Dangers of the Sea || Byler Story ||

6 - Exchanges

Third Person POV:

Glancing around, Mike checks if anyone is around. When he doesn't see anyone, he begins to swim up.

But what he doesn't know, is that Lucas, Max, and Erica were hiding from him and they began to follow him. Mike swims closer to the surface, holding a bag that has the pearl inside. Lucas and Max exchanged a confused look when they got to the river entrance.

He's going inland? Max questions.

They follow him, making sure to stay out of sight. When Mike turns and enters the small pond, the trio hides in a small inlet close to the pond with a few huge leaves to shield them.

What kind of mermaid would meet up here? Lucas questions.

Erica's eyes widened in realization. Guys, I don't think he's meeting a mermaid..

The two were about to ask what she was talking about, when Mike chuckled. "You're a little late," he says, looking into the forest.

Will brushes away a bush and grins at Mike. Lucas and Max have to keep themselves from gasping in shock. "Cut me some slack, Mike," He says, sitting down next to the water. "My sister wanted to explain something to me before I left."

"So you have a sister?" Mike questions, swimming closer to Will and resting an arm on the shore.

Will nods. "Yep, her name is Jane," He says. "She's my younger sister. I also have an older brother named Jonathan, but he's overseas right now."

Mike blinks. "Wait, you said your mom was named Joyce, and your dad was Jim," he says. "Why did your parents name you Will? They broke the J names."

The brunette shrugs. "I'm not sure, I've never asked them." He says. "But what, you want me to be named Jill?"

"What? No, that's so weird," Mike says.

Will shrugs. "Oh, do you know the nursery rhyme?" He asks. "The one with Jill in it?" Mike shakes his head. "Well that's weird, although I guess it makes sense mermaids don't know it." He glances at the sky thoughtfully.

"I brought you something," Mike says.

Will's face brightened, looking back down at Mike. "Oh, great! Because I also got you something," Will says. "Do you want to go first?" Mike nods.

Mike pulls out the shiny pearl, and gently hands it to Will. "Wow, where did you get this?" Will asks, inspecting the large sphere.

"You seem to forget I live in a coral reef," Mike says with an amused smile.

Will pauses, before laughing. "I guess I did forget," He says. "Anyway, here's my little gift," He pulls out an object wrapping in paper. "Here."

Mike takes it and unwraps it, revealing a small music box.

"Sorry, it's not much," Will says. "But I thought you might like it. You just twirl this thing here," He twists the little handle on the bottom and lets go. The music box immediately starts playing pretty music, making Mike mesmerized.

"I love it.." Mike whispers, turning the box in his hand. "How does it work?"

Will shrugs. "I'm not exactly sure," He says. "I've never been good with mechanics."

"Why do humans use these?" Mike questions, tilting his head to look the the music box.

"I mean, most humans use bigger instruments than just this," Will says. "Like I know someone who plays this thing called the violin, which is a wind instrument. I guess humans like it because it can be calming? And fun."

Mike smiles. "Thank you, Will," He says sincerely.

"No problem, thank you for the pearl," Will says. He glances behind him in the forest. "I might have to go soon, my guards are probably freaking out."

Mike nods. "Alright," he says. The music box turns off. "See you tomorrow."

Will smiles. "See you tomorrow," He says, before standing up and waving goodbye to Mike, walking back into the foliage.

The ravenette waits for a moment before sighing dreamily, resting his head on the shore as he stares at the music box. He twists the little handle again and listens to the music, looking at the forest with a smile

Then a large amount of water splashed on Mike's face, and he turns to see Lucas, Erica, and Max staring at him.

When were you going to tell us you've been talking with a human? Max questions.

Mike paled. W-What human? I'm not talking to a human. He lies, chuckling nervously. Max rolls her eyes.

Uh huh, then who was that boy who gave you that music box? Erica questions, pointing at the object in Mike's hand. Mike curled his fingers around it.

Mike sighed, rolling his eyes. Fine. He grumbles.

You do realize how dangerous they are right? They could kidnap or kill you. Or both! Lucas exclaims.

Will wouldn't do that, he's different. Mike says.

Max scoffs. Yeah, he sure seems different, that is until a hoard of humans suddenly bursts out of the trees and attacks you. She says. What would your mother think?

I don't care! Mike suddenly yells.

The three pauses, staring at him. Do you realize how insane this is? Lucas continues to argue. We don't want you getting hurt, Mike.

Mike rolls his eyes. Yeah, whatever. He says, before pushing past them and diving underwater, going back into the river and out into the ocean. He swims all the way back to the coral reef, not glancing behind him at his friends.

He opens one of his treasure chests and sets the music box inside, before closing the lid and swimming back to the skeleton home.

Hey Mike. Nancy greets. Mike turns and gives her a glare. What's wrong?

Mike shakes his head. Nancy pauses before continuing to talk. The pods decided to move again soon, in a few days. I think they said we're going to the Arctic again. She says, tending to some of the seaweed that grew in overnight.

The ravenette shot up. What?! But I don't want to leave yet! He exclaims.

Nancy shrugs. Well too bad, you know how this pod works. We'll come back eventually. She says. Mike groans, looking up to watch the string of bubbles leave his mouth.

Just leave me here. Mike says, draping himself over the ground. I don't want to leave.

Nancy rolls her eyes. You know Mom's not gonna allow that. She says. Now come help me with this seaweed.

<^> To Be Continued

(1k words)

hmmmmmm.. fascinating!