FINNED (The Merworld Water Wars)

by Sutton Shields

  For what felt like an eternity, I just sat there, watching the sea churn and the lightning strike. My heart ached for my mom—I had lost her to them. There was no one here for me, not a single soul. The tears pouring from my heart finally broke through my eyes. My body weakened with each sob.

  Just when I thought I would stop breathing, I heard a strange splashing noise. I looked up in time to see a merperson leap out of the water and land in human form on the rocks in front of me.

  “Who’s there?” I croaked.

  With a flash of lightning illuminating his strong silhouette, I saw the only person I wanted to see, needed to see: Troy Tombolo.

  Strings of words I couldn’t understand left his mouth like the delicate notes of a harp. As he spoke, the glowing shells sent colorful beams of light around the cave. There, in their incandescent rays, he gazed at me, looking both severe and gentle.

  “Did you follow me?” I asked.

  “I think I’ve been following your soul since before you arrived here,” he said, slowly moving closer.

  “I don’t know what that means,” I said, wiping tears from my eyes.

  “Me either. That’s what makes this so intriguing. You’re nothing like I expected you to be. You’re cynical and stubborn, curious to a fault. Your mouth refuses to listen to your mind before speaking, and you don’t believe in love!” He laughed and put his hands through his unkempt hair. “You are everything I have long stood against, yet everything I never knew I wanted. You have melted me to my core.

  “I shouldn’t be saying any of this. They warned me. I mean, you’re a Normal and completely wrong for me. It’s not like I could show you any affection in public. But, Poseidon help me, my heart stops when I’m near you and bleeds when I’m away from you.”

  I could feel the heat of his body as he neared. Without saying a word, he moved inside my personal space.

  “I haven’t invited you in,” I said wearily.

  “Then, I beg you…invite me in.”

  His mouth crashed upon mine, passionately, uncontrollably. His hands worked the curves of my face before easing around my neck, traveling through my hair, and sliding down my back. My hands crawled up his chest, gently scratched his neck, and played with his silky hair. Kissing him defined bliss.

  Wait. Marina, what are you doing? How can you feel bliss with someone who just finished telling you how wrong you are for him? By day, I’m a lowly Normal, but by night, I’m a girlfriend to Prince Tombolo? That’s not a confession of his feelings—it’s a way for him to avoid going public, all while satisfying his desires.

  “Stop!” I shouted, pushing him away from me.

  “I’m sorry. I took it too far.”

  “It’s not that,” I said, touching my lips. “You’re pretty good, aren’t ya? Trying to have your cake and eat it too? Well, pal, you’re not eating me! Uh…I mean…I’m not your cake. I’m not even your cupcake.” Where’s a strip of tape when you need it?

  “What could I have done to offend you this time? I don’t understand.”

  “Clearly.”

  “You keep sending me mixed signals, Marina. How am I supposed to read them?” he said, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Don’t you dare turn this on me! I wonder…why did you choose to tell me your feelings only after reciting a Christmas catalog of reasons why I’m no good for you?”

  His face fell. “I wasn’t thinking.”

  “Oh, of course not, because that would require thinking about someone else. You just expected me to fall into your arms,” I said, waving my arm about, narrowly missing a pāua shell.

  “Well, you did, didn’t you?” he said.

  “Don’t get cute with me and flash that sexy little smirk. I did, at first, because I wanted to believe you. I wanted to believe this time was different, that it’s about us, not just you. What exactly did you think would happen tomorrow or the next day?”

  “I hadn’t thought that far. My father would certainly object, and there would be ramifications, I’m sure. The best solution would be to keep it quiet. We could meet here.”

  “At night,” I supplied.

  “No one would be the wiser,” he said, almost as if he believed I was on board.

  “You have a lot to learn about the human heart, Troy Tombolo.” I had to leave.

  “Where are you going?” he asked, grabbing my arm.

  “Away,” I said, jerking out of his grasp.

  “Why can’t we be together like I said? Would it be so bad? We could be together at night…that’s the best time of day anyway.”

