When, at last, he found me.

by Adrianna Stepiano

The pool was warm. More than once I closed my eyes and tried to imagine lying in the bathtub at home, but the rough rocky floor made it impossible to picture. I washed with an oversized block of lavender scented soap. It left my skin soft and silky. The clothing that Nasani supplied me with was unlike anything I would usually wear. The black leggings reminded me of yoga pants but fit too tight and were cropped right under the knees. The tank top was also black and made from the same stretchy material as the leggings. She also left me with a pile of ribbons, just like the ones that ran through her hair. I tried to braid them in to mine but with only my reflection in the water to rely on, it proved impossible. Finally, I gave up and tied a thick black ribbon around my head to serve as a headband. It would have to do.

  When I came around the wall, Joseph was waiting, as promised. Standing up slowly, he glanced at the leggings.

  I felt uncomfortable with the attention and began tugging—pulling them away from my body. “I think these are too tight. Does she have a larger pair?”

  “I doubt she does, besides, I think…” he trailed off, “…they look great on you.”

  Together we walked to the main cavern. He was quiet and I felt bad for being angry. “Joseph, I don’t mean to come off as difficult, it’s just that I long for my life before the John F. Kennedy. Ethan, the Keyes and my neighbors are probably so worried; they need to know that I’m alive. It’s really cool that you are what you say you are, but I’m just a girl who misses her life back home.”

  “Seraphin, I should have talked to you about this sooner but I didn’t know what to say.” As he grabbed my hand, chills went through my body. He directed me over to a pile of wooden boards and gestured for me to sit. Then, with a match, he lit two candles that hung on the rocky wall. The flames danced as he walked past to join me on the wooden board where I sat.

  “You remember when we met at the school, right?” He asked awkwardly.

  “Of course,” I was sarcastic. “You were so warm and friendly.”

  “Right, so you do remember.” Joking back, my sarcasm seemed to ease his nervousness. “I hope you understand now why I was such a jerk. When my aunt introduced us—it was a bit of a surprise. You’re the first person she’s ever introduced me to, using my real name. I thought she had lost her mind but when she pulled me into the hallway, she explained that you were worth meeting. I probably could have handled it better.”

  “I understand—and yes, you could have.” I agreed with him.

  “After that day, even though I tried, I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

  That took me by surprise. “Sorry?”

  “Never had a girl captured me like—” He stopped, shifting awkwardly. “It’s just that, you had a way about you. Something I’ve not—and when you spoke to me on the beach, you were so—”

  I remained silent as he stood up and began to pace the room.

  “I couldn’t help but think that my aunt brought us together for a reason, so I started to watch you.”

  “You were following me.”

  “No, just observing.”

  “Isn’t that essentially the same thing?” I didn’t know whether to be unsettled or flattered.

  “No. It’s not the same thing. I wanted to keep my distance but you made that impossible.” He smiled. “I just wanted to find out why my aunt thought you were so special. The moment I started healing you, the day you fell—I could feel it.”

  “You could feel what?”

  “I could feel—YOU. Your essence—life; whatever you want to call it. I could feel that you were—like me; like us, Nasani and I—oh and my aunt too.”

  “Ms. Z is…” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

  “In all the years you knew my aunt, she never once spoke with you about being a mermaid?”

  The corners of my mouth dropped as I cringed at the absurd word—still not convinced Joseph wasn’t playing a trick. I searched my mind for the answer to his question. “Only once, the day I met you. We cut through the pool area and looked at the mosaic at the bottom of the pool. She was acting strange.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Only that the female and the male featured in the mosaic were powerful—that they were protectors. To be honest, I was too nervous to ask questions.” I admitted.

  “The Guardians?” He stopped pacing and stared at me.

  “Yes, they were Guardians, not protectors—sorry.”

  “Huh?” He muttered to himself and began pacing again. “She didn’t say anything else?”

  “No.” I had a few questions of my own. “Joseph, when you said that you could feel that I was…well, like you, what did you mean?”

