Sorry everyone, for such a long wait. I have not forgotten or given up on this story! I've just been at a massive impasse on the direction I wanted it to take. I hope this does not disappoint. Enjoy!
Cody writhed in agony and defeat as the water pulled him down, his legs unresponsive as they morphed their way into a tail. He could feel them knitting together and heard the familiar rip of cloth as his shorts shredded around him. Water filled his lungs easily as the pain subsided and as he breathed in a deep breath of liquid. The electricity…he should have known. If he hadn't been panicking about saving Sean's life, he might have realized. He'd triggered his change again and there was no stopping it.
Glancing down he watched his toes finish stretching into the cartilage ridges of his fin as the tender silver webbing stretched out in the water. His tail was longer than he remembered. Had he grown that much in just a few months? Scales itched along his sides as his tail finished forming, and then it was simply done. Cody floated in the deep, eyesight adjusted for the underwater world, and stared down at his tail.
Just like that his return to land and the life he had thought he had wanted was taken from him again. All because Sean couldn't just leave well enough alone. The scary, quick thought of dragging the other boy under the surface flashed through his mind. Why did he have to keep losing everything that he wanted? Why did he have to be so torn between two worlds?
He watched Sean kicking in the water, barely staying afloat. Cody could only imagine how tired and confused he was. He dunked under the water once, presumably looking for him. It was just dark enough outside, without the moon fully risen, for him to be seen. The tide pulsed in the distance and Cody knew that a storm was moving in. It would be best if he just left Sean there and found a cave to sleep in for the night. Sean would be fine if he made his way to shore. The human, however, seemed more willing to keep swimming in circles than make progress towards land.
Maybe he needed help. Cody tried to judge the distance to his cove, but couldn't tell. He didn't realize he'd taken them out so far. In his panic to save Sean's life, he must have swum them out beyond the buoy. He couldn't even hear its toll meaning he should probably surface and help Sean back to shore. Yet, if he surfaced Sean would demand answers. A lot of answers that Cody really didn't feel like giving him. Answers that would lead to more problems for him and his family. But what if he just disappeared and left his former friend to fend for himself? Would he make it back home? If he did, would he tell others Cody had disappeared into the ocean after trying to kill him? People would start looking for him and then he'd really have to hide. What would that do to his family? When the coast guard didn't find his body, would they have to say he was dead? Cody couldn't accept that option. It would mean never being able to go home again, or being able to see his family. Or Sam.
That only left him with the option of confronting Sean what he was so they both could make it back to the cove. Cody had some hope he could get his legs back again. Maybe reset his tail for real this time and try life on land a third time. But…what would Sean do once he knew he wasn't human? If he told people and someone believed him, his life would be over. He'd never be able to see his family again, for real. The rest of the merfolk would be in danger as well. Was it worth the risk? If it was, how would he convince Sean not to tell anyone?
He looked up and realized that Sean wasn't floating above him anymore. Where had he gone? He looked toward shore and saw him slowing swimming to land. The moon was coming up slowly now, and Cody would have a hard time keeping his tail hidden the closer to the surface he swam. Yet, the longer he watched the human swim, the more and more he struggled. His head slipped underwater and Cody tucked his fear back. He'd have to deal with the consequences. His lack of control got him into this mess. He couldn't let Sean suffer for his choices anymore. With a quick flick of his tail, he swam towards Sean.
On the surface, Sean was gasping in pain. His sides were aching and his wrists burned from where the blistered hand marks wrapped around them. The waves kept washing over him as he kicked slowly. Even though he was an experienced swimmer, he knew the dangers the ocean could hold. In fact, more swimmers died from over confidence in their abilities than not. He didn't know where Cody had gone or if he was alive, but he knew he needed to make it to land. It just looked so far away and his legs were getting so heavy. He doggy paddled but didn't feel like he was making any progress. The next big wave that hit him pushed him under. Gasping for air just as he slipped below the surface, he blinked in the mirk of the dark water. Was this how he was going to die?
