The Pariah Child- Sarafina's Return

by Natasha D Lane

Sarah blinked repeatedly, yet there was no light. She flailed out for something in front of her only to find her hands empty. A vacant bubbling sound mimicked her movements.

  Sarah pushed upward and away from the water’s bottom. Gradually, the darkness dwindled, a bright moon took shape, and she broke the water’s surface.

  Gasping for air, Sarah peered around her. A light rain was coming down, hiding everything in the distance. The night and rain blurred the darkness together, an endless canvas of black.

  The waves roared to life, illuminated by the slivers of moon as they moved upward, crashing against a figure in the distance. Sarah moved toward the large rock.

  There was something caught on her foot. Fear gripping at her, Sarah attempted to swim away from whatever had her yet its hold did not slacken.

  She reached below the water and caught hold of her captor, pulling him up from the watery depths. What stared back at her was her knotted dirty dress. She sighed.

  There had been no monster after all. Only her ruined dress.

  Treading the water, Sarah felt around her body. Though the cold would not allow it to show, a blush had crept across Sarah’s cheeks. She was completely naked.

  Embarrassment fueling her, she untangled the dress and slipped it over her head. Sarah looked around once more and spotted the protruding rock, the closest piece of land as far as she could tell.

  The rain became more forceful, nearly blocking out the moon completely with its speed. Sarah blinked away the droplets clinging to her face. She kept the rock in sight and soon it was within arm’s reach.

  Both Sarah and the rock were soaked from the rain and water. She struggled to get a firm grasp, finally deciding to wrap her entire body around the stone. She edged up from its base, just nearly reaching the top.

  She peered over the water. The rain was heavy and the sea infuriated. The storm showed no signs of letting up.

  She pressed her forehead into the stone, before taking several deep breaths. Her body had become nothing more than shivers and spasms.

  She allowed what she had just done to sink in, let it settle into her mind while she took thankful breaths of air. Eventually, she calmed.

  Sarah rested her head flat on the rock and closed her eyes.

  She was alive, she had found temporary sanctuary, and she knew exactly where she was.

  Lyrica.

  “We need to tell Mother.”

  “She might have woken up and left by time we do that. Plus, Mother is a slow swimmer.”

  “She is not! You take that back, Reina.”

  “And why don’t you stop whining, Finley?”

  “I’m not whining!”

  “You are!”

  Sarah cracked her eyes open. Every part of her felt dry and tight, like an old piece of salted leather which had been soaked and left out too long in the sun. Her body was still knotted around the rock.

  “You’re the worst sister I’ve ever had.”

  “I’m the only one you’ve ever had, you barnacle.”

  There was a gasp.

  “You’re not supposed to use that word. I’m telling Mother—”

  “Well, you tell her everything anyway, why not that?”

  Sarah arched her neck up to look over at who had woken her. A young boy and girl were treading the water on the front side of the stone. They both had light brown skin with wavy dark brown hair cascading down their backs. The girl’s hair moved past her shoulders, much longer than her brother’s.

  The two continued squabbling. It was obvious they were siblings and the boy was the younger of the two. Sarah also quickly realized he was very much a mama’s boy.

  “If Mother were here, she’d give you a fin spanking,” the boy said, sniffling.

  The girl rolled her eyes. “I’m too old for a fin spanking. And when Father returns, I’m going to tell him how big a baby you’ve been.”

  “I have not!”

  “Have so.”

  “Have not!”

  “Have so.”

  “Uh…excuse me?”

  They froze, eyes large and locked on one another.

  Sarah waited for them to turn to her.

  Neither moved.

  “Alright. This is going to be an odd question. Could either of you—”

  Plop, plop!

  Their beautiful green tails had disappeared almost as soon as they had appeared. Sarah forced her arms free from the rock and pushed herself to its edge.

  The sun was beating down on the sea, so she could clearly see them in the water.

  She reached out with both aching arms, then turned them inward toward herself. The sea’s waves moved with her, pulling the two siblings from their escape.

