Flerae: A Lie Untold

Chapter 23: Mer Cat Dragon

- Ocean -

Seeing her eyes. The deep concern. I've seen that before... twice before... in Esemais and in the eyes of that kitten... the one who noticed my injury... the one from Carp...

I'm hit with a sudden understanding. That's where I've seen her before. She was the one who... noticed... my leg... my limping...

"To get away," I reply to that word. That one word. Why?

"From... what?"

"I don't know," I say, even though I know that's not true. To get away from Mom, and... Carp.

I give a huge sigh and sit down.

The two of us sit, staring at the stars, neither one of us daring to speak. After what might have been an hour, I finally say, "Ocean."

"What?" she asks.

"My name is Ocean."

"Um... your dad... is he the reason you decided to run away?"

"Part of it."

"You said you... don't have a home? Do you not feel welcome there... or... what?" she says slowly with caution, like asking the question is forbidden.

"It would be better if I show you," I say.

She frowns, clearly thinking I'm going to bring her to my house. 

I taste the air, smelling for fish. I listen, hearing for water. 

I lead the girl, walking towards my destination. 

As the pleasant swishing of nearby water comes closer and closer, I start to pull into a run. Excitement hovers over me. Water. Swimming. As a mer cat dragon, swimming I love swimming. Most cat dragons detest the feeling of wet fur, but I crave it. 

I launch myself into the river. 

"Um. Ocean? What are you doing?" says Brittney with uncertainty once I resurface, my head the only part of me out of the water.

"The water," I say, "should be my home, but I can't breathe underwater."
She gives me a confused look. 

I duck back down into the water, flipping up my tail in the process. I bring my head up above the water once again. 

Brittney's face is priceless. Her gaze full of astonishment, and utter confusion. "You're a... mer cat dragon."