Finding Peace

The Decision

CHAPTER 9

Arita sat straight up in her bed, and gasped for air. Sweat clung to her forehead and back. She panted. Arita began to sob. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

She must've screamed because her brothers came running into her room.

"What happened!?" Michael asked concerned and frightened.

"I- I had a.. Nightmare..." She quivered.

The words 'bad dream' would've been an understatement.

"It's okay, it was just a dream." Michael comforted.

"No it wasn't. She was real." Arita stared into the frightened eyes of Michael, who sat next to her and rubbed her back.

"She was real." Arita repeated beginning to sob.

"Shhh, it's okay Rita. We're here." He soothed.

Michael and Jacob exchanged concerning glances.

"Is dad here?" Arita asked through her tears.

"No. Mom and him are still out." Michael answered.

"What time is it?"

"Three." He answered.

Arita sighed, "Alright."

"Do you want me to call them?" Michael asked.

"No, it's fine. I'll be fine."

There was a slight pause, and all you could hear was the sniffle of Arita.

"Hey sis?" Jacob said, "Do you want us to lay in here until you fall asleep?" he asked kindly.

Arita smiled. "You guys are the best brothers."

"Don't mention it." Jacob grinned.

So the two boys gatherd blankets and layed on Aritas floor. At first they were up, but then Arita watched them doze off, and soon she too fell back into a deep slumber.

CHAPTER 10

"One double-chocolate frappé extra whipped cream, and a mocha." Brookie stood tall and proud at the Coffee Hut's order table.

Arita sat at a small two-chair table in the back left, waiting on Brookie and the two drinks.

Brookie had on pale blue jeans that folded up to mid-calf with pre-cut wholes in the thy. She also had white Vans on and a yellow quarter sleeved shirt that had a wide cut neck and hung of her right shoulder, exposing her white sports-bra. Arita loved the color of her friends long blonde hair that hung down her back.

As Brookie walked towards Arita with the drinks, Arita noticed the braid crown across the front Brookie's head, and the light make-up she wore to show off her beautiful eyes and cheekbones.

"Okay, one double-chocolate frappé for the Miss." Brookie announced and set the cup on the table.

"Thank you milady." Arita giggled.

"Alright, let's rip this puppy out." Brookie said, sitting down and pulling out the mermaid book from her brown sling back.

Arita stopped her, "Here?" she asked looking around.

"Why not?" Brookie laughed.

The two flipped past the front two pages and reached the beginning of the book.

It was a story.

They skimmed the pages, hoping to come across some kind of answer.

The page flipped and a picture of a woman floating in water appeared. The drawings and inscriptions reminded Arita of an ancient book from Greece or something.