Definitely not the Little Mermaid

Fishermen aren't always wrong

Chapter Twenty-Three

Laiken fidgeted uncomfortably, lingering in the doorway. He heard Mrs Aubrey speaking softly to Angelica. He wanted to go into the room and hear what Mrs Aubrey was saying but something told him that this didn't concern him and so he waited outside instead.

Mrs Aubrey eventually left the room, nodding tersely to Laiken as she passed.

Angelica came out of the room, blinking tiredly. Laiken automatically wrapped her in his arms. He felt her bury her head in his neck and groan, "I'm so done with this shark guy."

"I don't like him," Laiken decided. He gently eased Angelica away from himself and blinked quietly at her. She had bruises on her face from where the shark man had hit her and her eyes were red and puffy. He timidly brushed his fingers over her bruises.

"Where are the twins?" Angelica asked.

"They're busy with your father. How's Jett?"

Angelica looked back into the room and grimaced. She folded her arms tightly and lifted her shoulders in an unsure shrug. Laiken glanced into the room as well. All he saw was Jett lying still on a bed. He looked back at Angelica and gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder. The girl somehow mustered up a smile for him before slinking over to a plastic chair. She sat down and groaned, burying her face in her hands.

Laiken anxiously flitted over to her.

"The doctor said I can't go home yet. He wants to examine me first just to see the extent of the damage," she mumbled, lifting her head and looking at Laiken.

The merman chewed on his lip quietly. He nodded, "I think that's for the best. As far as I can tell, you don't heal as quickly as I do."

Angelica gave him a look before taking out her phone and tapping out a message to Rachel. Laiken leant back in his seat and watched the corridor.

Eventually the twins came over. Austin immediately crouched in front of Angelica, taking her face in his hands and examining her. A scowl formed on his face. Gareth lingered by her side, quietly waiting for his brother to get up. Once Austin moved, Gareth wheeled in front of Angelica and prodded her bruises.

"I'm going to kill that shark," Austin muttered to himself.

Laiken tried not to flinch at the mention of shark.

Angelica rose and gave them tired smiles. "I have to go see the doctor. Can you guys just continue trying to help Laiken?"

"Err yeah, about that," Gareth began uncertainly.

Angelica paused and looked at him.

Gareth fidgeted uneasily before resuming, "We have three days until the Great Storm."

"What's the Great Storm?" asked Laiken immediately. Austin flapped his hand dismissively at him. Laiken pouted and slumped down in the plastic seat. He folded his arms and watched as Angelica's expression morphed into one of horror.

"Oh no," she breathed.

"Yeah...so if we don't manage to get Laiken home before then, then he's stuck here until next summer," Gareth concluded.

"Huh?" Laiken shot out of the seat. He was ignored.

"Okay. You guys take Laiken home and do what you can. I'm gonna see if I can't get the doctor to give me painkillers and get Dad to drive me home," Angelica decided.

"What's wrong with the Great Storm?" Laiken persisted.

Angelica gave the twins and Laiken hurried hugs before turning and speed-walking away. The twins turned to the merman. Laiken lifted his eyebrows quizzically and asked, "Are you gonna answer me now?"