I shot Adrian a look that screamed, “Righttt.”
“Yeah, I imagine you’re thinking that things went a little differently for you.”
“You’ve got that right.”
“You could say it’s been fantasized throughout the years. Besides, there are little merfolk here.”
“Well, clearly I like this version better.”
“I can see why,” Adrian laughed.
The second half of the play began in a way that I also wouldn’t mind occurring in real life. The boy and the encantado swam back and forth and all around the stage. The whole time, the sunken chest sat in the middle waiting for them.
After a few minutes, the little merfolk in the audience couldn’t contain themselves. Their high-pitched voices called out and teased that the chest was “right there!”
Acting surprised and excited, the actors swam toward it. The boy stretched his arms and prepared to open the chest; a build up the audience loved. Meanwhile, the encantado pushed at the lid with his nose, proving that the chest couldn’t be opened.
When the boy finally approached the chest, he put his hands on it, turning his head toward us. The crowd erupted. Ever so slowly, he pushed at the chest, opening the lid.
Now, we all fell silent. As I looked around, the hopefulness of the merfolk in theater hit me. I wondered if every year these same expressions crossed their faces. Or was this year different because the person who they thought could be the “Second Alpha” sat amongst them?
It wasn’t something I wanted to think about. The underlining pressure of what that meant was too much for me to deal with right now.
Instead, I turned my attention back to the play. There, the boy held up the coin for everyone to see. It was oversized, for dramatic effect, I suppose, and across the coin in big black letters it read: FLOWER.
So much for the coin revealing a hint as to the type of flower on it. Although, if we knew that, there wouldn’t be a need to ever open the chest.
After the boy proudly displayed the coin to the crowd, the encantado and him swam offstage together. The curtain fell once again to allow for a change in scene.
Moments later, the curtains raised to showcase the setting of the Lake of Elfin. It was a grassy area with a trapdoor at the far left side of the stage. Conveniently, in the middle of the stage, a single stemmed rose demanded attention, acting as, I’m sure, a tease to the actual flower that opened the trapdoor.
The boy and the “encantado,” that a merfolk dressed in bright floral clothing once again played, entered from stage right. They hesitated for a mere moment to dramatically peer toward the left and right before they spotted the rose. Dashing forward, the boy grabbed it and held it proudly out in front of himself.
While doing so, the “encantado” pointed to his wrist. A worried expression stretched across his face. The boy needed to plant the flower and get inside before New Year’s Day was over. Otherwise, another year would need to pass before opening the trapdoor.
Realizing he didn’t have much time, the boy launched himself forward. Quickly, he dug a hole, before slowing his movements to plant the rose.
Every merfolk in the theater held their breath even though they’d seen the play time and time again.
Then a clicking noise cut through the silence; the only sound thus far in the play. The door was no longer locked.
With that, the boy yanked it open, and then faced the “encantado” to wrap him in an embrace. At first, I didn’t understand the hug goodbye, but then I remembered the lake was fresh water, his saltwater friend couldn’t join him. Only the water fairies, and I supposed the “Second Alpha,” had the ability to breathe fresh water.
After their goodbyes, the boy turned and jumped inside the trapdoor.
That was when the Trackers crept on stage. My body rocked upright within my seat. The crowd murmured at the “encantado” who waited helplessly by himself. He had nowhere to go and looked frantically back and forth at the approaching Trackers.
With each second, the malevolent sprites crept closer until they completely surrounded him. It took no time at all before he disappeared beneath their attacking bodies. The littler merfolk in the audience gasped. A few turned their heads into their mothers’ shoulders. In Tritonis, the Trackers were definitely something to be feared.
Finally came the happy ending. The boy emerged from the trapdoor in a flash, much to the appreciation of the theater. Once back on land, he held the shell to his mouth and blew. A roaring sound shook the theater, startling my ears. On stage, the Trackers stumbled backwards flailing their arms and legs until they disappeared from our view.
When the foghorn-like sound finally ended, hoots, hollers, and applause from the crowd erupted.
I cheered as well, with a big smile plastered across my face.
I knew it was just a play, make-believe, but I couldn’t help but wish our mission went as smoothly. Sure, the Trackers attacked at the end, but the boy saved the day with a single blow of the conch shell.
As the cheers dimmed, the faces in the crowd consumed me. I felt their hopes and dreams resting on my shoulders. A few merpeople even watched my reaction to the play’s ending.
In that moment, I knew I had little choice but to accept this mission. I owed it to the people of Tritonis. Hell, I owed it to myself to attempt to be the person all these merfolk thought I was.
“Hey, you okay?” Adrian said, placing his hand on my arm.
“Um, yeah, just tired. Perhaps we should get to bed. You know, big day tomorrow.”
“Does this mean what I think it means?”
I tried to keep my response casual. “Yes, Adrian. I’m going.” Now that I’d made up my mind, I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. That’d only make me more nervous.
“I knew you would. It’s just the type of half-human, half-sprite you are,” he said. I couldn’t help but smile at the use of my weird hybrid names.