  Oh, he really shouldn’t have said that. “Look, I’m sure Katrina is about as innocent as an eel, but for you to ask me to be your nightly girlfriend is insulting. Human girls like to have their hand held in the hallway. They like to know he is as proud to be with her as she is to be with him. You have insulted me in every possible way. I would rather die by a thousand squid stings than agree to be your secret girlfriend.”

  “I could never think of you like that, Marina,” he said, sounding desperate to make me believe him. “Look, I’m being an idiot, I know that. All of this is so new. I wish I could explain, but…I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I said, throwing my hands in the air.

  “We can’t leave things like this,” he said, reaching for me.

  In my attempt to keep Troy from grabbing me, I fell. Only the tips of my fingers touched the water…and that’s all it took. From the belly of the ocean, small, fleshy creatures clawed over the rocks towards me. They looked harmless enough, cute even.

  “Hey there, fella,” I said, reaching for one. Maybe I could be the first Normal to befriend a sea monster. Or not. All of their heads flipped back in unison, revealing no less than six rows of piranha-sharp teeth. Clicking their tongues and wagging their fingers, they moved in.

  “Marina!” shouted Troy, running for me.

  My anger blinded what little fear may have been trying to burglarize my mind. Driven by the need to prove my own strength, I kicked the little monger on my ankle, punched the one flying for my face, and elbowed the goon climbing up my back. Soon after the last blow, they looked at each other, shut their mouths, and retreated.

  I spun around to face Troy. “It’s like I told you, I can take care of myself.”

  “Muggers—cross between a frog and piranha. Show them any sort of combat, and they run away. They were only category ones, Marina,” he said.

  “Category ones?”

  “We grade certain sea life based on how dangerous they are.”

  “Like hurricanes.”

  Troy nodded. “That’s where the grading system comes from. We delivered the idea to Normals.”

  “How many categories of creatures do you have?”

  “Seventy-five.”

  Wonderful. “Well, at least I beat one of them.”

  “There are far greater dangers to you, Marina. You’re walking a fine line, one you very nearly fell off recently. You even left your calling card,” he said.

  “What calling card?”

  “This,” he said, holding up the necklace he gave me, the one I lost. My stomach lurched. “I found this in our private library nook. I suspected you had been in there when you referred to our kind as merps. I went over there earlier today and found this tucked away inside a bookcase. I imagine Maryweather found it and hid it for you.”

  “How did you find it?”

  “This necklace serves as a connection from me to you. I could find this thousands of feet below the ocean’s floor. Maryweather has been trying to educate Normals for years. But when she recruited you, she went too far.”

  “Did you wonder where she was when you went over there today?”

  “I didn’t really care.”

  “Perhaps you should. I watched as five Ravenflames dragged her from the library. I watched as she burst into a cloud of dust. I watched her die from fear.”

  “I’m sorry you had to see that
,” he said.

  “Just let me go home,” I begged.

  “What about your necklace? I tire of seeing Trey’s owl pendant against your skin,” he said, holding it out for me to take.

  “Trey’s necklace will stay put until he returns for it. As for your necklace…keep it. Cuddle up to it at night, ‘cause it sure as hell won’t be me.”

  And so I left. The walk felt good, as did the cool air in my hair and light sprinkle on my face. I couldn’t help but do a little mental checklist of tonight’s events:

  1. Real mom, gone; brawled with fake mom.

  2. Broke my only resolution (see what I mean about resolutions—total waste of time).

  3. Enjoyed breaking said resolution…so much so, in fact, my eyes stayed closed for the very first time (very bad).

  4. Realized the cause of my broken resolution still does not intend to acknowledge me publicly as his anything…and he thinks I’m a million shades of wrong for him.

  5. Attacked by Muggers.

  6. Defeated said creepers (hurray).

  7. Muggers are only a category one threat (kinda deflates my glorious win).

  Yep, it’s been a heck of a night.

  As I got closer to town, I decided to stop at a payphone and call Mom.

