Fates: Chapter Thirty-Six

Margaret

The words came out of my mouth before I could even think twice about it. Maybe it was the chilly night or the idea that Grampa must be watching from somewhere. I wasn't sure. I swallowed as I continued to stare at Seirra's stunned face.

And then I realized that it was him.

He was the reason I finally agreed to go to wherever his kingdom was. There was just something about the way he barged into my life that made everything rushed yet absolutely crucial. It was like every decision I made would affect not only myself but a number of other people as well. He forced me to think that I was important. And to be honest, his presence gave me a sense of purpose. Like my life was more than just fulfilling my dream--or rather my mother's dream--of becoming a singer. Somehow, I looked back at who I was before he came and realized that I had never really done anything significant in my life.

Funny how I managed to reflect about all of this in just a few hours. Seeing the pain in his eyes when I hugged Robert, I knew then and there that he didn't deserve any of my narrow-minded reactions. He was a genuine person and the way I treated him was almost unfair. He always spoke of the truth, no matter how ridiculous it sounded to my ears. He was doing his best to earn my trust and I really should give him a chance.

Even if that chance meant leaving everything behind just to help a stranger.

Only, Seirra was no longer a stranger to me. He was important. I already said so and I had no intention of taking it back.

We were both still frozen from my sudden decision that I failed to see what he was about to do next. His hands shot out and pulled me close until he was squeezing me tight against his body. It became difficult to breathe but his face was buried in my neck and his arms were spread around my back that I forgot all about breathing. This was, in all truth, the closest I have ever been to another person. At least physically.

I was still feeling the effects of that hug when he released me and gazed at me with what was probably the sweetest smile I had ever seen on his face.

"Thank you," he said in a whisper that was filled with reverence. "You have no idea what your words meant. For Aquania. And for me. For me."

Yeah. I really had no idea.

"Let's just hope it's worth it."

"I assure you, it is."

A few seconds passed before I asked the questions that had started tugging at my brain.

"When I go with you, I can never go back, right?"

"Yes."

His face began to register pity, doubt and pleading. He must be thinking that I was about to change my mind.

"I see," I replied with a nod. "What am I supposed to tell Amanda, Robert and all the people I was going to leave behind? Or are they going to forget about me the same way I forgot about you?"

He looked away for a moment but not fast enough for me not to see the misery that he was trying to hide. His conscience must have been eating at him. The fact that he was feeling that way made me trust him more. If he cared so much about the consequences of my departure, then it could only mean that he was genuinely concerned about me.

"They will completely forget about you." I swallowed upon hearing that. "They won't ever have you in their dreams like I was in yours. It would be as if you never existed on land."

"As if I never existed," I repeated, amazed yet saddened at the same time.

"Marge, I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "You don't have to be." And I realized that he really had no reason to be sorry. He was doing what he needed to. At least he was honest enough to tell me the harsh truth. “I guess it’s for the best. Am I going to remember them?”

“Yes. Your memories will remain intact. Although...”

The way he hesitated caught my attention and I couldn’t help but feel slightly worried.

“Although what?”

“I don’t know for sure but...it was written that turning into a merman or mermaid has a...weird effect on humans.” He swallowed nervously, probably wondering how I was going to take his next words. It was enough to make me hold my breath anxiously. “It seemed that they experience the worst nightmares that somehow make them...crazy. To the point of wanting to end their own lives.”

“Oh.” Weird was kind of an understatement. And then I realized that if what he said was true then I just might end up dead after all. Either his enemies would kill me or I would. "Oh."

He must have seen the horror on my face because he took hold of my shoulders and fixed his eyes on mine.

“You’re strong. I know you won’t ever choose to end your life, no matter how difficult things become. And I’ll be here for you. I’ll keep you sane. I promise you that. You will always have me. Always.”

He was starting to develop the habit of repeating words for emphasis. My brain must have been starting to malfunction because despite the gravity of our conversation, I began to smile. "You don't have to say things over and over for me to understand things. Although, I have to say it's quite endearing."

Thinking about it, this was probably the first time I refered to him that way without confusion or wonder. Looking at him, I knew that deduction was right. He was obviously stunned.

"First, I was important. Now, I'm endearing. See, everything gets better when you're not so scared of me," he said with a grin.

"I'm not exactly scared," I replied defensively. "Just freaked out. And there's a difference."

"Really? Like what?"

"Well...scared is...worse, I guess. 'Cause when you're freaked out, it's just short-term but you're still willing to be open-min--Oh, please. Go ahead and laugh."

He stopped smirking and right there in the cemetery--in the middle of the night--he roared with laughter. It was the first time I saw him that way and I realized, he was probably as fun-loving as that before I started giving him a hard time since he got on land.

"I knew you were going to take it seriously but being proven right somehow made it funnnier," he told me while desperately trying to keep himself from laughing again.

