Banished

=7=

I awoke the next day staring up at the ceiling. I slowly rolled out of bed and grabbed a quick breakfast. While I ate the piece of toast, I walked around the apartment, looking for my sister. She was nowhere to be found.

I changed into my wetsuit and walked down to the orca pool. I saw Logan sitting on a mat with Chess' head on her lap, scratching her neck. I sat down on the deck in front of the pool and put my feet in the water. "Hey."

She kept her eyes focused on Chess. "Hey."

"I'm sorry about how things went yesterday. I didn't mean for things to end up like that."

"We both said some things we regret. I'm sorry, too."

I slipped into the water and dragged her into a hug. "You're all I've got. We can't argue here."

"Oh, we can," Logan said with a smile. "But I'd prefer if we didn't, too. You want some help with Checkers?"

"I would love some."

Logan helped me learn some simple tricks, like having Checkers jump out of the water straight up into the air, jump laid out over the water, and twirl in the water and air. By the time we were done, I felt like I had a grasp on what I was doing and I felt closer to Checkers. Once we were done training, Checkers bumped his head on my foot. I smiled.

"Nice work!" a voice called across the pool. I looked by the shallower end and saw Judd. I looked at Logan, who slightly shook her head. I waved anyway. But then I turned away.

We spent the rest of the day in the pool. Before closing time, Eric walked over to the orca pool, holding a piece of paper. We swam over to him and he handed it to us.

New Orca Show at Carolina Marine Aquarium and Park! The poster announced. The date was for the next day.

"I can't believe this," I growled. "Doug didn't even talk to us. I'm not ready."

"Well... just let me handle most of the tricks, okay? I can keep the audience entertained and you can just do a few."

"Won't that look suspicious?"

"We can say that Checkers isn't feeling well. He's still able to perform, but not as much as Chess."

"Okay, sounds like a plan," I nodded as we climbed out of the pool.

When we got back to our apartment, we were both so tired that we didn't bother with dinner and just went straight to bed.

-

I woke up, wide awake, in complete darkness. I looked at my clock. 1:30 it read. I sunk my head back into my pillow, trying to fall back asleep. After half an hour, I gave up and got up. I walked into the kitchen and looked out the window that overlooked the pools. I saw a shape moving in the orcas' pool and figured I might as well check it out. I changed into a dark green hoodie and black shorts, then grabbed my apartment key and went out the door. I walked down the stairs and to the pool.

The shape was Checkers. He was lazily swimming around, which wouldn't have been strange, but it was the time he usually would be in a deep sleep. I climbed up onto the deck and sat with my feet in the water. Checkers swam over to me and rolled on his back.

I smiled as I scratched his belly. "What are you doing up, buddy? It's too late." Only the water rippling in the breeze answered me. "You ready for tomorrow?" He rolled upright and whistled. "Me, neither. We just have to let my sister and Chess take the lead, okay?"

My hand absently curled into the ball that signaled a jump. Checkers disappeared and reappeared again, leaping into the air. He landed with a splash and came back over to me, where I laughed and patted him.

"He can feel your anxiety, you know," a voice said behind me. I whirled around to see Judd standing behind me on the deck. He sat next to me. "They're very empathetic creatures. He can tell you're nervous, so he's nervous."

I hesitated before replying to him. "So you think that's why he's suddenly doing what I ask?" I smirked at Judd.

He smiled. "Could be. Or he just realized you weren't too bad and decided to give you a chance."

"Ah, you can tell just like that, huh?"

"I may have spoken to him earlier."

Silence stretched between us for a few minutes while we both just stared into the water. "Why are you here so late?" I asked.

"I come here every once in a while. I like to see the animals when humans aren't gawking at them. My dad says their behavior changes a lot when they know they aren't being scrutinized."

"Right. Your dad." The peace and calm of the moment left as the reminder of who Judd's father was came rushing back.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Couldn't sleep."

"I saw your first show is tomorrow. You'll do great," he stood up and offered me a hand. "You better get your beauty rest."

I took his hand with a chuckle. "You're right. It's not worth stressing about."

"I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck."

"Thank you," I stood there, watching him walk away before saying goodnight to Checkers and going back to bed.