“I-I don’t know how…” Her screams reached an unearthly decibel. “Please don’t be mad at me. Just wanted you n-not to worry.”
Holding her hands, I said, “I’m not mad.”
“You have to go…w-win.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.”
“She won’t be alone.” King Tombolo and a group of mer-healers appeared behind us. “We got your call for help. We’ll take care of her, don’t worry. Go. You can still catch Katrina,” he said, squeezing my shoulders. “Your mermobile is faster and, from what I hear, you’re a much better driver.”
“Go, baby girl.”
“I love you,” I said.
“I lov—” Her eyes turned yellow and black as her cries sounded more and more like a dying aquatic creature.
“Marina, you have to go,” said the king.
Reluctantly, I sprinted to the mermobile and powered away. In very little time, I saw the lights and cameras of eager reporters awaiting the action. As I neared, I spotted Katrina, slithering from her vehicle and booking for the shore, for the finish.
I still had a chance.
With one more blazer left in the tank, I pushed the button and slid the mermobile right up next to hers. Leaving the vehicle behind, I turned on the Savior speed.
I cut through the water, raced to the beach…and caught her with just inches before crossing the white circle. Me…Katrina…me…Katrina…
“TOO CLOSE TO CALL!” screamed Kori as Katrina and I crossed into the circle at precisely the same time. “WE HAVE A PHOTO FINISH! What an end!”
Jex and my teammates ran over to collect my puny, exhausted body from the sand.
“So proud of you, Savior!” shouted Jex.
“Okay, we have the photo!” Kori gestured the screens. “And the winner of the face-off is…”
When the black and white picture popped up on the mega-screens, the tip of one girl’s fingernail was clearly across the line first.
“KATRINA ZALE! MERPEOPLE WIN THE OVERFALLS!”
“I lost by a nail,” I said, both disgusted and deflated.
“Her nails are fake!” shouted Polly. “It’s a fake win. Disqualify her. Now.”
“Nothing in the rules about fake nails, Polls,” said Jex. “Aw, Savior, don’t look so down. You did your best. All anyone can do. Eff the jack-offs who say otherwise, yeah?”
I nodded as my teammates—my family—assured me of their pride and total lack of disappointment…in me anyway.
Luxton Vipor stepped onto the field holding Katrina’s wish jar, twelve medals, an envelope, and a trophy. “First, and foremost, congratulations to both teams on creating a historic and memorable Overfalls. You should all be very proud. Normals, your efforts were courageous and inspiring. Marina, you gave an unparalleled performance. This trophy was handcrafted from man-made gems by acclaimed prize crafter and Hoodoo Council member, Linus Raines.” He handed Jex the envelope and runner-up trophy and placed a silver sand dollar medal around each of our necks. “Congratulations!”
We bowed and waved to the crowd as they showered us in cheers.
“And now, team Merpeople. Your achievements and come-from-behind victory will motivate generations of your kind.” After giving each of them a gold sand dollar medal, he said, “Katrina, please release your wish.”
Katrina removed the lid. Into the balmy night, a beautiful, sparkling thread formed words against the navy sky. Katrina then proceeded to read her wish aloud. “Seeing atrocious violence is our regret. Merps unite, share, trust…serenity holds infinite freedom today. We simply wish for peace.”
“What a crock!” I said, rather loudly. Luckily, the crowd’s approval muffled my disgust. “This coming from the bitch who’s really The Dealer and tried to kill my mom and baby sister or brother.”
“Come again?!” yelped Jex.
“Long, long story.”
“What do you say to some root beers at Hambury?” Ophelia suggested.
“Oh, I think we definitely warrant some root beers,” I said. “Add frosted mugs, and it’ll be perfect.”
“Do I have to lug this thing around? I did all the coaching, you know,” said Jex, hoisting it over his shoulder. “You lot were a disjointed mess before me.”
“Oh, Good Christ, just give it to me,” growled Meikle.
When she grabbed it from his hands, the light from Katrina’s wish, still burning brightly in the sky, reflected off one of the jewels…a red jewel.
“WAIT!” Flipping the trophy around, a victorious grin stretched across my face. I pointed to the warm stone, and said, “Looks like we won after all.”
