Hi people!!! Sorry it took forever for me to write this. I will warn you there are some strange/weird things in this chapter. Don't ask why; I felt like it. : ) Enjoy! Remember to review!
How stupid can I really be? I may be smart, but I am seriously lacking in the common sense department. My eyes searched the ground for roots and rocks reaching out to trip me. I'm not exactly the hugest klutz in the world, yet I am accident prone and have gotten my fair share of bruises. Walking through a forest is almost like a death sentence for me… almost.
While I was investigating the forest floor, I forgot about looking for obstacles in front of me. Before I knew it, I was flat on my back with a searing pain in my head. "Migraine number two," I muttered bitterly to myself. My eyes peeked up; I had run into an obvious, thick branch protruding from an even more obvious tree.
Scolding myself for not paying attention, I rubbed my forehead in hopes of soothing it, but instead I discovered blood was smeared on my hand. "Joy," I mumbled to myself. "I should try to find a lake or stream or something so I can clean this off." As I continued to give myself first aid instructions (I knew that class would come in handy one day… just not like this), I heard something rustle in the bushes in front of me and froze.
I am not technically a scaredy cat, but I do have an overactive imagination from being forced to watch horror movie marathons every Halloween. I blame my friends. Unconsciously I shuddered recalling those memories. Even worse, all those movies replayed in my head. My mind pictured the nastiest.
Logically I was thinking maybe the reason for the rustling was just a harmless, little squirrel, yet my imagination was telling a very different and frightening story. It repeatedly showed me an image of a growling, seven headed monster with gleaming fangs dripping with blood from their latest victims and five legs equipped with serrated claws ready to tear me apart limb from limb and eat me. Lovely, no? I cursed my imagination.
My eyes shut tightly and the color drained from my face when I heard a low growl come from within the bushes. Squirrels don't growl…
This situation was definitely adding to my pounding head. I almost felt faint, and I don't faint unless I am really, really sick. Silently I gazed behind me to see I was actually fairly close to the entrance of the forest. Guess I really can't walk that far before hurting myself. Told you this forest was almost a death sentence for me.
The growl came again, yet this time it was louder and fiercer. Maybe if I make a run for it, I can get away in time. Very slowly and cautiously I stood up keeping my eyes trained on the bushes. I could see a pair of black, beady eyes staring at me from inside the shrubbery. They looked as if they were devouring me already.
I barely took a step before the creature leaped out from behind the bushes. Without a thought, I turned and ran as fast as I could. I seem to be running a lot today, don't I?
I couldn't risk a glance back; my ears weren't able to pick up the noise of the monster following me, yet I could tell it was still there and gaining on me. A few seconds before I reached the edge of the forest, I could feel its breath on the back of my knees. It pounced onto my back and made me fall onto the ground; I let out a screech.
All of a sudden the weight wasn't there anymore. Once that thought finally processed in my over worked brain, I rolled over onto my back, sat up, and looked around anxiously trying to find the thing that attacked me. I didn't understand why it just… left. Wait, I just escaped the creature by pure luck, and now I want to find it again just so it can eat me? What am I thinking?
I stayed in a crouch and turned around; a scream of terror ripped from my throat. The creature had been behind me; I was staring straight at its face. I fell back once again as the monster scrutinized me. I was trapped by the edge of the forest.
Freedom was so close yet so far. Murtagh was so close yet so far.
Why hasn't he come to save me yet? I don't really like to be the Damsel in Distress, but I absolutely want my so called Prince Charming right now. Does he even want to rescue me anyway after I had run out? I mean, it's not my fault I'm here. Is he really going to leave me here to rot? My breath caught in my throat when I realized the severity of the situation. I could die here, and no one would ever know. It would be as if I never existed.
I tried to calm myself and hide my fear since I heard it could possibly trigger attacks from wild animals. My mind was still frazzled and shaking when I decided to at least observe the creature that was going to eventually consume me. I didn't want to die ignorant of what killed me in this extremely unimaginable way.
