Fangs of a mermaid
Rikki sat alone on the warm, sanded beach Mako island.
The sunset was a bright cacophony of purple, pink and orange streaks blazing across the Australian sky.
It was beautiful.
Rikki stared past it with unseeing eyes.
She was trapped in a deep, swirling cloud of un-knowing and pain.
Zane had had no contact with her whatsoever over the past three days and missed their date at the cinema.
That wasn't like him at all.
Zane always expressed how much he loved Rikki to her and he promised never to hurt her…
Well so much for that…
Rikki snivelled a bit as she relived her most precious moments with Zane in her mind.
She couldn't concentrate.
It was so depressing almost knowing that her boyfriend didn't want anything to do with her for some reason even though she had no memory of anything she could've done that could have upset him in any way.
Every time she phoned him, he hung up with an exasperated gasp of fear, sadness or anger.
Every time she sent him an e-mail she never got a reply, not even telling her why he didn't want to see her.
Every time she tried to speak to him or passed him in the street, he sped past, ignoring her, head low.
Rikki didn't know what to do.
Even Cleo had tried talking to him but he had ignored her too.
Rikki left the comfort of the sand and neared the ocean's edge, where it foamed.
She ran into it, the coolness of it rushing through her body.
Rikki dove forwards and disappeared into the depths of the sea, not wanting to turn back.
The next day, Rikki found herself in the juice net, sitting alone by the counter, watching couples giggle and hug each other lovingly.
Rikki turned away, not wanting the images to torture her any longer.
It hurt.
That was the only way that Rikki could describe it.
Luckily for her it wasn't a desperate, agonising pain but still…it hurt.
She pulled out her phone and dialled Zane's number.
The phone didn't ring, it just displayed the message- Call failed.
Rikki slipped her mobile back into her jeans pocket and sighed deeply.
Cleo came through the beaded curtain of the café and approached Rikki.
"Still nothing form Zane?" Cleo asked, caringly.
"No" Rikki said, looking up.
I remember feeling like this…Cleo thought. And Em, Em would too but I hate seeing Rikki feel it.
Cleo sat down next to Rikki and slipped a sympathetic arm around her friend.
It was sad seeing poor Rikki like this.
Cleo looked around the café and spotted a dark haired boy, around the same age as her and Rikki, sitting with his head low, on the other side of the café.
Cleo narrowed her eyes and peered at him.
She recognised that face…
Zane!? I need to talk to him about this…Cleo concluded and she got up.
She confidently strode over to Zane and sat down opposite him.
He looked up darkly.
Cleo shivered.
She didn't like the look he was giving her.
His eyes shot her the impression of hunger and depression in himself.
She flinched slightly.
"Zane?! Do you have any idea of what you're doing to Rikki?" Cleo demanded.
Zane looked a her for a moment.
"You don't understand, it's not my fault…" he replied in a low voice.
"Try explaining that to her, we don't need this with Emma leaving as well, think of Rikki!" Cleo retorted defensively.
Zane blinked and bristled.
"Zane what's wrong" Cleo asked quietly, suddenly feeling scared.
Zane said nothing, he was staring intensely at Cleo.
I don't like this…he's scaring me…
Cleo went to get up and run over to Rikki but, Zane grabbed her wrist.
"Let's talk outside" he whispered silkily.
Cleo couldn't pull herself out of his grip so she reluctantly followed.
Rikki had watched them talking.
Maybe, Cleo had got something out of him…
Maybe, he would suddenly come over, apologize and they could go out for a meal just as they'd planned a few nights ago.
She watched as Zane led Cleo outside and they disappeared.
Hopefully, Cleo will come back with good news…Rikki thought hopefully.
A shriek shattered the atmosphere of thought.
It was high-pitched and Rikki almost didn't recognise it.
The entire café's worth of customers rose to their feet and poured out of the juice net, curious.
Rikki pushed and shoved her way out forcefully.
"Move! OUT THE WAY!" Rikki commanded.
She burst out of the crowd and her eyes darted around.
There was no sign of Cleo…or Zane.
