Ariel's Daughter

Chapter 28

I finally enter my cabin, and hear the sound of the television as the lady announces the news. I sit down quietly, knowing that everyone is here, all listening; all waiting to know. They're listening for news of the storm coming closer. Only this isn't any normal storm, it's a human-made one, and its because of King Triton.

I listen carefully, knowing that I have to. A realization pops into my head, making me annoyed I have to go through with this, but maybe it's a good thing that I'm doing this for her: and by her, I mean Ariel. I hate knowing I'm protecting her, but deep down inside, I feel almost guilty for believing I hate her. No matter what she did, I still can't feel as though I'll forgive her actions, but I can't be angry forever. I sigh, annoyed at the idea of having to live with forgiving her for everything that she's done.

Then, I wonder, if she hates me. Hates me for yelling at her, hates me for hating her, because I realize, I don't want her to hate me. I realize, horridly, that I can't let her hate me because I need her. After all, she is my mother. I curse inside my head, and lay down on the couch, and listen as it groans under my weight.

"Hard day?" Madilyn asks me, and I feel like laughing, because it was a hard day. I had to talk to two people I hate. One that I don't want to get involved with because she makes me think of all the things she's done wrong, and the other for trying to kill me. I finally laugh, and she sits down next to me as she squishes me until I move. "I never knew that after talking to a person that tried to kill you would make you laugh." Madilyn says, and I can hear hints of confusion and sarcasm in her voice.

"I know. But it was very odd. She smiled and everything." I said seriously now. "She acted like she was my best friend." I add, giving her the details. I can practically see the smile on her face when she replies.

"Well, let's hope she doesn't try to steal you from me. I'd never want to see her that nice." I laugh, realizing what a scene Madilyn could be thinking of. It would be a funny sight to see such an evil person act nice and laugh like a normal person would. All the ordinary things people do, just imagine an evil one doing all that.

***

We all help prepare dinner and then sit at the table, anticipating just how good the food is. The smell of the grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup make our mouths water. I wait eagerly, then finally my father sets six plates and cups in front of all of us. We all dig in, and only the chewing can be heard as we don't stop to talk.

It was a hard day for everyone, not just me. My father and Jack went out for their jobs and ended up almost sinking their boats when rescuing others because of the weather. And Madilyn and Avery spent a day cleaning.

I still couldn't believe my eyes just thinking about how Ursula had behaved. It was like I didn't even know her, that she was fake somehow, and I didn't like that. I shiver at the thought, trying to figure out just what she was thinking. Or what she might be plotting.

***

I wonder if it was all just a dream that I'd talked to Ursula, that she'd acted that way. Then I start to think that the thought is stupid, that I'm just trying to make up for the odd feeling that she was nice to me. I look around in my own darkness, trying to decide if I should go talk to Ariel. It still seems odd calling her by her actual name, and not as 'my mother', but it would feel even weirder to me to actually call her 'mother'. It's the conflict of thought that brings me to realize that I have been spacing out, and when I hear Madilyn's voice I come back to earth.

"Are you alright, Ember?" I startle out of my own daydream like state, and stare into the same darkness.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I answer simply, but I know its not enough because she already knows. Knows that I'm not fine. Knows all about my mother always in attention in my head. I know I can't lie to her, but somehow, I want to, just this time so I can be free to keep going back to my thoughts in peace. A part of me knows I have to tell her, and now, I do. "Just thinking about my mother." I tell her, and I hear a sigh let out from her, and I know she isn't disappointed in me, but in Ariel.