Angel of the Sea

Chapter IV

After Ariel's musical number, I decided it was time for me to head back home. I swam out of the cave, while Ariel decided to stay inside for a little bit longer. On my way home, I could hear someone calling for me.

"Angel, is that you?"

I looked back, and noticed a familiar face.

"Dan, I haven't seen you in a while. What's up?"

I've known Dan ever since I was younger. He was a good friend of Clyde's.

"Nothing much, what's up with you?" he asked in return. There was a slight pause before I answered.

"Uh, good... I guess," I said, adding a smile for the sake of his belief.

"You paused."

"No, I didn't," I denied.

"Come on, your brother did this all the time. What's wrong?" he asked, swimming closer.

I sighed.

"I've just... I've been pretty confused lately," I admitted.

"What were you confused about?" he asked.

"I've just- I don't know... My 16th birthday is coming soon, and I kept wondering about what I could do for it," I said.

I used to hear about some people getting to try new things or fulfill their wishes on their 16th birthdays. Most of them would be promises kept from their parents, but I don't remember my father or mother promising me that they would let me walk on land. I thought of asking the King to help me out, since he and I were pretty close, but all he did was give me a lecture about how dangerous it is up there. That was the first time I noticed how much he and my father had in common. No wonder they were such great friends.

"You mean like... a wish?" Dan asked.

"Yes! That!" I exclaimed, hoping that Dan could help me find a way to walk on land.

"What would that wish be?"

I hesitated, and thought about telling him. Might as well try all the help you can get, right?

"... I wanna walk on land!" I blurted out.

I waited to see what kind of reaction Dan would have. Surprise was the one he chose. He lifted his eyebrows, and I noticed he was at a loss for words.

"W-Walk? As in with l-legs? Is that what you mean?" he asked to make sure.

"No, as in with my arms- of course with legs, Dan!" I said.

Dan looked down, deep in thought. It looked as if he was trying to decide something. He passed a hand through his black hair, and finally made a decision.

"Um... yeah, sure. I think I can help you out. It'll be like a birthday present," he said.

I smiled widely, and spread out my arms. "Yes! Thank you, Dan Oceanus! You're the best!"

Dan smiled. "Follow me."

I let him lead the way, and followed just behind his tail. We went a different direction from Ariel's cave, and I noticed the water starting to get darker.

"Dan, where are we?" I asked, looking around.

I couldn't see any signs of life anywhere. All I could see was darkness, so dark that I had to reach for Dan's hand.

"I can't see anything," I said, holding on to his hand.

"Don't worry, we're already here," he reassured me.

I reached out with my left hand, and I could feel solid. We must've been in some sort of cave. In the distance, I could see a source of light. Before I could ask Dan where we were, he let go of my hand.