by Garry Hicks
DAY 5
The small group stand in the lagoon sand near the water. Arianna stares at the guys, smiles, asks, "Are you ready to see our other world?"
Brandon, quick, answers, "I’ve been ready my whole life."
Treena ambles to Brandon, Keela to Derek, Anna to Kyle. Keela and Anna are both mid-twenties, long flowing hair, gorgeous. Each of the girl's place their hands on each man’s head, pulls them close, plant their mouths on them. They then blow their magical powers into them.
Brandon kisses back, Treena smacks his head. "Open your mouth and be still."
All three women blow for about five seconds, the men breathe deep, feel the change. The four women amble into the water, dive underneath, appear back up with their shoulders at the water line. The men glance at each other, rush and dive into the water.
Brandon shouts "I’m a human submarine!"
Ten dolphins surface around them. The women's legs have turned into mermaid tails.
Anna says, "Your rides are here, hold on to their fins. If there’s any trouble, stay with them." she pauses. "Our dolphins will protect you."
One dolphin goes to Brandon, nudges him with his beak. Brandon rubs his head.
Treena smiles, rubs his snout. "That’s Squeek, he likes you. A good sign."
All three grab the fins, slip under the water and shoot through the cave into the open sea. Arianna and her mermaids have greenish and light blue tails. The mermaids stop, the men let go and stare in wonder at their surroundings. A beautiful sight, lush vegetation, white sand, tropical fish and other sea creatures swim about.
A giant sea turtle approaches the guys, swims around them. He approaches them as if to say 'hi'. Each of them pet and rub the turtle. Satisfied, the giant creature glides away.
A curious octopus approaches Brandon, rubs him with his tentacles. Brandon, nervous, doesn't move. The octopus soon shoots away.
A large, colorful fish approaches Kyle, stops in front of his face. Both stare at each other, the fish darts circles around Kyle, swims away.
A huge swarm of small tropical fish make a wall around the guys.
A giant manta ray approaches like a Blue Angel jet, does a three sixty around the guys and swims away into the blue.
Above them, the sun rays peek through a large group of colorful jellyfish.
They approach an old pirate shipwreck. The mermaids point and all swim in through a big, jagged open gap in the side.
The inside is littered with all sorts of old things. The guys inspect goblets, silverware, plates, old bottles.
Brandon spots a sword, swims over, picks it up. It has a shiny long blade, handle adorned with jewels. He holds it up with both hands, slices it through the water. He thinks back to his dream, smiles at the resemblance to the sword in his dream.
Two other swords are scattered nearby, in sheaths. He grabs the swords and hands them to Derek and Kyle who slip them through their belts.
Brandon spots a darkened corner where it looks like there may be the outline of a small door. He swims over, pushes the door open, squints his eyes as he enters an open area soaked by sunlight. He is now in what he believes was the Captains quarters. He surveys the area, sunlight reflects off something in a corner. He swims over, picks up a gold necklace with a worn medallion attached. He tries to read it but it's tarnished with dirt. He rubs his thumb over it, then rubs it on his pants. He holds it up to read. It's a Spanish Conquistador Medallion, dated 1695. He smiles, puts it around his neck and continues to inspect. He spots a small door, opens it. He jerks back as a skeleton floats out.
He stares at a treasure chest bulging full of various types of gold, jewelry and coins. He grabs a mixed handful and stuffs them in his pocket, swims back to the others.
He reaches the guys in the lower galley, shows them the medallion he found, points to where he got them. He pulls pieces of gold from his pocket, displays the pieces like a proud father. Derek inspects his chain and a few gold coins, mouths ‘WOW’.
Arianna stares, nods her head to go outside. Brandon points to the captain's quarters. Arianna points to outside. Brandon pouts, nods, they all swim out of the ship.
Back on the water surface, along with the guys, dolphin and mermaid heads bob above water, two hundred yards from the island.
Keela yells out, "Playtime!"
Arianna and the guys watch as her mermaids and three dolphins dive under. The guys duck under to watch and see a dolphin swims next to each mermaid. The group swims deep until they disappear. Quick, like six rockets they launch to the surface. Each mermaid, dolphin by their side, explode through the water, fly twelve feet high then dive back in. A few moments pass and they again explode from the water, Anna and Keela on one side face Treena on the other side. They fly by each other, Keela on bottom, Treena in the middle, Anna on top. The guys laugh in wonder, like a child giggles at Christmas.
