The Mermaid of London

Chapter 7

Back at the base, Tommy was asleep in his bed. However, his sleep was far from peaceful. He was tossing and turning, mumbling to himself. Suddenly, he found himself in Atlantis. More specifically, the halls of an unknown building. He looked around at his surroundings, but before he could make sense of anything, Tommy turned to see an army of Atlantean soldiers heading in his direction. This frightened him and he began to run. After about thirty seconds, he began to tire out because no matter how much he ran, he wasn't getting any farther from the army. If anything, the soldiers were catching up with him. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to stop and take a deep breath. Without warning, a female hand grabbed his hand.

"Let's go, Tommaso!" A female voice spoke to him as the hand pulled him away. He looked to see the woman holding his hand. A woman that he recognized very well.

"Mom?!" he spoke in surprise.

Indeed, it was none other than Terry, his mother. However, she looked like she did back in 1994, complete with the white dress with cummerbund and bracelets. Accompanying her was Miles, who looked also like he did in '94, right down to the heartthrob hairstyle and clean-shaven look. He was wielding a plasma rifle. He was firing at the soldiers in an effort to slow them down.

"Dad?!"

"Keep shooting, Miles!" Terry cried, "They're getting closer!"

"I'm trying!" Miles replied, "I'm not even sure if I'm using it right!"

That's when it finally dawned on Tommy. He was in the palace. He was revisiting the day his family was torn apart. The day he lost his father. Only this time, he was fully aware of what was going on.

"Mom, my legs are getting tired!" he pleaded to this younger version of his mother, "I don't know if I can keep going!"

Terry immediately yanked Tommy into the air and landing in his arms. She carried the boy in his arms.

"Better?" she asked him.

"Better," Tommy replied in relief, "Thank you."

"Don't let them escape!" a soldier barked as they opened fire on the family.

"Where are we going, Mom?" asked Tommy.

"I don't know, Tommaso," she replied back, "but as long we go somewhere safe, I'm not concerned where."

"Terry! I see something up ahead!" Miles yelled.

Teresa looked to see the doorway to the escape ships.

"The escape ships!" Terry cried.

As the family nearly reached the doorway. Suddenly, Terry was shot in the back, followed by Miles. The entire family tumbled to the ground. Tommy quickly looked to see the army beginning to catch up. He realized that the army managed to shoot his family. He looked at both his parents, who were reeling in pain from the shot.

"Mom! Dad!" Tommy cried, "Are you okay?!"

"Tommaso," his mother weakly spoke, "You have to go through that doorway, get in that escape ship and escape. It's too late for me and your father."

"No!" Tommy protested, "I won't leave you two behind!"

"Sorry, little dude," Miles weakly replied, "That shot did a number on us. We're as good as done."

"Go!" Terry cried, "Save yourself while you still can."

Tommy saw the army of soldiers catching up to them. He reluctantly got up and began to run for the doorway...only for it to suddenly be blocked by the Marapax. Barracuda, Triggerfish, Stingray, Puffer and Stargazer.