International Legends

Chapter 9 - Ozara

I have no clue what was going on with Claire. Like everyone else, we looked around the cruise ship trying to find the poor toddler, but she was definitely kidnapped. Ronald, our tour guide, had decided to go on with the excursions as our ship made our way to Mertanica, the Land of the Merfolk, who had rebelled against the Guardian Kathair and made their own island community in the Vortex Sea. Lush gardens populate this beautiful place as well as crystal turquoise waters that one can swim in. It's so warm. You can almost forget you're turning 30 years old.

My nostrils are killing me. For some ship that is supposed to be well-maintained, it clearly isn't. I had suspected a mold problem in the lower cabins for quite some time now by feeling headaches and stomach cramps, only to remove one of the frames off the wall and find the mold right there. Now, the entirety of my cabin is being renovated.

Carmen Michelle DeAngelo, who has enough money to ignore these problems, is feasting upon the food at the ceremony that the Merfolk holds for us - dancing, singing, and feeding us. She looks radiant as Spinela and Starlia talk to her. Mitski, who is watching quietly, whispers, "Gosh, Carmen is so great," and I feel my blood boil at the statement. I should be enjoying this trip. If we survive this, I am just going to have to get another job. What's the point of exhausting oneself to no avail while I have mold in my room and stupid ninnies like Carmen DeAngelo can go ahead and enjoy the luxuries that money has to offer while preaching "responsibility" and other fiscal responsibility nonsense of Multi-national Capitalism?

Back in my room, feeling like I am getting a headache, it's almost impossible to sleep. I keep getting images of Axel that float into my mind, and I am full of sadness. This is how it is always going to be. I am always going to be without money, traumatized, and trying to figure out how to best be a normal person in a system of those who don't care about anyone but themselves. In fact, Mama Earth should just go ahead and wipe us all out. I'm okay with vanishing. Especially when I hear the loud thuds of brawls in Bar Midnight above. One night, I heard a snake consuming its victim, and I had nightmares all night.

I decide to make my way anyways into the bar where Jasper is hurrying around, running about like a chicken with its head chopped off. I observe him from far way, not knowing what to think. He keeps dropping his drinks and making everyone mad. When he finally notices me, he looks relieved and makes his way over, saying, "Let's go chat. I need a break."

"I'm okay as long as they are," I say, motioning at his customers.

The Ogre, who seems very loyal to him, agrees to cover Jasper's place. Noticing another fight about to break out with a griffin and a vampire, he ends up knocking the two out and flinging them out into the waters of Vortex Sea. Then he turns back to the rest of the crowd and says, "Anyone else who has a problem can be the sea monster's snack!"

Nobody has a problem with this, so Jasper and I make our way to the fresh air of the night. We head over to Dolphin Cove - a giant amphitheater with an extremely large tank where dolphins swim around at the back of the ship. It's like we are in a small city, and the dolphins seem to be very happy to greet us. Jasper seems lost in their kind smiles, before turning to me.

"So, I'm just gonna come out and say what's on my mind," I say. "Since Leo, you and I are all friends and all - I feel it's imperative to say it. Is that okay?"

Jasper nods, looking all quiet and shy, but like he is ready for my rant.

"I feel really upset that it is the end of the world because the guy that I like doesn't know that I like him," I say, rubbing my head and feeling my massive headache. "I'm sorry but I'm a little bit drunk. I had a rum-coke and a vodka at the bar while I was watching you. You were just so weird. It's hard not to watch a train wreck. "