A hand on his shoulder caused him to holler and the remaining air in his lungs to rush out. Instinctually inhaling, he felt the brine slip down his throat. Hands wrapped under his armpits and he was shooting back towards the surface. As soon as his head broke into the open air he sputtered and coughed, expelling the water from his lungs. His throat burned and his lungs ached even more as he gagged and struggled to breathe. That had been so close.
'I've got you, just hold on and keep your head pointed up.' Cody's voice came from right in his ear, making his head ring.
Sean couldn't answer him between the coughs and the dizziness that was taking over. He felt Cody floating under him as he was pushed up on his back, floating in the roughening water. He watched dark clouds moving in to block the rising moon. A big storm must be moving in, making the small cove much more dangerous than usual.
'Give me a thumbs up when you're ready to go to shore. The waves are getting rough so I can't keep all of the water off your face.' Cody was somehow floating steadily behind him, keeping them above any wave that dipped them down and then rode them up on the next crest.
Where was Cody getting the energy? What kind of freak swimmer was he?
A yell carried across the cove and Cody glanced up at the rocky Cliffside. A few figures were making their way down the rocks towards the sand. Sean turned to glance at them, but Cody couldn't make out their faces or the words that were being pulled away in the building wind. He could only watch as the figures drew closer until he knew exactly who it was. His parents and Sam. Sam ran into the surf and yelled out over the water.
"Cody!" Her voice was tense and urgent.
Cody sighed in relief. They'd be able to help Sean out of the water so he wouldn't have to try to pull both of them up onto the sand.
'Sorry, Sean. We need to head in now. If the water gets too rough, try to hold your breath. I'll swim us in as fast as I can.' Cody tightened his hold on him.
Sean felt himself flying through the water, head held mostly out of the way of the waves that pounded against them. How could Cody swim so fast, especially carrying him with him? He tried to look down, but water rose to wash over his face and he sputtered. He thought he had seen a flash of something, but it could have been anything.
"Sean, Cody!" Sam was up to her waist, waiting to help Cody. She could see him pulling Sean behind him and could only wonder what had happened.
She could make out one distinct, important detail, even in the dark: Cody had a tail. He was full merman again. What had gone down between the two boys in the last hour?
The sand rose up to greet them and Cody gratefully passed Sean over to Sam and his dad who had run into the surf as well.
Sharon Griffin was waiting in the surf, her arms open for her son, who swam into them eagerly.
'Mom, I'm sorry.' Cody hugged his mom tight, not wanting to let go. 'He attacked me and things got out of hand. We need to make sure he's okay.'
They turned to watch Whit and Sam help Sean lay in the sand. His breathing was shallow and sporadic as stared up at the dark evening sky, eyes not really focused on anything. Gently Mr. Griffin held one of Sean's arms in his hands, staring at the blisters and puckered skin on his wrists.
"Cody?" Whit stared down at his son who glanced down sheepishly.
'He attacked me. I reacted.' He let his voice carry over the humans gathered, including Sean.
Sean's head whipped back and forth, clear confusion written in the pull of his brows. "What was that?"
Sharon was holding tight to her son, urging them closer to the sand. She could tell he was tired and she was afraid he was about to swim off into the ocean.
"Would you care to elaborate further?" Whit had his hands on his hips now, demanding an explanation, trying to understand what situation they had found themselves in.
'I was just sitting here, thinking…. let me show you.' He opened his mind wider and projected the condensed version of his view point of the fight and subsequent events to his parents and Sam. He wasn't sure at this point if Sean was hearing him as well. From the dazed look on Sean's face, he wondered how much of the situation was really getting through. He really should be taken to a hospital. Or up to their lighthouse to be looked over by his mom at the least.
