A Merman's Tale

Margaret: Chapter Nine

     21 days left before Seirra’s deadline. Nothing much happened since my attack. Well, maybe except for the fact that I ended up being guarded 24/7. More than my Grampa, Seirra seemed to be obsessed in making sure that either he or my grandfather was around me all the time. As he explained before, the incident seven days ago had never happened before and we had to be extra careful.

     With all the attention I got from him, I think it was I who need to be very cautious.

     Sometimes, it was hard to remember that he was different from me—an entire species of difference. He had a tendency to be really sweet and charming that I often forget that our relationship was a ruse he created to make him seem normal. At times, I just savored the moment and treated him as I thought I would treat a real boyfriend.

     Apparently, I also slowed down his investigations. He couldn’t stray far from Grassfield High during my class hours because he felt the need to protect me. Thus, we only got to look more thoroughly for Marina when we’re together after class. Seirra had been searching for eight days and the only lead we were sure of was that a mermaid—or mermaids—had lived here in Grasveld Aisles. We had asked the older residents and most of them said that they had once seen a mother and daughter with lime green eyes. Eye colors that were common to Aquanians. They all said that the color was rather unusual and very easy to remember.

     Grampa’s eyes had once been as vivid as Seirra’s but age had dulled it to olive green. We asked him if he knew the mother and daughter that the other people had seen but Grampa had not encountered them. He assumed that it was because the former queen still had a bit of her powers in her and could sense the presence of a Huntre. She may have tried to avoid Grampa and maybe trying to evade Seirra as well.

     Today turned out to be another fruitless search. We started our way back home and were walking along Ocean Drive, northern Grasveld’s main road which would eventually connect to Harbor Drive.

     “We’re done with the northern part of Grasveld,” Seirra declared, frustration clear in his voice. “We can start with the western side tomorrow.”

     “I’m sorry,” I told him in a contrite manner. “It would have been easier for you if you didn’t have to wait for me to finish class.”

     “Don’t worry about it,” he said nonchalantly, “I was merely being impatient. This is the closest I’ve come to finding Marina.”

     He looked so distressed, and without knowing what I was doing, my palm ended up touching his cheek as I assured him, “You’ll find her soon enough. I’m sure.”

     A lopsided smile broke out of his frown and he placed his hand over mine.

     “Thanks, sweetheart.”

     My eyes widened at the realization of what I just did and I hastily removed my hand out of his grasp. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t let go easily. I might no longer be holding his cheek but my hand remained caged around his. He started pulling me as we walked so I tugged at our hands but he still kept his grip on me.

     “You do realize that I was just trying to comfort you?” I asked him with a bit of my sarcasm to hide my blush.

     “Uh-huh,” Seirra answered, turning this way and that. “And I am very much comforted.” He suddenly grinned widely and began walking faster. I would have stumbled while keeping up with his pace but his firm grip kept me walking steadily. Delicious smells of chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and cheese drifted towards my nose as we reached a small restaurant called ‘Marly’s Pasta’. Seirra opened the door and ushered me in as he finally removed his hand from mine, this time, placing it at the small of my back. I didn’t really know which hold was more disturbing. “Hmmm. It smells good in here.” He looked at me warmly, keeping his wide smile plastered on his face. “Your treat.”