  When they were within reach again, Sarah eased the water back to the base of her little piece of land. She was panting.

  The boy hid behind his sister and clung to her waist. She studied Sarah. Her hands were fists by her side.

  “You’re not human?” the young girl asked.

  Sarah shook her head. “Not in the way Lyrica thinks of humans, at least.”

  “A-are you a witch?” the boy stuttered, still hiding behind his sister. “Are you the ones working with the humans?”

  Sarah blinked. “Why would witches work with humans?”

  “Please, we’ve kept our end of the agreement,” the older girl said quickly. “This is far enough away from shore.”

  “No, listen. I’m not a Lyrican human.”

  “Could she be using one of the witch stones?” the boy asked.

  “Hush, Fin,” his sister hissed. She returned her attention to Sarah, though her eyes occasionally darted around them.

  Using her magic, Sarah examined the space around them. She couldn’t sense anyone. They were alone. They were also strangers.

  “You’re scared,” Sarah said.

  Neither answered. The girl puffed out her chest.

  “There’s no need to be. I’m not going to hurt you. I only want to get back on land. I’d get there myself but I’m not sure where I am and…my trip here wasn’t smooth.”

  “You didn’t come on the big ships with the humans?” the boy asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Then, what are you doing this far from the shore?” the girl added.

  Sarah glanced between the two of them. She bit her lip then immediately winced when she caught her gash. She wiped away at the thin line of blood before focusing on the two children again.

  “Have you two heard of The Chosen One? The Child of Legend from earth?”

  They nodded.

  “Well, I’m…I’m her. I was in my bathroom, well, you wouldn’t know what that is. Anyway—”

  The mergirl leapt forward and pushed off the protruding rock, so she was nearly nose to nose with Sarah. Her eyes roamed over Sarah’s face. She sniffed, then smiled, finally falling back into the sea.

  “That’s why you smell funny,” the girl said. “Our noses aren’t as good as other beings but you do smell odd. It explains everything. You found a portal and returned to stop the humans!”

  “She’s going to fight the humans with Father!”

  The two children squealed. Together they dove under the water, only to shoot straight up into the air, finally landing with a huge splash. The spray caught Sarah and though she was tired, she laughed along with them.

  “This is so exciting! Oh, my name is Reina and this is Finley.”

  “You can call me Fin.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Just call me Sarah.”

  “It’s a good thing we found her before one of our cousins did,” Fin said, speaking to his sister.

  “What’s wrong with your cousins?” Sarah asked.

  “He means sirens,” Reina corrected. “We call them cousins since they are related to us, only not directly. They’ve been trying to play both sides. They may have drowned you or given you to the humans.”

  “Sirens never tell the truth,” Fin said. “That’s why the old king Poseidon c
ursed them. They tried to take his throne.”

  Sarah bobbed her head, making note to do more digging into sirens and Poseidon. Ms. Carr likely had a book on Greek mythology.

  “But you have nothing to worry about now.” Reina beamed up at Sarah, her tail swishing happily in the water. “I’m here and I’ll make sure you get back to land.”

  “I’m here, too!” Fin shouted.

  Reina glared at him. “No. You’re too small. You need to go back to Mother while I carry the Chosen One to shore.”

  “I am not too small!”

  “You are.”

  “I’m a much better swimmer than you,” he retorted.

  The elder sister scowled. She looked at Sarah. “Some people just love to lie to themselves, don’t they?”

  Fin’s eyes narrowed. He sunk just below the water so only the top of his head was showing.

  Reina sighed. “That means I’ve really upset him. It serves him right, though. Younger brothers are a handful. Do you have siblings, Chosen One?”

  Sarah glanced between the two.

  “Uh…no,” she finally sputtered, wondering if she had dodged a bullet as an only child.

  She cleared her throat. “And, please, just call me Sarah. Before we leave, could you tell me where in Lyrica we are? I want to know where I’ll be landing.”

