The Deep

Chapter 11

*Arya*

My waters are too quiet. It is not natural. Food is gone. Hiding. I can sense the predatory fear that has been inflicted on my territory. I hiss in anger at the thought. Who would dare to come here and take over? No tribe would cross the lines. It is not done.

My time is spent surveying the floor for any clues as to what could've wandered in. There are usually weapons that are discarded after hunting or pieces of armor chipped off. My hair gets in the way of my sight a couple of times, but I don't let that frustrate me. It is normal for humans to have hair, not exactly practical for my people. After spending months scouting the shores for a safe place, my hair started to grow. Bit by bit, inch by inch. I tried cutting it with my bone knife as if it would do anything to help. Merida cursed me for that when she cut my hair for the first time.

The current suddenly breaks. The water shifts in an unnatural pattern. I stay still and send a silent call. My lips shape a small 'o'. I get back nothing. There is something, though. I am being watched.

If it wants to play, then I will play. I jet off towards the deep. The trespasser follows. My tail propels me farther than theirs. I was always the fastest swimmer in my clan. I could catch anything with my bare hands as a youngling. It would always anger the other younglings in my clan.

The water by my side suddenly splits, so I act and dodge the attack. I spiral around the predator's weapon. My eyes were able to catch the intricate design of his weapon. It has the sign of the deep-water Sea Behemoths. It has been carved with purpose. With care. The deadly eyes of the creature were made to insight fear in any prey who looked upon them. I am not such prey.

My hands snatch the spear and fling it back to him. It nearly hits the predator. He dodges it and disappears below me. The darkness isn't comforting, especially when a syrena knows how to blend in with the darkness. I do not.

I swim back up to the surface. I have no strategy against someone who is better at hunting than I am. We are way past the borders of Corran Bay. I'm sure I could take him above water if there were any secure place to change. But there is something in the water that might prove to be useful. And it isn't far!

I dive back into the water and quickly swim to my destination. I thought it best to stay just below the surface, where he wouldn't dare follow. My arms make quick work of pulling myself up once I reach the floating den-the boat, I mean. My body immediately started to strain painfully. My bones crack and separate from each other. I scream at the sky as I gain my human legs once more. My skin sheds and turns to dust. And my lungs burn as it fills with air. I quietly sing to comfort myself from all the pain. Only for a moment.

My senses have dulled but I can still feel the predator just underneath me. I hear voices coming from somewhere nearby. I quickly hide and watch as two male humans appear from inside the boat. My body starts in recognition once I see him clearly. It is Elin! The male from that night. The other I do not know. The males continue to talk to each other. Elin reproaches the other as I feel the sense of danger heighten inside my chest.

I step out of my hiding place and say my first words to another human that isn't Merida, "Go." Elin lays his eyes on me for the first time in weeks and surprise flickers in his eyes. I can't tell what he's thinking but he smiles at me. "Go back, Elin. Not safe here." He doesn't seem to listen to me. Elin's eyes never leave my face. His friend is another story.

"You're here. You're real."

Elin seems bewildered by me. I can't imagine why. He did see me all those nights ago. Why would he think that I wasn't? His friend leans close to Elin and whispers something to him. I let them have a moment while I check on my own companion below. He's growing restless. Soon he'll act.

"How'd you get here? Why are you all alone in the middle of nowhere?" I warily watch him take a step forward. It is at times like these that I wonder how humans have survived for so long. Instead of taking my warning seriously, he worries about me instead. "You ask many questions," I tread along the edge of the boat, cautiously peering at the water, "but will not heed warning. Water not safe for human. Go back to land, Elin."

My eyes land back on him. He's different than that night. He has a bit of hair on his face. The hair on his head is longer too. And he seems tired. Fatigued. I keep observing him as he slowly stalks over to me.

"What is it?" He whispers quietly. "What's down there?"

I think of a way to tell what exactly is awaiting me down there. "Beast Predator." The boat dips ever so slightly. My eyes catch the shadow of a tail sliver directly underneath the boat. What do I do? The predator knows that I am stronger than him on land. If he were to infiltrate the boat, I would surely win. I have no choice. I'll have to fight him in the water.

His friend shouts something at Elin, but I only catch the last part. "Good. Good to leave water. Do not come back, Elin." I've lost sight of the predator. I cannot stay up here. His disappearance will not bode well for these humans. If I go back in, he'll no doubt follow me wherever I dare to go. With my mind made up, I turn to dive. But Elin stops me.

His touch sent a thrill up my arm that alarms me. This connection that I have with this human is odd. As is his interest in me. He must know that I am not human by now. Elin's has heard my song and has seen walk out of the water. Although, humans aren't as intelligent as they claim to be.

His curiosity is touching, though. Elin's questions are harmless but unnecessary right now. Without knowing it, he's testing his fate. I am glad that his friend has at least a little sense to know that something is not right. Elin tells me that his human name is Mack and I tell him that my human name is Arya. Elin's smile has not left his flushed face. His smile is very kind.

I feel my stomach drop. The waves have gone still. The predator has finally broken through the surface. I look past Elin as the predator's weapon slices through the water in our direction. I move us to safety, but the weapon nicks my shoulder. The force shoves me back into the water. The pain explodes through every inch of my body all at once. The predator doesn't wait for me to change.

He hits me with his tail, slamming me against the bottom of the boat. I struggle with my shift until it's over. He doesn't relent. He comes back in full force, but this time I'm ready. I meert his attack, causing ripples all around to erupt.

When Mother taught me to fight, I learned that females are usually the stronger of the species. Our strategies are unmatched, and our ruthlessness is deadly. Once a female reaches maturity, we could kill any predator in the water. I could take the predator if it weren't for his advantageous skills. The deep creatures are all stronger than those above. But I'll soon discover his weakness. I hiss in anger and extract my sharp nails.

My canines ache to sink my teeth into his jugular. I slash his midriff. He smacks his tail against my side, pushing me further away from the boat. I realized his aim too late. He tips the boat all the way with a single shove of his fin. The boat crashes into the turbulent waters. The predator takes advantage of the chaos and disappears. I hear their screams from below.

"Elin!"