Hi, guys! I just want to say that I'm honored to have you read this story, and I hope that you like it! Okay, on with the show!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but the plot and characters of my story!
Riley Maliki stared at the ocean, memories running through her mind like a film. She could see her father, the blood pouring down his face like a waterfall. The looks on her mother and sister's face were indescribable when his remains were found, torn to shreds by the destructive animal. A few tears escaped her eyes, running down her tanned cheeks as her nose gave a soft sniffle. She stared at her reflection, hoping that one day her guilt and sorrows would consume her and take her away to her father so that she could hold him one last time. Instead, she saw herself and only herself.
Riley was only 8 when her father was killed, but now she was 15, and things had changed. She was a slender young thing, her tanned complexion revealing light freckles across her small nose and arched eyebrows above her green irises. The wind outside blew her light brown hair in front of her so that the waves curled into tiny knots, her white teeth surrounded by soft, full lips. She sighed, looking down at her navy bikini, denim shorts, tank top, and sneakers as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She walked across the Hawaiian Islands so many times before, so why was being in America so different? Maybe it was the different scenery, or the ever-changing weather conditions. She didn't really know, and she didn't intend to find out. All of a sudden, her blue iPhone buzzed to show her that someone was calling.
"Hey, mom," Riley greeted, wiping her tears away.
"Hi, honey. Are you on the way back? You've been out for a few hours."
"Yeah. I'll be home soon. I've been exploring, that's all."
"Okay, that's good. I'll see you in a little while, okay?"
"'Kay."
But before she could hang up…
"Riley?"
"Yes, mom?"
"I love you, and so did he."
Saying "I love you", Riley jumped into the ocean to find her light blue top and mermaid tail sprouting from the usual batch of bubbles. Then, she raced across the ocean, reaching the docks before pulling herself out of the water. Immediately, she used her powers over wind to swipe the water from her body into a bubble. She then used her controlling power to throw the bubble of water into the sea, being careful that nobody noticed. Riley had been a mermaid for almost seven years, and changed in an unknown cave on Manolu Island. She remembered the magical day like it was yesterday…
Seven Years Earlier…
It was warm outside, the sun beaming its bright, intense rays across the soft beach sand. It had been six months since the death of Riley's father, and the remaining family members were still recovering. There was Mrs. Maliki, her mother, and Maia Maliki, her sister, and Riley herself. She was wearing a light blue t-shirt, white capris, flip-flops, and her hair was in a pair of pigtails. She stared at the sunset, not noticing her mother come from behind her. They were currently on a camping trip on Manolu Island, with Maia unpacking and setting everything up.
"Hi, sweetheart."
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"Okay, I guess. I remember going here with daddy. We had so much fun…" Riley trailed off, looking down.
"Yes, you did. I remember when he went fishing with you. We always laughed at how cute you looked when you made a fish face with your cheeks and hands. Oh, how I missed those days," Mrs. Maliki said, holding her close.
"Well, that was before daddy was killed by the brat!"
It was Maia, who overheard the conversation. She was the eldest, and behaved as a child. She also had the belief that the shark was made-up, that Riley killed her father because she wasn't his favorite (which was ridiculous and untrue). She never forgave Riley after that day so many months ago, even though the little girl was completely innocent. The younger sister turned to her, her face turning beet red.
"What? No, I didn't!" Riley squealed.
"Oh, yes you did! Why else would daddy save you, unless he felt sorry for you," Maia replied.
"You're lying! I was daddy's little girl, so stop being so mean to me."
"No, you weren't, I was! Daddy loved me more. So, just do us a favor and leave, you little brat!" Maia screeched.
"Maia! You are being way out of line, so stop! Riley, she didn't mean - Riley, wait!" Mrs. Maliki interrupted, before her youngest ran off into the forest.
She ran and ran, only stopping when she fell and hurt her leg. She limped into the opening of a burrow, which she fell into. She slid down the sandy slide to the bottom, landing in pile of more sand. She coughed, spiting sand back onto the floor. She began to walk around as best she could, before coming upon a blue light that opened the view to a circular pool of blue water. She watched as the full moon began to rise over the hole on the ceiling of the cave, before noticing the pool begin to bubble and sparkle before her eyes. Fascinated, Riley dove into the glittering water, surfacing only moments later. She saw bubbles surrounded her legs, all before they went numb. Then, the bubbles disappeared from sight with the sparkles, along with the full moon. She pulled herself out of the moon pool, finding that her leg had completely healed itself. She then crawled out of the cave and went back to the camping site, not knowing of the miraculous discovery she would find the next day…
Riley gathered herself before returning to her house, not knowing that others were on their way to sharing the same secret.
Okay! So, I hope that you liked the first chapter of my new story. Review what you think and I may continue. See you later!