  “The best way to explain it is like when you’re alone, say in a room and then even though you don’t see the person walk in, you can feel that you’re no longer alone. It is kind of like that. When I placed my hands on your head to heal, I was no longer alone. It was strange—I’ve never felt like that before.” Lost in his own thoughts for a moment he paused then continued. “Though, I think I made a big mistake by healing you like that.”

  Confused by his statement I defended my behavior that day. “I wasn’t expecting you to show up like that and I know I can be stubborn at times but you have to know I was grateful for whatever you did to help me heal.”

  He laughed. “That’s not what I’m saying. It’s not that I regret healing you. I believe the storm that day was an attack. There was something in the air—it wasn’t right. The same thing happened the night the John F. Kennedy went down. Remember I told you about the girl who could manipulate the weather? Well I couldn’t help but think that someone was using the weather against us.”

  “I remember the story—but you said she had the power of a storm you didn’t say anything about her being able to control all aspects of the weather.” Suddenly I wanted to hear the tale.

  “The storm was her demise, so I guess that’s the part that everyone remembers but she could create snow in the desert or make the sun hot enough to melt glaciers in the arctic.”

  “Was she real or was she a merperson?”

  “Are you saying that merpeople aren’t real?” He didn’t give me a chance to answer. “We are real Seraphin.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  Cutting me off, he continued explaining. “There are many stories; some true and some are meant to teach a lesson. I don’t know if she actually walked this earth at one point in time. Up until recently I didn’t think it possible for someone to manipulate the weather. Merpeople have always been labeled with such abilities—being blamed for great storms that destroyed enormous ships. ”

  “Why do you and Nasani think the John F. Kennedy was attacked?”

  “Because I sensed the threat—it’s another gift I have. I can sense when someone means to do harm, whether it is directed at me or the people around me.”

  “Is that why you thought I was in danger? Why you forced yourself on board?”

  He sighed. “Not entirely.”

  “Then why did you throw such a fit—telling me it was dangerous? Obviously you knew something was going to happen.”

  His hands met his forehead then his fingers moved through his hair. “I didn’t know—well, I didn’t know for sure, I suspected something. More so, I worried that I put you in danger the day I healed you. It’s possible that they know you were with me.”

  “Who?”

  “The people who don’t like me, let’s just leave it at that for now.” With dark eyes he moved across the cavern.

  Sensing the tension, I shifted the conversation. “Where did you go when you left me in the cabin on the John F. Kennedy?”

  “I met up with Nasani. We took a dive so we could talk without anyone overhearing. When we noticed the storm begin, Nasani went back to the boat to help the rest of the crew. I waited in the water in case someone fell in.” His eyes lightened and he seemed to relax. A smile crossed his face as he continued. “Then, of all the people on the boat, you had to fall in.”

&
nbsp; With a tilt of my head I raised my eyebrows and shrugged my shoulders.

  “At first I thought you knew what you were. So I didn’t go after you right away, instead I climbed aboard and tried calming Ethan down. He was hysterical and nearly dove in to save you. I had to promise him I would save you before he would get into the rescue basket.”

  Tears swelled when I heard that Ethan almost risked his life to save mine. Quietly I mouthed his name and sighed. “Ethan.”

  Joseph went on to explain how he dove into the water to be sure I was safe. “You still hadn’t transformed. Then I realized, you didn’t know you could transform; you didn’t know what you were.”

  “All I know is that I was dead. The rest is just a theory.” Making sure he understood that I remained skeptical.

  He ignored me. “I didn’t want to get too close, I had transformed. Looking back, I should have saved you sooner but I was scared.”

  “Of what?”

  “Of your reaction—that you would think I was a freak.”

  “You are a freak.” I assured him, in a joking manner.

  We laughed.

  “I’m so sorry. I should have told you sooner.”

  “Well, if it’s any comfort, I wouldn’t have believed you. As a matter of fact, I have my doubts.”