  Fin popped his head above the water. “The Eastern Sea. We’re right by the plains. Father traveled south near the human’s kingdom. That’s farther away.”

  Which means Gan and the wood elves are farther away, too.

  “But we’re not supposed to tell anyone that.” Reina sighed, staring at her brother blankly.

  He huffed, then turned away from her.

  Reina smoothed a hand over her face and looked at Sarah. She smiled despite her obvious irritation. “Of course, we know we can trust you, Sarah. Just keep it a secret.”

  “Agreed. The Eastern Sea is by the mountain. Where I returned the stone?”

  “It’s that way.” Fin swerved to his right and pointed off into the distance. “I’ll help Reina take you there.”

  His sister crossed her arms, her eyebrows arched downward. She opened her mouth to respond. Sarah rolled herself into the sea.

  “Let’s go,” she said, praying her distraction had worked.

  Reina grinned. “Mother tells us to swim deep. That way the humans can’t see us so easily if one of their ships arrive. You’ll need to be able to hold your breath.”

  Sarah bit back a complaint. “How long is the journey?”

  The girl tapped her chin. “If we don’t have any trouble, it’ll be about thirty minutes. We shouldn’t run into any humans. Their ships hardly pass here and Father said they’re more focused on conquering the land for now.”

  For now? What’s happened to Lyrica? Why are witches working with humans to hurt other Lyricans?

  “Are you ready?” Fin asked.

  Sarah shook herself. She’d never be able to answer those questions if she didn’t get to shore.

  “The longest I’ve held my breath is two minutes. I’ll try for longer but if I start smacking your tail—”

  “I’ll bring you up.” Reina nodded. She turned to her brother. “You’re going to watch her. Make sure she doesn’t drown. Keep up or I’m leaving you.”

  The smile on Fin’s face touched from ear to ear. “I will, Reina. I promise.”

  “One more thing,” Sarah warned.

  “Yes?” the siblings replied.

  Sarah hardened her eyes and stared down at both them. She broadened her shoulders and pinched her face, putting on her best Serwa glower.

  “If the humans come and they see us, you two must leave. Don’t worry about me. I don’t want you or your family getting hurt on my part. Understand?”

  They glanced at one another.

  “Reina,” Sarah said. “Fin. Do you understand? I do need your help and I’m thankful for it. But you can’t risk your lives.”

  Both children glued their eyes to the water.

  “We understand,” they mumbled.

  “Good. I’m ready whenever you two are.”

  Without another word, Reina offered her tail to Sarah, who wrapped her arms around her impromptu wagon. Fin positioned himself beside Sarah just before the three dove below the waves.

  The temperature dropped as they drove deeper. Reina’s tail moved rapidly, knocking Sarah from side to side. She felt like she was on a broken ride at the State Fair.

  Fin giggled beside her, releasing a string of bubbles.

  Despite her extra weight, Sarah thought they were moving at a good speed. The swishing of water was a hollow sound in her ears as they sped through the sea. The trio blasted through schools of small fish darting the little ones in every direction.

  As promised, Reina shot to the surface when Sarah tapped her tail, Fin following right after, until land was in sight.

  “I can get you closer.” Reina gazed at the open sea around them. “There aren’t any ships and I don’t feel anything large moving through the water. We should be fine. Here.”

  The young mergirl grabbed Sarah’s right arm, while Fin grabbed her left. Together they swam her up to shore, close enough that her feet could touch the pebbly bottom.

  Once Sarah could stand to her full height, they released her. She prayed her long dress hid her shaking knees. She could do nothing about the deep gulps of air she was taking in though.

  Back slightly arched, hand on abdomen, and breathing heavily, she smiled at the two merchildren.

  “Thank you both very much. I wish I could do more to show you my gratitude.”

  They laughed.

  “You’re going to do enough,” Reina said, smiling.