Once outside, Adrian added, “We’re going to be okay.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I don’t, but I have faith in us, and in you.”
“Well thanks,” I said, my nerves easing up a little. “So, there’s something I noticed before about the play.”
“What’s that?”
“Well, there wasn’t a prince who saved the boy from the Trackers. Nor was there a prince who journeyed to find the coins and retrieve the shell.” I paused, letting the anticipation build. “I guess his grandmother said he couldn’t go.”
“Glad to see you’re feeling better,” he smirked, playfully jabbing my side. “Now, let’s get you to bed.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I knew I sounded like a broken record, but I didn’t sleep well that night. Being around Adrian calmed me down after the play, but once in my bed, my fingers scrunched then smoothed my bedspread repeatedly.
This wasn’t a feat similar to heading off to college in the fall. There, my biggest worry would be final exams and hangovers.
Instead, it was a mission that could very well kill me, or worse, kill the people I’ve grown to care about from Tritonis.
Plus, I had three days of training. That was it. Three days to prepare for the most monumental thing in my life thus far.
Yes, my water affinity gave me confidence earlier, but now that we’d be leaving in just a few hours, I wasn’t sure how helpful I’d actually be. I needed more time to train. Although, even if I’d trained my entire life, I lacked confidence that I’d ever be ready to face whatever was to come.
As I climbed out of bed, I stretched my arms. Stiffness plagued my body from the last few days. It also didn’t help that I tossed and turned all night.
I woke up repeatedly with thoughts that I’d oversleep and let everyone down.
I’d felt this way in the past, like before the SATs. I convinced myself that my alarm would be faulty or that I’d somehow sleep through its blaring noise. So, I woke up every hour, on the hour, to make sure I wasn’t late.
Th
is morning, darkness lingered the last time I glanced toward my window. Decided to get up, I didn’t want to chance anything.
This led to an overwhelming desire to reach out to my family. I wasn’t surprised that I quickly found a pen and paper in my dressing table drawer; the merfolk lived much like humans.
At first, my pen hovered above the paper. What words could express these changes in my life? But as soon as my pen hit the paper, it all came pouring out.
Mom and Dad,
Where do I start? This is all pretty crazy, right? Who knew that I wasn’t completely human? I guess I have Dad’s ancestors to thank for that one…
I leave today for this mission to help the sprites. Hopefully you know what I’m talking about and that Clemente explained everything to you.
If not, all you really need to know is that I’m trying to help others. This is a value you’ve both instilled in me since I was a little girl. It wouldn’t feel right walking away from people in need. Maybe this is why I’ve always wanted to become a doctor.
Please don’t worry about me. I’ve been working hard to prepare. Just think of this as another one of my adventures.
I love you both. Always remember that. Lindsey, too. Please tell her that for me.
I’ll be home soon—I promise!
Love,
Your Bellerina
P.S. Tell Blake I miss him and I’m thinking about him!
As I dropped my pen, I had no desire to reread what I wrote. It felt inadequate… and always would. Instead, I folded the paper and pushed off from my chair. I was facing away from my desk before I even heard the muted sound of the pen settle against the wood.
What now?
I scanned the room from my bed over to the wardrobe, noticing that an outfit hung from its door, and also thinking that it was kind of creepy that someone had been in my room while I slept.
It was the same color as the bodysuit I wore the first day, the chameleon-like one, but this one looked different—almost heavier.
I crossed my room to grab it. Instantly, I saw why. It was the same material, but thin plates of armor had been sewn inside. Still, the bodysuit wasn’t bulky at all and still just as flexible.
In my old bodysuit, I felt badass. After slipping into my new one, I sincerely felt like a superhero off to save the world.
I couldn’t believe the girl who stared back in the mirror was me. Not only a week ago I was a normal high schooler. Now, here I was, off to help the Tritons regain control of the evil sprites.
It still seemed crazy to me. I reached inside my bodysuit, pulling out Adrian’s mom’s pendant. My hand held it against my chest as I studied myself, hopeful that it’d calm me.
It did, but still I couldn’t move. Instead I hovered in front of the mirror. Leaving the room would make this all real; a reality I wasn’t prepared to face.
With my hand covering the olive tree leaf around my neck I said a quick prayer.
It was a three-parter:
I said a prayer to keep us safe.
I said a prayer to let us succeed.
And I said a prayer that I’d be able to see my family again soon.
After a deep breath, I forced myself to leave the room.
The others waited for me in the foyer.
“Good morning, Annabelle,” YaYa said. “We were about to wake you, but we thought it best to let you sleep as long as possible.”
“It’s okay. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Well that is only natural, you have a big day ahead of you.”
“Yeah,” I said, locking eyes with Adrian. Just looking at him helped to calm my nerves.
He also had a type of armor on. It reminded me of one of those shark suits made out of chain mail. It covered his arms and torso snugly. An emblem caught my eye in the middle of his chest.
