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Chapter 3: Swimming
It seemed weird to Emily to worry about swimming so much that she couldn't sleep. She had always loved swimming. At some point Emily got up and went to the beach. From there she saw Mako Island illuminated by the moon above it.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" she heard someone ask. It was Amber. Emily nodded. "You also can't sleep?" Emily questioned. "No, of course not," Amber answered sarcastically. "What are we going to do?" "About Sarah or the swimming?" "Both." "Like I said before she'll be alright. She just needs time to figure all of this out." "I don't seem like a person that understands people very well. No offense." "None taken. It's true. I just have a good intuition about people." "And what does your intuition tell you about swimming?" "That we have to get out of." "But how? We shouldn't be attracting too much attention to ourselves." "No clue. Say… Want to go for a swim?" The blonds jumped into the water and swam off.
Uncomfortably Sarah, Emily and Amber stood on the docks. The others were already jumping into the water and swimming. Sarah stood far away from the blonds. "What's the matter, Sarah?" Mrs. Rose asked, "Don't tell me you are afraid of water after your trip on Mako." "Ah, no, well. You see I can't swim very well." "Well, now is the perfect time to learn."
Mrs. Rose grabbed Sarah's wrist and pulled her to the edge of the dock. Terrified Sarah stared at the water. "Come on in, Sarah. The water feels great," Ryan told her from the ocean. All of the sudden Sarah pulled free from Mrs. Rose's grip and ran off the dock. "Sarah Sertori, get back here!" Mrs. Rose ordered, but Sarah didn't listen.
Then Mrs. Rose saw Emily and Amber. "Sarah hasn't been feeling well today," Emily lied. "We'll go check on her," Amber added and they were about to walk away when Mrs. Rose asked, "Not so fast. Why aren't you swimming?" "Ah, well…," Emily stammered, but Amber said, "I caught a cold and Emily doesn't want me to feel left out." "Then you should have reported it to me and not wear a swimsuit," the councilor told her. "I know, but I didn't think it was such a big deal," Amber continued. "Very well. For today you are excused," Mrs. Rose replied and Emily and Amber were about to walk off, "But you will stay here and watch the others." The girls hung their heads low annoyed, but nodded. They only saw a red head sneak past Mrs. Rose.
Ryan found Sarah laying on her bed. "Hey, everything alright? Emily and Amber said you aren't feeling well." Sarah looked up at the redhead. "I'm fine." "If you're fine why did you run away?" "I don't like the ocean much." "If you're scared of the ocean you should face your fear." "Why does everybody think I'm afraid of the ocean!" "Sorry, I mean if you need help come to me."
Ryan placed his arm around her shoulder. Sarah felt relaxed, when she realized something. He was wet! Quickly she pulled away from him and grabbed a towel. Panicky she dried herself. Then she waited, but nothing happened. Sarah gave a sigh of relieve. She saw that Ryan stared at her, confused.
"What was that all about?" he asked. Sarah bit her lower lip and then lied, "I don't like getting wet." "Okay. I should get back to the others. I kind of snuck away," Ryan said and left. Sarah gave another sigh. That was too close to comfort.
When Ryan got back to the dock, Amber and Emily came up to him immediately. "You went to Sarah?" Amber asked. Ryan nodded. "What did she say? Is she alright?" Emily questioned. "She's fine, but why are you asking me what she said?" Ryan replied. "We aren't on speaking terms at the moment," Emily said, but then realized what she said. Amber covered her face with her hand.
"Why?" Ryan asked. "I don't believe that's any of your business. Now go back into the water," Amber answered curtly. "Don't order me around," the boy said, just before he was pushed into the water by Amber. Quickly she dried her hand. "What was that for?" Ryan questioned. "Go swimming," Amber told him and he swam off. "Sorry," Emily muttered. "Be glad there was a body of water to push him into this time or make sure there is one there next time. He can't get too close to us," Amber replied.
That night Sarah sat alone on the beach. In a way she felt like crying, but she didn't know why. Was she scared of what had happened to her or her situation with Emily and Amber? She had no idea. Sarah held her head.
