A Miraculous Mermaid Tale

Chapter 12: Suspicions

"You okay, dude? You've been real quiet today."

With his back turned, Félix rolled his eyes. Adrien's friend was very annoying.

Faking a smile, he turned around and nodded. "Yep, I'm all good. Just tired."

"Okay, then. Do you wanna go get some breakfast?"

"Sure."

The cat exited the room first -Félix still didn't know his name, or the name of Adrien's friend, for that matter- and the boys followed. In the living room, he saw a brunette with dark skin conversing with a blue-haired girl. Both were around the same age as him.

"Hey, Alya!" The boy next to Félix went to the brunette, kissing her on the cheek. Inwardly, Félix cringed.

"Good morning, Nino. Marinette and I were just discussing what other things could happen during this trip."

The girl who had to be Marinette waved shyly to Félix. "Hi, Adrien, did you sleep well?"

He forced another smile. "I did, thanks, Marinette."

So far so good.

"Has Plagg been good?" she asked, bending down to pet the cat. "He's obsessed with Camembert now, right?"

"Now, hold on a minute-" Plagg began.

"He is, but I've made sure not to give him too much," Félix interrupted.

Another cat, this one pink, came from behind Marinette and sat next to Plagg. "If you eat too much too quickly, it'll all be gone before we get off the ship," she told him.

Plagg sighed dramatically. "I guess you're right, Sugar Cube."

Another minute passed, and Gabriel Agreste entered the room. Félix immediately looked to see if he was wearing the ring, disappointed to see he wasn't.

Gabriel was followed by a woman with dark hair, who smiled at Félix as she came in. He assumed that was Nathalie, as no one else came into the room. If he remembered correctly, she'd been the one to stop his mother's original plan.

He must have the ring in his room, Félix decided. But there was a possibility that he hadn't even brought it with him. Emilie had been gone for long enough that he might've stopped wearing it.

He could still make the most of this trip, however, and continue with his plan to get rid of his uncle. But with so many people close to him, it would be difficult.

Adrien had figured out how to swim with his arms tied to his torso, but he wasn't getting very far. He needed to find a way to cut the bonds so he could get back to the ship before . . .

He would get there in time, he knew it.

What he needed was something sharp, like . . . a rock! He'd spotted a large outcropping he hoped would be sharp enough.

Please work, please.

He moved up and down, trying to cut away the ropes.

The first snap! was like music to his ears. With a glimmer of hope, he continued to work.

He didn't know exactly what Félix's plan was, but he was determined to stop him.

Something seemed to be different about Adrien, Plagg noticed. He was quieter and more serious, and his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

Certain things he'd said just didn't make sense to Plagg.