Mermaid Curse

by Louise Cooper

  ‘Course not.’ But he didn’t sound too sure.

  They were moving very quickly now. But the follower was quicker. Lizzy dared to glance back, and what she saw filled her with alarm. The shape looked bigger – it was gaining on them.

  ‘It’s faster than we are!’ she cried. ‘It’s chasing us!’

  There could be no doubt now; whatever lurked behind them in the sea was rapidly coming closer. Another minute, maybe less, and it would catch up with them. Suddenly, instinctively, they both knew that it was an enemy.

  ‘Swim, Lizzy, swim!’ Kes yelled. ‘Make yourself become a mermaid! You can do it! You can! You’ve got to!’

  Even as he called out, his own shape was changing. Lizzy saw his silvery-green tail swish, powering him through the water, and frantically she tried to will herself to change too. I am a mermaid, I am, I am, I AM! But she was close to panic now, and couldn’t focus her mind. All she could think about was the unknown terror pursuing them. She couldn’t outswim it, it was going to catch her, and then –

  ‘LIZZY, LOOK OUT!!’ Kes screamed.

  Suddenly there was a noise like thunder in the sea, and to her horror Lizzy saw the barrel-like underside of another fishing boat coming straight towards them. White water churned behind it – and something else. A net, skimming through the sea and scooping up anything too big to wriggle through its mesh –

  ‘Turn, Lizzy, turn!’ Kes was yelling. ‘Get away from it!’ He twisted in the water, swift as a fish as he darted out of the net’s path. But Lizzy had no tail, and though she kicked with all her strength, she knew that it wasn’t going to be enough. The light dimmed as the boat sailed overhead, and the throb of its engine seemed to fill the whole world. Kes had vanished and she didn’t know where he was – all she could see was the net, like a shimmering wall, gliding relentlessly towards her.

  When the impact came, it was far harder than she expected. Lizzy gasped, sending a torrent of bubbles streaming from her mouth, and next moment she was tumbling over and over as the net swept her along. Her arms and legs tangled in the mesh; she was trapped, caught, powerless –

  ‘Help!’ Lizzy cried. ‘Oh, someone, please, help me!’

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Lizzy! Lizzy!’

  Kes shouted his sister’s name, but his voice was lost amid the racket of the fishing boat’s engine. He could see her struggling in the folds of the net, and as the boat churned on he swam frenziedly after it. But even as he surged towards the net he knew there was nothing he could do. He wasn’t strong enough to free Lizzy, and if he went too close, he would be caught as well. He needed more strength – he needed help, as he had never needed it before!

  With the engine noise pounding in his ears, he didn’t hear the shrill, high whistling that cut through the water. But when five sleek, grey shapes came streaking towards him, and he saw the flash of silver on the back of their leader, his despair turned to a surge of joy.

  ‘Arhans!’ Kes waved frantically towards the net. ‘Help Lizzy! Help her!’

  In her tangling prison Lizzy cried out in relief as the dolphins attacked the net. Their powerful bodies barged against it and their tail-flukes flipped the folds aside, clearing a path through to her. Sharp teeth tore at the mesh; Lizzy’s arms came free and she reached out to grasp hold of Arhans’s dorsal fin. More tearing; she kicked, hard, and with a rush she broke free of the net as Arhans towed her away and clear of the danger.

  ‘Lizzy!’ Kes swam to her and wriggled in among the group. In the confusion his tail made him look like a small dolphin himself. Lizzy was gasping, still clinging to Arhans as she fought to get over the shock and fright. The fishing boat chugged on, the men on board unaware of what had just happened, and as the noise of the engine gradually faded, Arhans whistled urgently. Kes listened, and then turned worriedly to Lizzy.

  ‘We’re not out of danger yet! The creature that was following us is still around – Arhans says we’ve got to get away from it as quickly as we can!’

  Lizzy looked at him in dismay. Her struggles in the net had taken what was left of her energy. Another fast swim would be too much for her – she just couldn’t do it. But then Arhans whistled again, and Kes’s eyes lit up.

  ‘Yes! Lizzy, get on to her back – she’ll carry you!’

  Arhans nudged Lizzy’s hands encouragingly and, wide-eyed, Lizzy let Kes guide her on to the dolphin’s back. Then to her surprise he changed back to an ordinary boy, and settled astride one of the other dolphins.

  ‘I’m not going to miss out on a chance like this,’ he said, grinning. ‘Ready? Then hold tight!’

  And they were off.

