Vanessa [A Poor Unfortunate Soul]

09. Transformations

The outburst had ended the party, and guests were escorted out of the castle.

"What now?" Kaleb asked, as they walked down the beach.

"We could begin Vanessa's danish lessons" Derek teased.

"Perhaps a swim?" Vanessa asked.

Derek and Kaleb exchanged looks, as she took off down the sand.

Just before entering the water, out of the corner of an eye Vanessa caught sight of the princess. Princess Melody stomped her way around to a small docked row boat. When she left, only then did Vanessa find it appropriate to enter the water.

"Was that the princess, then?" Kaleb asked, catching up to his sister.

Vanessa didn't answer, instead she threw herself in the water. Clothed, she let the water calm her senses. The cool sensation seemed to wash away the events of the day. And before then.

Until a sharp pain hit her. Asserting herself upright, Vanessa examined the water. For anything, really.

A shark.

A jellyfish.

A rock, something. But there was nothing. Just the deep blue water around her. The sea, and Derek.

Derek had made his way out, and held her close.

"Where is Kaleb?" Vanessa asked, before another sharp pain struck her.

"He's safe" Derek replied. "You're safe"

"What do you mean?" She asked. "What does that mean?"

Another sharpness, this time towards her legs. Growing a reddish-pink tone, proving the origin.

Holding her, Derek pushed Vanessa's right leg toward the other. She would have pushed away, but holding them together seemed to ease the sharpness.

"What's happening to me?" Vanessa asked, looking deep into his eyes. As if searching for the answer within them.

Vanessa's body seemed to move of its own accord, thrashing about the water. Foam and vomit began rushing to her lips.