The Coral Crown

Chapter five

For what seemed like forever, I just sat there and stared at the sharks. Then I realized that I was hearing thoughts in my head that weren't mine. Just to test it out, I thought of a question. Who are you? And I heard the answer in my head. They were just like the mermaids, only they wanted me to be a shark.

But I'm already a mermaid! I thought back angrily, I already tried to become human again, but it didn't work! I was sad and I didn't want to remember my failed attempt at becoming myself again.

Yes, we watched you try. And it would've worked, but we needed you to stay with us here, so we couldn't let you go back. Not until we are finished with you.

I was beginning to distinguish the different "voices" of the sharks. The one who was talking to me the most was the leader. Just then, I heard the sharks thinking, but thy weren't talking to me, they were talking to each other. I was scared and, now that they were preoccupied talking to each other, I saw my chance and I took it. I sped out of the cave as fast as I could. I swam and swam, this time remembering to keep my head up so as not to crash into a rock again, I swam back to the last place I saw the mermaids. I knew that Alexis would protect me. When i got there, I saw them and was happy. Alexis was doing something that looked like pacing. Morgan and Kayla were sitting on rocks with their faces in their hands. Maria was napping with a smile on her face. I knew that she wasn't worried at me at all. Andrea was talking to Alexis, trying to calm her down and talking about what to do to find me. I swam over silently and sat down next to Morgan and Kayla. I sighed and lay back on the rock. I was going to relax while I could before the sharks came to get me and take me God-known-where.

Suddenly, I heard Maria gasp and I knew I'd been seen. They all followed MAria's eyes over to where I was now sitting on the rock. I braced myself for the scolding and the consequences. They alll swarmed me and tackled me in a hug-- all except Maria of course. As soon as they let me breathe again, I went over to Alexis and told her about the sharks.

"I think they are coming after me and I'm scared," I told her, a whimper in my throt making my voice quiver. Alexis plled me into a hug and told me everything would be alright. It was then that the sharks chose to show up.

well well well, the leader shark said.  There you are, Princess. We thought we lost you.

"Get out of here," Alexis said with a coldness in her voice that I've never heard from her.

I looked at Alexis and knew that she had my back. She told them to leave, and with that look on her face, I half expected them to obey.

Ahhhh, Alexis. Long time no see, the shark in the back said.

"Alexis?" I asked, confused. Did they know each other? I knew I was missing something. I just didn't know what.

The leader shark chuckled. You haven't told her yet, he said with a sick smile on his face.

"What else are you keeping from me?" I asked with hurt in my voice. I was tired of the secrets, and I was hurt that there was so much that I didn't know.

"You shut up you evil little squid," Alexis said.

Hey princess, you wanna know what your little friend has been keeping from you?

I swam out from behind Alexis and went right up to the shark. "What?" I demanded.

Why don't you ask your mother?

"My mother is dead," I said with and icy tone. I didn't like talking about the woman who'd left me at the doorstep of social services.

Oh really? He said with a smirk. Well, I see her right there. He flicked his tail at Alexis.

I turned around and just stared at the woman who had actually abandoned  me. I had always thought, over and over again, about what I would say to her if I ever got the chance, But now that she was really here, all I could do was stare, open-mouthed, at the one who had forced me to live with my horrible foster mother and creepy foster dad.