Merformers: Friends from the Waves

Chapter 20: Straight to the Point

I soaked the towel uder the small outside tap, bringing it over and draping it over Rewind's shoulders to keep him hydrated before I lifted him out of the car, his arms wrapped tightly around my neck and held on as I stumbled out of the driveway and to the lawn, ignoring the water pooling on the ground around me.

I walked down the gravel path and to the dunes where a black tarp was waiting for us.

I then hauled Rewind over and onto the mat, unceremoniously plopping him down and muttering quick apologies when he winced. I grabbed the edges of the tarp and pulled it up and over the sand.

Thankfully going down was easier than going up.

I'd already gotten the boat out and heaved it down to the shore, the deep gouge marks in the sand still left behind from pulling it days before. I dragged Rewind over to the side and quickly looked up at the horizon.

The water there was choppy so the swell was still quite big and even though the clouds were light gray here, the ones further out were dark and I could see the rain that poured down in sheets.

Rewind looked from me to the storm that hovered out over the bay, "We don't have to." He said quietly, putting his hand on my arm and looking up at me, "I can swim there."

But even though he denied it, I could tell he wanted to get back to Chromedome as soon as possible. He was desperate to see his mate again and the wait was killing him.

"No, it would be better to go now," I said, picking him up and putting him down on one of the wooden benches, readjusting the towel around his shoulders, "You're still too weak to swim against the currents and Tarn and the others will be less likely to see us since they're hopefully still in their caves because of the storm. Once the weather clears, they'll be roaming these waters religiously again. He won't attack me but I can't promise you that same luxury. I don't want to take the risk."

"Thanks," He said with a small smile, holding the cloth and watching me push the boat into the water. The small waves lapped at the haul and pushed me back a few times but I eventually got it deep enough to hop on and start rowing.

My jeans and top were soaked from the waves but I honestly didn't care, focusing more on just getting us past the surf. The rhythm of rowing soon came back to me and I was able to work in deep, strong strokes.

After a few minutes, we got over the last of the swell and onto flat water. Okay, it was still quite choppy but it was better than the waves that threatened to tip us over.

Rewind leaned back and slouched a bit, cautiously peeking over the edge every now and then into the dark water. "It'll be fine." I told him in between breaths, "We're almost at the edge of their territory."

Going against the current meant it took longer than usual to get around the tip of the island, leaving me mentally cursing the large vertical cliff that dropped straight into the sea and sharp rocks.

As we passed the point and exited the DJD's territory, I saw old Sam fishing off of the rocks. He caught sight of us soon enough as the boat was just a couple of meters away. His eyes widened slightly as Rewind smiled and waved at him.

"Just taking a friend home," I called with a grin, seeing him chuckle and wave back at the mer. "A'right, just don't be too long!" He yelled back, "Tail end of the hurricane's still over the south. It might catch ya."

"We'll be fine," I promised, waving before continuing up the coast. I looked over and saw Rewind with his head turned to the shore, Gopro light blinking as he filmed all of this.

"You may have to edit some of that," I told him, turning and steering my way around the reef that poked out, "This'll take a while before we reach The Point." Luckily few people were out and those that were driving around were too distracted or far away to see the mer in my boat.