It wasn't that frightening monster my mind pictured, and it definitely wasn't a squirrel although the tail was kind of bushy. All in all, it looked sort of like a saber-toothed cat except for the color of the fur. It was a shocking shade of… green??? My eyes bugged, and all thoughts stopped. Basically I looked like someone who was just told their baby cousin is actually part bird. Weird…
Anyway, the emerald fur was also streaked with black stripes. This animal had to be at least twice my size. The next feature I noticed stopped my heart. Protruding from the upper jaw were two, one foot long canines. Unlike the image my evil mind conjured, they were not dripping with blood, yet they were equally frightening and threatening. I could almost hear the creature taunting, "The better to eat you with, my dear," and I am definitely Little Red Riding Hood. I gulped loudly.
Surprisingly, all this thing did was stare at me. I was wondering when it would finally walk away, so that I could escape. I realized that wasn't going to happen when it began to slowly inch towards me. For the hundredth time that day, I shut my eyes since I was more that not willing to see death stalking towards me. My body stilled instantly in fear of those feral teeth sinking into me and the pain that was certain to come when I felt something wet licking my forehead.
Wait, what?
Reluctantly I pried my eyes open and saw this animal was cleaning the blood off my face. My first reaction was to scrunch up my nose from the horrible smell emitting from this creature's mouth. It's also safe to say I was dumbfounded. I had no idea what to do. This thing was just chasing me, and now it's cleaning me… at least I think it is? Is it bipolar? Or does it only like to eat clean food? Couldn't I get rabies too since it obviously is wild? Do they even have that here…?
Mentally shaking those thoughts from my mind, I returned to the situation at hand. Still stunned, I stared into the creature's eyes. They seemed to peer into my soul; I could tell it knew I was extremely confused since it cocked its head to the side and softly purred.
It's official. My sister is right; I am losing my mind. This thing purred? This vicious looking animal with huge teeth and jagged claws PURRED? I sighed wearily to myself. My body can only take a certain amount of drama in 24 hours, and this was definitely pushing it. Without a care for what would happen, I flopped my entire body on the ground, flung my arms above my head and groaned. I just wanted to go home, and now look where I am all because of that stupid, arrogant Murtagh who believes we are soul mates. I snorted aloud at that thought.
While I was fuming at that stupid moron, the creature came and lay down next to me. I didn't notice it had approached me until I felt a weight on my chest. It had placed its head on my torso. I lifted my head to look at the animal and raised an eyebrow; it continued to purr. Cautiously I reached out to gently scratch it behind the ears, and it licked my arm in response.
It was then I realized my head didn't hurt anymore. My cut was gone too. I examined this creature relaxing on me and wondered if maybe its saliva healed wounds or something like that. This is getting weirder and weirder. I have such an interesting life.
Let's see… I almost drowned, I turned into a mermaid, I am in a totally different world, a random guy is professing his love for me or something like that, said guy is being an asshole, and now I am lounging on the forest floor with a bipolar animal after it attacked and healed me. Great! Enter sarcastic laugh here.
Completely perplexed I continued to pet the creature. Why? I don't know. It could all be a trap. Kind of like the bad cop, good cop routine. The creature would attack first then heal. Once it gained my trust it would coax me to its home and eat me there... such a pleasant thought. I hope I can think of another, brighter scenario later, and I hesitantly glanced at this thing sprawl across me.
Almost coincidently, it looked back at me and proceeded to stand up. A massive paw remained rested on my stomach. Oh crap. What it is going to do? My eyes darted around wildly, hoping the animal wasn't having another mood swing. Sweat broke out on my skin when claws hooked into my shirt and it started to drag my body carefully across the dirt floor. For once, I think my theory of bad cop, good cop was right.
Suddenly it stopped and nudged me with its head. I reluctantly sat up after it removed those vicious claws from my clothing. What happened next surprised me a lot. In a very human like manner, it nodded its head in the direction it wished to go. Then it nudged me one more time and began to walk in that direction. My eyes widened as I realized it wanted me to follow.
