Chapter Six ★ Research

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

All three of us were holed up in the micro fiche room. We were looking over old articles about the abandoned amusement park. Searching for a clue as to why my dad hated that place.

Jacob tapped me and beckoned me over to his machine. I scooted the chair and leaned over his shoulder. Calvin leaned back in his chair, “Dudes, you find something?”

“Maybe.” Jacob signed.

I scanned the document that he had up on his screen. It was about an investigation about the people who’d gone missing at the fair. Clues lead the authorities back to amusement park. Jacob scrolled further down then stopped.

It was a picture. The quality was grainy but we could still make out a couple of people in that picture. Calvin said, “Whoa. Dude.” He pointed at the screen and added, “That’s your…”

He looked at me as Jacob finished signing, “… dad.”

There was no denying the awkward skinny double of mine with coke bottle glasses with thick, black rims. I look exactly like him at that age. What surprised us all was what he was holding in his hands.

Outside the circle of grown ups the teen looked inwards at the discarded cotton candy while holding an old 35mm camera. The three of use looked at each other, signed and said, “Dude.”

I pushed my mangled glasses up my nose and inhaled a deep breath. Dad never told me that he was into photography. I thought only mom was into that kind of stuff.

Jacob tapped the screen at the picture’s captions ‘Officials stand around puzzled by the sudden disappearance of Tabitha Shaw. Younger sister to Stephen Shaw pictured above.’

“Whoa.” We all said in unison. Jacob signed, “You didn’t tell me you had an aunt.”

I shook my head and signed back, “I didn’t know.”

Calvin interrupted us, “Guys, I can’t read sign that fast…”

“Sorry.” Replied Jacob in ASL.

Calvin tousled Jacob’s hair, “No worries brah.”

Using this moment I glanced at my watch. It was 3:45pm. Dinner wasn’t going to be for a while so I still had some time to chill.

I leaned back in my chair and propped my feet up on the desk. Jacob batted at them and pointed down. Taking the hint I removed them and leaned forward.

Calvin broke the silence, “So you dudes still gonna apply for a job at the fair?”

“Nope.” I said and crossed my arms. “Besides, my dad is absolutely against it. Now I kind of can see why he was so angry when I even mentioned applying. How ‘bout you Jake?”

“No.” He signed and stared us both down. The stillness of his gaze rose the hairs on my back. Talk about a creepy best friend.

Calvin wore a weak smile and asked me, “Dude. What happened last night? The school’s been buzzing about you taking some nude pics of some college girls.”

Heat flushed my ears. I pulled at my t-shirt and replied, “Ah. I didn’t take any nude pictures. I was trying to get a shot of the abandoned amusement park.”

The jock sat back in his chair and stared back. His weak smile faded as he crossed his arms. He huffed then whined, “Ah, man. I was so looking forward to seeing some hot babes in their b-day suits!”

With a weak smile I replied, “Sorry. Whoever told you that I had them was wrong.”

Jacob interrupted, “What about your strict curfew? Doesn’t your dad keep tight leashes on you and your brother?”

“I snuck out.” I said and made the motions of sneaking out with my hands.

“Did you get caught?” Jacob’s eyes widened.

An image of dad’s intense yellow eyes flooded my memory. My shoulders shook and I hugged myself. Rubbing my arms I exhaled another shaky breath.

Calvin asked, “Dude, what’s wrong?”

I shut my eyes and said with my voice cracking, “I don’t want to talk about it. Can we talk about something else, please?”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Five ★ Shopping Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

Fabric tore with a resounding bubbling rip. Blood wafted from the wound and encircled around my arm. I looked down at the bite marks that oozed yellow puss along with the blood. The broken skin had turned a dark shade of grey.

Augh. For Triton’s sake. Doc did a lousy job again. Dang it. Now my hand is worse off than if I didn’t even see him. I’ll throttle the shrimp if I lose this hand.

Pearl was at my side in a flash and handed me a cloth to place over the wound. A searing pain raced up my arm as the fabric touched the angry wound. I bit my lower lip. The taste of copper tingled on my taste buds.