“It’s one of the two missing Prehendo Animus stones!” Ophelia squealed.
“Eff yeah, and eff them,” said Meikle, giving them the finger.
“HEY! CONGRATS KATRINA…YOU KNOW…ON THE WIN AND ALL,” shouted Polly while we all pointed at the stone on the trophy.
Her scrunched up, piss-y little face brought laughs to our mer-friends and pure joy to we Normals.
Never underestimate the joy of being a winning loser.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Destructed
Hambury House. The past twenty-four hours have been an interesting mix of fear, pain, failure, worry, disappointment, triumph, and utter bliss. There was still no word on Mom, apart from Treeva repeatedly saying she was ‘fine.’ In my book, ‘fine’ was just a simple word for ‘everything sucks and I’m on the ragged edge of losing my crap.’
Sitting in the study, the sleepy Mer-Nor gang (yes, we’ve decided we need a group name, so we ripped it off of Mom and Treeva’s new university. We’re just that unimaginative) enjoyed some root beers and fielded inquiries, ideas, and your basic non-stop brain dump from an enthusiastic Doctor Tenly.
“Obviously, they didn’t know what they had,” said Doctor Tenly, tapping on the jar holding our newest soul snatching stone. “If they had, they certainly wouldn’t want you lot to have it.”
“Whatever the deal, we’re up on the count,” said Jex.
“Speaking of dealing...had any Dealer-dealt cards since the face-off?” asked Trey, stroking Airianna’s hair while she rested in his lap.
“Nope. Think The Dealer decided to stick with a game a little closer to home, like Go Fish,” I said, leaning against Troy’s chest. “Like what I did there? Or was it borderline lame? I feel like my punning power is waning.”
“Given the circumstances, I’d say it’s a half-power pun, but still rates better than most,” said Troy, kissing my forehead.
“Can’t believe Katrina was really The Dealer,” said Benji. “Middle names are like birthdays in our world…practically nonexistent.”
“I was surprised to hear the Imperia knew my middle name was Ellie,” said Airianna.
“Yeah, and it doesn’t help that the Zale’s keep all their family records locked up tighter than a nun after midnight,” added Jex.
“That’s inappropriately intellectual,” said Polly. “And I still say Katrina is too self-centered to pull off all we saw from The Dealer.”
“I dunno. She’s pretty twisted,” said Trey.
“I’m sure she wasn’t acting alone,” said Airianna. “Seems pretty clear Queen Zale was a driving force.”
“You can likely add King Zale, Kyle, Kathreena, and probably Kellan on some squat-like level,” offered Bobby.
“It’s weird, though,” I said. “She acted like she had no idea what I was talking about when I mentioned The Dealer.”
“Playing dumb,” said Meikle. “Part of the game.”
“Maybe,” I said. “Whatever their game, this part is over at least.”
“Precisely,” said Doctor Tenly. “Now is the time to focus on these two time-travel notes. I pieced together a few findings, and I think, if we turn to the Books of Scofendin, we’ll find our predetermined destinations. Somewhere in the past and future, we’ll find answers. Of course, I don’t know what the answers are for, exactly. Part of the fun, though, right? So, next step…Mari
na? Why are all of you looking at me so strangely?”
“Because you just went incoherent on us. Our brains aren’t ready for next-step-talk,” I said.
“Ah, hmm, well, I have to talk. Quite like hearing myself ponder,” said Doctor Tenly, rocking on his heels.
“As long as you keep to the ‘See Spritz Run’ comprehension level, we should be good,” I said, watching little Spritz jump on the couch and cuddle against Airianna, who couldn’t have been happier.
“So, simple stuff, then,” said Doctor Tenly to a room full of nodding heads. “Been thinking about why your trident seemed to take on a life of its own. You said it happened after your mom pushed it across the floor, yes?”
“Big yes.”
“Well, there’s only one explanation. It was the baby,” said Doctor Tenly.
“It was the what, now?” I asked.
“Doc thinks the baby knew its mommy and sister were in trouble, so it, uh, used whatever power it has to help out,” said Jex.
