Itanife: The Book Of Ifa (Orisha Chronicles) #NaNo2015Winner

THE ENCOUNTER - Part 8

Only a fool tests the water with both feet.

African proverb.

     The river is flowing in a strong steady current. The water is muddy brown but I can see its clean and drinkable. Abi is already squatting and scooping water in both hands to drink. I stand by the river bed and look back at the forrest. The tall majestic trees seem to stand at attention watching me. I realise I don't feel comfortable and kick at a rock.

     There are lots of rocks on the river bank and a few tree branches that must have fallen. I'm trying to figure out which direction of the river to follow when I hear Abi squeak. I turned around quickly about to ask what the matter is when I see for myself.

     In the middle of the river just opposite us is a woman rising out of the water. She looks like nothing I have ever seen before. She is naked with blue glittering skin and white thick braids. She's moving or rather gliding towards us and I'm mesmerised. I cannot move. I can only watch her. I feel Abi slowly stand up a few steps in front of me. I feel her without actually looking because I can't take my eyes off the blue woman.

     The woman stops a few feet away from Abi and cocks her head, She stands naked in front of us, watching us and now I see she isn't a woman, she is female, but looks young. Her skin isn't blue, it isn't skin at all, they are scales. Blue sliver scales, with green brownish ones mixed in. Forming a distinct pattern on her body. If it wasn't so weird it would be beautiful but all I can think is why does she have scales? why does she have freaking scales?.....it is a mantra running on repeat in my head. Is she going to sprout a tail next? 

      I find I am silently screaming in my head because my mind cannot process what it appears to be seeing. Then I notice her eyes are white, no not white, they are glowing and her hair!.... Oh my God!....they are not hair at all, they are white glowing thick tentacles. They move and flow softly around her head , spreading out in a fluid rhythm only they hear. They seem to have a mind of their own. They are almost life like. Floating eyeless snakes. I am officially freaked the hell out!

     "Abi..." I whisper softly, trying to pretend the blue fish girl can't hear me. "Move back slowly". And I do the same. Immediately I do her eyes flash to me and I freeze.

     "Abi" I try again. "You have to back away slowly please". I say in my gentlest voice all the time smiling tightly.

     Every instinct in my body tells me not to make any sudden moves. Don't trigger the predator in her. Because lets be serious, nothing good can come from a naked fish girl with albino snake hair rising out of the river in the middle of a forrest. 

     "I can't". Abi replies in a small voice. "She's doing something to me, I can't move....oh god I can't move". She's sounding slightly hysterical, just like I'm feeling.

     "What?". I take my eyes off the blue girl to glance at Abi and quick as a flash a tentacle shoots out and wraps itself around my wrist. Shit! A warm feeling comes over me. I feel soft and relaxed. The girl is smiling at me and even though I know I should run away, I can't, I can't move, I don't want to move.

     "Welcome! I have been waiting for you". She says. Her voice is husky and smooth. It makes my head spin and my thoughts cloudy. I shake my head and try to focus on what she is saying.

     "Who are you? What do you want?" I manage to rasp out. My head is feeling very heavy, I really just want to lay down and sleep.

     "You. I was sent here for you and I want you". She replies calmly, smiling serenely.