Energy buzzed about and hummed in my ears. Electricity danced about the surface of my skin and raised into tiny bumps. The grey portions spread out from the wound.

Intense pain struck me like a lightening bold. Like every single bone in my body broke a part. Joints dislocated with a sickening snap and realigned themselves in a new location. It felt like eons. Someone close by was screaming their head off.

Wait… I’m screaming… the pain is too much… I cried out, “Pearl! Make it stop!”

That’s when everything went dark. The only thing that was constant were the thrumming of each merpeople’s heartbeat. A constant beat that lured my senses into high gear. Their scent a delicious aroma that beckoned for a small bite.

A fire took residence in my throat. I needed something to drink and fast. Bebes weren’t going to cut it. I followed the first scent and grabbed the merperson closest to my right.

Their screams echoed but I didn’t care. For their blood slaked my burning throat. I wiped my chin and sought out another to dampen the ever consuming flame that egged me on to drink more blood.

Merpeople were screaming all around me and I could not grab anymore. The burning sensation continued to grow and I began to get desperate. I thrashed around the room tossing chairs and tables seeking out my next victim.

A young female’s voice commanded, “Luna, stop.”

I whirled around, this body is so powerful, to find the direction that the voice called. I held my position and waited for her to say another word. Silence.

Inhaling the seawater through the sensitive nose I could pick up where she was hiding out. Infrared heat began to filter in and revealed where in the cafe she stood. The mermaid pointed a device at me.

Foolish girl. This body is invincible. Time to teach her a lesson.

Her voice shook, “Luna, please. Stop this. This isn’t you.”

Pearl? Is that you?

Primal urges pushed past and broke the spell the mermaid held on me. With a growl my mouth widened as I lunged forward to fulfill the most basic need… the need to feed.

A loud bang went off as a wall hit me. Every bone in my body shook. I laid on the sandy floor and gazed up into the water ceiling to see Pearl and Ray hanging over me.

Ray held my hand and Pearl said, “Luna, hang in there. We’ll get this fixed. I promise.”

Strong arms picked up my massive body up from the ground. Fast currents whipped past my ears and hair. I nestled into Ray’s embrace.

I closed my eyes and let the soothing currents lull me to sleep.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – Chapter 5 :: Shopping Done – Stay tuned for Chapter 6… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Five ★ Shopping Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

“The total is 4 sand dollars.” The teen smiled. I handed him the last of my money and stepped over to the waiting area. My tail swished back and forth like a mad cat about to smack some sense into people.

Pearl leaned over to me, “Why’d you offer to treat if you didn’t have the money?”

I rolled my eyes and groaned, “I thought I had more money with me. Guess I left it back at my place.”

“Uh-huh.” Pearl replied. She leaned up against the coral wall and crossed her arms. Her dark blue tail moved in gentle patterns as we both waiting on the staff to make our order.

My mouth drooled at the thought of tasting the splash of caffeine that tingled your tongue when you bit into the small bubble. Starbucks cappuccinos come close. In fact it was a fellow mer that came up with bebes after she had one of Starbucks drinks.

She loved it so much that she devoted her life to bringing back a form of coffee to everyone who lived under the waves. Because most mers live under water and do not have access to dry places like headquarters it would be impossible for them to sample such ambrosia without going on land.

Bless the mermaid named, “Bebe” who found a way for all of us to enjoy coffee, lattes and cappuccinos while under the sea. To be honest I have been craving a wholesome helping of bebes ever since we got back.

But no, Pearl insisted that we go to see Doc about my dang hand. Speaking of which… my hand was itching like crazy under all the bandages. I worked some of my fingers under the wraps to scratch the fiery itch.

Just as I found the most irritating part of the itch Pearl saw my fingers under the cloth and shook her head no. The itch intensified. Oh for Triton’s sake.

“Luna Shimmer?” The teen called out holding a teeny tiny cup. I swam up to the counter and retrieved the cup. A cool sensation eased the itchiness in my hand and doused the fire. 

The boy placed on the counter a twenty four ounce cup on the counter and said, “Pearl Sands?”

