“Focus on the land—the wind will take the storm.” She was directing me, helping me to focus my power but the rational part of me wouldn’t let go.
“WHAT LAND?” We were in the middle of nowhere. “Where are the scientists?”
“They are everywhere Seraphin. This Earth belongs to the ocean. Flood the islands that foolish humans call their continents—cleanse the world of the human race. Bring about a massive flood to punish them; to show them they do not belong here.” Her voice was disturbing.
This is wrong. I’m going to kill people. What is the matter with me? I dropped to the balcony, curling my arms around my knees—covering my ears. Only God should have such power.
“What are you doing? Why are you stopping?—help me rebuild the world.”
I whispered, “By first destroying it?”
Ms. Z hollered in frustration. Her words were cruel. The truth hurt. “You stupid girl, what has this world given you but heartache. I’ve been the only one there for you and you turn your back on me?” She moved past me on the balcony and I watched; not knowing exactly what she was capable of. “KILL HIM!”
Two men pulled Ethan into my line of sight. He struggled.
Ms. Z’s voice was suddenly softer, “Will this make you angry enough dear?”
I jumped to my feet and charged the woman. She was no longer my beloved teacher. In a matter of seconds she had turned into an enemy—threatening Ethan’s life. A mass came from the shadows before I could grab her. My feet dangling as the man with the tattoo across his face lifted me in the air. I kicked at him—trying to free myself. “You can’t do this. Let him go!”
“That boy is inferior to us Seraphin. They all are. Why should they freely walk this planet while we hide in caves?”
Did she really believe that? Ethan was her student.
I watched as the two men pulled Ethan across the deck to the stern of the boat. They stood directly over the propellers. Pleading with the merpeople in the water, I shouted, “Please save him.”
No one could hear. They were still holding their heads in pain, oblivious to the situation playing out. The men lifted Ethan—I screamed, hiding my face in the burly arms that held me prisoner.
Ms. Z commanded. “JOSEPH, STOP!”
When I opened my eyes, Joseph shot out of the water like a cannon. Transforming back to two legs, mid-air; he landed on one of the men, knocking him down. A crow bar was near the area where Ethan had been working earlier. Joseph picked it up and struck the remaining man in the knee. He fell to the deck in pain, freeing Ethan from his hold.
“Aunt Doreh.” Joseph turned his face to the balcony where we stood. “Give up. Seraphin will never hurt innocent people. Your plan has failed.”
But her plan almost didn’t fail. I fell for her coaxing. Did Joseph know all along what her plans were? Why didn’t he warn me?
“She will if she loses control.” Ms. Z said, too low for Joseph to hear. She closed her eyes and began a seamless chanting of unrecognizable words.
The man holding me grew excited. “Yeah Z! Bring out the big dog. That’ll shut ‘em up.”
There was a disturbance under the surface of the water and a few dozen merpeople shot away from the rising air bubbles. Ms. Z continued to chant. Joseph and Ethan ran to the railing to investigate.
I wanted to be free of the burly man’s arms. I sunk my teeth into his arm and then threw my head back into his face. I heard a bone crack. Ms. Z was in a trance—I ran to her but the man threw his arms out, pushing me in anger. My back hit the railing along the balcony. I tried to grab something, but there was nothing to hang on to. Wind rushed around my body; I was falling, the hard wooden deck was five stories below.
Joseph yelled, “SERAPHIN! NO!”
Before I hit, a wave washed over the side of the George Washington, grabbing my body and surrounding it; protecting it. I felt Joseph’s arms wrap around me and as the wave cleared, I remained in them—safe.
“Joey! That was awesome!” Ethan ran over, helping us to our feet. He was soaking wet having just been engulfed by the same wave that saved me.
Joseph seemed stunned. “I didn’t know—I’ve never done that before. The water just followed me.”
It was the same thing that happened the day I saved him from the Sirens. We looked at one another, wondering what else we could be capable of.
The three of us huddled together. “What are we going to do with Ms. cray-Z?” Ethan asked, pulling his shirt off and wringing it out. “More importantly, what am I going to tell Dr. Radski? The deck is trashed.”
