Definitely not the Little Mermaid

The Plan 2.0

Chapter Twenty-Four

"We're gonna need a boat," I declared the next morning as I stirred my cereal groggily.

Austin had picked me up at the hospital this morning and filled me in on everything on the drive back home. As soon as we got in, I called for Laiken and Gareth and once they got downstairs and we all had bowls of cereal in front of us, I announced my plan.

"I'm gonna ask Rachel if I can borrow her dad's boat so we can take Laiken to the Rocks. Gareth, I want you to find out everything you can about the Rocks and how we can get there during the storm without dying. Austin, can you make lunch today?"

Austin's face fell and he grumbled.

"And Laiken, can I speak to you?" I flicked my gaze over to the merman. Laiken lowered his spoon and blinked at me. I rose and limped into the living room. The merman abandoned his cereal and followed me.

I collapsed on the couch and patted the cushion beside me. Laiken dropped down and studied me carefully.

"Austin told me you remember everything," I began.

"Not everything. Nearly everything," Laiken corrected me.

"Oh? What don't you remember?"

"Err...what happened before the shark attack and what happened after."

I stared at him uneasily before asking, "Are you going to be okay if you go back?"

Laiken tried his hardest not to avert his eyes. He ended up shrugging feebly, probably hoping that I wasn't going to ask any more questions. Despite wanting to, I didn't. Instead I gave him a slow nod before slouching back. I stretched my arms over my head and blinked.

"How's Jett?" Laiken asked.

I glanced at him. I scrubbed nervously at my cheek with the sleeve of my sweater and said, "He's okay. He's got to stay in the hospital for a while though...obviously. He was asleep when I left."

"Oh okay," Laiken trailed off. He scratched his chin and blinked at me. I stared past him. The merman turned to see what I was looking at and found himself eyeing the blank wall. He turned back to me, quirked his brow up and poked my arm. I started and looked at him. I took in his concerned and confused look and gave a feeble smile.

"I'm exhausted," I admitted with a small laugh.

"I'm bored," said Laiken, swinging his legs onto the couch and tilting his head at me. I fidgeted uneasily, trying to think of something I could do to keep Laiken preoccupied. It took more out of me than I thought it would.

"I'll take Laiken out with me today," Austin offered, entering the living room.

"I'll chill with Angie at home. Drugged up Angie is bound to be fun," Gareth grinned, wheeling himself in.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. Gareth rolled over to us and pulled at my cheeks. I swatted his hands away and looked up at a bemused Austin. Blinking hard to orientate myself, I said, "Your brother is so weird."

"It runs in the family," replied Austin with a grin. He knocked his hand against Laiken's shoulder and nodded towards the door. "I'll wait for you outside."

"Where are we going?" Laiken asked, getting to his feet and helping Gareth onto the couch.

"I need to go grocery shopping for the parents," Austin said, turning to leave.

"I want marshmallow bears," Gareth called after him.

"Ditto!" I yelled.

•