Angel of the Sea

Chapter XIII

I kept in the forest until dark. I had to have some time for myself to think. I needed lots and lots of thinking.

How will I get my tail back? How was I going to get Ariel back? How was I going to get back home?

I hadn't noticed that all the walking without paying attention had led me to a place that I recognized as 'Mermaid Lagoon.' Though it was the hangout place for mermaids, there were no mermaids around. I had many good memories here, but now the place seemed hopeless. I don't feel as comforted here as I used to. It's a hopeless setting.

My back was against a nearby tree, and I had taken off the long leather coat that Killian had given me. Now, my peasant top was fully visible. I looked at the ocean beyond the lagoon. My home. I don't care if there's no way of me going back, or getting my tail back, that will always be my home. It's just surprising how no relatives of mine have really come for me yet. Only Ariel. It's like she was the only who cared. The only one who tried-

A splashing noise was heard nearby, and I tried my best to look its way. It was dark out here, and gaining legs caused me to lose my mermaid senses. They were better senses than the ones I have now.

I walked towards the noise, but wasn't able to see anything near the water. I waited for another sign of someone nearby, but when I heard nothing, I gave up on the wait. As soon as I stood up from where I was kneeling, I heard someone harshly whisper my name.

"Psst... Angel!"

I looked to my right side, instantly.

"Who's there?" I asked.

I heard something that sounded like something, or in this case, someone, was swimming closer to where I stood. I walked towards the noise.

"Who are you?" I asked again.

My heart beat faster than it was when I caught a sight of red hair in the moon light. My breath hitched in my throat when I noticed a green tail under the water.

"Ariel?" my voice was barely above a whisper, and I swore I heard my voice squeak.

My face did not change when I saw a girl with bright red hair and blue eyes. If anything, I felt a tear slide down my cheek. The mermaid swam closer to me, and placed her elbows on the rocks. She laid her chin over her arms, and grinned at me. I noticed tears in her eyes. The excitement of seeing my best friend alive and well took over, and I couldn't stop myself. I sprinted forward, and jumped. A loud splash was heard, followed by a laugh. I swam up, spraying water from mouth. I looked straight ahead, and saw Ariel grinning at me. I swam towards her, and wrapped my arms around her as tight as I could.

"I thought the pirates had taken you. I kept thinking of the things they might've done to you," I said, not letting go of her.

"Are you kidding me? Angel, I thought you were dead," Ariel said. "When the pirates thought that you were dead, they let me go."

I sighed in a calm matter. "I'm alright. You don't have to worry anymore."

Ariel released me, and looked me straight in the eye with a frown on her face.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, "Angel, when are you coming back home? How did you get these legs? What happened?!"

"The woman said that I couldn't change after the choice had been made," I confessed.

I swam out of the lagoon, and stood on the rocks. I lied down on top of the rocks, and lied next to the water, where Ariel was able to hold my hand.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to come back. I'm stuck like this, Ariel."

I looked up at the moon and the stars. At least I found a bit of comfort in looking at them, even when I was young.

"You're not stuck, Angel. You will find a way to get your tail back, and you'll be home with your family," Ariel assured me, but it didn't work.

It never works when the people I know try to assure me.

I kept my eyes on the sky, until I felt a nudge on my arm. I looked at Ariel's direction, and saw that she was holding something shiny. When I recognized the object, my body shot up from the rocks, and I grabbed the object.

"You found it," I gasped out.

I stared at the necklace Clyde wanted to give me. The same necklace I had lost when I was chained to an anchor, and sank underwater. The necklace swayed from side to side in front my eyes. I stared at its beautiful ocean-like crystal.

"That's an interesting necklace," Ariel commented.

"Mermaid Tale," I whispered for only myself to hear.

"Your family isn't coming, Angel," Ariel said. "They're looking for a way to get you back, but they can't come. They even told me not to come."

I looked at her. "Why? What's wrong?"

"They know about this island, Angel. Your father knows how dangerous it is."

"Oh, I know how dangerous it is," I said, remembering the time I was put in a cage, and the times I was almost killed twice by pirates.

"No, Angel. He didn't mean the pirates. There's a boy on this island," Ariel said.

I stared at her, thinking of the only boy it could possibly be.

"Peter Pan," I said.

Ariel nodded.