  “How could you have doubts? You’re alive—which should have been impossible for an ordinary human being. You’re in a cavern under the Ionian Sea. AND, you just saw the lower half of my body turn into a fish tail. What other proof do you need?” His arms raised into the air in disbelief.

  “You saved me. As far as I can tell, you have amazing abilities—to heal with magical waves of energy—to swim at impossible depths; but just because you’re a mermaid, that doesn’t make me one.”

  “First of all…” Obviously flustered, “…I AM NOT a mermaid. I am a merman.”

  I laughed. “Oh, forgive—”

  He cut me off. “SECOND, you transformed right in front of me Seraphin. When I found you after the John F. Kennedy, you were in full-on mermaid-form; fish tail and all! So don’t act like I don’t know what I’m talking about.”

  I didn’t want to argue with him so I stood and quietly began to walk away. As I passed the waterfall, he caught me, grabbing my arm.

  “Please wait. I‘m sorry I raised my voice.” He stood behind me. “You have to trust me, it’s so dangerous for you right now and it’s not your fault. It’s my fault. Anyone who gets near me—”

  “Joseph?” I turned around just as a black shadow hand came through the waterfall next to us. It reached for me but Joseph shoved me against the wall. He grabbed a large wooden plank from the pile of debris, swinging at the shadow hand. It went instead for him, gripping his leg and pulling him into the waterfall.

  I screamed for Nasani but she didn’t hear.

  Then, without thinking, I jumped into the waterfall and found myself floating in pitch-black water, 13,000 feet under the Ionian Sea.

  TEN

  Now what?

  There was so much pressure. It was impossible to swim. The water was ice cold and dark. It encased me. Panic was close by and a feeling of claustrophobia set in—trapped. The opening to the waterfall was no longer visible. If I didn’t get my mind and body to cooperate, the chances of survival were slim.

  Please God. If Joseph was telling the truth and this is not a strange dream, now is the time for something magnificent to occur.

  The weight of the ocean was too much. Breath escaped and air bubbles tickled past my nose. Joseph had warned about the dangers of allowing salt water to enter my lungs. He was certain there would be no chance of recovery if it happened a second time. Already knowing the pain and suffering involved, I resisted—though I found it near impossible to fight my body’s instinct to draw breath. I floated in limbo, waiting for anything.

  For so long, there was only black—too deep for any light. Theoretically or scientifically speaking; I shouldn’t have been alive. The pressure at that depth was insurmountable. It alone should have killed me.

  After a while, shadowy shapes began to form in the distance. The contrast between my light skin and the black pants I wore showed itself. Much like being in a dark room, my eyes dilated to their fullest, allowing the slightest variations in darkness to register.

  Still, no gills appeared; my legs remained unchanged.

  The cold crept through, numbing my fingers and toes first. My forearms and calves were next—I wondered if the sea could claim me. Joseph said it was near impossible to drown but surely there would be no surviving when the cold reached into my chest and slowed my heart to a stop.

  With only an ounce of fight remaining, I began to kick my unfeeling legs. At first, the sinking continued. Anger surged inside—Ms. Z was missing—Joseph was now missing—am I missing too? Would I ever see my home again? My lovely house in Maine—would I see Ethan again? He probably thinks I’m dead—but I’m not dead, am I? I am very much alive.

  Perhaps this was the end? It sure didn’t feel that way though, if felt like the beginning of something. The beginning of my life with unbelievable possibilities—it must be real and why not? If this were all a lie, surely death would have captured me by now. Yet, still I remain.

  Staring into the darkness, twinkling lights began to flash. Lines of brightness, like a child’s glow toy, began forming and pushing through the distant water. Neon colors of blue, purple and pinks formed tiny umbrella shapes as they came near. Jelly fish! They moved gracefully and the bioluminescence coming from within their bodies was enchanting. Hundreds of them lit the immediate area—yet they kept their distance forming a ring.

  Were they curious? What did they want?