“That’s surprisingly considerate for an infant,” said Polly. “Most of them are just tiny blobs of burping, crapping flesh.”
“The baby…saved us?” I said in awe. Doctor Tenly smiled and nodded.
“Maybe you’d like to meet your mini-Savior?” From a secret passage hidden within Doctor Tenly’s bookcase, my beautiful mom emerged carrying a tiny pink bundle.
“You might want to make that mini-Saviors,” said Mr. Gibbs, following behind Mom. His arms cradled another tiny bundle, this one blue.
“Twins?!” I trilled, hopping up, along with everyone else, except Jex, who stayed back.
“Twins,” said Mom.
They were the most adorable babies on the planet, I swear. “What are their names?”
“So far…no idea,” said Mom.
“Mom, you and Mr. Gibbs have had a year to pick at least one name, and you’ve got nothing?”
“Not exactly,” said Mr. Gibbs. “They haven’t liked the names we picked for them.”
“Say huh?”
“This little peanut sticks her tongue out at every name we mention,” said Mom.
“And this guy…spits,” said Mr. Gibbs.
“Kids after my own heart,” I said, touching each of their rosy cheeks. “Like big sis, like little sis and brother. Isn’t that right?” HOLY. “They smiled and nodded!”
“Their intelligence is superior, unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” said Treeva, closing the secret passage.
“Babies are freaky little crapsters,” said Jex. “Not a fan.”
Looking down into their precious faces, I said, “Thank you for saving our lives.” This time, they giggled, tooted, then giggled some more. “So, not completely un-baby after all, are ya, huh?” A strange, foreign sound consumed the room. It was on the fringe of terrifying. “Meeks…you’re cooing.”
“Shut up, and never mention it again,” she said.
“Can I hold one?” asked Airianna. “Please, please, please.”
“Looks like little girl wants to go to her Auntie Airi,” said Mom, handing my baby sister to Airianna, her tiny little arms outstretched for my surrogate mer-sister.
“We have to protect the babies. Queen Zale—” I started.
“Won’t get near them,” said Treeva. “David and I have already been safeguarding an undetectable wing of Mer-Nor University for your mom, Mr. Gibbs, and the babies. Since you’ll be living there, too, we figured it would be perfect.”
“Wow, yeah, it sounds like a good start,” I said. “Where is Mer-Nor University?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” said Mom, grinning at Treeva and Doctor Tenly.
“Yeah, well, I brought a bundle to the party.” Jex emptied the contents of his robes on the coffee table, which included the envelope that came with our trophy.
“What was in the envelope?” asked Benji.
“Huh? Oh, just a transcript of Katrina’s wish,” said Jex, still sifting about his robes. “Here we go.” He set my wish jar on the table. “Uncorking it will only cause it to evaporate, but I thought Gully might like it for a nightlight or something.” He winked at me.
Gully, her eyes wide, quickly grabbed the jar. “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my—oh, Marina, you wished for all imprisoned Normals everywhere to be freed and allowed to live as equals with everyone else.”
“You can read it through the jar?” I asked.
“Oh, sure,” she said, scratching her head. “That would have been a nice wish to come true.”
Polly narrowed her eyes on me. “It’s not as eloquent as Katrina’s. Couldn’t you have been more prolific?”
“Polls, my idea of prolific involves words like ass, crap, crud, and dang. You’re not getting a poet with my brain. You’re lucky to get sense.”
“This is true. Well argued.”
The babies giggled like crazy, sending us all into hysterics. Our family was happy and, at least for the time being, safe. It felt really nice.
“Must Savior shift prevail…we without…” In Gully’s hands was the transcript of Katrina’s wish, only none of the words read were part of what we heard at the close of the Overfalls.
I stood up. “Wait. Maile?”
“On it,” said Maile, hurrying to tighten Gully’s hair.
“Gully, read Katrina’s wish again,” I said.
“Savior must shift. Without Savior, we finally…prevail,” she said, casting her worried eyes up at me. “This was her real wish, not what we heard, not what we saw. I was too busy staring at the trophy to pay attention to what was written in the sky, I guess. They probably didn’t worry about me actually decoding it because I’m…so…flaky.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Gully,” I said. “And you’re not flaky. You’re your own magic. Don’t down yourself, okay?” She smiled the smallest relieved smile imaginable. “Doctor? They asked the stars to help rid the universe of my ass, right?”