Suddenly she heard something. Sarah got up and went towards it. Reaching the dock, she saw someone board the speed boat that belonged to the camp. After ramming into the dock, the boat sped off. "What's going on here? Who was that?" Sarah wondered, stepping towards the edge of the dock. She knew she should follow the person, but she couldn't. Staring at the water splashing against the dock, Sarah realized she was scared. Scared of what she was.
After waiting a while for the person to return, who didn't, Sarah decided to go back to the cabin. Silently Sarah crept inside and saw that all her cabin mates were sound asleep. She climbed up into her bed and sat there. How was she going to get out of swimming?
At breakfast the girls sat separate again. Emily looked over to Sarah several time worried while Amber just ate her breakfast like nothing was wrong. Sarah sat next to Ryan and just stared at her breakfast.
Just as breakfast ended, Mrs. Rose announced, "I have an announcement to make. It seems last night someone took the speed boat out for a trip. That would not be a problem if the person had asked and not damaged it. If anyone wishes to say anything please do so now." Sarah lowered her head. She couldn't say anything, because then Mrs. Rose would ask why she was out at night.
No one made an attempt to move. "If no one has the courage to owe up now they may do so later, but I will tell you now such a breaking of the rules will result in the loss of privileges," the councilor told them and then dismissed.
Ryan whispered to Sarah, "Meet me at the dock in 15 minutes. I want to talk to you." She nodded, but didn't know what Ryan wanted. Sarah quickly hurried back to her cabin, brushed her teeth quickly and checked her hair once more. "Where are you off to?" Jessica asked as Sarah walked out the door. "Just going to the docks," she answered. "But swimming doesn't start for an hour," Jessica pointed out. "I'm not allowed to be early?" Sarah questioned and then left. "Where's Sarah going?" Emily asked as she and Amber came into the cabin. "The docks," Jessica answered. "The docks," Amber and Emily repeated, trying to hide the horror, "Why?" Jessica shrugged.
Sarah stood on the dock waiting. "Look who's out here all alone," a voice said. Sarah turned around and saw Riley, Jordan, and four other people. "What do you want? I'm waiting for someone," Sarah replied, intimidated. "I know. I heard you talking to my brother," Riley said. "When what do you want?" Sarah repeated. "You're friend Amber made a fool of me. I want revenge," the redhead told her. "What does that have to do with me?" Sarah asked. "I don't care which one of you three gets it. I just want one of you," Riley replied and then smiled, "Get her." The four boys stepped towards Sarah while Riley and her friend stood back smiling evilly. Sarah stepped to the edge of the dock. Scared she looked at the water below.
"Leave her alone, Riley," Ryan ordered and hurried to Sarah, "You alright?" Sarah nodded. "How cute. You like her, don't you?" Riley asked. "Just leave her alone," Ryan repeated. "Let me think about that. Eh, no. Get her," Riley commanded. Jordon and the others stepped even closer.
"How about a little swim?" Riley questioned. Ryan saw the horror on Sarah's face. The four boys were so close that there was little more than a foot between them. Just as the boys took the last step to push them off, Ryan pushed Sarah through the wall of boys into safety while he fell into the water.
The people on the dock heard a thud. Sarah pushed herself through the boys, dropped to her knees and looked down. Ryan floated in the water, his eyes closed. There was a wound on his temple. "Ryan!" she exclaimed, but he didn't react. Riley and the others crowded around as Ryan was being pulled out to sea by the strong current.
"What are you waiting for? Save him," Riley ordered Jordan. "Are you crazy? The current would be the end of both of you. Get help," Sarah objected, but when nobody moved she snapped, "Go get help already!" Everyone except Sarah hurried off the dock.
Sarah sat feeling helpless on the dock. Then she decided something. She stretched her hand out and tried to stop the current, but it was too hard. Panicking she looked around, but nobody was coming. "Where are they? Ryan's going to die at this rate," Sarah thought. Then she stood up and jumped off the dock. Seconds after she was submerged in the water, she turned to a mermaid.
The swimming motion came automatically to her and she swam quickly after Ryan. Sarah was amazed at how fast she reached Ryan. She pushed him up so he didn't drown. "Ryan. Ryan, hang in there," she muttered and swam back to shore.
