Dangerous Waters

Chapter 7

"So you're telling me that there ARE mermaids using sharks to attack other mermaids?" Nixie asked incredulously.

"That's exactly what I'm saying... All those legends about Atlantis? They're true, in a way, just not accurate." Cleo replied. "It was-is- populated by mermaids and mermen. It never did sink- it was built underwater."

"How do you know that's true?" Cam questioned. "Because that's where I came from. Atlantis." Cleo said smiling. "You're Atlantian!?" Nixie glared at her.

"No, no.... Me and my husband, Lewis- we were exploring the ruins when I came to Rob's aid. We found it! We actually found Atlantis!" Cleo cried. "But it's in ruins, so there's nobody there," Nixie realized. Back to square one.

"There is a two small group of mermaids and mermen living and training in some of the old barracks. They each have about 40 merpeople, and they're basically at war." Cleo rebutted, "They're survivors of Atlantis- or at least their ancestors were. We call them the North group and the South group, respective to their locations in the ruins. The North group accepts me and will negotiate, but the South group attacks me every time. They both attack Lewis and the rest of the team, however, but that's because they're human."

She looked around; trying to make sure she explained everything, then looked back up, "OH! They also speak an ancient language. I can understand them and read it perfectly, that's props to my mer-genes, but I can't speak it." She sighed.

"I'll come back with you," Nixie said. "What are you going on about?" Cleo said as Cam exclaimed, "What?!" "I'll come back with you," Nixie repeated, "I've learned all the mer-dialects, and you need my help."

The door opened and Rita walked in. They all turned and looked at her. She stopped in her tracks with her jacket halfway off. "Hello?" she said uncertainly. "We're going on a trip, Rita!" Nixie said. "Pardon?" Rita questioned. Cam just shrugged and Cleo smiled.

"We're going to- wait, where is it, exactly?" "Greenland." "Greenland, Rita! Me and Cleo are going to Greenland!" Nixie said loudly. "All right, sweetie!" Rita laughed, "Someone's excited! Now someone want to explain this to me?"

"Hand me a tissue, would you?" Cleo requested. Cam complied and reached over to the bedside table and grabbed the hole box, holding it out to her. "Thank mate!" she said, pulling one out of the box. "I know the story behind the shark," Cleo explained while wadding up the tissue, "it's from Atlantis," she placed it over the needle in her arm. "Atlantis!" Rita said, confused. "Yes, exactly Atlantis," Cleo confirmed as she put pressure on the tissue and pulled the needle out and headed for the wardrobe.

She pulled out some gauze and bandaging. She replaced the tissue wad on her arm with gauze, and then wrapped some bandaging around it. She walked over to Nixie, and asked her about the strange markings. "Well, they were all up and down its body, and its eyes glowed. Its harness was decorated too, but on the skin it was more like tattoos." Nixie looked down and realized Cleo had pulled the needle out and was wrapping bandaging around Nixies arm. "Wow you're good!" Nixie said, giggling hysterically.

Cam laughed and Rita shook her head. "What changed for you Cleo?" she asked in amazement. "What do you mean?" Cleo answered Rita's question with another. "You used to be a follower. Shy and compliant. Now you're just a leader, to put it bluntly. It's as if you reached in and discovered yourself." Rita elaborated. "Well, I guess I kind of did. I always wanted to make a difference, you know, but I could never muster up the confidence to do it. Now, I just realized that girl wasn't going to make a difference. To make a difference outside of me, I had to make a difference inside of me." "Well, I'm very proud of you," Rita said, earning a wink from Cleo.

"When can we leave? I want to be able to say goodbye to Sirena, and Lyla, and David, and Zac, and even Evie, despite everything. And Cam! Wait, could Cam come with us?" Cam was still laughing as he opened the door for Rob.