia said without looking back.

  Hands in pockets, Cordelia walked along the cliff top with a steely look in her eyes, trying to keep her composure. As the rock pools came into view her eyes glanced over to the peat bog. He was there, but he wasn’t alone. She stopped in her tracks, wondering who the girl was that laughed and larked about while Breck piled peat onto the cart. With pursed lips, Cordelia clenched her hands as she scuffed the ground with her boots, turning to walk back to the lighthouse and then turning to look at Breck and the girl. All of a sudden a dark raincloud blocked the sun.

  Breck glanced up at the sky as fat raindrops began to fall, “In here!” he called and he ran into the hut with the giggling girl.

  Cordelia studied the rock pools, the tide was still coming in though she could see the pools quite clearly. The rain bouncing off the water’s surface made the pools feel more inviting than usual. She could feel the pools willing her, pulling her closer. She stepped carefully down the grassy bank and onto the slippery rocks. When she reached the second pool she nestled down into the ledge of rocks that surrounded the pool and wrapped her arms around herself. She watched the circular ripples as the rain pelted the water, then something most peculiar happened. The ripples stopped. The rain fell but the water was perfectly still. Not a splash. Not a ripple. Nothing. Cordelia cautiously looked around her. She couldn’t see anyone. Not even a raven. Knowing something unusual was happening, Cordelia slowly stood up and as she did, an image appeared in the water. Cordelia was confused by what she saw. It was Flynn. He was trapped. Alive but trapped.

  “Flynn?” she called.

  “What are you doing out here in this weather?” asked a familiar voice.

  Cordelia turned around, surprised to see Breck standing there. She glanced over his shoulder but there was no sign of the girl. She gazed back at the pool, Flynn had gone and the rain bounced off the surface once more.

  “Cordelia, are you alright?”

  Cordelia stared at Breck, confused. “How’s your girlfriend?”

  “What?”

  “Worried about her hair was she?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I saw you with a girl.”

  “You mean Keeva? She’s my cousin.”

  Cordelia felt her cheeks flush as her mind frantically tried to think of something to say. “I just thought…”

  “Don’t worry about it,” said Breck. “She’s up in the shelter. I saw you down here staring at the water - in the rain. Thought I should come and see if you’re okay.”

  Cordelia didn’t say anything. Her expression told Breck she wasn’t okay.

  “Come on, the tide’s coming in. Let’s get off these rocks.”

  Cordelia and Breck walked in silence to the peat bog where they joined Keeva in the shelter.

  “Cordelia, Keeva, Keeva, Cordelia,” said Breck.

  Cordelia smiled and held out her hand to the blonde girl sitting before her with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Keeva looked Cordelia up and down like she was something the cat had dragged in.

  “The front of your skirt is missing,” she said coldly.

  Cordelia retracted her hand. “You’re observant.”

  Cordelia noticed the small fire burning in the hut. “That’s impressive. How did you manage that with wet turf?”

  Breck smiled. “I have my ways.”

  “What’s the weather doing, Breck?” asked Keeva.

  Breck glanced out of the shelter towards the town. “Looks like it’s in for the afternoon.”

  “Shall we go then? No point in staying here.”

  Breck looked at Cordelia apologetically. “I’ll take her home and then I’ll come back.” He stepped out of the shelter to prepare the horse.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you,” said Keeva, eyes focused on Breck. “He’s not rich you know. He’s nothing to offer you.”

  Cordelia was surprised by Keeva’s words. “You’ll be pleased to know I’m not after his money.”

  “Stay away from him.”

  “Are you ready?” asked Breck.

  Keeva smiled and made her way to the horse and cart.

  “I’ll be back soon,” called Breck.

  Cordelia watched as the cart pulled away to the sound of a funeral bell tolling in the distance.

  “Not again,” sighed Keeva. “If I never hear those bells again it’ll be too soon.”

