Ariel's Daughter

Chapter 29

Avery's Point of View

I look across the room to see Ember is gone again. It makes me feel anxious now. I know there is a storm out there, and I feel scared for her. I have to go find her again. I step outside, and hear a warning from my older sister, Madilyn, and smile slightly; though, I still leave despite her worry. I know someone to protect me. I run past the waves crashing over the docks at my feet, just barely getting wet. I make my way to the end of the docks until I see the familiar head of hair of blonde. I know its not Ember, she'd already be long under the surface, thinking of a way to defeat King Triton. I race towards Ariel, frantic now. I have to protect Ember, she is the only one I feel has a connection to me.

"What now?" Ariel says, her voice sounding on the edge of annoyance and anger. I guess she told Ember, or she accidently found out herself. I've known for a while, but of course, how would I have told her Ariel's secret. Then I grow sad, I know that I too, had lied to Ember. I hadn't told her that with my deal I had made with Ursula, that I had regained my voice with it. It was Ursula I trusted, not Ariel, but I had had no choice.

"I want to help Ember, now." I say, almost in a yell because the wind and the waves combined making all sorts of roaring noises almost drowns out any yell or scream. She nods, a reluctant approval, I think annoyed.

"Let's go." Ariel replies and I hardly hear her voice as she jumps into the water. I jump in after her, quickly finding that I can still breathe properly thanks to her. We swim towards the cave where Ursula should be, and I look down to see Ariel's town, where she has small cottages set in a cute urban-like setting. Gardens are set carefully next to each house, that I still gawk at because I still can't get over how she grows flowers under the surface, but I suppose its magic. "Hurry up." Ariel says and I can hear the rising annoyance in her voice as she swims faster towards her sister's cave. We finally get closer, and she slows, stopping at the entrance. "Go on, she'll give you more oxygen, but mine will hold you over until you get to her." I nod, not talking.

I swim into the darkness of the cave, finding my way ever so slowly, my heart racing hoping my oxygen won't run out while I'm still struggling to find Ursula and Ember. I swim as fast as I can, until I see a light from one of Ursula's torches. I swim faster, hoping they are still here, hoping to help Ember and Ursula win this war. I have to.

Up ahead, I hear voices, familiar voices. Its Ember and Ursula, as I'd hoped. I smile, happy they hadn't left yet. I swim towards them, not able to see them yet, but only hear them talking softly, like its all a big secret. I find that my legs push me faster in the water than before, making me realize just how desperate I feel to help them both. "We have to do something." Its Ember's voice. "I can't just wait around until King Triton destroys my mother, even if I do not like her, she is my mother." I sigh in sadness, I know she knows about Ariel now. She had to have figured it out just now, and for that reason, it makes me feel guilty.

"Ember, hold on to those things you want, because they'll slip away as fast as they came." Ursula tell Ember, hoping she'll change her mind. Tell her that she cares about her mother no matter what she's done.

I had known about it, I had been told first, not Ember, even when she should have confided in her own daughter before a boy like me. I know why she told me, and for that, it makes me feel anger towards Ariel, but I do everything in my power not to betray her, or else, she'll take everything away.

I slowly make my presence noticeable, and it take a few moments before Ursula picks up on my being there. "Hello, Avery. Come on in." She says to me, her voice sweet, not like her sisters. I nod, still not using my voice. Both of them, Ember and Ursula know I have one now, but I'm afraid somehow. I don't realize why until I find Ember staring at me. I realize its because I don't want her to feel anger towards me, or judge me for it. For both the decision to regain my voice, and what it sounds like. I can't help but recoil when she stares, and look down at the ground. I know she senses my discomfort. Hopefully she doesn't push it. I realize both are waiting for some sort of response. I sigh, now realizing, in horror, that I'll have to talk to get my message to them.