How crazy is this? Should I follow it or escape the forest and head back to Murtagh's home? Do I really want to take the risk that this possibly bipolar animal might attack me and have me for lunch? What a fantastic thought…
I decided to throw caution to the wind (including my theory) and cautiously stood up, and baby step by baby step, I followed the massive animal that oddly acts more human than my own brother. While I was strolling along behind it, my imagination overreacted again. I was thinking once again about the sudden mood changes this thing possesses.
Maybe I was trespassing on its territory, and it got defensive. When it realized I was defenseless (obviously) and wounded, it halted its attack. Wow… I blinked rapidly in surprise. For once it was not a scary or disturbing thought but rather a logical one. That's quite a feat for me. I actually grinned.
As I kept following the creature, it led me deeper into the forest, and trust me, it was not a pretty experience. Bugs attacked from every possible angle resulting in my body being covered in bug guts. I shuddered at the very thought.
To make it worse, I kept seeing eyes everywhere. It was like Alice in Freaken' Wonderland. They peered eerily through the bushes, the leaves, the branches, everywhere. It was probably just my imagination at work again for the millionth time, yet the stares felt so real and unnerving.
Even though the creatures were unwelcoming, the forest was anything but. It was truly magnificent. The towering trees were aged with wisdom and sturdy with strength. They towered over the forest floor acting as guards protecting their treasures. Sunlight peered through any openings in the crowed canopy; it illuminated dew droplets that were relaxing on the foliage and emphasized the swirling mist from the recent rain.
Flowers of every sizes, shapes and colors littered the forest. Some danced around the trunks of their protectors. Others swayed in the wind or reclined on the soil rich with minerals. This is absolutely jaw- dropping. I have never seen any place more serene, and I probably won't ever. It just surprises me that a forest this remarkable could have such… patronizing occupants.
Cringing ever so slightly, I shied away from the long, rat-like tail rustling the leaves by my feet. Almost as if it was meant to be, I missed a different critter that decided to make my day and run over my foot. I yelped as I hit the ground. I swear; this has to be the third time I have fallen today. Or was it the fourth…?
I sighed exasperated and picked myself up. By now my clothes had dirt all over them. Don't even get me started on my hair. It's going to take a whole lot more than a simple brush to fix it. Murtagh isn't going to like this. I slapped my wrist lightly in punishment for thinking about that overbearing a-hole. He is not worth my time or my thoughts.
Eventually the creature and I came upon a small pond. Just like the forest, it was marvelous. My jaw dropped to the ground. The water was a deep, clear blue; blurs of bright, vibrant colors could be seen swimming around. Their dorsal fins would occasionally skim the surface causing ripples to interrupt the calming waves of the pond.
My gazed moved to find the great creature that had brought me here; it was nowhere to be found. My head shook in disappointment. Why does it keep disappearing on me? I am so going to get lost trying to find my way back. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. Maybe we left some tracks?
I glanced back hopefully, yet no footprints were to be found. My shoulders slumped in defeat; I took a seat by the edge of the fishpond. I stared into the water and sluggishly rolled up my pants to my knees. If I was stuck here, I might as well make the most of it. Carefully I dipped my feet into the water.
The cool liquid engulfed my legs in a heavenly enclosure. I sighed in utter bliss as the water lapped at my legs soothing my sore feet. This has to be the best part of my day so far. I feel so calm and relaxed like nothing can bring me down. Well, that was until Murtagh popped into my head again. Can I not have five minutes of peace without thinking about him? Obviously not.
I owe him nothing. Well actually I do since he saved my life and all that, but he could be a little nicer and not as creepy with all the names and stuff. I think it's sweet and everything that he saved me and wanted to make sure I was okay which I obviously am physically. Mentally… not so sure. I guess I could get used to the nicknames since I am obviously going to be here a while. For sure though, the touch feely stuff needs to stop or at least be down played.
A frustrated noise escaped me. Who am I kidding? I love the way he holds my hands, the way he plays with my hair, and the possessive way he lays his hand on my back. It burns but in a good way and sends shivers down my spine. (Cliché, I know.) I know for a fact I shouldn't feel like that considering I don't even know that guy. How many times have I had this conversation with myself and said the same thing? I really don't know what to do.
