Finding your feet

Chapter 2

James awoke, feeling the soft sponge of Henry's bed under his fingers. He blinked up at the ceiling for a few moments before he heard a call.

"Morning! Well, afternoon really. How was your first night underwater?"

James saw Henry bustling in the kitchen, and swum over to the table, rubbing his eyes. He sat awkwardly and rested his forehead on his arms. Henry came over with plates and looked down at James. "Not well then?" James looked Henry right in the eyes, then looked away.

"I-I just kept remembering last night...I've never been that scared, ever." He looked down at his tail, occasionally catching the sunlight, and then, continued, "I'm not even s'posed to be here, be – like this, but the thought of losing it, that I've had for, what, a day? It was terrifying Henry. I just – can't explain it..." He trailed off as he realised Henry's arms were around him.

"I understand. Don't worry James. I promise you, nothing will happen." James felt gratitude fill him, and he only realised what he was doing until Henry said, "Hey, you're leaking again!" They both laughed slightly, then James withdrew, wiping his eyes. "Thank you."

They ate in silence, James only breaking in to ask what he was actually eating. 'Seaweed' was the monotonous reply.

Once they had finished, and Henry had taken the plates away, James sat there, scratching his head absentmindedly. "So, um, what did you say we were going to do today? Visit someone? Er...was it Lily? Lucy?"

"Luna. Her name is Luna. You'd better get it right or you'll never hear the end of it. I think you'll find her...interesting."

"Oh yeah? How so?"

"You'll see." Then Henry winked infuriatingly. James crossed his arms and stuck out his tongue in a juvenile manner. They both broke down laughing again before Henry stopped it catch his breath. "Okay, okay, just sit here and wait, while I get ready." He went to his big cupboard and started to rummage again.

James sat like an impatient child and swished his tail slowly back and forth, as a person might kick their legs. A thought then struck him. "Hey Henry."

"Mmm?"

"Do you have a job?"

Henry's head appeared out of the cupboard, his hands full of objects. "Yeah, yeah I do."

"Aaa-nd?"

"I heal people." This piqued James' interest.

"So are you like a doctor?"

"A what?" James realised Henry didn't understand so he waved it away.

"Must be a human thing. So what sort of thing do you help with? Do you use your magic?"

"Well, anything really. Cut fins, infections, everything. And I never use my magic unless I have to. I use it to send them to sleep first, then heal them so they don't see."

"Wow, you can do that too?"

"'Course. How do you think you got off so well last night?"

"That as you?"

"Yep. I thought you'd been through enough and could do with a good night's sleep. Besides it was about midnight, so I just helped you a little. Did you dream?"

"No...first time ever I think."

"Side effect of the magic. Right, I think that's everything." He started gathering the objects he'd brought from the cabinet together and placing them in a bag that he'd put diagonally over his shoulder. Only two things were left. James picked up both and examined them. "Why do we need these?" Henry looked up after checking his bag was fastened.