Sean rolled in the sand as his mind was suddenly assaulted with the fight he'd had with his former friend, except he was watching himself. How could he see this? He watched himself punch Cody in the face and then everything went a little hazy. Images of himself being dragged into the water and then flashes of electricity flashing around him played in his head. Just as suddenly as the thoughts had hit him they left. He tried to sit up and grab his head, but doubled over onto his side again, heaving up the contents of his stomach. Mr. Griffin was right there, patting his back and helping him to lay back down. Hi head was throbbing and he was confused beyond words. He must be going crazy!
A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. Glancing up he met Mr. Griffin's warm but worried brown eyes.
"It takes some getting used to, but that's how Cody talks to us now." The older man placed a hand to his brow, worry written in his eyes.
"What?" Sean looked over at Cody who was still half buried in the water.
His mom was staring at him and then back at her son then back at him.
"Cody, are you okay?" Sam was standing in the sand, arms wrapped around herself.
'I'll be fine. We need to get Sean looked over.' He was looking right at the other boy as he thought spoke to everyone.
Sean's eyes bugged as he realized it really was hearing Cody's voice in his head and had been since he swam them to shore. He sat up slowly, Mr. Griffin supporting him. Dizziness washed over him and he hung his head between his knees, trying to clear his swirling thoughts.
"Can someone please explain this to me? How can I hear his voice in my head? Can you all hear him?" Sean glanced at Cody briefly. Why wasn't he getting out of the water?
Everyone was silent, waiting for someone else to explain the situation. What did they tell him? The truth?
"Cody, we need to help you home as well." Sam had stepped into the water again, aching to give her boyfriend a hug. He looked so defeated, half wrapped in his mom's arms.
'Sean first. I promise I'll wait here. It's not like I have much of a choice anyways. Maybe you can call Mr. Wheatley to come and get me and meet me at Jess's house a little later. His tub is bigger anyways.' Cody tried to smile, but when he met Sean's hardened stare, all the mirth fell away.
"Cody, honey." Sharon wrapped her son in a hug who hugged her tightly back. "We will get you home. We'll call Jess and John and get them to come help us again. You can't give up."
Whit Griffin gripped Sean's shoulder tighter until the boy winced and pulled away. Feeling a little clearer, he sat up straighter and stared at the four others gathered around him.
"I still haven't gotten any answers." The wind was blowing hard around them now, and he could see Sam shaking from cold.
Whit sighed. "Sam, will you help me get him up the cliff to the van? We'll take him to the lighthouse." He looked up at his wife. "Did you bring your phone?"
Sharon nodded. "It's in my purse over by that rock." She gestured to a tucked back crop of rocks, just out of reach of the lapping tide.
"Let me call John really quick and make sure he can help before we leave." Whit gestured to Sam who shuffled over and stood next to Sean.
Sean was getting furious now. He had no idea what was going on. He needed to go to a hospital and make sure he was fine, not hang out with this freak show.
"Sam, tell me the truth. What's going on?" He tugged her down until she knelt in the sand beside him.
The brunette shook her head. "Cody will have to tell you. You'll need to be patient." Her voice was cold and she glared at him.
Mr. Griffin had the phone to his ear, listening to it ring. It kept ringing until it went to voicemail. Whit checked the time. It was only 7:30. He was hoping to catch the other man at home. He dialed his cell number and waited. Same response.
"Cody, what's Jess's number?" He glanced back at his son, who had turned to stare at the horizon for a moment.
Cody thought the number to his dad quickly, not taking his eyes off the moving storm. They needed to hurry. From the wind that was picking up and static he felt in the air, the storm was going to be big and he needed to find a cave if he wasn't going to be tossed around underwater.
Whit tried Jess's number, but it went straight to voicemail.
"No one is answering." He tucked the phone away and handed the purse over to Sam. "Cody, I don't like the look of that storm."
'Neither do I. You guys need to get home and inside. I'll find a cave nearby and tuck myself out of danger.' Cody pulled out of his mom's arms.
"I don't want to leave you out here." Sharon grabbed her husband's hand as he led her out of the surf and onto dry ground. She didn't realize how much Cody had been supporting her in the rough water.
'I'm fine.' His voice was faint. He was growing tired, and projecting his thoughts to the four humans was taking a toll on him.
