WHOO-HOO! Chapter 10! I didn't think I would get this far! Thank you all for being so patient for the next chapter to come out. I have started school now. Senior year, FTW~ Anyhoo, I hope you like this next chapter. I feel it's a little lackluster, but it will defiantly make it up in the end. -evil grin-
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Earlier that afternood, Bridgette had snuck out of the house. She knew her friends would worry, but she couldn't be stuck in her room all day. She would get ansy. She had gone out to the cove, where she and her friends would usually hang out. She was sitting on top of one of the rocks, chatting with her dolphin friends.
"It's not that I don't love the land or anything... But with all these rules, it's just getting kinda boring," she said. The dolphin clicked a reply. "You're right. I shouldn't let it keep me down." Unknown to her, someone had spotted her on the cove.
"Bridge! What's up!" She turned around and saw Geoff walking towards her.
"Oh! Hey Geoff," she said, waving. Once he got close, he sat down on the rock next to her.
"So, what's up? I figured you would be with your friends," he said.
"Oh...Well, I just needed some fresh air and they were kinda busy," she said. Geoff nodded, looking out into the ocean. Their was a brief silence between them when Bridgette spoke up. "So, are you as good as your friends say you are?" She asked. Geoff raised an eyebrow, looking a bit confused. "At surfing. They said that you were last years champ," she continued.
"Oh that! I am good, but I don't let it get to my head. It's only something I do in my spare time," he said. He let out a sigh. "Shame the weather wasn't good today. I was looking forward to the contest," he said.
"Yeah, me too," Bridgette said. One of the dolphins then popped up and clicked.
"Wow, this is the second time this week they showed up. Normally, they don't come near here and only play out in the ocean. Wonder what's causing it?" Geoff asked.
"Yeah...I wonder too..." Bridgette mumbled. She knew that wherever she went, the dolphins would follow.
"Oh well. It's one of life's greatest mysteries that we'll never know," Geoff said. He looked over at Bridgette. "How long have you been surfing?" Bridgette let out a nervous giggle.
"To be honest, not that long. In fact, yesterday was my first time," she confessed.
"No way! You totally looked like a pro out there!" Geoff cried. Bridgette blushed softly, not expecting the compliment.
"Uh, thank you," she said.
"So, what were you planning on doing today?" Geoff asked her. Bridgette cleared her throat nervously.
"I actually don't know... Maybe just hang here," she said.
"But where's the fun in that? Hey, how about this? There's an aquarium in town. Maybe we could hang there," Geoff offered. Bridgette's eyes lit up.
"Sure! That sounds like fun," she said.
"Alright. We can drive there," he said, getting up. Bridgette blinked.
"You can drive?" She asked.
"Yeah! Don't worry, I'm a pretty good driver," he said. Bridgette wasn't worried, far from it actually. She always heard about humans and their cars and she wanted to see what it was like to ride one. She beamed.
"OK!" She exclaimed. Both of them got up and walked up the beach. They then approached a dark blue sports car with a surfboard stand on top. "Nice," she said.
"Glad you like it. My parents got it for me as a birthday gift," Geoff said. He unlocked the doors and opened the drivers seat. Bridgette got in on the passenger side. They both buckled up, with Bridgette slightly confused on what a "seat belt" was, and Geoff drove off. Bridgette looked outside her window, awwing at the passing by buildings and people. She never have seen this much human culture all at once, let alone in real life.
After a while of driving, Geoff parked in front of a building. It was a blueish-aqua building with a fish on it.
"Here we are," he said, turning off the car.
"Wow, it's huge!" Bridgette exclaimed. They both got out of the car and went to the ticket booth. "W-wait, I have no money," she said.
"Don't sweat it. It's on me," Geoff said, pulling out his wallet.
"You don't have to do that for me," she said.
"But I want to," he said, flashing a grin. Another blush colored her cheeks. Geoff paid for both tickets. Once they got them, they headed inside the front lobby. Bridgette was shocked. It was even bigger inside! "Hey, we're in luck! There's not a lot of people today. No crowding," Geoff said.
"Um, is that a good thing?" Bridgette asked.
"You obviously haven't seen this place when it's packed. It's like controlled chaos," he said. He took ahold of her wrist. "Let's check this place out." Bridgette felt her heart flutter. Geoff...was actually touching her! She felt like she had gone to heaven.
The two began to start their tour, checking out all the tanks, exhibits and whatnot. Bridgette recognized a few species that were native to her home and some she had never seen. But something was on her mind... As Geoff was being distracted by a school of clown fish, she used her ability to speak with aquatic creatures with an angelfish.