  Hesitantly, I dialed, wondering which “mom” I would get. “Mom?”

  “Marina! Oh, my Marina! Are you okay?” she said shrilly.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Where are you? Can I come get you?”

  “I’m taking the beach route home.”

  “Are you safe? Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up somewhere?”

  “Really, I think I just need the walk.”

  “Marina, I’m so sorry for whatever I did. I really can’t remember.”

  “It’s okay. Mom?”

  “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “Please don’t see Mr. Anderson alone anymore.” I waited for the fallout.

  “I won’t. I promise,” she said seriously. “I’ll be waiting by your window with a big bear hug for my girl.”

  “I’ll be waiting to get it,” I said. “And, Mom? I’m sorry about what I said before I left.”

  “I don’t even remember what you said. All I remember is hearing your voice, and then feeling like my head was going to explode. When I could see clearly, I found I had hurt my baby girl. I feel like a horrible mother,” she said, crying.

  “You’re the best mom in the world. I’ll be home soon.”

  “But, how do I know you’ll be safe.”

  “Because…I’m with Troy Tombolo.”

  “Oh, I’m relieved! I love you, Marina.”

  “I love you too, Mom.”

  It wasn’t a lie, you know. I was with Troy Tombolo. He has been following me since I left the cave, and if I waited long enough, I would see him jump out of the water in the moonlight.

  Chapter Eleven

  The “V” Stands for Vomit

  February: For the shortest month in the calendar year, it sure is a giant pain in the butt.

  Monthly Life Caption: Cruel, Useless Month Designed to Torture Boyfriend-less Girls

  Mood: Vile

  Eating: Chocolates (the only plus to Vomit Day)

  Music: Goddess of angry female music

  Traditionally speaking, there are three parts to February:

  Part One—designed to force single girls everywhere to watch nauseating commercials and endure countless hours listening to self-consumed, boyfriend-wielding girls muse over what their dirt-for-brain boyfriends might get them for Valenyuck Day.

  Part Two—Valenyuck Day. Need I say more?

  Part Three—designed to force single girls everywhere to listen to said self-consumed, boyfriend-wielding girls brag for weeks about their perfect Valenyuck Day.

  Herein rests the benefit of attending a school full of anti-social Merpeople—I get to skip the obnoxious hell of parts one and three. Unfortunately, I can’t bypass the dreaded day itself, no matter how hard I try. Because the entire town was like cupid on candy-coated steroids, I’m stuck having to attend the mandatory Valentine’s Day Ball. Yes, I said mandatory ball, as in a formal dress, heels, and dancing. One of my nightmares was finally coming true! So lucky.

  Airianna eagerly offered to help me find a dress with just two days remaining before the ball; she has had her dress since before Thanksgiving, bless her.

  “Marina!” she called, prancing down the school steps. “You ready to find a dress?”

  “About as ready as I am to drown.”

  “Honestly, you would look so elegant all dazzled up! You simply do not see your own worth,” she said, shaking her beautiful golden mane.

  “Airi! You forgot your bag!” shouted Troy, running to catch up with us.

  Troy looked rather ridiculous holding Airianna’s very girly bag way out in front of him. You would think it was a disease-ridden skunk. I would have teased him with great pleasure, had we been on speaking terms.

  “Oh, thank you, Troy. I must have been so excited to help Marina find a dress for the ball that I forgot it. If I could, I truly would forget my head.”

  “You’re going to the ball, then?” This marked the first time he had talked to me in weeks.

  “Well, it’s mandatory, so…” I watched my foot push around a tiny pebble.

  “Who are you going with?” he asked exceedingly quickly.

  “Yeah, I’m rockin’ the dateless tag.”

  “It doesn’t matter, though, because we are going to find her plus-one at the dance,” said Airianna.

  “Highly doubtful, Airi. I’m just going to be like one of those music boxes.”

  “What music boxes?” asked Troy.