Sharon stared at her husband. "What do we do?"
Whit was too busy looking his son up and down. He was full merman again, his tail glowing in the little moonlight that was still lighting the cove around them. He had grown in the few months he'd been home. His tail was longer and had a deeper sheen to the scales than he remembered. He had a terrible feeling in his gut telling him not to leave his son behind.
"Cody, you're coming home with us tonight." He looked over at Sam. "Change of plans. You help Cody out of the water while Sharon and I help Sean to the van. I'll come back and help you get him up the Cliffside.
'Dad...' Cody tried to protest but his dad gave him his infamous no-nonsense glare.
"Something isn't right. You are coming home tonight and we will figure this out in the morning." He nodded to his wife, who had already helped Sean to his feet.
Sean was losing it. He was halfway to thinking he'd actually gone certifiably crazy when he saw Cody lift an arm out of the water to grab Sam's outstretched hand.
Fins. There was a silver fin growing from his wrist to his elbow. And scales. And webbing between his fingers. Sean felt disgusted by the sight. Whit grasped his arm as he was helped towards the cliff and away from Cody.
The struggle up the cliff was quite as Sean was unable to really process what he had seen. What was he?
At the van, he jumped in the back and collapsed across the seat. No one else was around, and he would be stupid to wander off feeling so off in the worsening weather. His phone sat in his pocket, destroyed from being in the water, so he had no way to contact his dad. The guy probably hadn't even noticed he hadn't been home all day. He'd maybe be worried in the morning, but not enough to assume something bad had happened. Maybe it'd be nice to hang out at the Griffin's in the meantime. He'd probably get answers and maybe some home cooked food. He remembered how good Mrs. Griffin's veggie lasagna was. So he waited and waited, struggling to keep his eyes open while Mr. and Mrs. Griffin disappeared back down the Cliffside to help their son.
It took them almost an hour to get Cody to the van. All four of them had cuts, scrapes and bruises by the time Cody was laid out in the middle seat, his head in Sam's lap. Sean was passed out in the back seat, not even twitching with all the noise and tumult as they tried to shove a merman into a space he was far too big for.
Cody had tried again to suggest they leave him there and that he'd find a cave to sleep in for the night. Another glare and stern talking off from his dad convinced him to just let them all suffer and go along with what his dad wanted.
The fifteen-minute drive in the van was agony on his body. His tail was itchy and bleeding slightly from where he'd been cut from being dropped a couple times. Not only that but he was feeling incredibly dry and short of breath. He needed to get into the water soon or he was going to get sick.
Oh, and there was the fact that Sean was just laid out on the seat behind him. He could wake up any minute and it would all be over. He prayed he stayed asleep every bump they hit. If they could get him inside and into the tub adjacent to his room before Sean woke up, maybe they'd be able to keep this a secret for a little longer. If he could rest up for the night, he was determined to make himself human again as soon as possible the next day. He'd think up some story to tell Sean, but maybe he wouldn't actually have to tell him the truth.
They were just pulling up their driveway when Sean jerked awake. Sam turned in her seat, dislodging Cody's head from her lap.
Sean was looking around wildly, blinking the heavy sleep from his eyes. It took him a second to realize where he was. He looked at Sam and then down at Cody, who was laying on the floor, yet half in her lap. The fins he had seen earlier stuck out from his wrists and forearms. Scales scattered around them and his webbed hands were clasped onto the floor and seat, holding himself in place.
"Sean, how are you feeling back there?" Sharon was twisted around in her own seat and Whit put the van in park and began climbing out.
He ran inside, grabbing a blanket to cover Cody with.
Shaking his head, Sean stared back down at Cody, then leaned forward so he could see around the seats that were blocking his view.
No one moved as he stared at the silver and blue tail that was where Cody's legs should have been. Even though his skin itched and his tail burned, Cody didn't dare move a muscle.
The van door slid open and Sharon finally climbed out of the front seat to help her husband.
