Underneath

Chapter 13

I woke up to the sound of screams. I thought it was my imagination. Until I heard pounding on my door.

"Please, Coral! Open up!" It was Charlie. I could tell that she was holding back tears.

"Coral! Listen to your sister!" This time it was Aaron.

"Okay!" I hollered.

I came up to the door and open it. Charlie grabbed my wrist and started swimming as fast as she could. Aaron was close behind us.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"We don't have time to explain!" Charlie said.

We sped down the stairs to the throne room. There I saw something I'll never forget for as long as I live. My dad lying on the floor. A knife in his chest. His blood was dark silver. It was sinking onto the ground. Fear frozen on his face forever.

I wanted to leave but I couldn't move. I was paralyzed. Tears streaming down my face. I felt powerless.

Suddenly, Charlie, still holding my wrist, pulled me out the door. Tears blurred my vision. All I could see was that the ground was covered in dark silver.

I could hear women screaming, children crying, and I couldn't do anything to help them.

All I want to do was go back home. Home to Lucy, to my grandpa, to Ryan. I wanted to act like nothing happened. I wanted to go back to the morning before I found out I was a mermaid. I wanted everything to go back to normal. Yet, I couldn't do anything at all. I had to rely on my sister that I met only days before.

I had so many questions that I tried to ask, but I couldn't talk as if someone ripped out my vocal chords. I needed answers, but how was I supposed to get them if I couldn't ask the questions?

"I'm hear," I heard Aaron say.

"Good! Do you have Isaac with you?" Charlie asked.

"I'm right here," Isaac answered.

"Good," Charlie responded.

"So, what exactly is going on?"

Thank you, Isaac! I'll finally get some answers!

"It's the Darkness," she said "He's come for Coral."

Again?

"Again?" Isaac said as if he read my mind.

"Yes," Charlie replied.

"What do you mean, 'again'?" Aaron asked. I guess he didn't know about Isaac saving me.

"Well..." Isaac said.

"Well, what?" Aaron responded.

"So, it started when Coral was coming back hear home the land."

"And?"

"The darkness got to her. I found her, unconscious, surrounded with black. It was the darkness. Luckily, it wasn't too late. I knew how to treat her."

"Why didn't anyone tell me this?"

"She just got back yesterday!" Charlie replied. I could tell she was getting frustrated.

"Okay. Can we stop to rest?" Aaron asked. Everyone was still swimming if you didn't know.

"No! The Darkness is close behind us!" Charlie was practically yelling at this point.

Be quiet! We don't want the Darkness to find us, do we?

"Quiet down, Charlie. The Darkness will know where we are if you don't." Isaac's voice was so calm.

"Where are we going?" Aaron asked, his tone was barely above a whisper.

"I'd like to know, too," Isaac said.

"You guys will see when we get there," Charlie said in a frustrated yet quiet tone.

All their words became mumbles as everything went black.