Reaching the shore she dragged herself and Ryan on to it. Sarah put her ear to Ryan's chest. There was a beat, but faint.
"Sarah!" she heard someone exclaim. It was Amber and Emily. Sarah gave a sigh of relieve. She had thought that Amber and Emily had given up on her. "Are you alright?" Emily asked. "I'm fine, but Ryan," Sarah muttered.
Suddenly they heard voices. The others were coming back. The girls stared at each other panicking. "Get into the water. We'll take care of him," Amber hissed and Sarah obeyed.
From underwater Sarah saw Mrs. Rose and the others come, talk to Emily and Amber and then take Ryan away. Then Sarah looked around. She saw the coral reefs and the schools of fish.A dolphin swam past her. A smile crept across her face. It was an idyllic scene.
After the blonds had returned, Sarah pulled herself out of the water. "Now what? Wait until I dry?" she asked. "I might be able to help," Amber smiled and kneeled beside her. Slowly Amber balled her hand and steam rose from Sarah. "Ow, that's hot," Sarah said. Then she turned back to normal. "You found your power," Sarah smiled and Amber nodded.
"Mrs. Rose wants to see us as soon as Ryan has been examined. She wants to get to the bottom of this. She's furious," Emily told them. "I'm in trouble. There's no way Riley will admit it was her fault," Sarah replied. "Lets see what happens. Lets go to the cabin for now," Emily suggested and Sarah nodded, "Coming Amber?" "You go ahead. I've something to take care of first," Amber told them and went of into another direction. Emily and Sarah shrugged at each other, having no idea what Amber was up to.
"I've been looking everywhere for you," Amber said as she walked up to Jordan who sat on the beach. "What do you want from me?" he asked. "I wanted to talk to about something." "About this morning?" "No, about your Christmas holidays. Of course about this morning." "What do you want to know?"
"Riley. I bet she told you to tell Mrs. Rose that it was Sarah's fault, right?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "But I do. Did she or didn't she?" Amber asked annoyed. "Okay, she did. So what? Let me guess. You're going to tell me lying is bad," Jordan answered. "No, but are you seriously going to do everything she tells you to do?" "I don't do everything she tells me." "Don't you?" Amber questioned and gave him a sharp look.
"I don't… Okay, maybe I do," Jordan admitted, "But I also do what I want." "Really? Prove it," Amber challenged. "How?" he asked. Amber smiled.
"Where have you been? Mrs. Rose has already called us to her," Emily asked as Amber walked up to the office. "Oh, you know. Around," she answered. "Well hurry up. Mrs. Rose is already in a bad mood. It won't help Sarah if her mood gets worse," Emily said while Sarah paced back and forth. You could see she was nervous.
The girls entered the office and saw an angry Mrs. Rose, Riley, Jordan and the others from the dock. "First of the good news. Ryan will be alright. It was nothing too serious," Mrs. Rose told them. Emily and Amber looked relieved while Sarah gave a sigh of relieve and muttered, "Thank god." Riley showed no reaction.
"Now, I want to know exactly what happened," the councilor said sternly. Before Sarah, Emily or Amber could say anything, Riley accused, "It was her, Sarah." "It wasn't me. It was your fault," Sarah objected. "My fault. Why would I ever want to hurt my own brother?" Riley asked, with a fake innocence. "Quiet, both of you!" Mrs. Rose demanded, "Why not ask what the boys saw?"
Jordan stepped forward and said, "Riley and Sarah are both not telling the truth. It was Sarah, Amber and Emily." All the boys nodded in agreement. Riley stared astonished at Jordan. This wasn't part of her plan. The boys could not turn on her. Sarah and Emily stared at Jordan as well.
Just as Emily was about to protest, Amber elbowed her and gave her a hard stare. "It's true. Sarah, Emily, Ryan and I were fooling around on the docks. Ryan slipped and fell of the dock. That's when he must have hurt his head. Riley, Jordan and the others had just arrived when this happened," Amber lied. There was a long silence. Emily and Sarah stared at Amber confused.
"Is that how it happened?" Mrs. Rose asked. The boys and Amber nodded and after Amber had given her fellow mermaids a look, they also nodded. Fuming, Riley stared at Amber. "Very well. Everyone except you three may leave," the councilor said, pointing at Amber, Sarah and Emily. Quickly everyone else left the office.
