Chapter Nine ★ Burn Bright Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

As we dodged alligator’s man initial attack we were alerted to more of his ilk pouring through the doorway. Ack. That explains the strong smell.

He stood back to watch as his men begun to circle around us. A sly smirk crawled across his creepy face. The more I looked at him the more it gave me the willies.

The first alligator man sported a lazy eye that stared straight on and had no eyelid. Light glistened off of his still wet skin and highlighted the scales on his body. A recent scar was visible on his snout and probably was the one Pearl and I dealt him a day or two ago.

Pearl and I were back to back as we surveyed the men that surrounded us. Luckily none of them took notice of Doc who was helpless on the floor. I let out a sigh of relief but still held myself up in a fighting stance.

Reaching for my powers a sudden wall appeared in my mind and blocked me. “Ugn,” I moaned.

A bright iridescent glow appeared behind me as Pearl whispered over her shoulder, “Luna, what are you doing?”

“Trying to get battle ready.” I hissed back at her. The pain throbbed and made reaching for power ache even more. Doc can’t be right. I know I can access my abilities. Just have to try harder.

She didn’t take her eyes off of the alligator men that continued to fill the room and form a circle around us. Her powers pulsed as tiny spines and spikes erupted along her arms and skin. Two sharp blades emerged on her forearms ready for slicing her opponent.

I reached again for my battle form. Wham. Another block slapped my mind to la-la land. I grabbed a hold of my head and let out a breath. Pearl hissed, “Luna, stop. You’re only going to make this worse.”

“I can do it.” I said right back at her. This time pouring more effort and will I felt a burning sensation course throughout my body but faded. My knees buckled and I fell to the ground. A loud gasp escaped my lips.

The alligator men turned their attention off of Pearl and looked down at me. Easy prey. Oh crap. Sensing their new target Pearl whirled around and stood over my prone form. The blades on her arms shimmered in the lighting. She said, “Nobody move.”

Scarface from the other night stepped forward. In a low gravely voice he said, “Or what?”

She narrowed her eyes and held up one of her blades. He backed up a step. Pearl replied, “You know that you’re on our turf so we have the hometown advantage.”

His upper lip peeled away in a sneer revealing several sharp teeth. Scarface chuckled or at least it sounded like some sort of laugh unless you want to count rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together laughing. His words came out in a slow roll emphasizing a heavy ‘s’ sound, “You havesss no powersss here mermaidsss. Your contract isss void. We knowsss.”

I answered, “Bull. It is you and the witches that are voiding the contract.”

The gaggle of alligator men laughed in unison. Their main man waved them to be quiet. He kneeled down to look me square in the eye. Pearl kept her blade trained on him.

He clucked his tongue, waggled one finger and said, “Ah-ah-ah. Yousss mermaidsss havesss to goesss. Tisss witchesss territory nowsss.”

A growl bubbled up and escaped my throat as heat flushed through me. He backed up. With a smile I said, “We ain’t violated no treaty. It’s your presence here that’ll void it if you and your slime squad don’t git out of here.”

Pearl leaned down and got closer to him with her blade. It shined and hummed as it sensed enemy blood nearby. Scarface swallowed… hard.

She asked, “In what terms have we violated the treaty?”

He cocked his head to one side and pursed his lips. The others behind him murmured, “Theysss don’t knowsss? Whysss no onesss tellsss themsss?”

Scarface got back up and took another step back towards his posse. They all nodded at him. He flashed his all too sharp teeth then answered, “Merlocksss havesss been invited. Merlocksss on mermaidsss landsss breaksss treaty.”

“We have not invited any merlocks onto our lands.” Pearl bellowed.

“Havesss yousss?” Scarface arched a hairless brow at us and pinned us both with his eerie yellow-green eyes.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Nine ★ Burn Bright Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

Doc rubbed the back of his neck. He certainly was hesitating about something. Time to needle him. I squinted at him and placed my hands onto my hips then leaned forward.

“Doc, quit stalling. Time’s not on our side. My abilities… are they??” I said and eyed him real good.

He moved away and found the ocean floor view to be somewhat interesting. Oh for the love of Triton. I stomped over to where he stood and whirled him back around. He let out a small squeal and winced.

Rolling my eyes I sighed, “Doc, I ain’t gonna kill ya. I just want to know… do I have my special abilities or not?”

Pearl chimed in and teased, “You better answer her Doc. Luna never gives up. You of all people know that.”

He shrugged off my hands that made him face me. Then took one step back. Out of a nervous habit he removed his glasses and polished them on his dust riddled lab coat.

I arched an eyebrow, “Doc. Quit stalling.”

“Well…” He hawed then hummed, “you see…”

“Out with it.” I said and motioned with my hand in a come hither movement.

He rubbed the back of his neck and tried to not make eye contact then mumbled, “Your powers won’t work.”

Won’t work? Is he serious? A scowl crawled across my lips and settled in for a long stay as my eyes narrowed. I asked, “What do you mean they won’t work?”

