The Eighteenth Year

Chapter 8

8:02 a.m.

Although it was beautiful here, it wasn’t home. I was still going to try and find someone to help me get back home. I decided to ask someone.

You look friendly. I swam up to her, “Hi, I’m Kaela. I was wondering who the leader of this kingdom is. I’m from out of town and I wanted to pay a visit.”

She smiled and replied, “King Neptune. Swim up to the palace and say you want to discuss taxes. They’ll let you in.”  

“Thank you so much! What was your name?” I asked

“Larissa. Here’s my address,” she grabbed a piece of seaweed and wrote it down, “come find me if you need anymore help.”

I smiled. “Thanks again!” She swam away.

8:20 a.m.

I was swimming through the gates. I saw a guard and went for it.

“Hi, I’m here to represent the grotto to discuss taxes with the king.” I demanded.

He looked shocked. He escorted me to the other side of the room and led me through many long hallways full of paintings of Neptune’s family and friends. Then I was in, and he was sitting right before me. The king of the ocean, woah.

9:00 a.m.

We were forty minutes in, and I finally got my story across. He told me that he was very sorry that I had to leave my friends and family.

“Is there any way that you can make me human?” I asked pleadingly.

“There is, but it comes with a price. A challenge you must overcome, are you in?” He replied.

“I am,” at this point, I’m willing to do anything to get back to California. “what do I have to do?”

He smiled, “You’d better get comfortable. This mission is quite complex.”

Uh oh.

9:16 a.m.

“You mean that your triton could be anywhere in the ocean and I have to find it?” I asked, puzzled.

“Indeed, I can narrow it down for you, it’s either in the Southern Ocean, The Indian Ocean, or The Pacific Ocean. I would check the Southern Ocean first.” He smiled. “Good Luck, my young friend. Oh, and be careful.” he added.