Until I Swim

Chapter 5

As we traveled, Aurora, Bruce, and Alex played with their bonded. I guess, as a human, you don't know what I'm talking about. A merfolks bond is a connection that is formed between intelligence and instinct. When a mermaid is bonded with a sea creature, it creates a balance. It makes up for the merfolk's lack of instinct and the creatures lack of intelligence. A contract is formed, promising the lending of their strengths and assistance. The typical mermaid or merman will find their bond by 13, but in my strange, uncommon situation, I have yet to form a bond.

"So, do you guys have any idea about what could have happened?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Well, the humans wouldn't do it, because they don't want us dead, they want us as lab experiments. Other than that, I have no clue," Aurora stated.

"You know," Bruce said. "There are those, what's their name, Sirens? They could have done it."

"But they've been silent for around 100 years," Alex informed.

"It does make sense, though. That they would attack while we are dealing with the humans." Aurora stroked her dolphin, Meg. "Anyways, are we almost there, Alex?"

"I can't tell unless we reach something that would be on a map."

"Have you guys ever wondered what Lizzie's bonded will be?" Bruce eyed me. "Maybe a squid?"

"Whatever, I'll probably get some cool shark. Anyways, look who's talking!" I stuck my tongue out at him as he motioned to hug Sean, his bonded clown fish.

"Hey, guys! That's the Pillar of Bale. From here, we should be there in, maybe, four hours," Alex said. I looked over to see a tall standing structure. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And swimming around it were hundreds, maybe thousands, of sea turtles. They came in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. I was mesmerized by the giant pedestal that stood before me and the amazing creatures.

Alex's elephant seal broke my stare as he swiftly swam through the crowd. The turtles broke apart fast, but quickly joined back together when they realized it wasn't a threat.

"The Pillar of Bale... Why are the turtles so attracted to it?" I questioned.

"It's unknown. A group of merfolk made it to praise their deity," Alex noted, knowingly.

I looked down and found I couldn't see the anything but blackness. "Hey, what's that?" I pointed to a sliver of light reflecting off something at the bottom.

"Ooh, let's find out! Last one there licks the pillar," Aurora exclaimed. I quickly started my descent, closely followed by Aurora and Alex. Bruce, irritation shown on his face, watched.

I could definitely beat both of them in a foot race, but my speed swimming skills were no match to my friends. It was obvious I would be last, besides Bruce, or course. So instead, I directed my attention to the object. It was a silver pendant. The chain was long. If I were to put it on, the pendant would hang well below my chest. It wore a symbol, thought the bottom half was missing. I reached out to touch the pendant, and as my hand got closer, it started to glow light blue. Startled, I drew my hand back fast, and it, just as quickly, went dark.

"Hey guys! Come check this out," I said.

"Weird," Alex said as he got closer.

"It glows." I hovered my hand over it. Alex and Aurora jolted back as it lit up. "Should I touch it?"

Before anyone could answer, I lay one finger down against. After nothing happened, I pulled my hand away. "Maybe one of you should try?"

Aurora very slowly brought her hand towards it. She touched it, and even then, it didn't light up. Then, Alex took a turn. When his hand was just an inch above, the pendant seemed to flicker. The light was way dimmer than when I had touched it.

"Woah," a deep voice from behind said. I turned to see Bruce.

"Look who decided to show up," I said. I grabbed his wrist without second thought and put his hand on the necklace. It did nothing. "Well, it's settled! Since it loves me the most, I get to keep it!"

"Not fair!" Alex reached to grab it from me. I pulled away.

I scrubbed algae off with my thumb, leaving it shining blue in my hand. "Well, we'd best get going!" I swam upwards, the pendant around my neck. 

* * *

Leon woke up with a jolt. He wasn't sure where he was. All he knew was he was tied to a chair and blindfolded. All his limbs were sore and his wrist felt raw from the ropes. As he opened his mouth to yell, a voice spoke, "Look who's woken up?"

Leon failed to keep his voice steady. "Where- Where am I?"

"If I were okay with you knowing our location, tell me, why I would have you blindfolded?" When the man decided Leon wouldn't reply, he said, "Leon, I want to ask you some questions. If you cooperate, I won't pull my trigger and you will return home safely. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes." He didn't dare ask how the man knew his name.

"Good. These questions regard the girl who had lived with you before her disappearance. What's her name?"

"My niece, Lizzie."

"Tell me everything you know about her."

"Everything..." He paused. "Well, my sister, Annette, adopted her when she was 3... From an orphan home in San Marcos, where they lived. Annette died about a month ago. Lizzie moved in with me a week later. She's never talked about her mom."

The man waited for more. Nothing. "Those are things that don't matter, okay? Do you know anything strange about her? Deformities, transformations maybe."

"I don't think I understand your question..."

"Bull! You know what I'm talking about!"

Leon flinched. "I don't, I- I swear it..."

"Damnit, Leon." The last thing he heard was the cocking of a gun, before the man pulled the trigger.