Please tell me what you thought about my story. Hope you enjoy.
How things somehow feel
When I arrived in Rikki's room, I found her packing her stuff. "I see you find your mind again." She looked up at me while she walked past me towards her dresser.
"I'm going to Australia."
"Alright, we'll take the plane." I got my phone out. "I'm sure we can find another place on the plane tonight."
She closed her dresser again and put some more stuff in her bag. "I'm not going with the plane." She motioned with her head towards the water. While closing her bag she walked over to her window and dropped her bag down before following it. "And you're not coming with me so if you please could cover for me with my mother, I would appreciate it."
I followed her out of the window. "Rikki, I need to protect you. You have no idea what these guy us capable off." She turned back around.
"Look, I need to get to Australia now, I don't have time to explain."
"Alright, then I'm coming with you."
Rikki pulled her bag better on her shoulder and started walking again towards the water. "No you're not. This is something I have to do on my own. Look Edward, I really appreciate you're trying to help, but there are just some things I need to do alone. Oh yeah, before I forget to tell you, mind the border." With a smile she took another step towards the water.
"The what?" I looked down and remembered the boundaries of the Indian territory right before crossing it. "Rikki, wait." With one last look at me, she jumped into the water and her clothes and bag disappeared and a tail appeared.
I wasted no time and immediately went home. It only took me a couple of minutes getting there. "I need to know when the next plane to Australia is and I need to be on it."
-ss-
After a whole day of swimming and a quick rest on Hawaii I stopped before Cleo's house. A breath later I was knocking on her door. It wasn't long before Cleo opened the door and I found myself with her arms around me. "Cleo, I do need to breath remember."
She let go of me with a big smile on her face. "Emma! Lewis, look who is here." She pulled me into the house and towards the sitting area.
Another set of arms were quickly wrapped around me. "Rikki! It's so good to see you." Emma let go of me and pulled me down next to her on the couch.
Lewis sat on the other sofa. "Guys, give her some space cause if I remember correctly a plane could never get here so fast, which must mean that you swam the whole way here." Both Emma and Cleo looked at me in awe.
"You swam?"
"Are you mad?"
"Mostly I'm just hungry and tired right now."
Cleo got up and quickly made her way towards the kitchen. "Well let's see if you still like my sandwiches. You can go upstairs and lie down on my bed. And don't worry, dad and Kim are gone for the whole day."
-ss-
After a couple of hours sleep and a couple of sandwiches from Cleo, I felt much better. "Cleo, you've still got it." I took one last bite from the sandwich before putting it down and looking up at Cleo. "So what is this about Charlotte?"
"She is gone mad. It started with Nate and Lewis having a fight and it escalated into Nate stealing Lewis' boat. Charlotte went nuts when she saw it and started rocking the boat with our powers. Emma and I tried to stop her but the two of us weren't strong enough and when the boat capsized, Nate started drowning. Emma almost revealed her tail while getting him out of the water."
"And Charlotte, she did nothing to save him?"
"No and afterwards she told Lewis she didn't want him hanging out with us anymore. Luckily he still got his mind and left her, but we think she is going to go completely mad now. Max…"
"Max?"
"A friend of the old mermaids. He told us that she probably can't handle all the power she has, she has too much and it's getting to her head."
"So what do we do now?"
"Max also told us that there is going to be a full moon that only comes once every fifty years and can take away mermaid's powers forever."
"So we lead her to Mako and get her into the water. Any idea how we are going to do that? And I thought you said that we aren't strong her enough to beat her."
"No, I said that Emma and I weren't strong enough with just the two of us, but now that you're here, I'm sure we can handle it."
"So when is this full moon planning to come?"
"In two days."
-ss-
I was walking along my old street and with trembling feet I stopped before my old home. The yellow ribbons from the cops where gone and it seemed that a new family was already living there. I fought my tears back and turned around, walking back away.
