Forever Tide: My True Identity

Chapter One

Chapter One

As my sixteenth birthday was fast approaching my parents have been acting weird. Papa has refused to let me go for my normal morning swims, and Mama has been hovering even more then normal. I keep telling them that I am fine, and I am not going to disappear on them but normally about the time that I say that Mama bursts into tears. I am not sure what is going with them but have been determined to find out. I miss spending time in the sea, and sitting out here on this dock is not doing me any good.

Today the water itself seems to be calling to me, along with its normal welcome silky feeling the sea seems to be sparkling today. It is taunting me as the golden rays of sunlight dance across its surface, the waves roll gently lapping at my feet tugging as each one goes back to the deep. I keep watching for Trixster hoping that the seal will show himself today. He has grown into a large deep chocolate beast terrifying to most but all I have to do is look into those green puppy dog eyes and I see the little seal pup I used to race. He is faster then I am now, and I know that he is deadly but something in me knows that he will never hurt me. I haven't seen him since Papa banned me from the ocean last week.

I am not sure what has caused them to fear the sea the way that they do. It is our lively hood, Papa's boat has braved many storms, and comes back unscathed. Waves pound the shoreline all along the sound during the harsh winter weather, and tidal waves have taken out entire villages, yet our humble home perched on a low hill looking out at the never ending expanse of blue has never been harmed. It is like the sea has given us a blessing, and offered us protection from it's deadly, and destructive side. Papa still fishes every morning, yet I am not allowed to go, and last night I over heard Mama telling Papa that she wanted to move us inland. She would set up a small laundry mat until papa could find something more permanent. He told her though that they could not fight the inevitable. I am not sure what that meant but I think that it has something to do with me.

There is Papa's boat on the horizon line. He was gone a long time today, and he is coming in slowly I hope that everything was okay out there. This week the catch has been lower then normal, maybe I was the good luck charm. I wonder if I went with him he would catch more fish. Something is coming towards shore in front of him, I think it may be Trixster. I was hoping to see that little seal today.

“Hey, Hey your nose is cold. Keep that thing to yourself. Ha ha yea I know that you can't answer me dont give me those sad eyes now.”

My heart dropped to my toes as I watched Trixster jump off the dock into the rolling waves. I wanted so bad to follow him in, but I would not hurt Papa that way. He would be so sad if I took a leap into the sea. I would have to confront him and Mama tonight. They couldn't keep me from the place that I loved forever.

“Goodbye Trixster want a hug before I leave you. Of course you do, now get that silky wet fur up here now.”

I gave him a great big hug, and in turn he gave me one of his famous sloppy kisses, just in time for Papa to dock with the boat. By the look on his face as Trix slipped back into the water he was not happy with what he had witnessed.

“EMILAE! What are you doing with that seal. I told you just last week that he was dangerous.”

“Papa you know that he would not hurt me. I do not know what it is that you and Mama have against the sea but until you figure it out I am not returning to the house. And just so you both know I heard what you said the other night, and if you move I am not coming with you. This is my home, and this is where I plan to stay.”

“Em, you aren't understanding your mother and I are trying to protect you. We do not want to see you hurt, and the sea will hurt you princess. The sea is a dangerous place, it is not always the safe refuge that you have made it.”