Definitely not the Little Mermaid

Storm Warning

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Are we ready?" Austin asked, an all-too-wide grin on his face.

"I am," grinned Gareth from his position on the couch.

It had been unanimously decided that it would be far too risky to take Gareth with us and so he had to stay at home and guide us over the phone. Initially he hadn't been unhappy about it but the past four days had given him plenty of time to stew.

"I need to pee," Laiken piped up.

"Go," Austin yelped, flapping his hands at him. The merman spun around and hurried upstairs.

I hopped anxiously from foot-to-foot, unable to keep still. Austin turned to me, raised his eyebrows and asked with a grin, "You too?"

"Huh? No..." I trailed off and smacked his arm. I stuck my hands into the pockets of my raincoat. My eyes flittered over to Gareth and I shuffled closer to the couch. I bumped my elbow gently against the back of his head.

"Ouch," he said, grinning up at me.

"Keep the door locked okay," I said.

"Sure," Gareth shrugged. He returned his attention to the laptop on the coffee table.

"I'm done!" announced Laiken, rejoining us.

"Okay, let's go pick up Rachel and get our a—" Austin began.

"Let's just go," I interrupted. Austin pursed his lips, made a show of throwing his hands up into the air before stomping over to the front door. I glanced worriedly at Laiken. The merman wordlessly slipped his hand into mine and gave it a comforting squeeze. I let out a terrified breath before nodding and leading Laiken towards the front door.

"Be safe! Try not to sink the boat!" Gareth yelled after us.

                                     •

Rachel hopped into the car mouthing obscenities at the weather. She struggled out of her jacket and shook rain off it before turning to me. A wide grin curved her mouth.

"Hey," she said.

"Hi," I grinned wearily.

"This is really happening," Rachel chirped.

"Close your door," piped up Austin.

Rachel pulled her door shut and clipped her seatbelt into place. She immediately swivelled her gaze back to Laiken and I. She waved at the merman. Laiken offered her a bright smile in return.

"Let's put on some music," Rachel said, turning around and fiddling with the radio. Austin let out a long grumble before starting the car once more.

                                   •

I, very reluctantly, had to admit that I have never been more afraid of the ocean than at this moment.

The car sat parked in front of the docks. The windshield wipers noiselessly swept back and forth. From what I could make out, the ocean looked furious. It's grey waters crashed against the boardwalk, waves rose to frightening heights before plunging back down, taking everything in its path down with it. The boats tied up to the dock bobbed fragilely in the water.

"There's a chance we could die, isn't there?" Rachel finally asked, turning around to look questioningly at me.

"A very small chance," I said weakly.

Rachel sat back and stared out the window.

"You guys gonna go? You've gotta get to the Rocks before midday or Laiken's gonna be suds," Austin reminded us, turning around.