The Order of the Pig Story 5: A Secret Beneath the Waves

Chapter 22 - We're a Family

PETRA'S POV

Sammy and I watched Bailey play in the shallow water.

Petra: "It looks like he's happy to be free."

Sammy: "Yeah. He is. According to Pearl. Bailey was trapped in that cave for much longer than I was."

Petra: "And how do you feel?"

Sammy: "I feel amazing. And slightly odd."

Petra: "In what way?"

Sammy: "This sand is a lot dryer."

I giggled.

Sammy: "If there's anything I'm going to miss, it's your smile."

Petra: "Then, let's make this count. Do you wanna build a sandcastle?"

Sammy: "Absolutely!"

We built a sand castle together. I looked at my tail.

Petra: "I'm going to miss this thing. I've kinda gotten used to it."

Sammy: "Really? Last time I checked, you were too scared to look at it."

Petra: "Oh, shush you! Don't try and tell me you weren't the same when you were first turned."

Sammy: "I think I was too young to understand or care."

Petra: "You weren't a human for as long as me."

Sammy: "Haha. Yeah. True."

I grabbed a seashell and put it on the sandcastle.

Petra: "Aaaand... Done! Haha! I love it!"

Sammy: "Me too. It's perfect."

We looked out over the ocean.

Sammy: "It's nearly sunset. We need to get going soon."

Petra: "So soon? But...   I..."

I hugged him tight.

Petra: "... I don't want to leave you."

Sammy: "The human world is where you belong, Petra. This is your home. Bailey and I must return to ours. He needs at least one of us to guide him."

Pearl came up to us with the trident.

Pearl: "Are you ready, Petra?"

I looked at Sammy. He smiled and nodded. I turned back to Pearl.

Petra: "I'm ready."

She pointed the trident at me.

Pearl: "Then by the power vested in me as Queen of Subtropolis, I hereby transform you back to your original form."

There was a flash of light and my mermaid tail split into two legs.

Pearl: "You'll feel a little wobbly for a while, like you're just learning to walk. But you'll be ok."

Petra: "Thank you, Pearl."

Pearl: "I'll let you say goodbye."

Tears filled my eyes. I hugged Sammy close.

Petra: "You told me you're not my brother by blood."

Sammy: "That's right."