“Indeed. They wish to rid themselves and, consequently, this world of the Savior.”
“Is that even legal?” asked Mom. “Jex?”
“Wish is a wish and separate from the realms of heaven,” said Jex. “Even bad wishes, like bad nightmares, can come true.”
Troy’s eyes were furious. “‘Savior must shift.’ What do they mean by that?”
Doctor Tenly glanced at Gully, but she shook her head solemnly. “We don’t know. Relocate, possibly?”
“Yeah, relocate me right into an ashy pile of scatter-able nothingness,” I said.
“Aw, are we gonna let a little morbid subtext ruin the party?” said Jex. “Can’t we have one day of proper fun? Besides, I want to see that shiny little present out front.”
“JEX!” shouted Treeva.
“What shiny little present?” I asked.
“We wanted to surprise you, Marina,” said Treeva. “I’m not sure now is the—”
“Now is the perfect time. Look, so what if Kat-litter wished for my death. It’s not anything new. I’m still wearing the smite-colored bull’s eye, right? They want me dead. Period. This wish is just some new-fangled notion of how to get the job done. And the crazy, brilliant brains in this room will figure out what they’re up to and stop it. Nothing has changed in the Marina-must-die saga.”
“Marina’s right,” said Troy. “The one sure way they win, is if we let them ruin the fun we carve out.”
“So, to get back to the carving…what’s the shiny little something?” I asked.
“Look out the window,” said Doctor Tenly, smiling.
Pulling back the heavy drapes, I immediately spotted my silver mermobile sitting in the U-turn of the driveway, all fixed up and waiting for a spin.
“Are you kidding me?” I shouted. “It’s mine?!”
“It’s yours,” said Treeva. “The racing commission felt it only right you have it for any underwater travels, both as the Savior and as, and I quote, ‘One helluva driver, for a Normal girl.’”
“Does this mean I can drive it on l
and?” I asked, rather dumbly.
“Well, it is parked on land, so…” Troy teased.
“Thanks, Captain Obvious,” I said, nudging him.
“Welcome, Captain Oblivious.”
“Ooh, you’re good, aren’t ya?”
“That’s not fair. I worked hard in the Overfalls. I want one. Get me one. Now,” said Polly huffily.
“We can all drive it,” I said. “Can’t we? I mean, I’m cool with sharing.”
“You can all share, if you like,” said Doctor Tenly.
“Are you nuts?! Share a beauty like that? You’re outta your wits, Savior,” said Jex, suddenly grabbing hold of his wings.
“Shall we go see your new ride, Marina?” squealed Airianna, handing my baby sister back to Mom.
“Aw, bloody, bleeding feathers. Right in time to screw up the fun part. Must go. Gettin’ called. One of your ilk,” said Jex, pointing at Treeva, Troy, and the rest of the merps, “is about to go piss-crazy and eff everything up.” Jex soared through the ceiling, dropping a few feathers as he did.
“Zoom-zoom time!” I squealed like a dork.
As we walked outdoors on a glorious summer afternoon, we rattled on about college, love, weather, and speedy vehicles.
“Still think I deserve primary rights to the mer-car-thing,” said Polly.
“You can hardly control yourself,” said Meikle, holding hands with Bobby. “Wouldn’t want to see you out on the streets with actual pedestrians and buildings to demolish.”
“Want to have dinner tonight?” I heard Trey ask Airianna. “I have a special something for you.”
“For me? Really? Of course I’ll have dinner with you. Where else would I be?” I could actually hear the smile on Airianna’s face.
“What’s going on up there?” said Troy, gently tapping the top of my head.
Looking at the faces of all my friends—my family—I realized this was probably the most normal moment we’ve ever had together (mermobile notwithstanding). If anyone from our old world happened upon us, they’d see nothing more than a group of ordinary teens, hanging out.
“Happiness. That’s what’s going on up there. Actual, real happiness,” I said, squeezing his hand.
OVERFALLS (The Merworld Water Wars, Book 2) Page 38
