03 The Fate Of The Muse - Marina's Tales

by Derrolyn Anderson

  Kimo spun around us in a circle, spewing a cloud of noxious exhaust fumes. I couldn’t help thinking how much better it was being towed by a mermaid as I waved at the air, choking and coughing. Matt grabbed the rope with determination, looking back to see if I was watching. The minute they left I scanned the water for Noelani and Leilani. As soon as the noisy machine was a good distance away their shining heads broke the surface once more.

  “So, do you know Lorelei?” I asked, keeping one eye on the guys as they started out onto another humongous swell.

  “We know all of our sisters, and now we know that it’s true. You will help us. You are the one.”

  “The one?”

  “Yes. We know you brought Nerissa back.”

  I wondered if I should tell them about the awful truth about mermaid reproduction.

  “Uhm… Some of them are never coming back… Like my mother…”

  “Mother?”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, “Adria.”

  They studied me like I was a specimen under a microscope, “You look like Adria.”

  “Yeah,” I said wistfully, “What was she like?”

  They were as difficult to keep on topic as Lorelei was. Distant and chaotic, all I could hear was a confusing jumble of the two babbling thoughts that bounced around in their minds. Then they began touching my board, and I could see myself from their perspective, clear and strong. I felt completely relaxed, suspended underwater in the wave, looking up at the fins of my board slicing through a brilliant blue light. I should go underwater and just start breathing, I thought.

  I startled violently, recoiling from the idea. I pushed their thoughts out of my mind as hard as I could, and both their heads snapped towards me with hurt in their eyes. I felt as if I’d mentally slapped them.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, “But I live on land!” I looked back to shore and was shocked to see Kimo dash wildly out of a wave without Matt. I sat up as tall as I could, riveted by the drama taking place between me and the shore.

  Matt had obviously wiped out, and was no doubt getting tumbled underwater by the rolling wall of whitewater that had engulfed him. Either he’d failed to surface, or Kimo had failed to retrieve him, and I watched the spot, cringing when another wave pounded down. There was no escaping the full wrath of the ocean from the zone; I made a mental calculation of the time that had elapsed. If he hadn’t caught at least one breath he could easily drown, for few people could survive being held under a third wave in surf this size.

  “What’s wrong?” Noelani asked. I held my breath as another wave broke, and Kimo raced back in, frantically looking in the water. Still no Matt, and I knew he was pinned under the weight of tons of water. I had to do something.

  “Sisters!” I was frantic, “Can you take me out to find the wave rider? He’s under the water… He needs to breathe air… Please help me!”

  Time seemed to fly by as they stared at me with identical blank faces. I squeezed my eyes shut and thought of Lorelei, projecting the image of her towing me out to surf the big waves at the point. Their eyes lit with understanding, and I seized on it, “Please take me to find him! We must go now!”

  They each grabbed a side of my board, and pulled me to the crest of the next massive swell. I dropped down to surf it, scanning the water below. This wave was easily sixty feet, and from my high perch I could see Kimo far below me, circling on the jet ski. There was no sign of Matt anywhere. I flew down the face of the wave, flanked by the two mermaids just beneath the surface. Kimo looked up to see me coming, shock registering on his face even from a distance.

  When I reached the base of the wave I let go of my board, took a deep breath and dove. I swam down as far as I could, feeling the mass of water flow over top of me. Then the twins appeared beside me, gesturing to a dark form I could barely make out on the ocean’s floor.

  My lungs burned for air, and I kicked for the surface, rising just in time to see Kimo wheel around, his back turned to me. He was so intent on his search he failed to notice the tremendous wave cresting over his shoulder, poised to swallow him.

  “Kimo!” I called out a warning, but it was too late. The last thing I saw before I dove again was a giant wall of white crash down upon him, tearing him from the jet ski. Once I got deep enough to escape the surge, the twins appeared to me again, towing Matt’s limp body behind them.

  “Take us to the shore!” I thought, and one of them grabbed my hand. With just a few powerful thrusts of their tails we surfaced in the shallows. I took hold of Matt as best I could and kicked towards the beach, getting my footing on the rocks, relieved to see Shayla and Gabe rush towards us.

