by Tracy Kiser
“I’m just joking, calm down.” Lana heard him laugh. It echoed off of the grotto walls, only slightly dimmed by the water.
“That’s not funny,” Lana stated. “And why didn’t you tell me about the skin test thing?” What is that?” She returned to her former position in the hammock, but kept her face turned toward Merric.
“That fault was mine,” Merric replied with a tone of regret. “I totally forgot about the skin test for merpeople.”
“But what is it?” Lana pressed the issue.
“The skin under our scales is translucent,” Merric explained.
“As in see through?” Lana asked, surprise dripping from her voice. She couldn’t imagine part of their skin being see-through. How would that keep what’s outside of their body from seeping in?
“Yes. That’s why we have scales over certain parts of our body,” Merric replied. “It’s like a second layer of protection, I guess.”
“So to do this test I would have to remove the scales from a merperson? That is just…” she shook her head, her face scrunched in disgust. She stuck out her tongue as if vomiting, trying not to think about peeling scales.
“I’m not saying that you have to do it. I’m just telling you what it is.” Merric’s face broke into a smile. He knew that he was going to enjoy keeping an eye on Lana for the Order members. She was easy to be with, not like the stories he’d heard of other humans.
“So my skin under the scales that I have isn’t like that?” Lana asked, wanting to fully understand the aspects of the skin test.
“Right,” Merric agreed.
“Yea, I don’t think I can remove scales from a merperson,” Lana told Merric honestly.
“Unless you suspect someone of being human you shouldn’t have to,” he teased.
* *
The sheets of the bed below deck were tangled around Sarah’s legs. She felt the heat of her body radiating from her, filling the small bunking chamber. She and Daniel were less than a day away from Aiden and Sarah’s mind was a roller coaster. Possibilities of what would happen when they arrived played through her mind. Tears dampened her eyes when the possibility that Lana had reached the same fate as her father took its turn playing through.
Sarah’s legs flailed, kicking the covers off of the bunk. There was no use in trying to sleep. Daniel had told her to rest but sitting idly did nothing to relieve the anxiety inside of Sarah’s chest. It only threatened suffocation. She climbed the small ladder that led to the top deck.
“Thought you were sleeping?” Daniel’s voice caressed the night, hitting her with the cool air and sending goose bumps up her arms.
“Can’t. Too much to think about,” Sarah explained, feeling a little embarrassed. Daniel knew how easily anxiety affected her. He’d been there ten years prior to see her nervous breakdown. She prayed that he didn’t have to see another one.
Sarah walked the length of the deck and stopped beside Daniel. He was checking the rigs to be sure that they would hold if he slept for a couple of hours. Daniel’s eyes examined Sarah’s soft face. He could see the worry she fought to hide.
“Daniel,” she whispered, “I’m so scared.”
Daniel released the rigging he had tightened and wrapped his arms around Sarah, pulling her toward him. With Daniel holding her, Sarah felt safe. The feeling washed over her and she swam in it, her worry slowly disappearing. Sarah tipped her head back and looked at Daniel. The feelings she’d been afraid of ten years ago rushed upon her. She moved her hand up and cupped his chin. Sarah felt the scratchiness of his unshaven face tickle the palm of her hand. Daniel stared down at her, his eyes nearly bewildered.
Standing on her tiptoes, Sarah moved her mouth to meet Daniels. She couldn’t stop herself. She didn’t want to. His lips were warm and pressed against hers. For a moment, Sarah lost herself in Daniel’s kiss. His arms tightened around Sarah. She felt the heat surrounding her body. Then it was gone, stolen away from her. Daniel pushed her away, taking a step back. The chill of the night air swept over Sarah.
“Daniel, what’s wrong?” Sarah whispered into the wind.
“Sarah, you…I can’t.” Daniel struggled.
“Why?” Sarah’s face was blank. She didn’t know what to think. Sarah hadn’t expected her feelings for Daniel to surface again, but they had. Now she stood staring at the man who’d rejected her.