She squeezed on past me and snagged her prize. Using the specialized straws that were supplied with the cups Pearl sucked one of the tiny bebes up into her mouth. She chomped once, raised her hand to her cheek, closed her eyes and let out a heavenly sigh.

I followed her example. The bubble burst with a splash of vanilla, caramel and salt. Then coated my entire tongue with the sweet essence and energy of coffee. I twirled around with a lopsided smile and enjoyed the small bliss.

Humans may have their coffee but us merpeople have something better. We have bebes which are ten times better and less calories.

Yet, the fire in my hand returned with a fury. I dropped my cup of bebes to rip open the bandages with my teeth. Pearl’s eyes widened.

This dang troublesome wound refuses to leave me the heck alone.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Five ★ Shopping Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

The merlady wrapped up my outfit in a pink box with strings for handles. Across the side it had gold script lettering that read Lilys. I did a double take. No wonder Pearl insisted on buying because this place was expensive with a capital ‘E’.

We both swam out of the little shop and I hissed, “You didn’t need ta go and do that. I could’ve got it.”

Pearl wore a small smirk. Her dark purple eyes pinned me where I stood. I hung my head and sighed, “Yer right. Lilys ain’t something I can afford right now.”

“Dang right.” She agreed and continued on down to the local cafe. Yes, merpeople drink things. We just drink it differently… that’s all.

With a swish of my tail I caught up with her and then got in front of her while swimming backwards. I pointed at her, “At least let me get our afternoon treat. T’aint right that yer buying all the time.”

Pearl shrugged her shoulders and moved on past me to the cafe. I tugged at her arm and pleaded, “Ah, c’mon Pearl. Ya gotta let me have some dignity.”

She shook her head and twisted in the water to roll me off of her. Dang it. Why is she being so dang stubborn? Well, fine two can play this game and I’m a faster swimmer than she’ll ever be.

I tucked a strand of my short blond hair over my ear and pulled back ready to launch myself into first place. Pearl was almost to the entrance to the cafe but I’m pretty sure I can beat her. Alright, on one, two, thre–

Arms encircled around my waist and swung me around in a whirlwind. If this continued I swear I’ll puke on the offender. His deep laughter rumbled in my ear and sent tingles throughout my entire body.

“Ray.” I gasped.

He slowed down and turned me around. He cradled my head and dipped me backwards. Mmmm. The soft caress of his luscious lips crushed upon mine with the sweet taste of vanilla and honey. 

I love it when he surprises and showers me with kisses. Everything pulsed and vibrated in time with his own heartbeat. Our tongues danced in each others mouths as my body continued to meld with his warm touch.

A feminine voice broke the magic, “Ahem.”

Ray pulled back and unwrapped his strong arms away from me. We both blushed and giggled as Pearl gave us both the stink eye.

The corners of her mouth tugged up into a lopsided smile. Her shoulders shook for she could no longer hold in the mirth that bubbled over. A hearty silvery laugh escaped her lips. The sparkle in her eyes told me that she was in on this meeting.

My mouth dropped open and I looked over at Ray, “This was all planned?”

He nodded and replied in a french accent, “Oui. Mademoiselle Pearl put me up to it.”

Oh my Triton, his accent is hot! I literally am melting in my boots right now because I cannot handle his foreign accent. Though his dark green tail that complimented his ripped abs, chiseled chin with sparkling emerald eyes and dark hair certainly added to the whole package. 

My cheeks flushed with heat and turned away. If I continued to look at him I’m afraid that the setting in the shopping square would rapidly change from a PG-13 to a NC-17. Ah, Triton, what did I do to earn such a handsome man?

Pearl hooked her arm around mine and led me away from Ray. She called over her shoulder to Ray, “I’ll bring her back. I promise. Though she needs to make good on her promise first.”

“Of course. We all need to make good on our promises no matter how big or small.” He waved at us then winked. I nearly fainted.

Pearl pulled me back up and whispered, “Get yourself together girl. Remember you’ve got a date with him tonight at Abalone.”

“Eeek.” I squeaked.

“Mademoiselle?” Ray called out.

Pearl replied, “Don’t worry. She’s fine. We’ll be right back.”

“Merci.” He said then blew a kiss my way. Eek. He is so frigging hot.