  Fin’s tail fluttered in the water. “Once you get rid of the humans, everything will be fine again. And our family won’t have to stay away from shore.”

  Their eyes were like large, round blinding suns shining on Sarah. Only their words felt much more menacing.

  She gave them a small grin. “I hope we meet again. Now go. In case one of those ships comes.”

  “I hope we do,” Reina squealed. “Come, Fin.”

  “Bye, Sarah!”

  They waved, before pushing back into the sea and diving under the water. She tried to watch them as they left but they had already disappeared.

  Sarah pulled her hair to one side and twisted out the salt water. Then, she fell back onto the shore, choosing to ignore the endless number of rocks under her. There was also a small ledge leading up to what she assumed were the plains. Tan grass peeked over the edge.

  The beach was very different than the one in the south where she had healed Alexander.

  “Alex!” Sarah sat up. She dug into the front of her dress and pulled out the ruby necklace.

  It was still securely tied around her beside Nettle’s sword. There was not one knick or dent in either the stone or the silver trim surrounding it.

  Sarah gave a hard exhale, letting her head hang between her legs.

  “I’m not sure which trip I enjoyed more. This one or the first.”

  She closed her eyes and forced her head up into her hands, before looking around her. For miles on either side, all Sarah could see were rocks and pebbles. No sand like the beaches in the south. These rocks ranged in color between light grey and night black, casting a unique color pattern down the beach.

  She looked out to the sea, then back at the gem around her neck.

  “Okay, Sarah, no time to mope. Here’s what we know.” She held up a finger. “One, we’re on the eastern side of Lyrica. Last time we were here it was mostly cracked earth. That seems to have changed. Two, witches and sirens are working with humans to capture or kill other Lyricans. Three, if we stay on this beach, we may be spotted by a ship. That can’t happen.”

  A chill moved across her skin. Sarah chose to take it as a sign. Shaking legs or not, she had to leave soon.

  Sarah pressed the necklace to her lips.

  I only need to know o
ne more thing.

  She pressed her eyes shut and thought of the last time she had seen Alex. She was floating in the sea. He was standing on the shore sending her off. The moon hung above them.

  “Alex,” she whispered. “Alexander.”

  A small corner of a room came into focus behind her eyelids. Despite the ruby’s red color coating her sight, Sarah could still make out the details. Alexander’s arms were pulled back from his body, held stagnant by chains. He was shirtless. Lines of dark green were scattered across his chest with streams of the same color pouring from them.

  Lashes.

  “Alex?” Her voice was above a whisper. “Alex.”

  Her friend glanced around. He leaned forward but the chains held him back. Then, a hand appeared above him. The hand patted his head before slamming it down, forcing his arms away from the chains. The slow creaking and cracking of bone followed.

  Sarah’s vision was blurring.

  “Where are you, Alex? Listen to me, listen!” she screamed.

  The hand’s owner whispered something. Her friend growled in response, which got him a slap to the face.

  “No! Tell me where you are. Tell me and I’ll save you.”

  Alex’s head was pressed face down again but he jerked it up at the last moment.

  Sarah held her breath.

  Chin pressed hard against the ground, Alex’s eyes focused.

  “Run.”

  The red immediately shrank into a thin line. Sarah could see it cut between the sky and the sea in front of her. And then, it became a small dot touching the sun until it disappeared.

  The ruby necklace stumbled from her hands. Sarah stared at her palms, trying to make sense of what she had seen. He had felt so close yet he had never been farther away.

  She bit her lip and tossed her head back as the burning began behind her eyes. Her hands fell to her sides and she turned away from the sea. Seething tears rolled down her cheeks as her heart thrummed in her chest.

  Someone had Alex and they were hurting him.

  It has to be the humans.

  Suddenly the tears stopped. The waves pushed the sea water across the shore. Rocks trembled beneath her.

  Sarah took in a sharp breath. She dug into the earth as a tension gripped her muscles.

  The air whirled around her…

  Control, Sarah. It’s about control. It’s—