IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO CONVINCE Vince to accompany me on my search. He practically insisted, suggesting that I spend the nights sleeping in the deck pool. That idea proved difficult, however, as strange insect-like devices occasionally circled overhead. Vince said they were helicopters, and the markings on them confirmed they were from the local news stations. So much for being safe in the water.
It had been nearly two weeks, and we still hadn't found the Sea King. The dolphins helped, but the sheer size of the oceans made finding the elusive King impossible. Was it possible that I wouldn't be able to save my people?
Today, as on many occasions, Vince had to go ashore to restock on food and fuel. I remained in the ocean, continuing our search. I couldn't afford to waste time waiting.
I circled the same spot for hours, hoping to run into a pod of dolphins. It was as if they had vanished. Perhaps the Sea King had summoned them to do some important task, something he often did.
I glanced at the surface, but Vince's boat was nowhere in sight. The bright blue sky filled with the warm colors of dusk, painting the surface with its vibrant hues.
Why wasn't Vince back yet?
Movement below caught my attention, and I saw what looked like the faint glow of a firefly squid. My brows furrowed, and head cocked. These tiny creatures didn't often come so close to the surface, and it wasn't the time or place for spawning.
I swam toward the glimmering creature, eying the nearby cave. A cold draft spread through the water, and a shiver ran down my spine. The dwindling light disappeared as a shadow passed. I looked up, hoping to see Vince's golden boat bottom glinting. Instead, I saw the outline of a bull shark.
My eyes widened and pulse increased. I eased towards the cave, not turning my back on the shark. As it circled, another joined. Then another. They swarmed, working into a feeding frenzy. Wild eyes darted back and forth, searching for the source of their interest.
A school of fish surged past my tail. Gasping, I spun around. Tentacles emerged from the cave, waving about like a school of sea snakes. It was a giant octopus, another fearsome foe.
I cast about for a way to escape, but I was surrounded. Closing my eyes, I tried to block out my inevitable end, but fear of the unknown forced them open again. I stared at the churning waters, paling.
Where was Vince? If I died, would he think that I had abandoned him? Would he mourn for me? What would become of my people?
The sharks continued to feed, a pink cloud of blood and guts spread through the water. A current caught some blood, and it snaked toward me. The acrid, metallic smell hit me first, the warm, pink water slowly enveloping me. The sharks weren't far behind.
Despite the frenzy, a flicker of light caught my attention. The tiny firefly squid, a little longer than my index finger, swam to my shoulder, where it came to rest.
My people considered firefly squid a good omen. I took a deep gulp and summoned all my courage. I had to figure a way out of this mess. My people needed me.
A tentacle curled around my tail, suckers latching on. I tried to pry it off, but the suction held fast. Something bumped into me, and I looked up to see one of the smaller bull sharks coming my way, teeth bared.
My heart in my throat, I grabbed the cave opening, hoping to find some escape. A rock came off in my clenched fist, and I swung it towards the charging shark. I struck anything I could come in contact with, hoping to hit the gills, one of the most sensitive areas on the beast. After a few direct hits, I could see the shark's resolve waning. Another tentacle snaked towards me as the beak sunk into my fluke. I screeched as the pain shot up my tail. Grabbing a free tentacle, I flung it toward the bull shark. Sucker met flesh. Hooked, the octopus removed its arm from my tail, putting its full focus on the shark.
I backed away from the frantic scene, which seemed to be expanding. The firefly squid accompanied me, still hovering above my shoulder. Perhaps luck was on my side.
An unearthly screech filled the waters. The creatures nearby convulsed as they raced about, filling the waters with new turmoil. They scattered in every direction, many whisking past me. My fluke failed to move, and I remained anchored on the spot.
Clamping my hands over my ears brought little comfort. The shriek bored into my head, which began to throb. I writhed, pain burning white hot in my wounds and scars.
Was this how I would end? I fought to escape, but my body would not respond. The Mer had to learn that they were in danger. If I didn't survive, who would let them know?
"Sea King, help me," I cried out, spending the last of my energy.
A blurry figure approached as my vision faded to black, my body falling limp.
YOU ARE READING
Skye's Lure
FantasíaI should've let him drown. That's what any normal Mer would have done. Of course, if I was like the rest, I wouldn't have been lurking around that party yacht, trying to catch a glimpse of the humans. My people will kill me if they find out--literal...
