Atlantis: The Rebirth of the Empire (I)©

Chapter 11: An Unexpected New Friend

Mina

 I wake up disoriented and not knowing where I am, my eyes start to get used to the dull light of the place, I blink a couple of times before I feel someone's gaze on me.

  —You've woken up. —A girl with straight black hair catches my attention. She sees me with a cheerful look on her face as she holds out a bowl of freshly made soup.

  —Where am I? —I take the bowl she offers me.

  —Near Playa Blanca. I saw you there —I choke on the first spoonful and cough a little, she pats me to calm me down, her expression changing to one of concern. When I manage to relax, she breaks away from me and goes for a bench she pulls out of what I assume is the kitchen—. You sensed my presence, you looked for me, but I hid behind the restaurant, people are forbidden to be on the beach because of.... —She suddenly falls silent, as if she had said something she shouldn't have and barely noticed.

  —You said it yourself, the beach is a forbidden place. I see that you don't follow the authorities' instructions either —she swallows nervously, takes a napkin out of her apron and holds it out to me, which I take cautiously.

  —Don't take this the wrong way, I didn't mean to spy on you. I'm the daughter of the head guard, it's only because of him that I can bend the rules —she says nervously.

  —How much did you see? —I ask and put another spoonful of soup in my mouth.

  —I didn't see when you arrived. I was looking at the sea, most people are afraid of its aggressiveness, for me, it's quite a spectacle —I smile half-sideways—. I come from the capital and only two years ago I moved to a nearby village, so I hardly ever had the chance to come to the beach. If it wasn't for my father's job, I wouldn't be here now.

  —Does that mean you saw when I went into the sea? —She nods shyly, thankful that my transformation was once the wave swallowed me whole.

  —As soon as I saw that, I ran to the spot when the wave came down, unfortunately, it also took the clothes you had left behind —I lift the blanket that covers me a little and see that I have a nightgown that isn't mine—. I don't know why you did it, but I decided to tell my father about what I saw on the beach. I told him that you were my friend, that we had met in town a few days ago and that I invited you for a walk on the beach, but when I went to get some food, a wave had swallowed you up and I couldn't help you because the sea became more aggressive. It's partly true, I wanted to go in and rescue you when I saw you were late, but the sea became more dangerous in that tiny moment.

 I listen to her story carefully. I guess we'll have to reveal a few facts about ourselves if her father shows up here or is here. Besides, being from the police, if it wasn't for this girl, I'd already be lost with a long and tedious interrogation.

  —Why did you help me? —I ask and she looks at me.

  —As I told you, I'm new and I don't have many friends, just my cousin.

  —Is your cousin from around here? —Curious, I look at her. To tell you the truth, those green eyes look familiar from somewhere.

  —Yes, but I doubt you know him. He tends to be very reclusive and closed off —she shrugs and takes the bowl of soup I've already finished. I try to stand up, but I hear my muscles thunder as I try.

  —Don't make the effort to get up, you're too weak —she says and turns sideways to look at me, I've sat down—. We haven't met yet, my name is Laisa.

  —Mina —I answer and she finishes her work of washing the dishes, leans back on the sink and smiles at me.

  —My pleasure, Mina —she looks at her table and seems to remember something, I look at the spot she sees and tense up. A scroll rests on it, she reaches over and takes it. She hands it to me— you had it when I went back to my father to help you. Apparently, there's nothing on it, it's just a wet piece of paper about to tear.