I glanced around; the deck was littered with whale tagging equipment. “Where is everyone else? The crew? The Captain? And what is she chanting?”
Ms. Z remained in a trance as the air bubbles breaking through the surface of the water grew more massive. The merpeople moved further away from the George Washington. They pointed at the disturbance and waved their arms in warning.
Ethan and I looked at Joseph as if he had the answers to all our questions. “What is she doing? What’s down there?”
“I don’t know!” He began to ramble, panic grew in his voice.
“You were just in the water, what were you doing?” Ethan asked; his voice was accusatory.
“They tricked me into leaving the boat.” Joseph turned to me. “I thought you were in trouble Seraphin. When I realized my aunt tricked me, I called for help, sending out a distress signal. If she’s doing what I think, we need help. We can’t handle IT alone. I hope someone heard my call.”
A sudden burst of water broke his train of thought. A massive tentacle glided along the surface towards the boat. It was black and covered with scales. Even before Ms. Z said it, I knew where I had seen it before. The creature attached to the tentacle had carried my father to his death.
“Seraphin,” her voice was an evil laugh. “Do you want to meet the beast that left you an orphan?”
“No.” I whispered too low for her to hear—frozen in terror.
Joseph stepped in front of me. “Get back Seraphin.”
The boat began to sway, quickly working its way into a violent tip. Equipment slammed the railings, breaking into pieces. Ethan bent down; picking up a large harpoon with a radar device attached to the end. “What beast?” He shouted; ready for battle.
Joseph confirmed my fears. “It’s Leviathan, brace yourselves.”
Leviathan rammed the side of the vessel.
“Aunt Doreh, what could you have promised this creature to have so much control over it?” He shouted with disbelief.
She laughed again—standing on the balcony with her arms spread wide. “I will deliver the souls of all those useless human beings.”
“And in exchange, what did you get?” I asked.
“I got what I wanted—the most powerful children on earth, all to myself. You belong to me. I took you in when no one loved you—the unwanted son of a worthless ruler. And you Seraphin, I fostered you—guided you. For that, you owe me. I dedicated my life to you. You will do as I command or Leviathan will deliver every soul on this boat to the gates of Hell.”
“What is it that you command?” I asked.
“To flood the Earth so we can have a new beginning; together you will rebuild the population. Seraphin, you will be the mother of all kind and Joseph, the father. Your children will praise you for bringing them into our new world. No longer will we hide, frightened.” Her voice was passionate. The man with the tattoo nodded his head in agreement. She turned her focus to her nephew. “Joseph, imagine a life where you can break the surface—breaching higher than you’ve ever thought possible. A world where there are no secrets, no goonches; only the children of the Guardians, perfect children.”
“What about the other merpeople, are we to kill them as well?” I asked.
Joseph questioned me with his eyes.
“Those who pledge their loyalty to us will survive. The rest will have to face Leviathan.” She was so sure of herself, thinking I was convinced of her pl
an as well. “Seraphin, I ask you to call upon your gifts now. Create a storm to end all with waves that cover the desert. Fill the valleys and leave no mountain exposed—wash away the infestation on land so that we all shall live the way we were meant to live. This is what you were born to do.”
“Is this the only solution?” It seemed extreme, but I didn’t let my opinion be known.
Joseph was puzzled. “Seraphin, you can’t possibly be considering—your powers were meant to save.”
I laughed. “Let’s be honest, Joseph. My powers are destructive; I don’t care what you say. Do you really feel that lightening and violent winds can save lives? Do you believe that my lightening and winds compare to your healing abilities?” I wasn’t curious. I knew he was superior. I was conducting a test. Where did his loyalties lie? “Joseph, perhaps we were meant to do this? The sea would again be safe for all marine life. That’s why we are here, right?”
“Seraphin?” disappointment filled his voice. “You can’t do this. I won’t join you in killing innocent people—I’ll stop you, if I have to.”
And that was all I needed to hear. I smiled knowing that I made the right decision.
