The Last Minute

Chapter 9

I was scared to death about what Trout would do to my children. He was so much bigger than me. He could eat Jemmy, my brothers, and my kids all in one gulp. I needed to get home.

"Oracle, take me home," I pleaded.

"You may return home for an hour, but neither Sadie nor the other fish will be able to see you," said Oracle. "That's all I can give you. That's all that is in my power."

"That's enough," I said. "I just need to save Jemmy and the children."

"Now you will be warned: you may never return to the Pond. You might stay in the tank, out of contact with anyone, for eternity. Sadie could take the tank down and your soul will stay in it without water. Do you still want to continue?" Oracle asked.

"Yes," I said. No matter what, I wanted to see Jemmy.

"Then you shall be entered into Sadie's tank, your old home."

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I woke up in the same spot I died in. I went to the back of the tank and saw no reflection of myself. I was invisible.

I looked up and saw the baby fish net that the Oracle showed me. There were two little tiny babies in it. Jemmy was right next to it, talking to them.

"Daddy's gone. He may never come back," she said. It was so good to hear her voice again.

I swam to try and give her a hug and I went straight through her.

"Why isn't Daddy coming back?" asked the larger baby. They were already talking!

"He...he left the tank. He moved into a different tank," said Jemmy.

"Why?" asked the smaller baby.

"Well, Finn, he wanted to be alone for a while. He didn't want to see me anymore," said Jemima.

How dare she lie about my death to our children! They need to know the truth.

"I'm right here!" I tried shouting. No one heard.

Just then the water swirled. In a cloud of black appeared Tremendous Trout.