'Does it feel wrong to you that you have to be cooped up in this tank? Don't you miss the ocean?' She asked.
'Everyone here does get a little homesick, but some of us were rescued,' the angelfish replied.
'How so?' Bridgette asked.
'My family lost its home to a terrible sea monster and were forced to flee. Luckily, a group of human caught us and put us here, thinking a natural predator forced us out,' it explained.
'The sea monster? I thought it was banished after the sea hag died,' Bridgette said.
'Well, something is now terrorizing us sea creatures,' the angel fish said. Then something tapped Bridgette's shoulder.
"Bridge? You alright?" She quickly spun around and looked behind her.
"Oh, sorry about that," she apologized.
"You just spaced out for a bit," Geoff said.
"Nothing to worry about," Bridgette said, rather fast. Geoff blinked, but then shrugged.
"OK, if you say so," he said.
They continued to walk around the aquarium, looking at all the different exhibits.
"So...Geoff. I hear you talk a lot about your parents. Are they nice?" Bridgette asked.
"Totally! They are like the nicest people you can ever meet!" Geoff said, beaming.
"Do they ever worry about you?" She asked.
"They're parents, Bridge. Of course they worry about me from time to time. Why do you ask?" Bridgette rubbed the back of her neck.
"Well, this is my first time away from them and I'm afraid I'm worrying them too much," she said, looking down at her feet. She then felt Geoff put his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, don't get so down about it. I'm sure they think that their daughter is responsible enough to be on her own," he said, in a cheerful tone. Bridgette stared up at him for a while, then softly grinned.
"You think so?" She asked.
"I know so," he said. Bridgette's stomach did a small flip, but it didn't bother her. She actually felt...safe around him. She heard about some of the kind humans from stories, but she finally got to see it for herself.
"Thanks," she said. Geoff flashed her another smile.
"No prom, Bridge," he said. He took a hold of her hand and begun to lead the way. Bridgette's heart skipped a beat.
'O-oh my gosh... He's holding my hand! O-Ok Bridgette. Just calm yourself. Don't start acting like a giggling idiot,' she warned herself. She looked up at Geoff in the corner of her eye. 'He's so nice and sweet...and yet nothing like the guys back home. Maybe we do belong together...' She let out a content sigh.
After about 20 minutes of walking and looking, the two found a bench to sit on.
"Man, I never get tired of this place," Geoff said.
"I have to admit this was pretty fun," Bridgette said. Then, a sudden thought came to her. "So, what's with you and Heather?" She asked. He let out what sounded like a mix between a sigh and a groan.
"Where do I begin? Heather sees herself as the most popular girl in school. Because of that, she believes she should be with the most popular guy, which is me," he said. Bridgette nodded slowly.
"OK, that explains it...somewhat," she said.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm fine with her crushing on me and all... But, she's not my type of girl," he said. Bridgette raised an eyebrow.
"Your type?" She asked.
"Heather is too high maintenance and a little bossy. I like girls that are down to earth, generous and always puts others before herself. Someone...like you," Geoff said, giving her a sheepish smile. Bridgette's face went bright red.
'I-is he saying that...he likes me?' She thought. She hastily cleared her throat. "Oh really? Even if she was a total klutz?" She asked. Geoff shrugged.
"It doesn't matter to me... But I think... Never mind," he said.
"What?" Bridgette asked.
"This sounds a little stupid, but I think I might have already found my dream girl," he said. That really got Bridgette's heart going into overload.
"R-really? Who is she?" She asked, looking away.
"I don't know her name... A couple of nights ago, I almost drowned. I really thought it was the end for me. But, a girl rescued me and pulled me ashore. I can't remember much about her... But her eyes were stunning and...her voice. She had this angelic voice. I couldn't understand what she was singing, but her voice has been stuck in my head ever since," Geoff said, in a dreamy tone. Bridgette's eyes widened. Her song! He still remembered her song! Then it occured to her. SHE was his dream girl!
"W-wow, that sounds amazing," she said. He let out a sigh.
"I wish I could of gotten her name... But when I came to, she was gone," he said. "Maybe it was a mermaid who saved me." Bridgette's body tensed up. He knew about mermaids!? Then Geoff let out a laugh.
"I'm joking," he said. Bridgette blinked, but then let out a sigh of relief.
"F-for a moment there, I thought you were serious," she muttered. Geoff chuckled.
"Come on, Bridge. I think we should head back. Your friends might be getting worried," he said, getting up. Bridgette nodded, following him.