“Ms. Z, where shall I begin? What will make you the happiest? When will you find peace?” Enthusiastic in my questioning, I controlled my expression—stalling, not wanting to reveal my thoughts until the perfect moment.
“My dear, Seraphin,” with outstretched arms she gestured for Leviathan to retreat, which is what I was hoping she’d do. “I always knew I could count on you. You will make me happy—I will find peace and so shall you.”
“Do you think?” I moved closer, looking up. My voice was eager.
“NO!” Joseph moved to me, taking my arm. He urged me to reconsider. It was cute that he fell for my deception and I silently praised myself for being a good enough actress to fool even him. “I will go against you if I have to Seraphin. We save lives, not take them.”
Finally, I saw Ethan. He raised the harpoon. No one else noticed.
Then I let loose all my anger. It was directed at Ms. Z. “Will I be at peace watching my children grow but knowing that I slaughtered others. Am supposed live with the myself knowing that I was the one responsible for filling their helpless lungs with death while their mothers’ lifeless bodies float nearby?”
Ms. Z’s expression hardened.
Thunder rolled in the distance. Dark clouds began to circle.
Though my soul ached with rage, I calmly questioned the evil woman that stood on the balcony above me. “Will I find happiness watching sharks enter living rooms and feast on the corpses of dead families?”
Lightning cracked.
Ms. Z caught on to my deception. She lifted her arm and began chanting, calling the monster back to kill.
“Hey old lady, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Ethan stood behind her, the harpoon only inches from her head. He spoke to the man with the tattoo across his face. “If you take one step forward I’ll kill her where she stands.”
“You don’t have the nerve boy.” Ms. Z doubted Ethan.
“I don’t? Aren’t you the one who almost had me tossed overboard? Why don’t you try me?” Ethan was furious.
Joseph checked to be sure Leviathan did not hear Ms. Z’s call. The surface of the water remained calm.
Completely in control, I willed the storm to do as I commanded. The electricity was building in the air. Flashes danced across the sky, and for a moment, everything remained still. My eyes on Ms. Z; her eyes on Joseph; Ethan watched the burly, tattooed man while he watched Ms. Z. No one would make a move. There’s no telling how long we would have remained locked in time, had it not been for Nasani. With ease and ignorance she stepped onto her balcony, adjacent to the one where Ethan held Ms. Z captive.
It took only a second.
First, Joseph’s eyes shifted.
Ms. Z called for Leviathan—she moved her arms, waving them at the water then twisting to point at Nasani on the balcony.
Ethan understood what was happening, he shouted. “Nasani, get inside.”
Nasani held Ethan’s panicked gaze but didn’t move.
The man with the tattoo leaned in, ready to attack Ethan. A bolt of lightning struck—the man collapsed.
Joseph cheered. “Nice work Seraphin!”
Ms. Z’s attention turned to me. “You think you’re in control girl? You have no idea how out of touch you are with those powers. Try to overcome these emotions,” then she confessed to the most horrific crime. “I was the one who had your father killed. I watched as Leviathan crushed him. Oh, but I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
Rage and fury, those are the only words to describe how I felt.
“You stupid girl, you made it so easy. You brought him right to me. Any protection Orin Bindolestiv placed on him was broken the moment you demanded his attention.” Then she mocked. “Look at me Samuel Shedd! Yes, look at your daughter while I kill you.”
The clip played in my head though I didn’t blackout; on the beach; in the water. I wasn’t alone. It was so clear. Her eyes were in the water, she urged me to disobey.
Bolt after bolt of lightning struck the balcony where Ms. Z stood. Ethan was thrown onto his back into the penthouse suite. Only she remained exposed.
“Brace yourself, it’s coming back.” Joseph warned.
Leviathan rammed the George Washington again. Nasani was thrown over the balcony but managed to hang on to the railing. The woman with the white hair appeared, reaching her hand to help Nasani.
“Vanita, stay back!” Joseph shouted. “Nasani, let go!”
Nasani dangled from only one arm as the woman approached. “Mother, please help me.” She pleaded.
Joseph shouted again, “LET GO!”