It was on my way back to Cleo's house, I ran into no one else then Zane. I hadn't even noticed him first, only when he called out. "Rikki!" I stopped and just saw his face before he hugged me hard. He pulled a little back and kissed me full on the lips. Somehow it didn't feel right and I pulled back after a second. Zane didn't even notice my reluctance. "I've missed you so much. Why didn't you tell me that you were back?"
"I haven't told anyone, and I would appreciate it if you would do the same. Look Zane I haven't got much time right now but I'll speak to you tomorrow alright?"
"Rikki, did I do something wrong?"
"No it's just, stuff… happening…"
"Mermaid stuff."
"You know it."
-ss-
After two days, I finally arrived in Australia, together with Alice and Rosalie, I made my way to the exit of the airport. Jasper had already arranged for a rent car. Once in the car, it was hard not to push the accelerator trough the ground. Trying to calm me, Alice put a hand on my shoulder. "Edward, you need to control yourselves. Rikki is not doing anything special right now and Jasper and the others are taking care of James. Besides the GPS has trouble following your speed."
-ss-
It was getting dark. Ash looked out of the window and saw the moon rising. Apparently he found out about us after Charlotte had locked Cleo and Emma up in a room full of water. "It's time."
Lewis got his phone out. "Charlotte? Hey it's Lewis… Yeah it's also great hearing you. Actually that's why I called, I would like to meet again. I miss you." Cleo rolled her eyes while sitting down with a thump on the couch. "Mako Island, that's perfect… See you in an hour." He puts his phone down. "It's a date."
Emma looks around. "There is no turning back now. C'mon."
We got up and Cleo, Emma and I marched over to the door, but when I opened it no one else but Edward stood before me. He pulled me into a crushing embrace. "Rikki, I was so worried. Why didn't you call or let something know. Alice couldn't see you for an entire day."
"Edward… Oxygen, need it."
"Oh sorry." He quickly let go off me. I waved at Rosalie and Alice who were watching us with delight.
Emma pulled my arm from behind. "Rikki, we don't have much time." She pointed to her watch.
"Right, guys, could you please wait right here for me. I'll be back in a couple of hours, but got some important stuff to do, so… And Ash." I pulled him forward. "will keep you company, won't you Ash?"
"Sure, I guess."
"Great. Well see you later."
But I knew that Edward wasn't going to let me go so easily. "Rikki can we…" He suddenly turned towards Alice and pulled me now completely back. "You're not going out there. It's much too dangerous."
"Edward let go off me." With much reluctance he did. "I need to go and you can't stop me."
"Alright then I'm coming with you."
"This isn't your fight."
"I'm making it my fight."
"Fine. Follow us, if you can keep up."
I walked outside and Emma and Cleo quickly followed me. "Euhm Rikki… What are you doing?" They both looked at Edward.
"Right." I stopped and pointed to Edward. "Edward is a vampire, Cleo and Emma are also mermaids." I looked at Cleo and Emma. "Don't worry, he doesn't bite. So now that everybody knows everybody's secret, let's get out of here. Cause right now we're just wasting time."
I jumped into the water and the others quickly followed. It was no surprise that Emma, Cleo and I arrived before Edward. They took advantage of the time and started asking things while I was drying us up.
"Alright, so are you and Edward together?"
"Oh no, we're just friends."
"Really cause you already fight like an old married couple."
Saving me from answering, Edward came above water. "Find the way?" He smiled at me before getting out of the water. He followed us to the other entrance to the cave, where we could hide. "And now we hope she doesn't choose to come the old fashioned way." Everyone looked at me with questioning looks. I pointed behind us. "By foot."
-ss-
Luckily Charlotte didn't disappoint us and arrived in the moon pool right before the moon was going to be above us. When she wanted to leave the pool, we came out of our hiding. She stared angrily towards us. "You!" While still in the pool she used her powers to create a water stream. It was coming right towards us, but we combined our powers and managed to divert it.
"Your game is over Charlotte."