I crossed my arms and pouted but his laughter was infectious and it became difficult to hold onto my irritated expression.

"I can't thank you enough, you know," Seirra continued when we finally calmed down. "To be honest, I was starting to think you'll reject me completely. Thank you."

"There you go being repetitive again." He grinned. "This is the craziest decision I've ever made but I'm not going to change my mind. You have my word on it."

"Thank y--" he began but I glared at him. "I'm glad," he finally said.

I let a few seconds pass before I said, "I think we should be heading home."

"Right. I'll go with you. Just to be safe."

For some reason, I knew that my safety wasn't his only reason for coming with me but I didn't comment. Truth be told, I actually felt safer with him around.

*****

Rehearsals had gone intense Wednesday afternoon as everyone worried about the upcoming concert. The stage needed to be set up, the equipment had to be arranged, one of the performers broke his leg from basketball practice and one of the soloists caught a cold and her voice had gone raspy. Panicking was a perfectly normal reaction but I felt particularly scared as I went through the day. It was late afternoon and the gym was still bustling with activity. Somehow, something didn't feel right.

I took a breath and tried my best to stamp down the feeling of dread that kept rising in my chest. I was talking to Robert when Seirra arrived. He wore a simple maroon shirt and jeans but I still felt messy and unkempt in his presence. I raised a hand in an attempt to fix my disheveled hair.

How can anyone be as glorious as him?

He saw us and immediately smiled. Robert's head snapped to his left to look at me in surprise.

"I told you we met yesterday at the cemetery."

His eyebrows drew closer to each other in disbelief. "Just so you know, you smiled right back at him." I held on to my what's-wrong-with-that expression as he went on to question me. "What on earth happened?"

"Let's just say that I agreed to give him a chance. I'm going to Aquania."

"Whoa! Even I didn't expect that!"

"He's the key to so many of the mysteries that surrounded me so I might as well try."

Seirra was already walking towards us but halfway through, Hannah stopped him with her camera. He patiently tried to wave her off but she persisted and continued to take shots. She was a pretty girl and despite his efforts, she finally got her way. He gestured for just one shot but she haggled for three. The way they seemingly enjoyed the negotiation made me want to march over and greet Seirra myself.

"What about your application to Lancaster?"

I felt my right foot moving forward but Robert's question stopped me before I could do anything stupid. I looked back at my friend and blinked several times. It took me another moment to process what he had asked.

I had totally forgotten about Lancaster. Naturally, I hadn't considered what would happen with it now.

"Well...I...I don't really know."

Robert smirked then shrugged. "I guess it wouldn't matter anyway. Unless you can turn back into a human after some time?"

"Seirra told me I can't go back anymore."

There was a flash of sadness in Robert's eyes before he said, "I bet you'll look lovely as a mermaid."

"We can't be sure," I replied. "Sorry I had to leave."

He grinned. "No need to be sorry. I just hoped I can still see you after you save Aquania. And I would love to know more about merfolks too. If only it's possible."

"I wish for that too."

We exchanged sad smiles and a moment later, Hannah and Seirra finally joined us.

"Why the long faces?" Hannah asked, quick to pick up her brother's feelings.

"Nothing," Robert answered. "Just thinking how pathetic you are trying to flirt with Seirra when he's clearly not interested."

It was obvious that he was teasing Hannah but I couldn't help but blurt out, "No, Hannah. Don't believe him. You're not pathetic."

She just gave me a pitiful smile and turned back to her brother. "At least I'm just flirting. It wouldn't hurt too much when he leaves. I wonder what will happen when you and the girl of your dreams," she paused to look at me which proved how well she knew her brother, "finally had to go your separate ways."

Hannah got Robert straight through his guts but he wasn't one to back down from a sibling.

"One has to wonder though, how you could flirt with so many guys but none ever flirted back."

Seirra and I looked at each other. If this continues, the two of them might end up not talking. It was then that I realized that we both didn't have siblings and therefore could never understand the way Robert and Hannah treated each other. Our friends must have seen the expression on our faces because Hannah suddenly laughed and Robert looked sympathetic.

"We're not going to kill each other, you know," Hannah said in between giggles.

Seirra finally recovered from his earlier anxiety and said, "Actually, I was worried you'd get us involved in the fight. Wouldn't want to ruin my pretty face."

I rolled my eyes at all three of them. "For god’s sake, you guys."

They just laughed at me but I couldn’t help but feel as if something about today would seriously go wrong.

“Marge, relax. What has you so jumpy?” Seirra asked me, a hint of worry in his eyes.

I swallowed and took a breath. “I...Nothing. Just nervous for Friday.”

