A Tale of Skeptical Sailors and Mischievous Mermaids

Part 6

"Thomas?" the voice whispered in the darkness. "Thomas?"

A soft groan was heard. "What is it John?"

"Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Someone calling my name."

"I can't hear a damned thing but it's probably just Hamilton; you know he never sleeps."

"It's not Alex. It's coming from outside."

"It's probably just the wind or something." Jefferson was starting to get annoyed. "Please go back to sleep, John."

"Please." He lit the candle that was beside his bed. "I think it was one of them."

Thomas opened his eyes. He saw John looking over at him with intense, desperate eyes. He heaved a heavy sigh and pushed his hair back from his face. "Fine. Give me a moment."

They both stood at the bow of the ship, cloaks wrapped tight around them to stave off the chill of the nighttime breeze. "It's been 20 minutes, John. We haven't heard or seen anything."

Laurens was still scanning the inky waters but had to finally admit defeat. "Sorry. I really thought I heard Philip."

"It's been a whole day and we've been sailing at a steady pace. I'm sure they are all far away by now."

John looked down and nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

They turned and made their way back to the officers' quarters when a soft voice floated over their ears like the cool zephyr that caressed their cheeks. "John..." It called out. "Thomas." The sailors looked at each other then over the side of the ship.

It was the young one, periwinkle tail reflecting the moonlight and the droplets of water on his shoulders making his skin shimmer. "Philip!" John smiled and the merman smiled back at him.

"Philip." Thomas repeated, a bit more calmly than his comrade. He narrowed his eyes as another figure could be seen under the water, out of focus and wriggling. He watched as the second creature surfaced. "Laf." He smiled and his double grinned in response, swimming in a quick circle and seemingly excited that the human knew his name. They stared at each other for a moment until Philip entered the picture, pointing frantically to a spot over the water. Laurens took out his spyglass and aimed it where Philip was pointing. He shook his head and the creatures looked crestfallen. The one named Laf then seemed to be struck with an idea and he dove back under the water, Philip following him and Thomas and John hurrying across the deck of the ship to keep them in their line of sight.

When they emerged out of the water, they made sure John and Thomas were watching then Laf turned his back to the ship and held his hands over the water. There was a faint glow that led out across the open water and Philip soon joined him. The beacon grew, a phosphorescent trail that led miles away.

"My god." John said softly and handed the small telescope to Thomas. He looked through it and his mouth fell open. There was an island, rather a collection of them. An entire archipelago of land masses glittering against the night sky. They were dotted with giant, gorgeous palm trees and bountiful night-blooming flowers. There were small coves and large lagoons. Tiny, rippling brooks that led to a thundering waterfall and scattered amongst all the different bodies of water were mercreatures of all kinds. Adults and children, old and young. Some sleeping, some frolicking, all seeming content and peaceful. Thomas let his hand fall to his side and stared ahead.

Philip splashed his tail on the surface of the water to get his attention and both humans looked back at him. He pointed again in the direction of the islands. "Stay?" He asked, searching both of their faces. "John and Thomas."