Insula Somnium, Isle of Dreams.

Chapter Six

We went up for air occasionally, but I think that was for me more than her. Taylor's amazing strength and speed amazed me. We were zooming underwater faster than a boat. I closed my eyes tight underwater, and made sure that I didn't lose my tight grip around her neck, so I wouldn't go flying into the deep abyss of the dark ocean. 

Taylor swerved sideways, and I momentarily lost my grip. The force of the water knocked me off her, and I felt myself drifting along in the dark sea. With my eyes still closed, I tried to swim to where I thought she was. But out of nowhere, something knocked my side, and I shot through the water like a bullet. 

I managed to open my eyes, but all I could see was the murky ocean. It all looked the same, I didn't see anything. Something grabbed my floating arm, and pulled me forward. Fear coursed through my body like an electric current traveling through copper. I tried to swim away, but it was strong, and tentacles wrapped around, encasing my body, leaving me with no chance of escape. 

I felt my lungs burning inside me, it's hunger for breath urgent. I needed to get some air as quickly as possible.

As if sensing my thoughts, the creature threw me up in the surface, and I caught a glimpse of what it was holding me captive. All I saw were black, shimmery scales covering a large tentacle, before I was plunged back into the depths- and my captive's- grasp. 

Finally, I was thrown onto sand, and I stumbled up blindly. I was so tired and out of breath, that I didn't even notice the two girls standing before me. I slumped down on a rock, and just waited until my breathing evened, and my heart slowed down. 

When I finally looked up, I saw the two amazingly beautiful women staring at me. Well, the one on the right was glaring at me, but the other one was just staring, a look of wonder on her face. 

The one on the right had wavy brown hair, and dark brown eyes. Her skin was tanned, and looked glowing. Her thich brows were creased, and her small nose was scrunched up.

"And what are we supposed to do with this one now, huh?" She said, puttng her hands on her hips. The other one, who I now turned to give my full attention too, was even more beautiful than the other. 

She had curly blond hair, with sea green eyes, a murky colour. She had lushous full lips that were slightly parted, and high cheekbones. She had fair skin, and was not glowing like the other.

"Why did you bring him here? You know she would have brought him to us anyway!" The brown haired one said, sounding exasperated.

"She needs to learn who's the leader on this part of the island," She replied calmly, "And besides, Pooch could use the excersise." 

"You named that monstrous thing Pooch?" I finally managed to say, my lungs still feeling like they were underwater. They both turned their heads, as if realizing that I was a human being. The brown haired one leaned over, and gave me a sly smile.

"Oh, so you can talk," She said cattily. Finding my courage, I said,

"Yes, and quite well actually."

"And he can think too," She leaned back in satisfaction, "My my, aren't we learning a lot about the human race" It was only then when I realized that they weren't actually human.

"Yes, we are," Continued the blonde, "And I think you should come with us now," She said, talking to me. She grabbed hold of my forearm, and pulled me up. Her strength surprised me for such a tiny and fragile-looking girl.

"C'mon." The brown haired one said, charging into the thick brush of the forest. The blond smiled at me, and said,

"I'm Genevieve."

"Daniel." I said.

"We should follow her before she comes back and finds us talking." She said, and I nodded, so we started walking.

"So is Taylor your little sister?" She asked, swinging her hands as she walked. She was wearing a long dress that looked like it was made in the seventeen hundreds. The skirt was a white flowing fabric, while the top was a long sleeve white shirt with a brown vest over her stomach and chest.

"Yeah," I said.

"She's very pretty. I think if she finally starts eating she'll fit in just fine with us." She said nonchalontly.  I said nothing.

"Do you mind if we keep her here?" 

"I don't," I confess, "I want both of us to get of this island and go home as soon as we can." 

"Oh," She said, sounding sad.

"Do you think you could help us?"

"No," She said, "I'm afraid I can't."

"Why not?" I said, stopping. She took hold of my hand, and gently pulled, not making me do anything.

"We must continue walking." She said, and I did so.

"Why can't you help us?" I asked.

"Taylor must not leave. She does not know how her kind survives, how to feed, how to not infect other humans."

"Infect other humans?"

"Yes,"

"How do you become a mermaid?" I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to know the answer.

"A mermaid has to scratch you." She said.

"That's it?" I asked.

"Scratch you," She continued, "And let you live."\

"Is that so hard?" I asked.

"Once you smell the blood of a human, it's nearly impossible to not bite in," She said, looking at me. I gulped.

"And so the mermaid who scratched her...let her live? Why?" 

"Would you like to meet the mermaid who gifted her with the powers of mermaids?" She asked.

"I would." I confirmed.

"I'll bring you from your cage at night, when Ariel's out hunting." She said. 

"Cage?" 

"It's where we put all the humans before eating them." 

"Are you going to... eat me?"

"I'll try to save you before they get you," She said, "I want Taylor to have her brother. They can't possibly take away the only human to not fear us once they know of our existence." 

"Okay, so midnight, you'll come get me?"

"Yes."

"Hurry up Genevieve!" we heard Ariel shout from a distance.

"We best listen to her." She said, and we hurried along the way.