Celeste

18.

I finished my story, and turned to the children, who turned to me with huge flashing eyes. A shaky hand was raised.

I pointed, "yes?"

"What's a light - house?" He asked.

"It is a big red and white building with a huge light at the top, so ships don't crash into the rocks around them." I answered.

Another hand. Then another. And another.
Even the older mermaids looked interested as I explained the land to them.

It wasn't long before I had the whole room in awe as I explained Christmas, mer children chattering excitedly about this mysterious 'santa' 

"Did you really live above land? They didn't know about us, at all?" Mariana asked.
"Not at all. Most would think you were joking if you mentioned mermaids."

Soon my voice was hoarse, and I felt rather tired, yawning every now and then. Benny took over, patting me on the back with a nod as I took to a corner, curling up and stretching.

"Alright children. Time for sleep. Your parents should be back by morning." He spoke.

Benny began to sing, strangely sweet despite his age. It rang about the room like echoes, sending little heads lolling, tails  curling amongst eachother like cats in front of a fire.

I couldn't make many words out, but it relaxed me even so, like a massage along my spine. Before I knew it, I had curled up, closed my eyes, and was asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Someone was singing again.

Another melody that sent energy into my skin and thought to a still sleeping brain.

I opened my eyes, and noticed the other children waking too, looking about curiously.
It was Mariana singing this time, bracelets chiming.
I was enthralled as she came to an end, with a final note.

Benny jabbed my side. "Not bad, eh? I think I'm better though. Sleeping is much better than waking." He chuckled.

"How..."

"Sapphire is my daughter. She inherited my emotion singing. Now it is weak, I can only do it every now and then, and only in enclosed spaces." He explains.

I turn to the front again as a flash of colour meets my eye.
From the tunnel emerges ruby, who wears a victorious grin, shield in hand.
"We have won our battle!" She shouts.

The room erupts into joyful squeals and shrieks as more mermaids flood into the room, catching children into great hugs, laughing with joy. They talk animatedly, and soon the whole room is buzzing with half caught words.

Ruby makes her way back to her throne, and sits, watching the swell of parents talk to children, relief on everyone's faces.

It begins to quieten as people filter out. I notice a little boy looking hopefully at anyone who passes. Benny and Mariana are greeted by sapphire as she speeds towards them, talking animatedly.

"It was great! I made them sad so that they threw themselves over, and then we attacked in the confusion, and overwhelmed them! Ruby says we can bring the ship closer so we can salvage, and..."

Ruby coughed, and sapphire closed her mouth with a click.
"We have two casualties." She said, nodding to the boy, who looked crestfallen.

"Nemo. Your mother fought bravely, but is injured. Your father is with her. Diamond, lead the way." She instructed. Diamond and Nemo swam out of sight.

"Who is the second?" Benny asked.

"It is Mitch."

My heart beat so fast I thought it was vibrating. "Wh- what?" I stutter, voice sounding at the end of a tunnel.

"A pirate cut him deeply on the face. He will be fine, but disfigured." Ruby explained. "Sapphire, take her to him"

She gently takes my arm and leads me out of the cave.

Outside it is loud and cheerful, families dancing and singing a victory song, painting bright alge on their faces. Jellyfish bob alongside, illuminating faces.

We duck and weave through the crowds, dodging swirling cloaks and whiping tails.

We reach the infirmary on the outskirts of the noise, a much more constructive building with a big red cross and dozens of jellyfish illuminating every corner.

The boy, Nemo, is here, crying into his dad's arm.
The bed is covered with a sheet.

Another bed is occupied with Mitch. I can only assume because Sam is there too, chattering into the bed, squeaking at anyone who passes.

He lies still, face covered with supprisingly clean bandages. A shock of dark hair sticks out. I can see the lower half of his face too, set into a hard line.

I rub Sam on the snout, and he hums in sadness. "Hey, salmon. Guess you found out too, huh." I say. He blinks beady eyes my way.

I take Mitch's hand with hesitance. He stirs slightly, and holds my hand with a squeeze. I smile a bit, wiping at my face. A pearl drops slowly to the floor.

"Hello, miss. Are you his girlfriend?" A friendly voice says. A nurse with trimmed hair and silver eyes asks, leaning over him.

I think of our kiss. "Yes." I sniff.

She watches in shock as another pearl falls from my eyes.
"My goodness. Are you crying healers?" She asks, picking up the two pearls from the floor.

"Healers?" I question. Sapphire comes up from behind me and stares into the nurses palm.

"Oh, wow! Healers are black pearls produced by some mermaids, they can heal anything! It makes humans immortal, or so I heard."

"So, could you heal him?" I ask.

"Why, yes of course." She nods, picking up a pearl from her palm. I watch as she places it gently into Mitch's mouth. And closes his jaw. Mitch begins to struggle.

"It doesn't taste too good down here. Tastes better on land, I think. It dissolves on the tounge." She explains as Mitch stops struggling.

"And now for the magical bit..." She said, reaching for the bandages.

We watch as the nurse unravels the material, peeling away layer after layer...
We crane closer at the final bit. Even Sam is hovering above him, silent.

"It's a miracle! It was much, much worse, but now..."

His face is free of anything. No scar, not even a speck of dirt. Slowly his eyes open, and Mitch lets loose a grin.

"So... What did I miss?"