Doc cringed back then covered his head and shut his eyes, “They’re tied to your sharkiness. Please don’t eat me.”

“Huh?” I said. Sharkiness? What in the world?

Pearl placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a shake. She said, “Luna we have to go now or the boy might be dead before we can even save him.”

“Dang boy.” I spat. “It’s his fault. Maybe I should let Ray end him.”

Her eyes turned cold and distant. She let her hand slip from my shoulder and go limp by her side. Pearl asked, “Has your heart changed too? We merpeople have sworn to look after mankind.”

I snarked back, “No. My heart has not changed. Sharkiness or not I’m still me.”

“Then prove it.” She jutted out her chin and motioned to the doorway.

The doorway remained open. No one had come and checked in on us since this whole fiasco started. Surely my father would have caught wind of weird happenings down in haunted medical bay one.

This didn’t sit right with me at all. I hugged my shoulders and glanced back towards Pearl. Her stare never wavered as she waited for my reply.

So, I did but I bet it wasn’t what she wanted. I cocked my head to one side and said, “Huh, why hasn’t anyone checked in on us?”

“You’re changing the subject Luna.” Pearl reminded me. I ignored her and walked towards the doorway. The ambience sent chills down my spine.

Doc stayed put and watched us both bicker. Each step was soundless on the tiled floor. I listened for anyone outside in the hallway. Nothing.

The acrid smell of putrid rotting pond scum assaulted my nostrils. I jumped back and grabbed my nose. Through my hand I asked, “Guys… how long did the cure take? How long was I out?”

Pearl also covered her mouth and nose as the smell grew stronger. She replied, “Only thirty minutes. Why?”

In the background I heard Doc fall to the floor in a loud thump. Great. Just peachy keen. I breathed through my mouth and answered, “Our alligator friend is back.”

She took a sharp breath and whimpered due to the increased acidity of the air. The more we breathed in the more it dulled our other senses. It was only a moment before our friend from the other night came barreling through the doorway.

It let out a mighty roar. Then rushed into the room as Pearl and I scrambled to get out of its way.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Nine ★ Burn Bright

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

​

Fire. 

The hot, searing, burning sensation poured through my veins and entire being.

They said it would hurt. This was beyond that… 

… this was torture.

I screamed, “Nnnn-aargh!”

Muscles pulled and stretched as bones crunched and cracked re-configuring themselves into their original positions. Each agonizing second felt like it was a century. My teeth clenched as I rocked against the restraints.

Doc and Pearl hung back with worried looks plastered on their face. They were helpless as they watched me go through the transformation to become normal again. Neither of them knew the pain their cure would cause.

More cracking sounds like that of celery stalk being twisted echoed throughout the room. I breathed through my nose. Desperate to keep things together.

Just a little more… a little bit more.

I could feel the fire start to die down as my skin’s temperature became cooler to the touch. No longer sweat poured down my forehead and down my neck.

One last pop sounded when my dislocated arm popped back into place. A heavy breath escaped my lips and I savored the cool air that returned when I inhaled.

For Triton’s sake I hope to never deal with this pain again.

Doc spoke up, “I know that look Luna. Hate to break it to you but this cure is only temporary.”

I threw him a blank stare with a huge frown.

He wavered his hands in front, “Sorry to deliver the bad news but that’s the situation.”

Throwing my head back I let out a long moan and said, “Ugh, Doc. Don’t tell me I have to go through that again.”

Doc scratched the side of his cheek and let out a small hesitant laugh. “Yep, sorry Luna. But I will keep searching for a permanent cure.”

I let my head sink. Dang it. Dang it all. Wiggling against the straps I asked, “Can someone let me up? We got a brat to go save.”

Pearl smiled and was at my side in an instant. Undoing the buckles she said, “Glad to see you coming back to your old self.”

“I never changed.” I laughed. She groaned and grimaced.

While Pearl was releasing me from the bed restraints I asked, “So when can I expect the next change?”

Doc walked over to the counter that had several of his notes opened and reviewed them. He scanned down the scribbled paper and then stabbed at a particular spot.

“Even though I wasn’t able to remove the curse fully. I was able to calm it down and make it act like the original curse of the werewolf. With one slight change.” He said and held up one finger.

“You will change when the moon is full however,” Doc said and smirked then continued, “you will have full control.”

He closed his book with a loud thump and added, “No more rampaging shark.”

So, I’m still cursed. Oh lucky me. Wonder if this cure dampened my other abilities. I rubbed the back of my neck after Pearl freed them. She was working on the straps that held my legs down.

“Two more questions, Doc.” I said and moved my feet around to stand up.

Doc nodded as Pearl moved back and waited for me to ask the questions.

“One, how long did the cure take?” I asked and added, “Do I still have access to my other abilities?”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Eight ★ Chased

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

​

I hesitated and glanced at the road. The man that was following me was passing the last house before ours. Dad’s voice growled, “Now.”

The warm sensation that I had before drained out of me entirely. Aunt LeAnne came out on the porch and grabbed a hold of me. She asked, “What’s going on Stephen?”