They soon left the aquarium and drove back to the beach. They were sitting near the cove, watching the sky.
"Hey, I had fun today," Geoff said.
"Me too," Bridgette responded. He turned around to look at her.
"I hope we can do this again sometime," he said.
"Yeah, I hope so too," she said. They stared out into the ocean. Geoff then silently put his hand over Bridgette's. She looked down, then back up at Geoff, who was looking away oh-so innocently. She smiled. Maybe she was right about coming up to the surface. Maybe this could be the best thing that could ever happen to her...
It was soon late at night. Bridgette got home safely, but had to listen to Courtney lecture about the danger of sneaking out. But we will worry about that later.
At that exact moment, Lindsey and Tyler were walking around a ritzy neighborhood, holding hands.
"I'm so glad that you came back," Lindsey said, beaming.
"Anything for you, babe," Tyler said. She let out a giggle, but it was quickly silenced. Coming up over the street...was Heather.
"Lindsey, you insufferable blond bimbo!" She cried. Lindsey winced, cowarding behind Tyler. The raven headed teen marched her way up to them. "I gave you a simple task and you go and screw it up!" Heather hissed. She then focused her glare to Tyler. "And you! You had your own mission to carry out, but you decided to spend some 'quality time' with her!" Tyler looked away.
"I-I'm sorry, Heather. I thought..." He started, but Heather cut him off.
"That's the problem! You thought! I didn't hire you for your brain! Ugh, that's it!" She cried. She then proceded to grab the couple by the ear and dragged them off.
"Ow! That hurts!" Lindsey cried. Heather ignored that as she brought them to a fancy looking mansion. She kicked the doors open and led them inside. Everyone knew Heather was rich, but never seen the inside of her house. But they didn't need to, for it was completely barren of furniture. There were no servents to be seen. Heck, there were no parents inside either! She dragged them to a door. She let go of their ears and opened the door. It lead downstairs to what normally would be a basement...but not this room. The stairs only went down three steps before being consumed by black, murky looking water. It was almost like an indoor pool...if that indoor pool was a miniature swamp. She then shot a glare at the couple.
"Take them off," she hissed. They both softly gulped in terror. Lindsey took off her pair of diamond earings, while Tyler took off a single, red garnet stud earing. Heather took off her pair of onyx earings. All three of them dived into the water. There was then a flash of light that came ten seconds later. Underwater, the "basement" was really a dark and nightmareish looking lair that was filled with ominous looking objects. But that wasn't the thing that stood out. All three of them had changed. Tyler now had a red and yellow mer-tail and a lightning bolt on his wrist. Lindsey had an orange and white mer-tail, as well as a white sea-shell bra and a swirl shapped mark on her lower back. But, it was Heather who changed the most. Her legs were now inky, black tentecles similliar to an octopus, her silky black hair now looked oily and matted, her eyes were a dark, menecing yellow, her skin was a greyish-green color and she had on an ebony sea urchin bra. Heather swam up to the mirror and looked at herself. "Ah, I missed my beautiful form," she said vainly.
"H-heather? We're sorry we messed up," Lindsey meakly said.
"We promise to do better next time," Tyler added. Heather turned to glare at them.
"You said that last time!" She hissed two of her tentecles then jetted out and and grabbed the two mer-people by their necks. She dragged them in closer. "I hired you two to work for me when no one in your kingdom wanted anything to do with you or your powers!" She looked over at an almost choking Lindsey. "Creating natural ocean disasters..." Looking over to Tyler, who was also struggling to breathe. "And make rain storms into thunder storms. You two have too much destructive powers for them. But here, I am greatful for your powers. I brought you into my care when no one else would. And you repay me by messing up everything I tell you!?" She screamed.
"W-we're sorry, Heather! We will do our best!" Both cried. Heather grinned evily and then let them go.
"Oh, you better. Or you will be the next meal for my pets!" She threatened. Tyler swam to Lindsey's side to comfort her. "So, let's this clear to you bumbling idiots. What is your mission?" Heather asked.
"...To find the mermaid princess and capture her for you," they said.
"That's right! And when I kill her, everyone will fear me. Then I, Heather, Mistress of the Dark Water, will soon be the ruler of both the Land and Sea!" She cried, laughing evily. "And no human or merperson will stop me!"
Soooooooo, who saw that one coming? Anyone? Anyone? -points to FTiger- Put your paw down! You already knew! Anywhoozles, please R&E with comments. Also, tell me how you reacted to my secret twist at the end. I'm dying to know!