Shimmer Tail

Chapter Three

         ~CHAPTER THREE~

When Eleanor woke up, sunlight was streaming through the window. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. A look at Brittany’s bed told her that her oldest sibling was still asleep. She looked over at Jeanette’s bed – huh?

Eleanor shrugged. Perhaps Jeanette had already gotten up. She was a bit of an early riser. But her robe and slippers were still where she’d left them last night. She knew Jeanette wouldn’t be walking around barefoot. Sure, it was a clean hotel, but…

Eleanor put on her slippers and walked to the bathroom door. She knocked.

“Jeanette? Are you in there?”

When she got no answer, Eleanor put on her robe and got one of the room keys. She grew even more alarmed when she saw that Jeanette’s room key was still there, too. If she had gone out, she wouldn’t be able to get back in. Eleanor took the other key as well, then left the room. She got on the elevator and went to the first floor.

The lobby was busy. People were checking in, checking out, and heading to the dining room for breakfast. Eleanor checked everywhere, but no Jeanette. Disgruntled, she went back to her room. She found an irritated Brittany waiting for her.

“Why’d you guys just ditch me like that? Where have you been?” she asked.

“I was looking for Jeanette. I don’t suppose you’ve seen her…?”

Brittany’s expression softened. After confirming that they both hadn’t seen Jeanette since last night, they were officially quite worried. They both decided to go to Dave, but Brittany suggested they changed first. So, after changing, they walked over to Dave’s room, Eleanor knocked on the door. On the second knock the door opened, revealing Dave. He was fully dressed, but his hair was still a bit messy. He looked surprised to see the girls.

“Good morning girls,” he said. “Is everything okay?” Brittany and Eleanor looked at each other, then back to Dave.

“We can’t find Jeanette. Has she been here?” Dave shook his head, and Eleanor explained how she had woken up to find Jeanette missing. When she told Dave about how Jeanette hadn’t been downstairs at all, worry lines appeared on his brow.

“Well, let’s get the boys. I’m sure she’s still at the hotel somewhere.”

Little did they know, Jeanette was further from the hotel than they could have imagined.

o0o

Jeanette’s POV

I groaned and opened my eyes. My head was killing me. Every part of my body felt somewhat weighed down. My vision was surprisingly clear, though. Where was I? Wherever I was, it was cool…and wet. I sat up quickly, all the past events coming back to me. I wish I hadn’t, because the sudden movement made my already throbbing head pound angrily.

I looked all around me. Water, water, everywhere. Everything looked wavy. I touched my face, hoping this was a dream. I blinked. I slapped my cheek. I pinched the back of my hand. No, this wasn’t a dream. Where were my glasses? I wondered how I could see so well without them, and while I’m underwater at that. Speaking of which…how did I get here?

I turned around, taking in everything. I was in some sort of room, almost like a cave. The walls were craggy, most likely coral. But the beach we had been staying on didn’t have a coral reef nearby. I was lying on…what was I lying on? It was soft. Looking down, I saw my shimmery purple tail and almost fainted again. It just wasn’t possible. There’s no way this could be real. I took a deep breath, and water rolled into my lungs. This was real.