We entered the cafe through the opened archway and got in line. I continued to stare ahead when a boy asked, “Miss…. uh miss… your order? Ahem, how may I take your order?”

I blinked. Order? Order what? Pearl giggled. She held up two fingers and said, “Two venti bebes, please.”

The boy bobbed his head, “Got it. Do you want jelly with that?”

“Yech,” I stuck my tongue out. “Jelly with bebes? Uh, no, thank you.”

He punched the buttons on the register then looked up, “Total is eight sand dollars.”

Pearl moved a little to the side and gestured, “Pay the man.”

Eep. Do I have enough? I reached around to grab the small purse that hung from a thin string. I undid the clasp and peeked inside then worried my bottom lip.

The boy said again, “That’ll be eight sand dollars.”

Pearl arched an eyebrow, “Do you have enough?”

“Um,” I looked between the two as my cheeks flushed again. “Could you make that 1 tall bebe and 1 venti bebe?”

Of course asking for my order to get changed after he rung it up made him hit the buttons with more force than needed. However, I didn’t have the money to pay for two venti. The kid looked back up at me and said, “That’ll be five and half sand dollars.”

My jaw dropped, “Since when does the cost of a venti and a tall equal five and half sand dollars?”

The teen raised his hands, “I just work here. Don’t get mad at me. I can swap out the tall with a micro instead.”

“Fine.” I grumped and crossed my arms.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Five ★ Shopping

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

Shopping just ain’t my thing. Sure, I’m supposed to be into all this girly girl stuff but to be honest. It ain’t my thing.

Pearl and I entered another boutique shop in our underwater town to try on more outfits. The windows displayed this summer’s fashion of bedazzled wraps with seashells. Blech.

A merlady in her late hundred and thirties greeted us at the door, “Welcome, girls to my humble shop. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yeah sure.” I shooed her off with a wave of my hand. One thing about these shops is the hungry shop keepers stalk you the entire time while you’re there. It’s quite annoying.

Her smiled turned to a frown. She flitted away back to behind the counter. Her blindingly bright pink tail swished extra harsh. What’s her problem?

Pearl pulled on my arm pointing at a rack of blue and green garments. I rolled my eyes and followed her to them. She held up two pieces of clothing and asked, “Which one do you think Ray will like?”

Ick. Blue and pink frilly combo overdecorated with seashells. You can bet anyone would hear ya coming if you wore that atrocious piece. I glanced at the second one.

It was a soft blue and white with a bit of pastel green. Picking up the fabric between my fingers felt smooth and soft to the touch like it was made by the rare aquatic spiders. As for seashells? It only had one. A light blue one which complimented my tail.

“I think I can handle this one. It has the least amount of seashells.” I answered and took the dress from Pearl’s hand.

Her lips compressed to a thin line and replied, “Geez, Luna… If I’d known you’d act this way…”

The frock dropped to the floor and I splayed my arms and hands in front of me and remarked, “Look. Who’s big idea was it to play that prank on me last night? You of all people knew I can’t sleep after a bit like that.”

Pearl’s brow knitted, “Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep at all last night.”

I picked up the outfit and reassessed it. For a wrap that could be used underwater about town and on land it wasn’t half bad. I replied, “I probably slept maybe two hours. The rest was so light I wouldn’t call sleep.”

“I’m sorry.” Pearl said and dropped her gaze.

The merlady watched us from her post. She continued to file her long nails with a coral stick to keep them good and sharp. Her green eyes locked with mine.

I waved the outfit at her and said, “Success! We found something that isn’t strangled to death with seashells. Do we win something?”

She sneered. Pearl smacked my arm. I chuckled back at Pearl, “Well you gotta admit most the items here are overdone with seashells.”

As we swam over to the checkout station I said over to my shoulder to Pearl, “Since we’re done here… how ’bout we get some bebes to perk up? My treat.”

Pearl smiled, “Sure. But, I’m paying.”

“Ta heck you ain’t.” I scoffed.

“Too bad.” She said and handed the merlady her card. Dang it. She snuck that past me again. For once, I would like to pay for my own stuff.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