Marina

Chapter 11: Hot Pavements and A Sedan

The whole ride back, I couldn't even stop my brain from moving around and overthinking.

I don't know if you have ever had a moment in your life where it goes by so fast, or something crazy happens at a snap of your fingers and suddenly it's over? At this moment, all I can think is what the fuck just happened? One minute I'm being attacked by some psychotic sea monsters called Mortanimas and the next I'm learning about this whole new underwater world. Then I get a crush on a boy- oh, no, a fucking merman prince who I got some pretty good signals from. Oh, but no way because he's fucking engaged and I can't help but think how stupid I was. Unfortunately, I was petty and hated on the other woman when I should be mad at fucking Elian. Fucking Elian and his pretty ocean eyes and water swept golden hair and God sculpted-

I shook my head. I need to calm down. I need to think of what I'm going to do, what I'm going to say, or how I'm going to say it. Am I even going to say anything? What I learned is valuable information but could cause a stir. Would people even believe me?

I frowned and felt the temperature of the water get warmer, signaling a rising to the surface. How long was I even thinking for?

I suddenly feel the carriage come to a halt and opened it. I looked around confused to see we were still underwater but noticed the surface was only about a half-mile swim from where we were. I then noticed this was just a precaution to avoid unwanted attention from my people on land. I got out and gave a quick rub and pat to the large sea animals that pulled the carriage. They were legit horses except they were a crystal blue color with omniscient coloring that made them pronounced in the water.

I looked at the carriage one more time and began to swim up, the carriage immediately diving down and back to its home. The moment I reached the surface, my lungs felt pressure and I began to cough violently. I quickly swam to shore as my lungs began to release all the seawater in them. My throat and chest burned as aftermath as I weakly looked around.

"Where the fuck-" My voice came out scratchy as I wobbled upward, my legs weak. I kept wobbling straight ahead to a further spot on land, my feet dragging slightly and shaking on the hot sand. I looked around for anything, a sign, a person.

I was ready to rest on the sand when I saw a familiar sign: Santorina Marine Biology Research Center: 3 MILES.

I look at the ocean and scream, caring less of my damaged throat, " Three fucking miles! Really?!"

I groaned and whined slightly as I began walking down the road, grumbling as my legs shook under me and trying to keep my fat ass centered on the ground. Call me lazy, but I sure as hell don't want to walk after not really needing to for a while. I feel like my body is in a sudden state of shock where it was used to being in the water but now that gravity slapped that reality away, she's confused.

So I continue walking, struggling really, and headed toward the lab that I had grown up in. I can't help but worry now. I know I have to tell my dad some information, but what parts do I say? I know I should explain what I know about the Mortanimas and the basics of how I was allowed refuge in some underwater kingdom, that I for one do not know the location of. I won't mention that I have a way to communicate with someone from there or else I may be endangering my friends. Maybe I'll share some information on the kingdoms but would I be betraying the trust that Nexee, Elian, and Corry gave me if I shared the history? I feel like it's personal information, almost sacred.

I groaned as I wiped a small bead of sweat from my forehead, a reward from the hot sun. I noticed the pavement was really starting to feel hot on the pads of my feet so I moved to the right until I was on the sand again, which was still hot but not as bad.

How long have I been walking? Seems like for fucking ever but I'm not sure. I frowned and just continued straight ahead.

It was at this moment I heard an engine behind me. I quickly turned and almost screamed in joy when I noticed the familiar red Sedan. My happiness only grew when my suspicions were confirmed and I saw the familiar golden heads of none other than half the devil children themselves. I immediately went back on the hot road, disregarding the scorching black ground, and waved my hands like crazy. The Sedan immediately comes to a screeching halt and out steps out Miley, the receptionist at the Research Center.

Miley gapes as she catches wind of my messy attire and possibly rough-looking hair, "Oh my stars! Marina is that you, darling?!" I nod rapidly and she screams to her kids to stay in the car as she runs towards me, her black heels clicking on the pavement. The moment I was within arms reach, she pulls me into a tight hug, not pulling away or caring for my still soaking clothes. It was at this moment that I didn't notice the heaviness that I carried in my chest, and a sob finally broke out of me.

I cried on her shoulder as she shushed me and rocked us slightly. She pulls away from me and looks at me with seriousness in her blue eyes, "You need to go see your father, now."

I sniffle and feel my heart skip a beat, the tone in her voice scared me slightly, "Why? What's wrong with my dad?"

She ignores me as she grabs my hand and pulls me to her car. She tells Cal, one of her two middle children with shaggy brown hair and blue eyes, to move to the back as he groans and jumps to the back through the middle front seats, and pushes me onto the passenger seat.

She hastily gets in her car and starts the engine quickly before nearly stepping on the gas pedal with force. I glance back at her in panic as I notice her stone-cold face, "Miley, what's wrong with my dad?!" She gives me a quick glance before she sighs and rubs between her brows.

"Marina, he-" she stops, as if trying to choose her words wisely, "he's in a bit of a delicate situation." She looks at me carefully before saying slowly, "With his health."

My heart drops to my ass as I nearly start crying all over again, "What?! What are you talking about? How is he right now? What's wrong with him!"

She breathes heavily and frowns, "He had a heart attack and he's been in a delicate state right now. You need to talk to the doctor Marina. As soon as possible."

I look out the window, nearly frozen, as I notice us pass the Center and heading straight toward the hospital.

I catch sight of my reflection on the car window and nearly gasp out, "I can't lose my dad, Miley. I just can't." I look back at her as the tears flow freely and she looks at me with so much hurt in her eyes. She leans a hand and squeezes my shoulder in comfort.

"There's something else you should know Marina. To prepare yourself," she focuses on the road again.

I look back at her, noticing how even her usually sugar-high children are quiet. I sniffle, "What else?"

She turns into the hospital and parks in the first spot she sees, turning off her car. She turns her head to me, "He wants to speak with you. About your mother."

I choke out in confusion, my throat causing a scratch, "My mother?"