“Get Daniel inside, quick.” Dad took aim with the rifle and pulled the trigger. It was a warning shot.

The strange man stopped at our property line and raised his hands. Aunt LeAnne saw him and tried to move me inside. I refused to budge.

Dad said under his breath, “Boy, if you know any better than I suggest that you git inside this instant.”

That icy tone. Aunt LeAnne wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me with her. She whispered, “Come Daniel. It’s not safe out here.”

“What’s going on?” I asked her.

She shook her head and replied, “Not now.”

The storm door closed with a bang and I turned around once we were inside. I wanted to see what was going to happen. Dad had his rifle trained on the man that chased me home.

I could barely hear them until something popped inside me. Like someone had turned on a switch and I could hear both of their voices crystal clear.

The man with the dark eyes and hair spoke, “I thought you drowned in Lake Michigan. Now to find you here?”

Dad spat to one side, “It wasn’t my time then nor is it now. You’re on mer-protected grounds. You better leave before things get ugly.”

“Oh?” The strange man said. “Are you going to shoot me?”

Dad’s finger got tighter on the trigger then slightly lowered the gun. He replied, “I might but all it’ll do is inconvenience you for a small time. It won’t kill you.”

“Smart beastie.” Strange man’s eyes narrowed. “Let me have the boy and I’ll leave you be.”

“No.” Dad growled. “Not a finger. You will not lay a single finger on my boy. He’s not part of this so leave him out of it.”

Strange man pursed his lips and took a step forward. Dad snapped the rifle back up. Aunt LeAnne clutched me closer to her. Her heartbeat picked up.

Dark eyes shifted to one side as sirens sounded down the road. He dropped his hands and darted away. Dad kept the rifle trained on the guy long after he left our sight.

The sirens reminded me of Gracie. I shouted, “Gracie! We have to help her.”

Dad turned towards me and nodded at Aunt LeAnne before he dashed down the road to the Garrison’s house where Gracie lived. So, dad did have a heart. Good.

My knees buckled and I sank down to the floor. Too much has happened and the worst thing was… I didn’t know half of what was going on… who was that man? I thought dad lived in Savannah Georgia his whole life?

Several questions swarm in my head when Aunt LeAnne helped me back up and led me into the kitchen to sit at the table. She wet a cloth and placed it on the back of my neck and got me a glass of cold water.

I took it and drank until it was all gone. She got me another glass. I sipped it slower this time. She sat down in a chair adjacent to me and took my hand. I looked up at her.

Aunt LeAnne smiled then said, “We have to talk.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – Chapter 8 :: Chased Done – Stay tuned for Chapter 9… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Eight ★ Chased

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

​

I pumped my arms in and out and my legs matched the action. Weird, right now I would be tiring out… what gives? With each quick breath I lengthened my stride and inside a feeling of warmth spread throughout me. Using this second wind I gave it my all.

Turn here. Keep going. Is that dude still following me? I snuck a glance. Shoot. He’s still there and gaining on me. Augh. I leaned into the wind and tried to run faster.

Another turn and jump. I leapt over my neighbor’s white picket fence and hopped over his several pink flamingos that littered his yard. A resounding splash caught my attention as I landed in the kiddie pool.

Wet socks told me that the pool was still full up to the ankles. Keep going feet. I climbed and leapt over the other fence in the back of my neighbor’s yard. Behind me another splash sounded. The guy grunted.

What is his deal? Why is he following me?

I landed onto the ground and somersaulted into a kneeling position. Gracie my other neighbor’s doberman wagged her nubbed tail and greeted me , “Woof!”

“Not now Gracie.” I hustled across the backyard to the next fence and begun climbing. Gracie let out a loud growl and bark as the guy who was not far behind landed in the yard. I was almost over when I heard her yelp.

Looking back I saw her on the ground, “Gracie?”

The guy’s dark eyes narrowed as he stood back up. His one hand bloodied with extended claws. He said in a foreign accent, “Stop.”

Tears brimmed in my eyes. He hurt Gracie. She wouldn’t harm a fly. Why did he do that to her? Nothing I can do at this moment to help her. I need to get dad.

The guy continued towards me. I pushed myself over the fence and ran.

He yelled, “You are only making things worse, child.”

My hands dashed the tears out of my eyes as I ran to the front of my other neighbors yard. They didn’t have it fenced in like the others. I heard the man jump the other fence. He’s not going to stop.

Two more houses. Just two more houses then dad can help. Maybe we can call an ambulance for Gracie. Maybe there’s still time for her.

Another surge of warmth spread throughout my body and I lengthened my stride even further. The two houses flew by me as I turned on the driveway to my house. I yelled, “Dad!”

He was waiting in the doorway but he had something in his hand. I ran up the porch to the screen door. He opened it and came out. Dad looked down at me and my blood ran cold.

His eyes. They were the same liquid gold from the other night. He frowned and readied the rifle in his hand. Dad said in a stern voice, “Get inside.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