It was obvious that he didn’t believe my evasive answer but he let it go. The rest of the afternoon went on and before long it was eight in the evening. Only about twelve of us were left in the gymnasium when Mr. Chavez, our physics teacher and the head officer for the concert’s pre-production, announced that we all should be heading home.

“Thank you all for your hard work today. Let’s take a good rest tonight, everyone. See you tomorrow.”

We gathered outside and was about to leave when I realized that I couldn’t find my phone anywhere in my bag.

“Wait, guys. I think I forgot my cel inside,” I told them while I continued to dig through the contents of my bag.

“Are you sure?” Kris asked. “It’s not in any of your pockets?”

I checked again and shook my head. “Nope. I think it’s somewhere near the box of props I helped keep a while ago.”

“Err...I’m really sorry, Marge but I think I can’t stay to help you look for your phone,” Steph said as she showed us her cel with a wave of her hand. “Mom’s looking for me.”

“That’s okay. You guys go ahead. It can’t be that difficult to find my phone anyway,” I replied.

“In that case, I hope it’s okay if Elle and I can go with Steph. Can’t go beyond her curfew,” Nikko said.

“Oh, shoot. Totally forgot about my curfew! Sorry, Marge,” Elena added.

“No, no. It’s okay, really,” I assured them.

“Besides, Robert, Hannah, Seirra and I will stay with Marge. With all of us looking, it can’t take us that long to find it,” Kristina said confidently.

“Alright then. We’ll go ahead. Go home immediately, okay?”

“Yes, Nikko. We will. Take care of those two,” Hannah replied.

The three of them left and the rest of our group went back inside to look for my phone. I felt bad for having dragged my friends back inside when they were all apparently tired. Thank heavens it only took us a few minutes before Seirra found my cell phone by the stairs on the left side of the stage.

“Thanks, guys. Can’t believe I was too careless to have left it on the stairs,” I told everyone.

“You do seem a bit distracted today. I hope it’s nothing serious, Marge,” Hannah said, concerned.

“Yeah, you don’t usually lose things like that. Would you like to talk about it over dinner?” Kris asked.

“Oh! No need. I’ve delayed you guys enough and I’m pretty sure you’re exhausted.”

Kris just sighed and gave me a hug before she said, “We can talk tomorrow then.”

I didn’t think I could tell her anything by tomorrow, either but I nodded just to satisfy my friends. Kristina’s phone rang and she answered her mom’s call for a few seconds.

“Sorry guys. Need to head home now,” she announced after hanging up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Robert said.

“We’ll go with you. It’s late,” Seirra said.

“Whoa! You don’t have to. Don’t you live on the other side of Grasveld? And you should go with Marge, instead. She’s too distracted tonight, someone needs to bring her home just to be sure,” Kristina replied as she looked at me with a bit of worry.

“I’m fine, Kris.”

She continued looking at me in disbelief until Robert spoke up.

“How about we do it this way? Hannah and I will go with Kristina and Seirra can go with Marge.”

Kris, Hannah and I gaped at him. I wasn’t the only one who knew about his affection for me. Even Seirra seemed surprised.

“What?” Robert asked, his eyebrows shooting up. “Our house is only a few minutes from Kristina’s and Seirra didn’t have to wake up early for school tomorrow.” We kept our stunned silence so he added, his words sounding more serious than usual. “Besides, Seirra won’t let anything happen to Marge. Of that, I’m sure.”

Understanding seemed to have passed between Robert and Seirra.

“I’ll bring her home safe and sound,” Seirra said, his voice solemn.

“Thanks.” Robert took his sister’s arm and motioned for both Hannah and Kris to start walking. “We’re leaving then.”

“See you guys tomorrow!” Hannah called out cheerfully, a few steps away from Seirra and me.

When they were out of earshot, Seirra turned to me and asked, “What’s going on?”

I knew he was talking about my lack of focus this afternoon. I didn’t know what was going on either and I didn’t feel like lying to him

“I honestly have no idea. I just feel like something...dreadful will happen. I don’t know.”

A few seconds passed before he raised his hands to touch both of my cheeks.

“You don’t have anything to worry about. I know you’re scared about going to Aquania but I promise I’ll keep you out of harm. Okay?”

He sounded so sure that I thought he would find it offensive if I didn’t agree with him. And his hands felt warm against my cheeks which were enough to comfort me. For the first time today, I actually didn’t feel nervous and fretful.

I nodded which earned a grin from him. I smiled back as he dropped his hands. For a moment I felt bereft until he took my right hand and started walking. His grip was firm and strong that it was impossible to think he would ever be weak or defeated. I allowed myself to hold on to his hand and it was enough for me to feel even safer.

What I wasn’t expecting were the hissing and growling that sounded awfully close followed by a surge of something similar to lightning aimed directly at me.

The next thing I knew, I was falling to the ground with Seirra right on top of me.