I actually want to give him a chance, but this morning just proved he is always used to getting his way, and I have a problem with following the rules. I can't even count how many times I got detention in school. It was only for little stuff though like chewing gum, talking during class, and a few accidental explosions in the chemistry lab from not following the directions.
I chuckled aloud at the priceless face of my chem. teacher after I had unintentionally blown up the cylindrical beaker (don't ask how), and the stone that was inside of it flew and hit the fish tank next to my lab table. The glass of the tank shattered instantly; fish were flopping around everywhere and the water drenched the floor. Chemistry was cancelled for the rest of the week due to water damage. Those were the good days...
Anyway, getting off track, but you can see my point. I'm not good with rules, and it leads to disastrous results. I can tell he wants to control me. I don't know how much, but I can tell. I don't surrender to anybody even if he is a gorgeous guy who just happened to swoop in a save my life. I am so seriously messed up right now.
To make my day even more worse, I forgot about one very important, little detail. It dawned on me just before I suddenly slid into the pond. My arms were flapping around wildly until they latched onto the edge of the lake. I had forgotten I couldn't get wet. I had forgotten that if I got wet, I would become a mermaid. I had forgotten that if I got wet and became a mermaid, I didn't know how to swim with a tail.
With what upper body strength I had, I lifted myself out of the water and settled once again on the ground. I stared with distaste at the glistening tail; however, I will admit it is a pretty silver color. That's the only thing good about it though. The thing that baffled me though is what happened to my pants and apparently my shirt too. Joy. Thank goodness for my (technically the mermaid's) long hair. I quickly repositioned my hair; it draped over some of my tail as well.
While returning to the examination of my cute yet slimy tail, I noticed a black spot… and it was moving. Second frightening encounter with an unknown creature may begin in
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!" I screamed loudly being the girly girl I am at heart (sort of). Frantically looking around, I snatched a branch and hurriedly swiped Thing 2 off of me. I didn't see where it landed, but that swiftly left my mind as soon as I felt something crawling over my hand. Letting out another scream, I shook my hand as hard as I could effectively causing Thing Number Whatever flying in the other direction.
Glancing at the ground, I could see all these bugs crawling out of the ground and heading towards me. ME! Why? "Come on. Come on. Think of something. If only I had a can of bug spray. That would show them who the boss is around here," I muttered to myself. I do like bugs but only when I am in a good mood, and I am clearly not in a good mood right now. Besides I don't even know if any of these things are poisonous. I prefer not to find out and die from some kind of venom or disease.
There was only one logical solution that could possible kill me (but in a less painful way) considering I don't know how to swim with either my legs or the tail. Saying a quick prayer, I hastily entered the pond once more. After I was partly submerged, my fingernails dug into the earth as close to me as possible, so I could stay above water as well as avoid the bugs. Sadly the second part of that reason didn't turn out to be true.
The bugs were approaching my hands and fast. "This is just too weird," I sighed. "This is not normal. This shouldn't even be happening right now. I would love to be dragged out of here." Fortunately, my wish was granted. Unfortunately, it didn't happen how I wanted it to. I mean, since when do things so my way? Uhh… never!
Startling me, an unidentified object wrapped around my tail and pulled me under. My eyes instantly shut closed as well as my mouth. My arms tried to claw their way to the surface, but it was no use. This thing had a tight grip on me. I tried flapping my tail to see if it would let go; the grasp only tightened. I could feel my body being pulled down into the lake which is definitely deeper than it looks.
Still pathetically flapping my tail, I tried to resist, but I couldn't see anything; I couldn't breathe. I was running out of air. I know mermaids can breathe underwater, yet I didn't want to take the chance since I didn't know if they breathed the same way us humans do. They might have gills or something, but I didn't see any on me. I have really got to stop using the word "didn't".
Returning to the situation at hand, I decided to open my eyes in hopes I could find an escape route. Hesitantly I opened them and came face to face with the appealing features of the one and only Murtagh. You have got to be kidding me.
Then I blacked out.
Please review! All you have to do is write a W for wonderful, G for good, O for okay, B for bad, of T for terrible. ONE LETTER IS ALL IT TAKES!!!!! : ) so PLEASE review!