  They rode through the bleak town past desperate families who’d fallen to their knees in their front gardens, crying because their crops were diseased, crying because their children wouldn’t stop wailing from hunger and fever. They rode in silence, until they came to the church where a mass burial was taking place. The crying was too much to bare. Painfully thin, skeletal people were begging for money so they could bury their children in coffins rather than let them succumb to the jaws of dogs and rats. Breck stopped the cart.

  “Why are we stopping?” asked Keeva.

  “It’s Jerry.”

  Breck jumped down from the cart and made his way through the crowd. Jerry was on his knees in the churchyard holding his wife and child in his arms.

  “It’s too shallow!” cried Jerry. “Please, I beg you, help me buy them a coffin.”

  Sickened by what he saw, Breck knelt beside Jerry and whispered in his ear. Then he carried Jerry’s wife to his cart. Jerry followed behind, carrying his child through the crowd. People shuffled out of the way, their faces somber. Some removed their hats while others simply stared as Breck lay the bodies upon the turf.

  “What’s wrong with you?!” hissed Keeva. “Do you want to catch whatever disease they died from?”

  “Have you no compassion?” asked Breck. “Get down, you can walk from here.”

  Keeva’s mouth fell open.

  “You’ll want to close that Keeva. You might catch something.”

  Keeva pouted, her nostrils flaring.

  “Go and tell your father the news,” said Breck. Ask him to have a ginger ale waiting.”

  Jerry and Breck rode to the peat bog in the dreary rain, the wheels of the wagon splashing up mud each time they hit a pothole.

  “God bless you,” Jerry eventually said. They were the only words he could muster.

  Breck acknowledged Jerry with a half smile and then focused
his eyes on the track ahead.

  Cordelia heard the horse and cart coming along the track. She rushed out to meet Breck, but her wide smile soon faded when she realised who was with him. She could see it was Jerry, but he looked so different to when she last saw him a few weeks ago. Cordelia knew he didn’t have Flynn supplying fish but she didn’t realise how desperate things had become. She’d had too many other things on her mind. He looked like a small child, a shadow of his former self. Then she noticed the bodies resting on top of the cart, the colour from their faces drained away, arms and legs as thin as sticks. Her nostrils flared at the putrid stench of death. Her eyes watered and her stomach heaved. Consumed with guilt for neglecting someone who’d been a regular feature in her life, for not giving him so much as a thought since the storm, Cordelia burst into tears.

  She knelt beside Jerry and hugged him. “I’m sorry.”

  The pair of them sat together in the rain, silently watching Breck dig a grave in the bog. When the grave was deep enough, Breck lowered the two bodies into the ground and began to cover them over. Jerry’s chin wobbled uncontrollably as he caught the last glimpse of his loved ones before they disappeared beneath the turf.

  “Goodbye,” he called out, his voice shaking.

  Cordelia was so overcome with grief that she could feel her heart breaking all over again. Aquamarine tears fell to the ground. Cordelia quickly pushed them into the turf and wiped her eyes as Breck began to say the Lord’s Prayer.

  “Our Father…”

  Jerry joined in, “who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…”

  Cordelia was too emotional to speak. Even if she’d tried, the words wouldn’t come out. With all the events that day, she thought she was going mad. She longed for normality in her life, but if she was honest with herself, she knew things would never be normal again, not in the way she knew normal to be. When they’d finished the Lord’s Prayer, Jerry stood up, squeezed Cordelia’s shoulder affectionately and shook Breck’s hand before walking away.

  “Can I give you a ride?” called Breck.

  “Nah, you’re alright,” called Jerry, “the walk will do me good.”

  “Stop by the tavern, there’ll be a ginger ale waitin’ for you.”

  Standing in the rain, Breck wrapped his strong arms around Cordelia and held her tight. She could smell the sweat on his shirt but she didn’t mind. As they stood in the bog watching the tiny man walk away, rays of sunshine burst through the clouds and a rainbow appeared across the bay.