  It was an exhilarating and incredible ride – almost as incredible to Lizzy as her discovery that she could live underwater. The dolphins were faster than racehorses, faster than birds. This must be what flying’s like! Lizzy thought as they swooped and dived through the sea. Rocks and weeds flashed by, shoals of fish darted out of their path, colours streamed past as they raced through the ever-changing world under the waves. Every now and then the dolphins streaked up to the surface to breathe, lifting Lizzy and Kes momentarily out of the water in a whirl of foam. Lizzy gripped tightly with hands and knees, her face alight and her hair flowing behind her. She felt as wild and free as Arhans and her friends – and all thoughts of enemies or danger were gone, for no creature could hope to match them in this wonderful, helter-skelter race.

  She wished that the ride would never have to end, but at last the dolphins broke surface one last time and they burst out into sun and air. Clinging tightly, Lizzy cried out with delight as Arhans leaped high out of the water, then curved gracefully over to plunge down again in a fountain of spray. The coast was ahead of them. Lizzy could see the long golden ribbon of the beach with the surf breaking on it, dazzling white in the sun. The beach was crowded, and suddenly she remembered the lifeguards. They would be watching the sea, and they had binoculars. How could she and Kes get to shore without being noticed?

  ‘Kes!’ she shouted breathlessly. ‘What about the lifeguards? They’ll see us!’

  Kes laughed. ‘Leave that to Arhans! Just be ready to jump off when I say, and she’ll do the rest!’

  The dolphins were leaping on through the water and the ride was now like a switchback. Closer and closer to land – then Kes called, ‘Now!’

  They let go of their dolphins’ fins and dived into the sea.

  ‘Come on,’ said Kes as they surfaced again and bobbed on the swell. ‘Follow me.’

  He swam towards the jutting headland where the lighthouse stood. The dolphins were nowhere to be seen. Lizzy was amazed, wondering how they could have vanished so quickly, and as she followed Kes towards the rocks she said, ‘Where have they gone?’

  He grinned mischievously. ‘Look at the beach.’ Mystified, she turned round. ‘Now,’ said Kes, ‘watch this.’

  Putting two fingers to his lips, he made a sound that was astonishingly like the whistle of a dolphin. Moments later, just off the far end of the beach, Arhans and her four friends leaped high out of the sea in perfect unison. There were shouts of delight as people saw them, and everyone – including the lifeguards – ran to the water’s edge to watch. The dolphins leaped again, twisting in mid-air, putting on an acrobatic display.

  ‘That’ll keep everybody busy!’ said Kes. ‘Come on – let’s go ashore.’

  They swam to the beach and waded, dripping, out of the water. No one was looking in their direction; every single person was engrossed in watching the leaping, dancing dolphins.

  For a few moments Lizzy gazed at Arhans and her friends, then very suddenly her legs gave way under her and she sat down on the sand.

  ‘Wow…’ she said.

  Kes knew that she didn’t just mean the dolphins’ show. He crouched down beside her, then reached out and ruffled her wet hair.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked.

  Lizzy thought about that. ‘Fine – I think. A bit shaky, maybe. I mean, so much has happened since
this morning…’ Suddenly she was afraid she might cry. Fiercely she bit the impulse back and managed a watery smile. There were so many questions going round in her head. She was overjoyed to have discovered her real mother and brother, but the knowledge that she was half human and half mermaid was still almost impossible to believe. And there were so many mysteries. The silver pearl hidden in her locket – she had seen the light shining from it and heard it sing. What did that mean? Why was it so important to Morvyr – and why was she afraid? Who was the mysterious enemy that had followed them in the sea? What had become of her father?

  She tried to say all these things to Kes, but she could hardly get the words out. Kes understood, though.

  ‘I feel the same as you,’ he told her. ‘And I don’t know why Mother won’t explain everything.’ He paused. ‘Perhaps she’s trying to protect us.’

  ‘Perhaps. But I wish we knew what from.’

  ‘Me too.’ Kes looked along the beach. The dolphins had gone, and the people who had been watching them were slowly making their way back to their rugs and picnics. ‘I’ll ask Arhans. Maybe she knows. And if she doesn’t… well, Mother might change her mind and tell us.’

  ‘And if she doesn’t?’ said Lizzy.

  ‘Then perhaps we can solve the mystery for ourselves. We’ve found each other now, and we can spend time together and be friends. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.’

  Lizzy walked home very slowly. She had so much to think about, and was almost afraid to return to the sheer everydayness of the house and her family. Her other family. It was so confusing. How could she go back to being just ordinary Lizzy Baxter, when she was also Tegenn, daughter of a mermaid? If only she could tell Mum, Dad and Rose. But that was impossible.

  She felt bewildered and a little bit scared as she went in at the back door. Mum was in the kitchen, taking some washing out of the machine.