Charlotte noticed the moon getting over the moon pool and was getting desperate. "Please! I'll go away, I will leave you alone. Cleo you can have Lewis I don't need him. But please, get me out of here." She held out her hand but we didn't react and the moon hit the water. When the moon went away, she was turned back human.
Edward was looking at everything with big eyes. "Edward, could you maybe get her out of the water, I don't trust her enough." He went over to the water and got Charlotte out in a second. But instead of letting her go, he pulled her closer and told her some things that were too silent to hear. After a minute he let go and she stared at Edward with shock.
"Charlotte." She turned her attention towards Emma, but kept on sneaking peaks at Edward. "Lewis is waiting with a boat for you at the shore. If you tell anyone about us…"
"I won't, I promise." She gave Edward one last scared look and walked, almost ran, out of the cave.
I stepped up besides Edward. "What did you tell her?"
"Nothing special, just making sure, she won't be making any trouble for you guys."
"Well who would have guessed a vampire was going to come in handy." Emma jumped into the water.
Cleo smiled at me. "Have fun." She jumped after Emma.
Nervously, I looked up at Edward. "Thanks, you didn't have to do that you know. Risking your own secret to protect ours."
He came closer and caressed my cheek with his palm. "No I didn't, but I choose to. Only for you." He lowered his head and his lips met mine. And somehow this felt right.
-ss-
I walked into the juice net café and saw Zane sitting in a corner. He smiled when he saw me walking in and quickly came over. When he wanted to kiss me, I stopped him. "Zane, can we talk?"
"Sure." He motioned to a table, but I shook my head.
"Something more private." He took my hand and led me outside. Once we were out of hearing reach from the terrace I let go of his hand. "Zane, this long distant thing that we have is not working." He wanted to speak, but I held up my hand. "I've really enjoyed our time together and you have been great for me, but it just isn't working. I'm really sorry, I wish things would have been different." I took his hand and put his bracelet into it. "But sadly enough they aren't. I hope you understand and that we still can be friends."
I wanted to walk away, but he pulled me back by my hand and started kissing me passionately. I felt his wet cheeks before I pushed away gently. "Please Rikki, I need you."
I pulled my hand free. "No, you don't Zane, you have survived this last few months perfectly."
"No I haven't. I've been trying to help your friends from keeping the secret, but they just pushed me away. My dad is back being the old bastard that he is and without you I don't have the strength to stand up to him. And my best friend is right now lying in the hospital, still fighting for his life. I haven't been alright Rikki. The thought that you were somewhere out there wearing this." He waved the bracelet in front of my eyes. "That you were mine and no one else's kept me going." He took my hand in his and tried to put the bracelet back on. "Please Rikki, just be mine. I need you."
I pulled my hand free and took Zane in a hug. He held onto me frantically while starting to cry hysterically. "Zane, you can do it all without me. I know how strong you can be. You don't need me." I pulled back and hold his face in my hands. "You Zane Bennett don't need anyone to be strong, believe me. And if things ever get too hard, I'll just be on the other side of the ocean." He smiled back at me trough his tears and I took him once again in one last hug.
-ss-
That afternoon, I stood in Cleo's front garden again, next to Edward, Alice and Rosalie. "I guess this is goodbye again." Once again Cleo pulled me into a big hug followed by Emma and Lewis.
"Are you swimming again?"
"Are you mad?" We laughed. "No, just going to go the old fashioned way."
"By foot?"
I smiled at Cleo. "No, by plane." I took her hands into mine. "Please be kind to Zane, he needs some friends." Reassuringly Cleo smiled back at me.
Edward took my bag and with a last wave towards my friends I got in the car. I was sitting in the backseat next to Edward, while Rosalie was driving the car, with Alice happily chatting next to her. "You've never told me what came from James."
"Carlisle and the others found him in your garden. He won't be bothering you anymore. Now relax you have gotten some stressful days behind you."
I put my head on his shoulder and Edward put a kiss on my head. I closed my eyes and for the first time in a few days, dreamed happily. And somehow everything felt great.