  “You know, the ones all little girls get…with the ballerina. When you wind it up, the little ballerina twirls to the music. That’s what I feel like—trapped on a tiny coil, forced to turn round and round for someone’s entertainment.”

  “That’s the sweetest and saddest thing I have ever heard,” Airianna sighed. “We should get going before the shop closes. We’ll see you later, Troy. Let’s go.”

  “See ya,” said Troy.

  “Bye,” I said, scarcely making eye contact.

  We walked to town where, I swear, another fat cupid must have exploded.

  “Isn’t it beautiful!” said Airianna.

  “It’s nice.”

  “Don’t you think you like all this a little more than you’re letting on? I mean, your last name is Valentine,” she said, wagging her finger.

  “Ironic, huh?” I said, rolling my eyes. “It’s just not my thing, that’s all.”

  “You really don’t like anything having to do with love, do you?”

  “I’m sorry, Airi, I guess I’m just too cynical about it all.”

  “You’re not too cynical, Marina. We all have a little cynicism in us, but it doesn’t dictate our ability to love. You’re afraid,” said Airianna.

  The cold, hard truth hit me like a bucket of ice. I was afraid—the one word that seemed to define, overtake, and suppress my feelings. Fear.

  “Okay, so say I’m spooked by the love bug. What can I do about it?”

  “Let it go. Take a drastic step in peeling away the fear from your heart.”

  “Easy as that, huh?”

  “Actually, yes.”

  I smiled. “You sound different, Airi. Taking me shopping, daring to be seen with a Normal in public, outside of school…you’ve changed.”

  “Oh, I don’t care what they see. I do feel stronger, though.” She put her arm around my shoulder, giving me a little squeeze. “But, sometimes a person can be too strong, you know? Now, let’s find you a dress!”

  “We can dress me all up in a dress and heels, but I still won’t have a date,” I said.

  Airianna let out a delicate giggle. “Just consider me your fairy godmother. I’ll find you the perfect dress and the perfect shoes, and you’ll go to the ball. Cinderella didn’t have a date either, but she found her prince charmi
ng…at the ball.”

  Well, I know there will be a prince at the ball, but the charming part was debatable.

  “My devious little plan as fairy godmother will work. Here’s the dress shop! I’m so excited,” she squealed, opening the heart-covered door.

  If I thought the town was my hell, then this shop must be Satan’s den. There were red frilly dresses EVERYWHERE. If I turned too fast or squinted my eyes just enough, the place looked like bloody brain splatter.

  “Okay, now, I think you would look lovely in a short number,” said Airianna, holding up two strapless, satin dresses with hems that made my thighs blush.

  “Airi, you could pull off the sexy, but me? Not in a million years. I’m a little more old Hollywood than Hollywood Boulevard.”

  “But, you are so trendy with your jeans and tops and accessories, I thought you would love these. Maybe you secretly want to try them on?” she sang, waving the dresses in front of me. I grunted and curled my lip. “Okay, so too short, then?”

  “Way too short. And strapless…I don’t like strapless…or backless. And I like flow-y material, nothing too stiff or wrinkly.” I’m kind of getting into all this Cinderella stuff.

  “How about this?” she said, pointing to a beautiful deep red gown.

  “Wow,” I whispered. “It’s soft, back is closed, ballerina neckline, not too short…I think it might work!”

  Upon entering Satan’s den, I never thought I’d find a red dress I would actually like. Perhaps Airianna was right—maybe I will live a little fairy tale…a quirky, twisted one, anyway.

  “May I help you?”

  “Argh!” I yelped, jumping high on my toes. The sinister voice gave me chilly bumps all over my body. I turned to see who the regrettably creepy voice belonged to and yelled again. Peering over my shoulder was a tall, practically decrepit Ravenflame woman. “Oh, um, sorry. I didn’t hear you coming up behind us.”

  She pushed her five-inch thick glasses up her oily nose and started sniffing my hair. “You’re a Normal.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Normally abnormal, yeah.”

  “Is this the dress you would like to try on?” she asked, taking the dress down.