Upon crossing her in a crowded hallway, River adressed a wrangled "Hi" to her.
Maya didn't seem to have heard it, though. She sneaked through a door.
River decided to follow her.
The girl was swift for her height: as River opened the door, she had already disappeared through another one at the top of the stairs.
River ascended the stairs.
BUM da DUM.
The higher they climbed, the harder the stairs vibrated and as they reached the attic, the whole floor was shaking to...
BUM da DUM. Teep teep. BUM da DUM.
Music?
River raised an eyebrow as they carefully opened the door.
Rays of golden sunlight illuminated a dancing Maya. Barefoot she hopped up and down the attic to the rhythm of the vibrating floor.
The girl didn't dance like a professional, far from, but the happiness on her face and the overall air of joy had something enchanting, something captivating.
River was dumbstruck.
When Maya turned towards the door and noticed River, she abruptedly stopped dancing. She hit Stop.
"Please continue," River stuttered, "I'm so, so sorry. Don't let me stop you from dancing."
Maya looked at them, but didn't say a word. She grabbed her shoes and tried to run off, but River blocked the only exit.
Not looking River in the eyes, Maya gestured them to move from the door.
"What's wrong? Can't speak?" River said.
Maya turned red as she averted her gaze even more.
"Please talk to me."
Maya looked down, held her shoes under her arms, made some hand gestures, then pushed River aside and ran down the stairs.
Sign language?
YOU ARE READING
Out of the Blue & Into the Deep
Short StorySince their encounter with a mermaid, River has been obsessed with finding her again. Will they succeed in tracking her down? And what will the mermaid think of it?
