Chi is too close to the boat as usual. I'm used to it. She always has to see them. If it's night then she'll even swim under the hull to hear stories. She's always been curious… mostly about sailors. Mother had said that might get her into trouble. I've never doubted that someday it would. It's just in her nature. Chi never worries.
"NO!" A dolphin near the bow snaps, "You shine! They see!"
Chi laughed as the pod swarmed around her and dove with her under the hull. I roll my eyes and follow. It's a good thing I don't have to worry as much as she does. My hair is dark but my tail is the colors in the water. Blues and greens and purples. So if they see a shadow they probably won't think anything of it. But if they saw a flash of blazing red hair and burning orange any yellow tail… then Chi would hear lots more stories of mermaids. "You know she's right. They could have seen you, Chi." I scold her.
"Good!" she giggles, "They always make me so pretty in the stories."
She darts around the hull, talking excitedly to the dolphins, who've already forgotten that they were angry. They always do. I don't think anyone could stay angry with Chi for long. Not even Jones. I could swear he actually smiles at her… really smiles.
"Chi, what are they saying?" I sigh when she swims near enough again.
"Well, the spotted one… no… the one with the shark scars… or was it the little calf… anyway… they like my tail!" She chatters excitedly and does a lazy summersault.
"Not the dolphins, Darling." I sigh, "The sailors. Did anyone see you?"
"Oh, them? Nope. East Indian fellows… they never see us." She shrugs.
"They're never looking." I chuckle. "Sail the boat… never dream of seeing a mermaid."
"They hardly ever have any good stories." She sighs. Suddenly her golden eyes cloud. She shivers and twists uncomfprtably. I feel it too. The water turns icy cold and the dolphins dart away in the blink of an eye.
"The Dutchman!" Chi whispers. Everything in the ocean knows that feeling. Pain, dread and sorrow all smashed into one. That's the feeling The Dutchman gives you. But there's something else she carries with her today. Jones is angry. That does not bode well for anyone.
Chi jerks downward. He's pulling her… calling to her. She fights towards the surface with all her might. A sickening cold feeling wraps around my belly… like frozen tentacles of a dead squid. Jones wants to talk to us. Chi is beginning to tire… her eyes well up with tears. My poor Chi wasn't made to be a fighter. Wrapping my arms wound my baby sister I stop fighting and float to the deck of the submerged ship.