“You know why, Sarah,” he pleaded. Daniel stood wondering how he’d had the strength to push Sarah away. She was the last person he wanted at arm’s length, but the feeling of having her body against his was almost too much.
“Don’t tell me it’s for the same reason as ten years ago,” Sarah softly demanded.
“Tom was my best friend,” Daniel pushed. He brought his hands up to his face and covered his eyes. Rubbing away the look he saw on Sarah’s face just before she had kissed him. The look of happiness that Daniel wanted to give to her for the rest of his life.
“And he was my husband, that doesn’t mean I can’t have feelings for someone else.”
“You didn’t see how you fell apart when he disappeared.” Daniel had been there every moment. He had been the one to comfort Sarah while she waited for her dead husband to come back home to her. Daniel couldn’t easily forget how much that had affected her, and the worry that she would never think of him that way filled his chest.
“Who brought me back Daniel?” She raised her voice. “Who was the one who put me back together?” She paused and waited for him to reply.
He didn’t.
“You did, Daniel. If it weren’t for you I never would have made it through that. I wouldn’t even have tried.”
“Sarah, please. Stop,” he whispered.
“No, Daniel. I want you to realize how I feel about you, about us. Did you ever wonder why I never dated anyone? The past ten years I’ve been trying to show you, trying to make you see that I wasn’t replacing him with you. I was choosing you.” Sarah struggled to unleash the emotions that she had kept in check for the past decade. She had tried to show Daniel repeatedly that she needed him, that she wanted him around, but every time Sarah thought that she had gotten through to him, Daniel would shut down, disappear for a few months.
“How was I supposed to see that?”
“By accepting that someone can love you for who you really are and what they can change about you. Theresa tried to mold you into the perfect husband, and she was a blind idiot not to see that you already were.”
Daniel stepped toward Sarah. Could he open up his heart again to a woman he’d always loved? The fear in his head almost stopped him. His heart argued that maybe ten years was long enough to let go of the ghosts that haunted you.
“Did you say…you really…love me?” He asked, his voice quavering.
Sarah smiled. “Did you hear anything I just said? Yes, Daniel, I love you. I still choose you.”
Daniel bent over and picked up Sarah. He cradled her in his arms. “I love you too, Sarah.” Carefully he carried her down the short ladder in to the bunk below and laid her down. He lowered his body next to hers and kissed her with the passion he’d denied himself for ten years.
Chapter 20
Aiden had been searching for Lana since the day she had fallen over the edge of the boat. Every time he looked at the mast, a wave of nausea overcame him and he pictured himself standing there, helpless. The fear of losing her, being responsible for her death, consumed him. He’d been sailing in circles, searching everywhere he could, simply waiting for her and help.
The supplies he and Lana had brought were dwindling. He needed Daniel to arrive. It’d been five days since he had spoken to him on the radio. Aiden’s eyes scanned the horizon. He searched for any sign of a boat and he thought he saw one. Was this his mind playing tricks on him? He squinted and held his breath as a tiny dark object spotted the horizon, coming in from the northwest.
Aiden moved to the back of the sailboat and found the binoculars his father kept on board. His hands shook as he held the h
ardware up to his eyes and gazed through the lenses. He saw the ship. He prayed it was Daniel. Aiden felt the ship was an hour out from him, he would know if his prayers were answered soon. He needed Daniel to help him find Lana.
* *
Daniel aligned the starboard side of the sailboat with Aiden’s. The winds were picking up and he struggled slightly to stop the boats from bumping together.
“Aiden!” Sarah and Daniel shouted in unison.
“Daniel! Mrs. Winters?” Aiden rushed to the two, momentarily taken aback at the sight of Lana’s mother on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean. Didn’t she hate the ocean? “Thank God. You have to help me find Lana.” Tears that he’d been holding back, ashamed of letting flow, came to his eyes. He felt the embarrassment. Lana’s safety had been in his hands and he had failed to protect her.
“Have you been looking for her these past five days?” Daniel asked. He could see the exhaustion on Aiden’s face blatantly outlined with stress. Daniel waited for an answer, but Aiden didn’t utter a word. “Have you seen any sign of her?”
