Shimmer Tail

Chapter Seven

 ~CHAPTER SEVEN~

Marjorie swam back and forth with a stern expression on her features. She had heard the various explosions and mini-earthquakes from the direction of Sherri’s cove. A messenger had come quickly to alert her that some sort of scaly creature was making its way toward the city. This pressed them for time. An evacuation was already in process, but there were so many living things in Oceana, it would be extremely difficult to save everyone.

“Your Majesty, three-fourths of the city has been evacuated,” a messenger merman with chocolate-brown hair and a red tail came to the Queen’s door. “At this rate, most of the city will be safe by the time it reaches us.”

“Most isn’t good enough Dairen,” Marjorie said patiently. “I want all my people out of this city alive.”

“We try to hasten them, but they are all too preoccupied with saving their possessions,” Dairen frowned. It was true; mermaids were often quite affectionate about their personal items. But this is an emergency! Marjorie felt like screaming. However, she maintained her composure and stared at Dairen grimly. She spoke in an uncharacteristically icy tone.

“Tell them that anyone hanging around to save material things will be punished severely.”

o0o

Jeanette and her friends swam toward the city as fast as their fins and legs would allow. Simon was being half-pulled, as his kicks weren’t as effective as the swish of the mermaids’ tails. Annalise saw hundreds of mer-people flooding from the city, looking panicked. She sighed. At least the people would be safe.

“There!”

Simon pointed at Sherri, who was starting toward the castle. The comb was enclosed in her fist.

“We need to get her to open her hand somehow!” Jeanette said. Annalise screwed up her face for a moment.

“I know! Simon, you and I can create a diversion while Jeanette gets the comb!”

“Good idea, Anna! Okay, I’ll go over there,” Jeanette pointed to a space behind some coral. “And you two distract her. She’ll put the comb down to fight, and I’ll grab it then. You just give me a signal.”

“What kind of signal?”

“Um, just go like this.” Jeanette waved her hands around wildly. Her friends almost laughed.

“What was that?” Annalise giggled. Jeanette sighed.

“Just do it, please?”

“Okay, okay, let’s go, Simon.”

Annalise and Simon swam in the direction of the giant Sherri. Jeanette swam over to the rock and curled up, peeking out at her friends. She saw Annalise pick up a heavy-looking rock.

“Hey, scale skin! Over here!” Annalise hurled the big stone at Sherri, catching her on the back. The sea monster turned around with a look of annoyance. She spied Annalise and Simon, who were doing a strange dance to taunt her. Sherri growled and swiped at them, but they moved just in time. They swam around, grabbing rocks and throwing them at the sea witch. Simon zeroed in on Sherri’s eye. He threw the stone precisely, and Sherri yelped in pain as it penetrated her cornea. She raised her hands, dropping the comb. Simon waved his arms wildly. Jeanette gathered her courage and darted out, grabbing the comb with one hand.

Sherri opened her good eye just in time to see Jeanette snatch the comb. She roared in fury and swiped at the mer-Chipette, but missed. Jeanette swam back to the rock she had hid behind.

“Stop destroying Oceana!” she cried. Sherri laughed at her. It was a deep, rumbling sound that made Jeanette tremble, but she set her jaw defiantly.

“Stop it or I’ll…I’ll…I’ll break it!” she held the comb threateningly over the rock. Sherri glowered with rage. She snatched up the inattentive Simon and Annalise with one swipe of her hand. She squeezed them, making them gasp and choke. Jeanette scowled.

“Let them go!” she screamed. Sherri just laughed again.

“You’re not the only one who can make a threat!” she said, squeezing Jeanette’s dear friends tighter. “Give me that comb or I’ll squeeze the life out of your little friends!”

Simon mouth opened and closed rapidly as he tried to get air. Annalise’s face was quickly turning purple. She saw Jeanette’s facial expression turn uncertain.

“No, Jeanette!” she choked out.

Jeanette looked at her friends worriedly. Despite Annalise’s cries, she gripped the comb with both hands. She felt power, the source of her magic, course through her. A tingling confidence surged through her nerves. She held the comb out to Sherri. Before the sea witch could make a move, Jeanette slammed the comb on the rock, sending golden shards everywhere.