Secrets of the Island (Sequel to Mysteries of Mako)

Chapter 8: New Orders

"Tonight's a Full Moon." Mimmi says. "Why aren't you singing?" She later asks Sirena, who had been silent this time instead of singing one of her Full Moon songs.

"I keep thinking about the pod." She says. "Have they moved North? Will I ever see my sister again?"

"Of course you'll see Aquata." I assure her.

"The pod will never return to Mako as long as Zac can activate the Merman Chamber." Ondina says.

"But he promised us we'd be safe." Mimmi says.

"Zac doesn't know what will happen." Ondina counters, "None of us do. Which is why we have to make sure he doesn't go there tonight."

"How can we stop him?" Mimmi asks.

"You're his sister. Talk to him. Make him see that what he's doing is too risky."

"Zac wants to know what the Chamber is for. I can't change his mind about that."

"So that's our plan? Sit back, let him start it up, and hope for the best?"

"No. I go with him, to make sure things don't go wrong."

"I think it would be safer if we all go." Sirena says.

"Agreed." I add.

"Sure." Ondina says, "Let's take some music and snacks, and have a party. I had a plan. When you come up with something better, let me know."

With that, she stormed out of the Grotto.

~Jasper's POV~

We had just got out of our physics class, and were heading across campus.

"I like physics." Cam says, "I always come out of class feeling much smarter."

'Sure, Cam.' I thought to myself.

"Well, tell Mr. Johnson that." Evie says, "It'll make his day."

Rita then came over, asking to talk to Zac. As they left, Evie and Cam went to their next class while Erik and I waited.

"What do you think they're talking about?" I ask.

"Probably 'Don't go to Mako tonight. It's a Full Moon.'" Erik says.

"Do you think he'll go?" I ask.

"Does it matter? It's his choice."

Sometime later, Zac returned.

"What did Rita want?" I asked. "Let me guess, it was about the Chamber. Don't activate it, right?"

"She's scared of what it might do." Zac says.

"Of course she is." I say. "So what's the best way to conquer fear? Knowledge. Find out what we're really dealing with."

"We?" Zac asks.

"You, me, Erik, mermen." I add, "This is your destiny, Zac. You've got to do it."

"No, he doesn't." Erik says. "Besides, maybe he has a point. None of us knows what it can do."

"It's also not that simple." Zac adds.

"Why not?" I ask. "You're the man. Nobody else can do this but you."

"Let it go, Jasper." Erik says, but I ignore him.

"Your whole life has been leading to this point." I add, "You have to do it."

"When I do it," Zac says, "if I do it, it's my call. But it won't be tonight." With that, he walked off.

I was about to say something else, Erik stopped me.