  I could do them no harm; surely they knew that the upper hand was not mine.

  Slowly they began to spiral into a cone, surrounding me. The pressure of the water decreased. Were they helping me—somehow able to reduce the weight of the water?

  I reached with my arms, grabbing. My legs kicked harder and faster until they began to burn with ache. Still the jelly fish swarmed like bees protecting their queen. The water began to pass. I was going up.

  Then I wanted it. I yearned for a tail—a large glorious fin. My legs came together and with one deliberate kick, I was stronger than the ocean.

  A thin layer of scales started at my ankles and slid up my legs—encasing them completely. My feet grew flat and long, like Joseph’s had been; shaped like the caudal fin of a fish. Though, mine was much more ornate than his, with several layers that spread in the water, thin and beautiful like fabric floating. When I tried to wiggle my toes, the fin danced at my control. Running my hands down the smooth scales that covered my lower body, I could hardly believe it was so. On my hips, small gills had formed yet—I still had to resist the urge to breathe with my lungs.

  The jelly fish exploded out of formation and faded into the darkness below.

  The water rushed past my face as I swam faster than I could ever imagine possible. Senses were heightened—the sounds of the jelly fish below were joyous. The water tasted fresh and smooth and salt coated my body, protecting it from the cold.

  Then I heard him calling to me and I followed.

  Seraphin, you are doing it. I need your help. Follow my voice. Joseph’s voice rang through my head and instantly I was able to determine how far he was and how fast I needed to swim to catch up. I also knew that he wasn’t alone, someone was near him.

  His voice led me to a coral reef, overcrowded with fish. I swam around; searching for him. The water rippled and someone came towards me—though I couldn’t see anyone, I could feel. Somehow I knew it wasn’t Joseph. It whipped past me so fast I spun around several times before regaining my bearings.

  Still I searched; he gave off a distress signal. The signal was weaker and I could no longer hear his voice in my head. My senses brought me to a large overhang covered with sea mollusks and a vast, flat sea creature pressed firmly against the reef. It spun around and I met its face. I knew instant
ly it was harmless but could still sense Joseph underneath the creature’s body.

  How was I going to move a sea creature? I swam behind it; it had a long tail with a stinger on the end. I thought about pulling the tail but common sense kicked in and I decided that wasn‘t the best plan. After all, it seemed safe but even a puppy bites when its tail is pulled.

  The creature lifted up the side of it’s large thin body, it must have been nearly 12 feet wide, and slapped it down against the reef. A large push of water raced towards and knocked me head over fin. I swam back, giggling a little.

  My best option was to use the water to move it, as it did to me. I folded in half, pulling my new lower body close. Then with all the energy I could conjure, I thrust my large fin against the rock. A push of water raised the creature and sent it floating wildly away from the reef.

  A small tunnel was revealed and as I crept closer, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. It was dark and I couldn’t see inside. I reached down and someone grabbed my hand, before I had time to react I was being pulled away by, to my surprise, Joseph.

  I could hear him in my head again; he was amused—sounding like a mad man.

  Seraphin, you were amazing! He laughed, pulling me to his chest and hugging me tight. I loved the attention. Though, I was confused, he seemed so calm for having just been fish-napped. Let’s go to the surface, I’ll explain what just happened.

  He signaled for me to follow. At times he raced ahead, showing off with flips and dives. For the most part though, he swam beside me; gesturing for me to imitate his movements. It was shocking how much energy flowed through my body, I felt like I could swim without ever growing weary.

  After what seemed like a few miles, he reached out his hand for me. He placed his other hand in front of us and a protective water dome formed around our bodies. Like a torpedo we shot through the water, I couldn’t begin to estimate how fast we were traveling.

  We slowed down as we came near the surface. I could see the sunlight and feel the warm water surround my body. It had been over a month since the John F. Kennedy—I’d never been away from the sky for that long. The sun floated like a blurry orb above the surface. It was so intense that I had to squint.