  Shayla waded out, her eyes wide with shock, “Are you okay? Kimo just got stuffed!”

  I handed Matt to Gabe, panting with exertion. I turned to see the jet ski bobbing riderless in the white water, rolling into the rocky shore. A group of people milled about on the beach uncertainly, watching everything unfold. I looked again to see Kimo’s head break the surface just as a wall of white foam engulfed him.

  I knew he was getting ragdolled, tossed mercilessly in the churning water. I took a deep breath and went back out to get him.

  “Marina… NO!” I could hear Shayla’s horrified shriek just before I dove under.

  The surge of the water tried to push me back into the rocky shore, but as I struggled in the surf I could feel the mermaids by my side again, just under the surface. “We need to get the other one!” I pleaded, slicing through the white water with a mermaid pulling on each arm. I doubted they were visible to anyone on shore; even when we surfaced their white hair was like camouflage in the churning water. We got out into the zone, and they took me right up to where Kimo was choking and coughing, trying to tread water.

  I don’t know if he even saw me approach when I took his arm, looking up at yet another wall of water threatening us, “Dive!”

  We went under, the mermaids pulling me while I kept a firm grip on Kimo’s upper arm, locking my elbow around it. I could feel the water rush by us as mermaids powered us towards the shore, and when we broke the surface in the shallow water, I looked around to see they’d disappeared.

  Kimo’s dark eyes were in absolute shock when they met mine. Was it possible he’d seen them? I was afraid to even look at him as we found our footing. I helped him stagger out of the water, dazed and coughing hoarsely. Gabe rushed out to take his sagging weight off my shoulders.

  Matt was sprawled out on the beach, Shayla kneeling by his side. When I came towards her she jumped to her feet and ran to embrace me, sobbing with relief, “Oh God! I thought you were gonna drown!”

  “I’m fine,” I heaved a breath, “Matt?”

  “He’s out cold, but I think I got him breathing,” she rushed back to his side. I could hear the distant thump of a helicopter approaching and looked up to see it descend and land on the cliffs above. I went over to where Gabe had Kimo sitting down, his head between his knees. It was strange to see him like that, so weak and rattled.

  He looked up at me, and in a hoarse and broken voice managed to choke out, “How?”

  “Are you okay?” I knelt down to pat him sympathetically. Gabe looked at me like I was from another planet.

  A rescue team climbed down with a stretcher, strapping Matt onto a body board and carrying him back to the waiting copter. A couple of Kimo’s friends arrived on the spot, taking him under the arms to half walk, half drag him up the path.

  The rest of us followed behind, watching as they loaded Matt onto the copter, an oxygen mask strapped onto his face. Kimo climbed in after him, his haunted eyes meeting mine just as they lifted off, leaving us all standing in stunned silence.

  A small group of surfers and spectators milled around the cars, speaking in hushed tones about the accident. Shayla was going on and on about what a strong swimmer I had to be to help both of the guys out, and I could see heads turning in our direction, watching us curiously.

  Gabe looked down at me, shaking his head in wonder, “Cm
on lifeguard, I’ll take you and Shayla back to your hotel.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  TABLOID

  I’d forgotten how miserable an experience flying commercial could be. The food was virtually inedible, and spending endless hours squeezed between two small-talking strangers was draining. I fastened my seatbelt to prepare for landing, thankful that the long ordeal was finally coming to an end. Never in a million years could I imagine Evie tolerating it, and I gained a greater understanding of what she meant when she said that money could smooth away life’s little “difficulties”.

  But no, I thought, I still rejected her plans for me; as trite as it sounded, money could never buy any real happiness. If Ethan were here by my side, instead of the annoying sunburned car salesman, I’d be blissfully happy. I’d cheerfully endure any mode of transportation to be next to him–even an Indian train. I closed my eyes, imagining the last time we kissed through the fence, and I missed him terribly.

