Celeste

27.

It must be a glass box with a mechanical door, I recon, hitting the sides of it hard. Thunk. It must break, so I can get out... THUNK.

I hit the glass again and again, swearing every word I know. But the glass is just as solid as ever. Breathing hard, I feel about the edges, desperate.

Then, like a magic trick, the darkness is pulled away, and I blink in the bright light.
"What..."

I stare into Mitch's face, who waves. He's standing on two legs, and there are lots of other people here too, staring wide eyed at me.  I'm in the middle of a town square. Not rosewood. The people here are tanned and have long flowing braids and swords at their backs. I frown at Mitch.

He steps close and cups his hands around his mouth, talking into the glass.
"Welcome to Spain, Celeste."

I huddle against the glass, hiding myself. Feeling betrayed.
"Why?" I ask him.

He continues to talk into the glass. "Money and power. You are the new exhibit and I am the provider."

The crowd make way suddenly, a man walking through. He is old and fat, wearing fine silks, diamonds and gold clacking at his wrists. On his head is a glittering crown and a fine furry cloak gliding down to the floor, despite the heat.

Mitch notices, and bows deeply, the king waves at him dismissively, dark eyes locked on mine. I gulp.

The glass is thick, so I can't make out much of what they are saying. I can just catch the kings snippets in his big booming voice. It surprises me that he speaks English.
...much?
Fine. ...it.
...with the others...
...show tonight!
...ready?
Deal.

And Mitch waves at me again, before the king snaps his fingers, and a meek servant gives him a big bag. Mitch grins, turning and walking off. I watch his back, still wet from the sea. I jolt in surprise as the king, having just got a seat from his servant, sits next to me.

"Hello, little one. I am king Javier of Spain. What is your name?" He asks.

I look nervously at the crowd still gathered and shake my head. He frowns slightly.
"I see, little one. I shall transfer you right away. For now, how about simply, corral." He nods, and stands, ordering his men.

I realise the darkness is a thick black sheet, which is pulled over my tank again, and I shiver in fear, before the world jolts on its side, and my head hits the glass.

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

I come to groggily, wincing. Did I eat bad fish?
Something hard and cold is at my back, and I blink in the suddenly bright light.
"Wha?"

A dull muffled tapping makes me open my eyes.
I jolt at the closeness of a face.
The crown he wears brings memories rushing back. I panic, realising I'm still in the tank, though it's been put on its side, connected somehow to a dark watery room.
I push at the glass again, and look pleadingly at the king, who tilts his head, talking in rapid Spanish.

A clunk, whoosh, and the seal between the trap and the watery room opens.
I take no chances.

I shoot into the room, looking around in wonder.
It's a huge fish tank. The size of a ballroom, with streaming red reeds stark against white stone. The castle decoration is huge, and I swim up its side. I can see it's hard concrete poured into moulds and set together, detail carved delicately into its side. It peels off slightly as I run my fingers across it.
The turrets jut out of the water, and I surface, clinging to the tiles.

A net surrounds the enclosure. Bright signs with shock lines indicate my fate if I were to touch them. I can't help but gulp in fear. Though the tank is huge, I still feel trapped. I choke down a sob, and swim back under to investigate. I swim towards a lighter end of the tank, and immediately dart back again.

People are here, sitting on puffy chairs, with fine jewellery reflecting the light. Some point at my hiding place as I decide to investigate the castle.

It's hollow, with small beds of wafting materials In four neat rows. Combs-real ones-not broken- are on a stone dressing table. The mirror shows my terror, and I turn away from it.

Then I shriek. A mermaid stared at me with pity.
"Hello. Don't be scared. I'm Shelly. At least, that's what the fat man calls me." 

"I - I'm Celeste, that guy calls me corral, I think. What is this place?" I ask.

"This is hell, corral. The king says it's oasis, but for us mermaids it's hell." She sighs. "You will just have to accept it here. We have mermaid shows, and maybe some rich person will buy you if you are good."

"Why don't you escape?" I can't help but ask.

She shoots me a glare. "Oh, geez. I never thought of that!" She snaps. "Listen, new girl. I don't mean to be harsh, but every escape attempt leads to more reinforcements. Guards, electric fence, reinforced glass, and even divers prepped to dive in at a moments notice!" She slumps on one of the beds.

"I'm just warning you. If you do anything to displease anyone, you get put in the tank. It's only just the size of this bed, uncomfortable and cruel. You get used as a coffee table! I've been in it five times." She looks sad at herself.

I notice her skin is different, with blue patches like bruises on her skin. She seems too upset to talk about it, and we just met. I just sit beside her, and squeeze her hand. "I won't try anything. I promise." I say to her.

She nods. "We lost star last week. That's how long you spend in there. Lily is getting some food. Want to meet her?" She pauses. "Oh, man. The show is tonight. We all swim along to music, and pass streamers around. There's lights too. You might have to join."

"Oh." Is all I can muster, before I start to cry.