Aiden’s hands clutched the white painted rail of the sailboat. He shook his head no. “Not since she fell,” he whispered.
Daniel looked at Sarah. Her eyes were calm. Sarah held Daniel’s gaze steadily. She knew he was looking her over for any sign of a crack in the hold. She had to keep it together, no breaking down, not at a time like this.
“The undertow could have taken her out farther, away from the boat,” Daniel said quietly. He did not want to worry Aiden or Sarah any more than necessary.
“I’ve searched all around. Everywhere. We have to look harder, further out, like you said. With the three of us, we’ll have a better chance of spotting her.”
“Five days.” Sarah whispered to herself, her eyes clouding. She blinked back the tears, holding the water back from the dam that threatened spillage. “Five days of swimming.”
“I hate to say this, but …bodies… float. I would have seen it. We can’t give up,” Aiden insisted in hushed tones. The tears still spilled down his cheeks. The fear he had of not finding Lana outweighed the embarrassment of crying.
Daniel looked from Aiden to Sarah. He didn’t want to see her lose another loved one to the nature of the ocean. He had to stay calm, if only to keep the others calm. Daniel fought to keep Lana’s fate out of his mind. If he broke down, everything would crumble with him.
“Aiden’s right. There are islands spread around here. Lana could have easily swum to shore.” Daniel kept his voice steady.
“She would have. If she couldn’t reach the boat, then that’s where she would try to go,” Aiden replied.
“This time of year, the tide should be flowing south east. Let’s sail that way, we’ll search the island shores.”
Sarah’s eyes stayed fixed. Her heart was concentrating on staying calm. In her mind she repeated the word breathe, to help her body remember.
“Aiden, get on our boat. We’ll tow yours behind.”
Aiden climbed the rails and switched over to Daniel’s boat. The two men secured the sailboat in order for it to be easily towed. They sailed with the wind toward the closest islands to continue searching for Lana. Daniel wondered when he should call the Coast Guard for reinforcements, he thought sooner would definitely be better than later.
* *
Lana and Merric swam around the island searching for any signs of ship wrecks. The guilt pulsed through Merric, but it was still too soon. He wanted to tell Lana everything he knew, but didn’t dare do so. He needed more time with her. If she was the one from the premonition then he’d know soon.
“Do you think the remains of my dad’s boat would still be here after ten years?” Lana asked.
“I’m really not sure, but it’s worth a shot.”
Lana swam right below the surface, she could feel the sun piercing through the water above her and warming her back. The water was light sky blue with hues of forest green, like a picture Lana had seen advertising a resort. Lana smiled at the thought of sunshine dancing on her skin. The patches of scales she had acquired sparkled when the sun hit them. Merric had trouble not looking at her, but Lana didn’t notice. She was too intrigued with the sun’s rays dancing across his body.
Merric found himself constantly staring at Lana. He hadn’t allowed himself to really take in the beauty that Lana possessed. Merric watched her swim gracefully and laughed when he mentally compared it to a few days before, when she couldn’t swim at all.
“What was your dad doing in this part of the ocean? Humans usually steer clear of here, which is why we chose this location to settle in,” Merric spoke breaking the silence, wanting to hear Lana’s melodic voice.
“He was researching a species. My dad was, er – is, a marine biologist. He believed that he had discovered a new species and was doing research.”
“Marine biologist?” Merric asked, seemingly unfamiliar with the term.
Before Lana could answer, a dark shadow passed over their heads.
“Humans,” Merric whispered. He grabbed Lana’s hand and pulled her away from the water’s surface. “We have to go.” He didn’t want to be responsible for any fishermen catching a turned mermaid. They certainly wouldn’t plan on kissing her to turn her back. His mind momentarily conjured his Aunt, Gillian. Once a mermaid, now a human. She’d been caught by fishermen who wanted to do who-knows-what with her. Now she lived oceanfront in a place she called Louisiana.