  I had plenty of time to think about the surfing mishap on the long flight, and I’d come to a frightening conclusion. Kimo was no fool when it came to surfing. He couldn’t have possibly thought that Matt was competent enough to surf in those conditions. There was only one obvious answer. I must have done it again.

  Somehow, I had unwittingly enhanced the very characteristics that made Kimo such a great athlete– his boldness, his risk taking, and his utter lack of fear. Gabe knew that taking us out in those extreme conditions was a bad idea, and if it hadn’t have been for the help from the beautiful twin mermaids, it would have ended even more tragically than it did. My peculiar talent nearly got Kimo killed, and I crossed my fingers that Matt was going to be alright.

  Kimo had behaved irrationally, and I remembered the manic gleam in his eye just before we set out. I should have known– should have realized that I was driving him to foolhardy recklessness. I had behaved selfishly, failing to recognize the dangerous combination of Kimo’s fanaticism and Matt’s egotism.

  I was simply too caught up in my own desperate need to notice it. Or, even more frightening, it occurred to me that maybe I’d noticed but I simply didn’t care. Kimo had said I was lucky, but all I brought him was bad luck.

  Then I thought about Ethan. He’d always been a hard worker, but ever since I’d returned from my kidnapping he’d stepped it up to near superhuman levels. Could that be a side effect from hanging around with me? It was possible that I was enhancing his natural qualities too, and I frowned. I didn’t want to turn him into a workaholic.

  I longed to see him, yearning for the comfort of being close to him. After our last phone conversation, I felt like a crack had formed in the bond that held us together, and it frightened me. I reached up to touch my aquamarine, raising it to my lips, clinging to the memory of how at peace I was when we were together. I had to stop running away. I needed Ethan, and I would be a fool to withdraw and let Amber come between us.

  I decided to let go of my fear and find a way to focus only on him. There was no point in getting angry. After all, I couldn’t blame her for wanting the same thing I did. I never would have been foolish enough to leave him in the first place. Don’t get mad… get Ethan, I thought with a wry smile. I just hoped I hadn’t blown it already.

  It was a foggy evening in San Francisco when I stepped out of the terminal into the dense night air. I sighed with relief to see Cruz waiting for me by the curb, leaning against yet another one of Evie’s sports cars.

  “You got my message,” I gave him a big hug.

  “Did you hear the news?” he asked excitedly.

  “What news?” I looked around nervously.

  “Megan’s song is all over the radio!” he grinned like a pirate, “It’s a number one hit!”

  “I know! Shayla and I heard it in Hawaii.”

  “Did you hear about the election? Mission accomplished! Mom’s totally psyched!”

  I smiled, “Yeah.” I wasn’t used to seeing Cruz so animated.

  “Come on,” he said, opening the car door for me, “You’re just in time! Brad and I are celebrating Megan’s song and the election over dinner. You can tell us all about how Shayla did in Hawaii… Oh my God! Did I mention that Brad’s a gourmet chef too?”

  I climbed in, happy to see Cruz so bubbly. I needed a little dose of pure, unadulterated joy.

  We got to the apartment to find Megan and Jamal sitting at the dining room table with Brad, laughing and talking. The place smelled like delicious food cooking, and I realized how long it had been since I ate. Megan jumped up to greet me with a warm hug, and I told her how excited we’d been to hear her song on the beach in Hawaii.

  “I still can’t believe this is all really happening!” she said, tossing her red curls in disbelief.

  “I can!” I smiled, “I’ll never forget the first time I heard you sing.”

  It had been a momentous day, for in addition to revealing Megan’s formidable talent, it was also the first time I’d spoken to Lorelei. That day seemed like a lifetime ago, and I could hardly believe that less than a year had passed. I looked at Megan and Cruz, realizing that we had all completely transformed; totally changed, and yet somehow, we were more our true selves.

  Revealed.

  Megan told us all about the promotional tour she was leaving for the next morning, excitedly running down a list of interviews she’d been scheduled to give and naming the places she’d be performing. I could see Jamal watching her adoringly, and she took his hand under the table. I missed Ethan with a painful ache in my throat.

