In Too Deep

[image error]

Photo credit: NOAA’s National Ocean Service / Foter.com / CC BY

 

 

The intense burn lasted a few seconds before it died away.  Delphina’s confused look sent a ripple of laughter through the mermaid who kissed her cheek and pulled her down through the dark waters.  Del couldn’t help laughing too.  She felt her neck and the gill slits now processing oxygen instead of her lungs.  The sulking mako followed behind them like a loyal but lethal bodyguard.

They floated just above the bottom through a bed of kelp, through a rock tunnel and out into an area much deeper than Del would have thought.  They continued down, the last light of the surface now gone.  Luminescent fish and other sea creatures shed light on the undiscovered world of the deep and they continued their descent.  Del kept her eyes wide, searching for any signs of danger.  Strange and scary creatures swam around but kept their distance.  A curious plesiosaur got the closest but decided against any contact.  As they continued descending, light began to glow beneath them  like  A distance beacon lit up like a torch pulling them toward it.  The mako rushed ahead and cut off their path.

 

“Kira, what is your interest in the girl.  You aren’t seriously thinking of taking her there.”  He gestured with his nose toward the glowing area before them.

 

“Yes, Kyran, where did you think I was going?”

 

They swam closer and Del’s mouth fell open.  The light radiated for a brilliant underwater city with tall spires and odd buildings nestled adjacent to gardens of colorful plants, anemones and coral.

 

“I won’t allow it!” the shark snapped.  He angled his massive body to block them.

 

“You don’t have a choice,”Kyran.  She sent out a shock wave that tossed the shark several yards away.  She increased her grip on Del’s arm and shot toward the city.  Kira launched them up toward the surface.  Sparkles like sunbeams bouncing off glitter engulfed the mermaid’s lower body.  Del shut her eyes from the brightness of it.  They broke through the surface  and landed softly on moss covered earth.   The air around them felt humid and thick.  Del coughed and sucked in air before she opened her eyes.  Kira held fast to her waist, keeping her upright but what Del noticed next were Kira’s legs.  Del opened her mouth to speak but the shark appeared next.

 

Kyran launched himself from the waters and seemed to sour through the air as if still swimming.  Del felt her heart sink.  She struggled away and pain shot through her legs sending her to the ground.  She turned back to see Kyran closing in on her, his teeth bare and frothing.

 

“What caused that accident, human?  The gas alone will exact vengeance on the island until the ecosystem is rined.   Others will come and investigate and try to make improvements to the situation but they will fail.”  Kyran’s whole body lit up with the sparkling glitter until he stood over her as a man.  His menacing stare boring into her.  “If they find this place, the humans will destroy it!” he roared.

 

Del coward away from his accusations but knew it to be true.  The call to action would be heard nationwide, even worldwide.  Their lynch mob attitude would insist divers scour the site and they would find her wrecked dingy.  The Greek government and all in their employment would be tasked to make sure it wasn’t their fault.  Del tried to get away but her legs screamed in protest.  In the end, all she could do was cry.

 

“Leave her alone!  She’s hurt,” Kira said pushing Kyran away.

 

“And leaking,” Kyran said.

 

“You hurt her feelings too, you jerk!” Kira hissed.  She pulled Del to her chest and held her there.  Del tried to stop the tears but she felt sick over it all.

 

Kira gave a high pitched whistled.  A sleigh floated on the air toward them and pulling it were two giant sea horses.

 

“Put her on the sleigh, Kyran.  Please, brother.  She needs our help.”

 

 

Like this:Like Loading...
In Too Deep