"I am very angry with you. I have never had such trouble makers. Your night swim, the swimming from yesterday and now this. Not to mention your constant tardiness," the councilor criticized. "We're sorry. We didn't mean for Ryan to get injured," Emily said. "I hope you didn't otherwise that would be even worse. Of course I will have to punish you," Mrs. Rose told them, "Usually fooling on the docks is only one week, but since someone got injured by it and had nearly drowned, you will be excluded from swimming for two weeks."
The girls saw that as their sign to leave, but then the councilor asked, "By the way, how did Ryan get back to shore? If I'm not mistaking the current at that time should have pulled him out to sea." Quickly the girls shrugged. "May we visit Ryan?" Sarah questioned. The councilor nodded and the girls left.
Outside Emily and Sarah turned to Amber and asked, "What happened in there?" "What are you talking about?" Amber replied, playing the unknowing. "Because of you we got in trouble," Emily said. "Because of me you got out of swimming for two weeks," Amber pointed out. Emily and Sarah stared at Amber. They hadn't realized that until now. "You're right. How did you do that?" Sarah asked. "You just need the right plan," Amber smiled.
"How?" he asked. Amber smiled. She loved it when a plan got together good. "Tell Mrs. Rose that it was the fault of Sarah, Emily and myself," she answered. Jordan stared at her as if she was crazy. "Why?" he questioned. "Just do it and make sure the boys say the same thing," Amber replied. "And what do I get if I do that?" "We'll see."
The girls stared at Amber. That was an amazing plan, but at the same time... "That's just reckless," Emily said. "Reckless? Why?" Amber asked. "What if Jordan or Mrs. Rose hadn't done what you expected? Then we could be in a lot of trouble right now," Emily objected. "But they didn't," Amber pointed out with a smile. "Lets go visit Ryan," Sarah suggested, changing the subject. The girls nodded.
Ryan laid in a white infirmary bed and was awake when the girls came in. "How are you feeling?" Sarah asked. "My head hurts, but otherwise I'm fine. Well, except for the fact that I don't remember anything about how I got here," Ryan answered. "You don't remember anything," Emily repeated. "We were fooling around on the dock when you slipped and fell," Sarah said. "I would do that?" he muttered, confused. Quickly the girls nodded. "Oh, yeah, Sarah. Now I know why you asked me about mermaids," Ryan said. Emily and Amber stared at her. "You do?" Sarah asked, uncomfortable. "Back then when I was floating in the water, I saw one. A mermaid," he answered. The girls stared at Ryan.
"You hit your head too hard. Mermaids don't exist," Amber objected, quickly. "I guess you are right. Mermaids don't agreed," Ryan agreed. Then the girls had to leave.
Outside Amber and Emily glared at Sarah. "What?" she asked. "You know what," Amber said. "Why did you ask Ryan about mermaids?" Emily questioned. "I'm sorry, it's just that back then I was overwhelmed by the fact of being a mermaid," Sarah began, but when she saw her friends smile at her, she shut up. They hugged. "We'll take care of each other no matter. Even if we are sick or …," Emily started, but Amber interrupted, "But we're not married, right?" The girls laughed. "That was funny, but seriously. We can't tell anyone or we might end up in the hands of some scientists," Emily told them. The girls nodded. "Lets go to dinner," Sarah suggested. "I'll catch up," Amber replied and left.
On the beach Amber met Jordan. "Happy. I did it," he said. "Yes, very." "So what do I get?" "What do you want?" "A kiss. From you." "No way," Amber objected. "A deal's a deal," Jordan replied. "Fine," she gave in. Jordan lowered his head. Seconds before his lips met hers, Amber turned her face and his lips met her cheek. "Hey," he complained. "I'm not that easy to get," Amber told him, "Bye." She left, leaving a smiling Jordan.
Amber sat down next to Sarah and Emily. They smiled at each other. Everything was alright between them now. "Attention, campers. Tomorrow you will be allowed to go to the city. In groups, of course. The day after that we will have the beach party. You will have to help prepare. Also there will be a full moon to look at," Mrs. Rose announced. |