Brandon raises his hand and moves it like it's flying. "The Blue Angels of the deep."
Anna smiles, points to the guys. "Now you all try it."
The guys stare at each other, nod their heads. They dive down ten feet, turn, kick like maniacs, shoot to the surface. They break through, try to jump but don’t even leave the water. The mermaids giggle. Arianna points to the dolphins who swim over to the guys. Each guy grabs a fin and dives under.
The dolphins go deep, the guys hold tight with both hands, then shoot to the surface. They struggle to keep hold of the fins. Each break water and fly about ten feet high. Brandon loses his grip on top and flops back in the water. The guys hoot and holler.
Derek, excited, yells out, "That was incredible, let’s do it again!"
Kyle snickers. "Nice flop Brandon."
Brandon retorts, "Piss off boys, I’ll do it."
Arianna shouts, "We must go...now!"
They each slip under water and gaze to where Arianna stares. In the distance, a pack of six various types of large sharks, with big razor like teeth, swim to them, fast. Each guy grabs a dolphin fin, guy and dolphin bomb toward the cave, fast. The remaining dolphins protectively surround them.
Derek glances back, the sharks gain. The dolphins pick up speed. Kyle struggles to hold on but loses his grip, tumbles off. The others stop, wait. The dolphin continues. Kyle is alone, the sharks bomb straight to him. His dolphin returns, Kyle grabs the fin as a shark closes in. The dolphin pumps his tail, they start to shoot through the water.
Three sharks continue to Kyle, three move toward the others. They approach fast, mouths open, giant snapping teeth. Kyle screams but it is muffled by water. The lead shark is now next to him, jaws wide open. He’s now behind Kyle, his mouth big enough for a boat to fit in. He’s at the dolphins tail, prepares to bite. Kyle pushes away as the shark bites the dolphin in half. Blood darkens the water.
The shark stops, he and Kyle are almost face to face, they stare at each other. He opens his jaws, moves forward, Kyle is frozen. At the last moment, a dolphin smashes into the center belly section of the shark near Kyle. Like torpedoes, two other dolphins pound into the remaining two sharks.
All three sharks float, immobile. Around the other mermaids, same scene, the other three sharks float. The attacking dolphin swims to Kyle, he grabs the fin and, along with the others, speed off.
Chiron and Sean relax on rocks near a waterfall. It's a peaceful, soothing area, made more so by the waterfall's trickling sounds.
Chiron asks, "What is it you do in your world?"
Sean replies, "I built things...but, not anymore."
"Why no more?"
"Not enough work to keep me busy, sooo..." Sean pauses. "I robbed a bank."
"What is it to rob a bank?"
"Ahhh...let’s see, uhhh, it’s like a, a, pirate taking gold from someone else."
"So you are a modern day pirate?"
"I never thought of it that way but, yeah, I guess I am."
"I don’t know if I like you now. Why do you take that which is not yours?"
"I, I don’t uhh, I’m not sure." he pauses, thinks
. "Why does your mother force me to give you a child?"
"This is the law of our ancestors."
"So how can you question me when she takes what is not hers?"
"That my mother does."
"So why do you question me?"
"Because, if your heart is not pure, your actions will not be pure."
"I don’t see many men around here that have a clean slate."
"The men are clean, they bathe, regularly."
"Chiron, look, I don’t even know why I’m here. I just want to stay alive until I can get back with my friends. Can you help me do that?"
"Why would I help you?"
"You either help me or end up with a child that is not ‘pure’."
"So, you are a pirate, and a weasel."
"And you a siren with no ‘un-purity’?"
"Do you want to battle me with words?"
"No, I just want your help."
"You will have to earn that with your actions." she stands. "Enough for now, let’s swim."
Both dash into the water. Chiron changes into a mermaid, leans back, tail on the surface. Sean rubs her greenish, darkish tail. The look on his face says it all, he’s amazed, scared, intrigued. Chiron smiles, slaps the water which soaks Sean. She swims off, he chases as they both romp around, splash each other and play like two little children.
CHAPTER TWELVE