From the Islands

Chapter 7

(3rd Moon, morning)

The water in front of me is so gray it almost looks green. There is a storm above the water when I poke my head up. A large wooden ship is floating in front of me, and I can hear the men on board shouting. I am having trouble keeping my head above the water, the waves keep splashing in my face. I swim closer to get a better look; the men are gathering around the plank. Someone is being forced to walk. The shouting is louder now that I am closer. Water is filling my mouth and my nose. I can't breathe, I am being pushed around by the current. As I reach around trying to keep above the waves, I hear a body hit the water. Immediately I swim below to catch the person, but I can't see anyone. Suddenly it's starting to get harder to breathe. My body feels heavy, my arms are forced down at my sides and I can feel myself kicking. I cannot take it anymore. I take in a deep breath. Water fills my lungs and I desperately wiggle my body towards the surface.

I wake myself up with a large gasp, my heart is racing in my chest. I am completely out of breath; the dream is still vivid. I remember kicking. Kicking? I was kicking, my heart sinks. I keep thinking about it. Raeli says that dreams mean things. Dreams are the thoughts and emotions that are built up in your awake life and they show themselves when you sleep. Or something like that. I try not to think about it too much instead I think about what happened yesterday. The seaweed is loose now around my hand, the spell worked. A scar lingers so I won't be able to forget. Should I go back there? Eventually we will have to face each other again. I can feel my stomach turning, I don't know what to do with myself. There are too many things racing through my head. The treasure, the human, and the third moon. Tonight, is the third moon which means they will be back tomorrow as the sunrises. I should be able to collect more food for everyone. I lost my knife this time for real, I remember the waves eating me up and dragging me. I was too worried about getting away, I haven't been that scared in a while. I sit in the cavern waiting to swim out, arguing in my head of what I should do. What should I do? I'm resting my burnt hand in my other hand. I can just feel the different texture in my skin. How could this happen? This human survived our song, it sends chills down my spine. Maybe he is some sort of witch; or maybe he has an enchantment cast on him. I feel guilty for how long I have thought about this and how idly I am laying on this rock. Finally, it crosses my mind, the bracelet. My hand scorched enough to leave a scar. It must be the bracelet. If it's on his wrist we won't be able to sway him with the siren. Killing this man is out of the question, for now.

I unwrap my hand and prepare to hunt. My hand feels bare without my knife. It was nice to have while it lasted. Sure, made cracking mussels easier and crab too. My stomach grumbles. When was the las time I ate? I am swimming into open water when I see a dark shadow coming towards me. I keep swimming maybe they will pass, just pass. I feel eyes on me, I am now prey. I keep swimming. A shark is hovering over me.

Odd to see you without a tribe.

I stay silent.

I could smell there was something wrong.

Keep moving.

I could smell the blood miles from here. I have been waiting on you to come out.

The shark will not stop hovering over me I know what it is up to. I won't be able to swim fast enough. It knows that I know that. I stay calm and concentrate.

Were you hurt? That sure is a large gash on your shoulder.

I move slow and make sure that I stay calm. And then it hits me.

Yes. Yes, I was.

The frequency in the water changes, now it knows I am up to something. The shark swims lower. I focus on the next words I will say.

You will never guess what happened.

The shark swims below me in the same direction. My stomach twists, I need air.

There is a human abandoned not too far from here, I was burned and...

You lie sea siren!

It's true. I'll tell you where to find the man, if I am spared.

The shark starts to swim next to me I don't get scared. I stay focused.

Tell me.

Spare me.

For now.

Deal. I tell the shark where the crash is, and it swims off. I continue with my day without another thought of being eaten alive. I swim up on the reef and I start scanning. There is an abundance today. Snails, mussels, and green seaweed covers scattered patches. I poke my head above water. There aren't many people around. The sky is starting to get gray, maybe a storm is coming. I pull some seaweed together and tie it up. It almost works as good as the sack I had. The water feels good. My mind feels so relaxed. I almost feel guilty for the lack of urgency I have for the third moon. I wonder if the shark will get to him. Maybe not.

As I gather the last bit of food, I notice my thoughts racing again. This time about that dream I had. I feel my heart start to beat fast as I swim through gray waters. There is a storm coming. I think about kicking and how I couldn't hold my breath. Those men on that ship.

The cove is starting to get dark. I haven't done one productive thing all day. I can't see the sun right now. It is well past the middle of the day. I slurp back some mussels and think about what I should do. My mind is blank, and I feel guilty but calm. Let the human die. It's not what I prefer but who will help him. After last night it is clear there is no trust between us. Eventually the man will die, there is no way he will survive 2 more suns. No way. I hope I won't have to see that shark again. Hopefully it gets bored and goes back to where it came from. I wrap up all the food and place it, so it doesn't float away. I lay back on my rock, and I wait. I hear thunder crack from far away. I knew a storm was coming. Air blows through the skylight. I get chills on my arms and down my back. I take in a deep breath and let my mind drift. I am too tired of thinking.