Faery Island

Just a Day at the Beach

Chapter VII – Just a Day at the Beach

“World Turning” Fleetwood Mac

Dian

Dian held the book close to her chest, her knees tucked in at night fall. She was too afraid to sleep just yet after what had happen with the goblins. The aloe is still a sticky reminder of their bites. She ached all over, but things were healing at least.

She wasn’t even sure though, if this was the Faery world part of the island, why is there human world plants? The aloe was a bit more powerful than it probably should have been, she had put it on the bite from the Kelpie, and already it was starting to scar.

The waves crashed against the sandy beach, a rhythm that was peaceful to her mind but drowning at the same time. For the first time sense entering Faery World, Dian could see the sky. There was a numerous amount of stars in the sky, and the moon seemed bigger, brighter and just behind it she could see a shadow of another moon.

The fire crackled behind her and Gyrin snored above her. Anthony was somewhere inside the tent, silently holding his sword. A black figure out in the ocean rose from the water a few feet out.

Dian stayed as still as she possibly could, frozen place. The moonlight danced on the shoulders of the figure as it approached and splashed in the tide.

“Gyrin?” Dian squeaked quietly. But he didn’t stir.

Whatever it was, it reached the sand and moved without a sound now. The shadow loomed closer and bigger, till it took the form of a man.

His hair was long and golden. His chest was bare and tan, his eyes as blue as the ocean. He smiled, showing white teeth and spoke; his voice like silk. “Hello, Dian.”

“How do you know my name?” She questioned still in her sitting spot. Something about his smile, his eyes, and well, his everything made her want to stay and listen.

“We know lots of things. That you’re young, and you don’t belong here. You just want everything to be normal again.” 

He was right; it was like he had read her mind. So many times had she thought those exact words.

“I can take you back to that life you know. Just take my hand.” He extended his hand, a gentle expression on his face.

Dian hesitated, she really wanted too. Looking back in to his eyes though, she had too. Something inside them told her to take the mysterious boy’s hand.

And she did. He held it warmly and pulled her on to her feet. He led her to the water’s edge, and deeper to their ankles.

“Not so far, Silkie,” Anthony’s said from behind them.

The boy stopped and turned around, as did Dian, brain washed to do as the boy does. Anthony stood on the beach, his eyes fierce and sword in his hand. “Let my sister go.”

He did as told, letting Dian’s fingers slip out of his. Her head pounded and she stepped back. The boy’s gentle face was something cruel and mischievous; his eyes dark like the pits of the ocean where the scariest animals live.

“Well, I heard the news but didn’t exactly believe it. Anthony Fleece, you’ve came back.” He chuckled and Dian ran from him to Anthony’s side. Feeling sick and dirty from being so close to the boy, she felt as if she needed to scrub her skin with more force than she ever had used.

“Unfortunately for you, coming back isn’t going to bring Leenah back and neither is dragging your sister along. What’s the matter with that anyways? Are you just using her for bait?”