Merric and Lana swam away from the large sailboat that had interrupted their search. Merric still clutched Lana’s hand. Lana felt a slight tingle run up the length of her arm. He could feel her heart beat quicken through her small, soft hand. Holding her hand in his, he also felt his own heart speed up with a short flutter of excitement.
When they were a safe distance away, Merric stopped swimming. He let his head poke above the surface of the ocean. Lana mimicked his actions, keeping her nose and mouth below the water. Their eyes watched the sailboat. It moved slowly, as if searching the water. Merric hoped that they hadn’t been noticed. Three humans could be seen on deck.
Lana heard their voices travel across the ocean top, reaching her ears as mumbles. Lana’s eyes canvassed the boat. It looked so familiar to her, almost like it was her Uncle Danny’s boat.
“Merric, I know those humans.” Lana’s face glowed. “I can’t believe it! It’s my Uncle Danny!” Immediately Lana took of swimming to the sailboat.
Merric was quicker than Lana and swam around in front of her in order to stop her from swimming any closer. Then Lana noticed the stripes of blue down his back. The sun reflected off of his scales and cast a beautiful glow around them.
Lana froze, breathless. “Oh my God…”
“What Lana? What’s wrong?” Merric’s hands went to her shoulders with his eyes transfixed on hers. Her face was full of confusion and understanding all at the same time. Merric waited.
“Stripes down your back,” Lana’s eyes shifted to Merric’s hands. “Light blue webbing, look like hands…”
“Lana, what are you talking about?”
“It’s you. Isn’t it?” Lana asked, still struggling to breathe.
“What’s me?” The confusion filled Merric’s mind.
“The species. The one my dad found out about. It’s you. It’s merpeople.”
Merric stared at Lana. He tried to stay calm. He didn’t want to betray the Order. He couldn’t. Lana’s eyes searched for her Uncle Danny’s sailboat behind Merric. She wanted to go to him, to be safe, maybe to forget all of this like a dream. She couldn’t move. If her dad was trying to find this population of merpeople, then he’d be around here. She couldn’t risk leaving now and giving up on her father. The sailboat moved away from them. Her father…he had to be close. She couldn’t quit now.
Merric struggled internally. He wanted to tell Lana the truth but then she’d have no reason to stay. Well she would have a reason, but would it be good enough to convince her? He knew that he wanted her to stay. It hit hi
m like a lightning bolt striking the water and reverberating in all directions. Merric pretended that he didn’t know why, but his heart told him the reason he felt what he did. Lana made him feel love for the first time in his life.
“If you’re right, then maybe one of the other merpeople saw him. They might remember your father. Do you want to talk to the city dwellers?” Merric knew that no one would tell her anything that might get them into trouble with the Order. This way he didn’t have to lie and Lana would still have to stay.
Lana looked at the sailboat slipping further and further away. “You’re right. That’s a good idea.”
Merric noticed the lack of enthusiasm in her voice, but took her hand in his once more anyway. He led her toward the city, away from the sailboat that held her uncle. Lana prayed that someone knew about her father. If not, then her only chance of leaving may have just passed her by.
Merric hoped that Lana’s heart fluttered as much as his did while holding her hand.
Chapter 21
“Did you see that?” Daniel asked, turning to Sarah and Aiden who stood beside him on
the top deck of the sailboat. The boat gently rocked back and forth with the crescents of small waves.
“What?” Aiden asked anxiety thick in his voice. “Do you see her? Is Lana out there?” He gripped the edge of the sailboat and squinted his eyes, fighting against the dancing sunlight to see.
“No it was some sort of bright blue light thing. Did you see it?” Daniel struggled to find the words to explain exactly what he had seen. He wasn’t sure exactly what it was. He thought it was some kind of fish with blue stripes but it was too far away. He couldn’t be sure.
“What did you see?” Sarah asked wanting him to explain what had caught his eye. She had been looking in the opposite direction when Daniel’s voice broke over the sound of lapping water.
“I don’t know, maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me.” Daniel brought one hand up to rub his sore eyes. Maybe I just wanted to see something so badly… He mentally doubted.