  “I hope you like Italian,” Brad said to me, getting up to check the oven, patting Cruz’s back affectionately. I was really starting to feel like a fifth wheel.

  He returned with a beautiful platter of stuffed manicotti swimming in spicy marinara. It looked like a picture from a food magazine, and smelled like Italy. We all dove in, eating with gusto and talking about Megan’s itinerary. I told Brad how happy we were that his Aunt would be working so hard to save the farms.

  “I’m surprised. She’s really gotten into this whole environmental thing lately,” he said, “I’m just glad she can help.”

  It was going on midnight by the time we finished, and I could barely stifle my yawns. Megan and Jamal got up to leave, arm in arm, and Cruz rushed over to present Megan with some outfits he’d tailored for her to wear on her concert tour. Her eyes widened with delight, and she kissed both his cheeks with loud smacks.

  Cruz and I walked the happy couple out the door, turning away as they stopped to kiss at the elevator.

  “Aint love grand,” said Cruz with a sigh.

  I snorted caustically, remembering all the times he complained when Ethan and I got a little too affectionate around him. Now I missed Ethan even more, and considered making the long drive home.

  “No way, it’s too late,” Cruz said. “He’s probably fast asleep anyway… Aren’t farmers all like, ‘early to bed, early to rise’ and stuff?”

  I rolled my eyes at him, but I knew he was right. I helped clear the table and clean up, bidding the guys goodnight and stumbling off to my room. I thought about my new studio waiting for me in Santa Cruz and planned to show it to Ethan, thinking I should fix him a surprise dinner sometime. I drifted off to sleep, imagining being alone with him there, wondering how I should go about making him forget all about Amber.

  It was time to fight fire with fire.

  The next morning I woke to a pounding on my bedroom door.

  “Marina! Get up!” It was Cruz, and he sounded almost hysterical.

  I sat up groggily, rubbing my eyes, “Wh- what?”

  “You have to see this! Come quick!”

  I got to the kitchen to find Brad and Cruz at the counter with a laptop open. Cruz looked up at me with wide excited eyes, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  This can’t be good, I thought, slumping onto a barstool. Brad turned the screen towards me and played a clip from an entertainment website. They were reporting on the near fatal surfing accident of Ameri
ca’s hottest young actor, Matt Stone. I sat up, alarmed, while a series of still shots of Shayla performing CPR on Matt were displayed. I was relieved to see none of myself. I should have known better, I thought, remembering the paparazzi in the bushes. Fortunately, the main focus of the story seemed to be how Matt’s life had been saved by a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. Pure tabloid candy.

  “Did it say if he’s going to be alright?” I looked up to ask Cruz and Brad, searching their eyes. They both stared at me with surprise.

  Finally Brad answered, “Y-Yeah, he’s in the hospital for observation… They said the movie production would be delayed a few weeks.”

  “So you were there yesterday? With Matt Stone?” Cruz looked incredulous.

  “Uhm, yes… We went surfing.”

  “And what, it just slipped your mind?” Cruz retorted.

  I sighed, casting him a sideways look, “It all happened so fast. He showed up at the photo shoot and we decided to go surfing the next day… There was an accident.”

  Cruz poured me a cup of coffee, sitting by my side excitedly, “Do you see what I mean about Marina?” he said to Brad, “She has crazy weird luck! Ever since you came to live with us it’s been one thing after another!” He grabbed my arm, “Now tell me everything… What was Matt Stone like?”

  I explained that we only met him because they hired some local surfers for the photo-shoot, and that he had stopped by with Kimo to check out the swimsuit models.

  “Kimo– Kimo Watanabe?” asked Brad.

  Cruz told him that I’d met Kimo while surfing at the point, and that we were friends. Brad was more impressed by the fact that I knew Kimo than anything, and peppered me with questions about what it was like to surf the big waves in Hawaii. He told me he’d grown up surfing, spending summers at his dad’s beach house, but he hadn’t been out in a long time.

  “I miss it,” he said wistfully, and I smiled sympathetically. I knew how that went.