The Tale of Carrot

Chapter 10

The sun had risen in the miserable place known as Earth. It shined brightly while illuminating the darkness that night time had brought to the land.

Last to fall asleep, and the first to wake up was Sashimi.

She opened her eyes steadily. The sun blinded her eyes that were dominated by darkness at night.

Was this her life now? Being stuck in a weird place with an annoying yet humorous fish to have for company was already depressing enough. As an added bonus, her long lost father was locked up just a few meters away! What a time to be alive.

Sashimi sighed longingly. She wished she had a normal life like her parents did before she was born. Finn always talked to her about his experience with living. From him being a kid, to meeting Meanie, and the happiness he lived with. He didn't look so happy now.

She had to get him out.

Carrot was still fast asleep on the left side of the fake treasure chest. The chest bubbled every now and then, startling Sashimi.

She swam over to the alga gathering on the mysterious barrier. Sashimi started to eat her breakfast, which consisted of delicious and nutritious alga.

Sashimi greedily chomped up the alga that Carrot had hated the taste of. At least there was something that was pleasant in her prison.

"I'm sorry about yesterday." Carrot's voice emerged from the area the toy treasure chest was located.

"It's fine." Sashimi calmly chewed on her food. She agreed that she overreacted the night before.

"Good. I don't want to be on your bad side." Carrot said, relieved. He changed the topic to something he picked up while 'sleeping'. "So, I'm interesting? It's great that you think weird isn't bad."

Sashimi felt heat rush to her golden cheeks. "You heard me? I thought you were asleep... I didn't mean it."

"Of course, why else would you say what you said out loud?"

Sashimi couldn't think of a comeback in time to shut Carrot up.

Carrot smirked in victory. "Then are you the type to talk to yourself?"

"Yes?" Sashimi questioned herself.

"Cool, I do that too."

"What?"

"Forget that I said anything."

"Anyway," Sashimi attempted to change the strange topic. "Have you got any ideas to get Finn out of there?"

"I've got a plan in mind." Carrot shared. "I'll try to get into the where Finn is alone. Then, I will somehow bring him back here to you."

"But you're still injured from your stupidity―I mean, uhh. Experiments! That's what I meant."

Carrot shot her a stern look. "Ha ha, very funny. Make fun of me all you want, or compliment me. I'll take both. But I'll be the one to save Finn. I think my health condition is okay enough to do this."

"You sure you want to go alone? I can offer my help. I'll do anything for dad."

"Don't come with me. It's my plan and I would be responsible if you die. If I go alone and don't make it back for some reason, at least you'll still be alive."

"Don't say that!" Sashimi chided.

Carrot shrugged. "It's possible. You're seen the Taker right?"

Sashimi nodded solemnly.

"It's a ruthless monster that's capable of inflicting pain and misery. I was stuck in a bag when I was a kid. A Taker took me from my old home and treated me terribly. I still remember Uncle Sal being shaken to death. The Taker didn't even get rid of his body for us."

Sashimi expressed sadness on her features. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"Why are you apologizing for something you didn't do? It's not your fault there are horrible things in the world."

"Sorry for apologizing."

"It's okay. I forgive you." Carrot mockingly said.

"Back to your plan, how exactly are you going to get into where Finn is?"

"Well, it's quite simple. Basically, I'll act like I'm dying. I'm assuming the place Finn is in is like a pre-graveyard for fish. The Taker will believe that I'm almost dead, so then they will scoop me out of this place and dump me into the other."

"How will you get back here?" Sashimi asked.

"I was just getting to that. Once I get Finn, we act normal again. Like, alive and not dreadful. The Taker will realize that we're healthy again and then take us back to you." Carrot explained. "The hard part is that you have to be in here without me to accept your compliments."

Sashimi blushed. "You won't get any if you don't come back, so you better."

"Yes ma'am," Carrot saluted her. "I've noticed that the Taker checks on us quite frequently. If we watch out for it, I can get into position at the top of the water. I'll just pretend I'm drowning. Then hopefully, I'll be on my way to Finn."

"Be careful, Carrot." Sashimi advised. "We may have only met yesterday, but spending so much time stuck with you has made me not loathe you as much as before."

"Thanks, you too. I never loathed you though. I was just wary of your dislike for me." Carrot stated.

The two fish continued to insult each other jokingly peacefully as the morning was turning to afternoon.

Footsteps shook the ground as the Taker emerged from the shadows of a house peering over the fish bowl.

Long dark hair flowed down the Taker's back, bouncing up and down as it skipped happily to the fish tank.

"Carrot! It's approaching us!" Sashimi pointed at the Taker as she nudged Carrot.

"I'll see you soon." Carrot took Sashimi into a short embrace. Their fins wrapped around each other and the link was broken as sudden as the initiation.

Sashimi froze where she was resting for a moment. She quickly snapped out of it.

"See you later."

Carrot nodded and swam upwards until he was almost at the surface. He faked his struggle to gulp for water and simulated drowning while waving his fins around in a "panic".

The Taker had advanced to the two fish after Carrot had started his act. It looked puzzled at Carrot's action.

Scratching its head in confusion, the Taker reached over to grab a small net on top of a nearby table.

"Carrot, it is working!" Sashimi exclaimed.

"I know," Carrot continued his spasms. "I didn't think this would work."

A net submerged into the water, softly surrounding Carrot in netting.

"Good luck, Carrot." Sashimi watched him worryingly.

Carrot smiled at Sashimi as the net carrying him was lifted higher and higher each second.

Finn, I'm coming to get you.

~-~End of chapter ten~-~

A/N: Hi. It's been half a year.