  ‘Hello, love,’ she said, smiling. ‘Did you have fun at the beach?’

  Lizzy made herself smile back. ‘Yes, Mum. It was lovely.’

  ‘Good. You look as if you’ve been in the sea all day!’

  ‘Er… yes, I suppose I have.’

  The inner door banged open and Rose came breezing in. ‘Hi, Lizzy!’ She sounded very cheerful. ‘Mum, there’s a disco in town tonight. Is it OK if I go with Paul?’

  ‘Yes, I expect so. Provided we know what time you’re getting back.’ Mum gathered up the washing and went outside, and Rose grinned at Lizzy. ‘How’s your boyfriend?’

  ‘He’s not –’

  But Rose had spotted something, and pounced on Lizzy’s hand. ‘What’s this, then? Getting engaged, are you?’

  Lizzy had meant to take off the ring Morvyr had given her before she got home, but with so much else on her mind she had completely forgotten. She tried to pull her hand away, but Rose held on, turning it over as she studied the corals. ‘That’s gorgeous! Seriously, where did you get it? One of the local shops? I’d love one!’

  She smiled, and suddenly Lizzy’s uncertainty faded away. There was no harm in Rose’s teasing. They were the best of friends, always had been. In all the ways that mattered, they were sisters.

  She met Rose’s eager gaze very steadily and said, ‘It was a present, Rose. A very special present.’

  Rose looked back at her. She obviously wanted to ask more questions… but something stopped her. Instead she patted Lizzy’s hand and let it go.

  ‘Lucky you,’ she said. ‘Don’t worry – I won’t say a word to anyone.’ And she followed Mum into the garden.

  Lizzy went up to her bedroom. The shell Kes had given her was still on the shelf; she picked it up and took it to the window seat that looked out to the sea. The sun was bright and warm on her face as she put the shell to her ear. For a few moments all she could hear was a soft rushing, like waves on a distant beach. But then, gradually, it began to change. As though her mind was slowly attuning, Lizzy heard the mysterious and magical sounds of the undersea world. Her world. She smiled. There were voices in the shell, and among them were the voices of her brother, Kes, and her friends, the dolphins. It was almost as if they were saying to her: ‘Welcome home.’

  Epilogue

  When one of the water-mirrors on the cave wall began to glow with crimson light, Taran leaned eagerly towards it. ‘Who is there?’ she said.

  ‘It is Tullor.’ Reflections stirred in the mirror and she saw her servant’s face. He looked – and sounded – angry.

  ‘Come!’ she commanded, and made a gesture with one hand. The face vanished, then the water of the pool began to swirl, and moments later Tullor surfaced through the magical gateway.

  ‘Well?’ said Taran. ‘Do you have news?’

  ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ said Tullor harshly. ‘But it is not good news. I almost captured the girl-child and took the pearl from her – but I was thwarted by the dolphins! They appeared suddenly, they freed the girl and they carried her and her brother away on their backs to shore.’ He writhed furiously. ‘I did my best, Your Majesty, but they were too many and too fast for me.’

  Taran frowned. She, too, was angry, and she rounded on him. ‘You are a fool!’ she said savagely. Her hand came up. Tullor cringed – then suddenly Taran changed her mind and lowered her hand again. ‘Ah, never mind. There will be other chances.’ Her fingernails drummed on the rock. ‘So… it seems that Arhans and her meddling friends are guarding the wretched girl and her treasure. No doubt Morvyr has persuaded them, and that will make our task harder. But I won’t be defeated!’

  ‘What can we do, madam?’

  ‘Oh, there are many ways to catch a fish, Tullor. And I have an idea. A much more subtle idea than mere attack. We shall wait a while – long enough for Morvyr to relax her vigilance a little – and then you, with more of my strongest and fiercest servants, will pay her a visit and arrest her. She will be my hostage – and the price of her freedom will be the silver pearl.’

  Tullor made a strange, ugly sound at the back of his throat, almost like a discordant purr. ‘My Queen, you are as wily as ever!’

  She laughed, pleased by the compliment. ‘It will amuse me to have Morvyr as my prisoner for a while,’ she gloated.

  ‘Oh, yes, Your Majesty!’ Tullor made another ugly sound that was his own version of laughter. ‘You could send her to your far stronghold, the place of darkness. She would find that very unpleasant. And she would be company for your other prisoner.’

  Taran smiled cruelly. ‘That would be fitting. But I do not want anyone to know about that other prisoner. It suits me better if they all think she is dead. No, I shall keep Morvyr here until the girl-child gives me the silver pearl.’ Her eyes narrowed and a cold, calculating smile spread across her lovely face. ‘And don’t worry, Tullor – I don’t think we shall have long to wait!’