Star of the Sea

Chapter 14 ~ J

The waves lap lazily on the shore. The cool water nips at my feet as I lay on the beach. My skin feels heated and the beginnings of a burn are present, but I don't care at the moment.

I'm waiting and watching.

A noise startles me and I watch as my boys run into the sea. They play around, attempting to dunk each other and throwing wet sand in each other's faces.

Deciding to join them, I peel off my shirt and wade in. The coolness of the water soothes the burning of my skin.

Suddenly, hands push at my back and I rush head long into the waves. Instead of the familiar burning in my lungs that one encounters when inhaling sea water, I'm met with a slight burn but then air. The salt stings my nose as I breath, but I'm able to stay under. Cautiously, I open my eyes and glance around.

I watch as the frantic feet of my crew crowd the area, obviously looking for me. I swim farther out, admiring the corals and fish as I go. I pop up and yell.

"OVER HERE YOU FUCKERS!"

They let out cries of relief and swim over to me.

"We thought you were a goner! You weren't resurfacing."

"Gills tend to help."

"YOU HAVE GILLS?!"

Harry gets in my face and starts craning my head every which way looking for them. Simon pries him off and shoos him away.

"You idiot. It's magic. You can't see them."

"GET US CORAL!!"

I roll my eyes at Harry's childish behavior, but dive down anyway. As I swim down, the pressure weighs down on me. My ears finally pop and I'm granted a bit of relief, but the further I go the worse it gets.

I reach the reef and pull a knife from my pants. Carefully, I chip away a few pieces of the colorful coral. I tuck them in my arm and prepare to swim up, when a hand latches on my shoulder.

"Putting those gills to good use I see."