Vanita Caro approached her daughter, grabbing her by the arm. Nasani smiled right before her mother whispered, “Sweetheart, Joseph said to let go. I thought you did everything he asked of you? Why stop now?” Then she did the unthinkable and dropped her daughter 5 stories.
I gasped, unable to help.
But Joseph came to her rescue, sending a rush of water that cushioned her fall.
Ms. Z raised her arms—directing them to Nasani.
Three tentacles reached out of the ocean; over the railing of the boat; sliding along the deck to where Nasani was.
“JOSEPH!” She screamed in terror. “DO SOMETHING!”
He grabbed the crow bar and began striking the massive, scaly arms. Leviathan continued, persistent in his mission.
I called lightning from the sky again—blasting the balcony. Finally, the wooden structure could withstand no more. The platform broke free of the suite. Ms. Z fell with it, but instead of crashing into the deck her body turned to water. Clear, with only her angry eyes visible, she poured herself into the ocean.
I feel as though I should defend myself before proceeding. I have always been a cautious person—especially when it comes to electricity. That day, however, my mind was elsewhere. You’ve got to understand that I had just been told my favorite teacher, a woman I respected, killed my father. Nothing but hatred filled my mind and when she escaped, my anger turned to the beast that did her bidding. True, I wanted to destroy anything connected to Ms. Z—except for one person. I made a terrible mistake and disregarded elementary science.
Metal conducts electricity. Joseph was waving a metal crowbar in the air. I wasn’t watching him; I had my eyes on Leviathan. So, when he raised the only weapon he had, hoping to strike Leviathan, lightning struck Joseph—my lightning. And, he was thrown unconscious.
Joseph.
Everything moved in slow motion, including myself. Leviathan’s tentacle wrapped around Nasani but she had stopped screaming. She watched Joseph—waiting for a sign of life. His body remained motionless—smoke rising from his skin.
Joseph.
Nasani and I locked eyes. I had to make a choice—she knew. “Save him.”
“No.” I took a step towards her.
�
��NO! You can still save him. The world needs the two of you—not me. Even my own father and mother know that.” She stopped struggling as Leviathan lifted her off of the George Washington. Tears dropped from her eyes.
I ran to Joseph. His heart was still beating. Water flooded the deck—rushing under my feet. I slipped—falling and sliding. The vessel began to tip and the water carried me away from him. When I turned, Leviathan’s face had surfaced. It smelled of death and its crust looked like decaying flesh. With the facial structure that mimicked that of the ancient dinosaurs, it let out an earth-shattering roar.
Nasani went limp.
First a loud ringing vibrated through my eardrum then I could no longer hear. Complete silence. I reached up, touching my left ear, blood smeared across my fingers.
The water’s had cleared—the injured merpeople knew better than to wait around. Their ears had taken the first blow from Leviathan. A ploy by Ms. Z to fool me into believing human scientists had done harm to them.
Without the ability to hear, my balance was thrown off. I stumbled, experiencing vertigo. Everything was spinning. I tried closing my eyes and crawling, but I only slid further away from Joseph.
Ethan emerged from the broken penthouse—the harpoon on his shoulder. He released, it penetrated the thick scales of the creature and though I could not hear—I felt the vibrations of a painful roar.
Nasani remained entangled in its tentacles.
Ethan held his ears, his mouth wide open. The Petoskey stone flew past my head, hitting the creature’s hard scales—doing no damage at all. Ethan would not give up. He disappeared; only to reappear in mid air, soaring towards the creature. Landing on top of the beasts rotting skull, he punched at its eyes and pulled at its rotting flesh—trying desperately to free Nasani.
Then, they disappeared. Leviathan returned to the water with my friends.
The man I was destined to marry lay face down, unconscious.
Why was I the only one left untouched?
Everything and everyone around me was destroyed. Ethan and Nasani were gone—both selfless in trying to save another. Nasani sacrificed herself—Ethan ruthless in his attempt at saving her. And I, the supposed hero—the Guardian—a failure.
When, at last, he found me. Page 26
