Song of the Mermaid Warrior

Part 2

Time passed, graduation came and went. Hunter was the highest scoring student in the grade by far, but was passed as the valedictorian as the school announced that "extracurricular activities should also be counted." Coincidentally that gave the spot to a 94 purity score student, and no one was surprised.

The disappearance of three young High-Bloods caused a stir in the community. The police came multiple times to question students, survey the area. Search parties were formed, and disbanded. Eventually the world became quiet again.

It was the night before Hunter's birthday.

At the orphanage, Hunter snuck into the attic, where Jordan had made her own room a few years ago. Lying beside her silently, they stared up at the ceiling together, both lost in their own thoughts.

"So ... tomorrow night?" His whisper was filled with hope.

Jordan nodded in the darkness. "Tomorrow night."

"I can't wait to see what the world has to offer outside of... this."

"..."

"You know, even though you said that writing a book was useless, I always admired it. "

Jordan blinked, surprised. "Really?"

"You were trying to change something. Maybe it was just a small thing. Just one misconception in a world where everything is broken. But it was still something." He hesitated. "Do you think... after we're a little older, and I'm more powerful with my blood inheritance.... Do you think we could come back here one day?"

"Come back? Don't you hate it here?"

"I do... but maybe when we're stronger... we could try to change it. Together."

"...Sure." Jordan smiled in the darkness. "We can come back one day and change things."

Hunter reached out and held her hand, the warmth of his palm contrasting sharply against the ever cool nature of her skin.

"Thanks."

Jordan glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's already your birthday." She sat up. "Wait here."

Getting up, she felt her way over to the hidden board in her floor, retrieving the package within and coming back. She turned on the lamp next to the bed, bathing them in a warm, yellow light.

"Happy Birthday, Hunter."

He stared down at the package in his hands. "When did you..."

"I made it at nights when you were sleeping. Otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise. Go ahead, open it!"

Opening the package, two silver badges sat inside. They were similar in shape and size to the badges they wore on their chest each day. But instead of the label "HE" for half elf or the "00" on her own, it had an engraving instead:

An ocean wave, encircled and entwined by ivy.

Hunter's finger gently grazed across the design. "The forest and the ocean. "

"An elf and a mermaid."

"Half elf."

"But you see, it doesn't matter." Jordan grinned. "We're leaving this city. We won't be the half elf and the No-Blood. We'll be Hunter and Jordan. Facing the world together."

He leaned over, gently pinning one of badges to her shirt, and one to his own. "Just Hunter and Jordan. I like that." Blinking back tears, he pulled her into a tight hug, whispering in her ear. "Thank you. For everything."

The night passed.

____________________________

A mediocre birthday party was held at the orphanage, along with some pointed reminders from the head that they both would need to leave before the end of the year. Hunter and Jordan smiled at the words, no one else knowing the secret behind their agreement.