It depicted a narrow staff with snakes wrapped around it. At the top two wings jutted out to either side. I’d seen it before used as a medical symbol. It was called a caduceus. What I hadn’t known was that the Greeks revered it as a symbol of good luck. In particular, it provided protection from sickness and injury to those who wore it.
It better work.
I turned to look at the rest of my entourage. Clemente, Shamus, and another girl waited to leave in a semi-circle.
It took a solid two seconds to realize Natasha was the girl. We looked nearly identical.
Our height was already similar. Now, she wore the same exact bodysuit as me sans the flippers. Being a mermaid and all, she obviously didn’t need them.
I also noticed that her normally dark hair was dyed a lighter shade to match my own.
It was kind of freaky how much we looked alike with our identical outfits, matching hair, and pale skin. I knew that part of our plan was to allow the Trackers to think Natasha was me, tricking them, but I hadn’t realized we’d look this closely alike.
Oddly enough, it was soothing and I felt a kinship with Natasha through our sameness. It also gave me more confidence that our plan would work.
On the other hand, it sent yet another wave of jitters into my stomach that Natasha would get hurt. I’d never forgive myself if the Trackers attacked her instead of me.
“Is everyone ready to go?” YaYa said, interrupting my thoughts.
Natasha and Adrian both gave a quick nod while a single click and bark sound slipped from Clemente and Shamus.
“May Tykhe—as the spirit of fortune, chance, providence, and fate—watch over you all,” YaYa proclaimed.
Immediately, Clemente and Shamus made their way toward the open drawbridge door.
But before Natasha could leave, YaYa stopped her.
“Dear child,” she said as her eyes turned more serious. “I know you believe you must prove your family’s name, but go into this mission knowing you have already done so. Be safe.”
Next, she turned to me.
“Annabelle, you are the chosen one. My hope is that you will come to accept that. Remember your affinities and use them wisely.”
I held out my folded letter. “Will you make sure my parents get this?”
“Of course I will. Be safe, Annabelle.”
Finally, she turned to Adrian. Giving them privacy, Natasha and I swam toward the door. Once outside, I couldn’t help but look back at the two of them. YaYa stood with Adrian’s hands grasped in her own.
I couldn’t hear her words, but her lips moved rapidly.
I was reminded again of how difficult this situation must’ve been as both the Queen and as a grandmother.
It was an odd thing to see YaYa express emotion, but as Adrian turned to leave, her bottom lip trembled. It lasted only a moment before she bit down to steady it.
And then we were off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
With his hand on the trapdoor, Adrian gave the final direction. “Okay, Clemente, you go first. Then Shamus and Natasha will follow.”
The two nixies immediately moved into position next to the door before Adrian continued, “We aren’t sure if the Trackers know our location, but if they do, we don’t want to chance an ambush right as we leave Tritonis.”
I hadn’t thought about this—the face that we could be in danger even before nearing the sunken chest.
Adrian looked over at the guards who nodded with approval. They held a type of gun with swords also flung over their shoulders in preparation for any Trackers that tried to breach the entrance to Tritonis.
Clemente disappeared through the trapdoor immediately after it opened, the darkness of the ocean swallowing him.
A few moments later, a clicking sound announced for Shamus and Natasha to go.
After another few seconds, we recognized Shamus’ bark.
Now it was our turn. My heart pounded in my chest. I spared another quick glance over at the guards who bowed at Adrian and me.
Instantly, panic and fear froze my body as my eyes strained to adjust to the darker water.
Being back in the ocean was unsettling. Actually, terrifying better d
escribed it.
Living in Tritonis had spoiled me. The corals provided light throughout the entire day. It made it possible to see in all directions, and far too.
At the bottom of the ocean, I was reminded how my bubble of light allotted thirty yards or so of clarity before the blackness took over. Not knowing what lurked beyond my eyesight left me lightheaded.
It made more sense now why the merfolk of Tritonis feared leaving their city. The darkness made it difficult to protect themselves from Trackers and other sea monsters.
I remained motionless in the water, the current carrying me slightly. Adrian stretched his arm out to stop me from going any further. “We need to wait until they’re in position around us.”
“Are we all taking the jet stream?”
“We are. The encantado and selkie generally prefer to avoid it. They can swim fast enough on their own, but this is a special circumstance.”
Nodding, I waited for our signal.
“Okay, they’re ready,” he said after a quick clicking sound.
As we swam, I hovered close to Adrian. Any sound caused my head to snap in its direction. I was glad it wasn’t a lengthy trip to the jet stream. My nerves were out of control.
After about thirty minutes or so of swimming, Adrian stopped me again. “Hold on, Clemente is about to slip into the jet stream.”
I couldn’t see Clemente outside of my light bubble, but I now recognized his “voice.”
“All right, let’s go,” Adrian instructed.
We quickly swam to the jet stream and rolled inside. Exhaling, the brighter hue of light brought me some relief.
Not even a second later, Natasha and Shamus appeared as well.
“We’ve got a few hours in here,” Adrian continued. “Try to relax a bit. The four of us will keep an eye on things. And, Annabelle, let’s try to keep your hands inside the stream this time.”
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