CHAPTER 9

Shyann was standing over Larissa. She managed to get her temperature down, and she looked a little less redder.

"I don't know how long I can do this..." warned Shyann.

"Just do it long enough, until we can figure out what to do with those sirens..." replied Tia.

"Fine. But hurry."

"I can't get close, because I'll fall under a trance." said Will, constantly looking from Tia to Larissa.

Suddenly, they all heard a conch blow.

"Don't stop! I'll look to see what it is. Will... Stay." ordered Tia, grinning, trying to bring the smallest hint of humor.

Shyann smirked and snickered, Will just glared.


Viola and Malcolm had "borrowed" a navy blue minivan, which Malcolm drove. Viola was completely cautious of everything about it and in it, including the radio.

"Are you sure we're not gonna die?" asked Viola, for the millionth time. All through the trip snow was falling around her, and frost was beginning to form where her shoes were and on the window.

"No. We are not going to die. We are completely safe. Haven't you ever been in a car, or seen one?" inquired Malcolm.

"Umm... No... I haven't. We usually walk or ride polar bear dogs." answered Viola, looking down, embarrassed.

"Oh... Forgot..."

"Yeah...

"So... What's a polar bear dog?"

"Oh... They are the cutest things ever! They are larger than what you would call... Umm, polar bears, they have paws like a regular dog but larger, and they are swift, dependable, have great endurance, and can jump large very far."

Malcolm laughed.

"So, basically just an overgrown polar bear who's a dog."

"Basically." laughed Viola.

"But if they're cute wouldn't they not having any battle purposes?"

"Actually, no. They are fierce when the owner wants it to be. They have large sharp canine teeth and can swat at just about anything."

"Hmm... Do you have one?"

"Unfortunately, no... I've always wanted one... But... My parents never exactly paid much attention to me... It was always Shyla who got the attention."

Viola looked out the window and saw some lights up ahead, as Malcolm looked briefly at her with concern and sadness.

"We're almost at the movies... What movie do you want to see?" asked Malcolm, trying to change the subject.

Viola looked at the paper again.

"Umm... Well... I'm thinking Jurassic World or The Hunger Games?" questioned Viola.

"Bit bold... Alright, well... Hmm... I've been wanting to see Jurassic World." agreed Malcolm.

"Cool."


Tia was gone for a what seemed like hours, but really just 15 minutes.

"Well?" asked Will.

"Well... (sighs) How do I put this..? Umm..."

"Just spit it out!" exclaimed Shyann.

"Queen Diana, of the sirens, mermaids, and all ocean life here, wishes to speak with Larissa... And all of us. But mostly Larissa."

"She can't exactly do that, now can she?" replied Will, angrily.

"She said her siren guards will stop what they are doing."

"Yeah, right!"

Larissa stirred. Even with Shyann's help, she wasn't exactly doing much, the Queen's words were true. In just a few seconds Larissa only looked like she had a sunburn and her temperature was going to an embodiment of the sun to an embodiment of a small fire. She was even heating up the whole tent!

"That was fast..." muttered Shyann dropping her hands.

"Yeah... What exactly does this "Queen" want?" asked Will.

"She wants to talk, to us. She didn't say what about... And Will... When I first left the tent I saw the necklace... It was glowing bright. I think Queen Diana is the one we're after." explained Tia.

"What are we waiting for?" asked Shyann, picking up her spear.

"I-I wouldn't do that..." warned Tia.

"Why? We need some sort of protection."

"Yeah... But we have our powers, and we don't want to seem threatening..."

"I agree with Tia." commented Will.

"Fine..." grumbled Shyann, dropping the spear.

"Who's gonna look after Larissa? I mean, we can't exactly take her with us. She's still critical." said Will, worried.

"We have to. She wants Larissa, as well." interjected Tia.

"What! Are they nuts!?"

"No... Well... Maybe?"

"Stop playing protective Will... I know I'm not one for... Peace... And I don't exactly play well with others and fight every step against things... But... I think we should take her. You're not her father. You're not her brother. You're her friend. And I don't think the Queen would ask for her to come with us unless she had a reason." reasoned Shyann.

"But-"

"No. Buts. Now shut up, and pick her up."


Back at Camp in the Khione Cabin, Shyla sat awake, under her covers, with a device she's never seen before that lights up when you bush something forward. It was amazing and served for purposes just like this one...

Earlier she was thinking about the past and present, and how different they were. Well she never liked her name, and she thought she should get a new one... Just something to help her feel comfortable. Something bold...

She had crossed off at least 100 different names. The remaining names she liked were Riley, Brianna, Alexis, and Alessia. And she was deciding between Brianna and Alexis. She felt like Alexis would fit better than Brianna...

Her head hurt from thinking and not sleeping, so she decided to give it a rest and get some sleep...