All By Myself

Chapter 5

The weeks passed, and I had recently bought a powerful camera that was, apparently, very sturdy in deep waters. The school was having a few days off, so I was hoping to go for a long swim. I doubt that I'd make it very far, but I wanted to just swim, maybe take some deep photos. To be the true me for a few days. My parents were, naturally, worried, but I wanted this. I packed a satellite phone just so I could stay in touch with them, money, though I knew places in the ocean where nourishing kelp and seaweed grew that was good for human digestion, though sadly it wasn't very tasty. I never ate fish. I couldn't. They were my family, and it made me very sick to eat even a morsel of seafood.

I had received mail though that unnerved me. It was anonymous, in a business envelope, post-marked London, with a typed letter asking if I would be interested in participating in a study of marine life and strange creatures. There was a number, but when Dad called it, the number was disconnected.

The day of my planned trip dawned dismally, but that was what I wanted. Less people around on the water, and it wasn't fishing season. I made sure I had everything I needed, phone, watch, etc. I kissed them both goodbye and drove to the local pier, parking in long-term, meant for boaters, then hiked a small distance to a secluded part of the beach, untying my hair. I made sure my bum bag was secure, closed correctly, then I walked into the water, making sure no one was able to see me. I dove under the water, transformed, and pushed myself to my limit, a torpedo speeding through the water. I slowed down once I felt home beach fade away, and I just swam, following my nose, figuratively speaking.

I swam all day, stopping only to eat and drink, finding a stream on an island just off the coast of Scotland. I thought it would be a good place to stay for the night, and dived deep to take some photos, impressed by the clarity. Later I found food, and called home to tell them I was safe. I slept easily, thanks to my warm body, I didn't feel the chill of the night. The next day I swam more, making it all the way to Nolsoy, one of the Faroe Islands. When I called home that night though, I could hear instantly that something was wrong. Mum sounded like she had been crying, and Dad sounded strained. They didn't ask me where I was to start off with, as they had agreed to do, and I heard fumbling of the phone, then Mum spoke again.

"So where are you tonight?" She asked, and I paused. It sounded wrong, almost as though she had been instructed to ask.

"I'm safe and will be home in a day or so." I said. I heard her clear her throat.

"Well, make sure you stay safe. We love you very much." She said, and I heard the tears threatening to spill. I knew then that things were definitely wrong. She hung up the phone, and I immediately turned off the satellite phone. I didn't want them, whoever they were, locating me. I slept badly, afraid, and started my journey home at first light. I needed to get home, and fast. I swam as fast as I could until my tail could flap no longer, and I found an island to camp on for the night, my legs aching as I walked out of the water. I slept deeply until the sun rose early in the morning.

I woke up early, testing my legs, which had recuperated overnight, and walked straight into the water after eating some island berries and mushrooms, drinking some water, then swam determinedly until I arrived at home beach, as I called it. I walked to my car, ate down a few sandwiches I'd kept in an esky in the boot, drinking deep of some water, then started my car up after dressing in pants and a light sweater, and drove home.

I turned the corner onto my street, and immediately felt dread. There was a dark car outside my house, and a large van just a bit down the road from that. The car had tinted windows; the van had no windows in the back at all. I parked a fair way up the street, wanting to take whomever was at my house by surprise, and have a good chance to getaway if I needed to. I paused at my drive, but I went to my parents' home. I didn't want to be trapped. I entered the house via the side door, shutting it behind me quietly. I held my keys in a fashion that, if I was in trouble, I could use a key as a weapon, and moved from the kitchen into the living area. I saw a laptop open on the kitchen table, and moved over to it as quietly as I could, seeing a map on the screen, a flashing red dot where my street was. I felt my stomach drop. They had placed a tracker on my car. They had found out where I lived because of my car. Because of me. I heard movement behind me, and turned around quickly, facing Brad. I faltered, stepping back.