Sean remained still and silent as he watched Sam and the Griffin's wrap Cody's lower half in a large blanket, then pull and push him from the van. Cody kept wincing, silent. Every time he hollered in pain, Sean heard it in his head. Even as they disappeared through the garage and inside, he could still hear Cody's voice echo in his head.
He sat in the back seat for the half hour it took them inside until Mrs. Griffin came to get him.
So, that was the secret. Cody was a merman. Half fish. A freak from mythology. Not even real. Yet completely real. He'd seen everything with his own eyes. He'd seen his fins and his tail and the way it moved. It bent at odd places where human legs definitely couldn't. There was simply no denying it. Dazed he followed Mrs. Griffin inside where she sat him down at the kitchen table.
"Sean?"
He shook his head and glanced up. Mrs. Griffin was handing him a cup of tea, the steam rising from the white ceramic mug. He took it without really paying attention and continued to stare at the same spot on the wall.
How was this possible? He looked at his own wrists. The hand prints were bright red and Mrs. Griffin was getting ready to put ointment on them, waiting for him to take another sip of his tea first.
Cody had grabbed him after he'd been punched in the face. Electricity had shot through him, electricity produced by Cody. Because he was a merman…
"How..." Sean stared at the lady who had always treated him with kindness. "He's…" He didn't know if he could say it out loud. Maybe if he didn't, he'd find some other explanation.
But he could hear them filling the tub upstairs, and Cody's voice telling his dad that it was fine and asking Sam to stop worrying.
"His head is in my voice… I mean voice… in my head…" Sean took a long sip of the sweet, hot tea. It soothed his throat.
"It takes some getting used to." Mrs. Griffin was fidgeting with a silver ring on her right hand. "But I'm just grateful I can hear him."
"That's how he…talks?" Sean was shaking his head slowly, trying to clear the junk and stray thoughts that kept side tracking him. Exhaustion was sinking in and he really just wanted to sleep. But no! He wanted answers!
Sharon nodded and gently took the mug from him, setting it on the counter next to her medical kit. He grabbed the soapy, hot cloth. "This will hurt."
Sean winced as she washed his wrists, the soap stinging.
"Luckily the salt water helped to heal it or you would definitely need to see a doctor. Most of them have gone down or popped. I'm going to rub your arms with some iodine then petroleum jelly before I wrap them. That will help them but it's going to hurt. Do you want some aspirin before I start?"
Her steady voice and hands helped to ground him and Sean nodded. "Cody did this." He said it as a statement, wanting confirmation.
"He did. Jess had similar marks when Cody had to shock him to save his life last year. He almost drowned and Cody saved him before he left." Sharon sighed, handing over two, small white pills.
Sean popped them in his mouth and chased them down with some more tea. Silence fell between them as Mr. Griffin came down the stairs, and sat at the kitchen table across from them.
He watched the two as his wife cleaned, medicated and then wrapped Sean's wrists. The boy was lucky. After Cody had gotten situated in the tub, he'd told him and Sam in depth what had happened. How scared he had been that he was going to kill Sean. How scared he was still. He had looked so defeated and miserable. Whit couldn't help but feel he needed to run some damage control to keep his son safe. They had just gotten him back. None of them wanted to lose him again.
"Sean," he stared at the young man as he made eye contact. "What are you thinking about all of this?"
A derisive laugh escaped his mouth before he could stop it. "Well, let's see." He rolled his eyes. "Either I've gone crazy, or your son is half fish and all freak." He pulled his arms back from Mrs. Griffin and stood up. "He has a tail and talks to people with his mind." He stared at his bandages. "And if I'm not mistaken, he nearly killed me tonight!"
Whit stood quickly from his chair and glared at the lanky, pale teenager. "After you assaulted him and stole from him and pestered him and bullied him. He was trying to blend back in and adjust. He was trying to make this work. You had to keep poking and poking. Did you think you wouldn't get involved somehow if you kept looking for answers?"
Sean glared back. "This isn't make believe! He was completely human a year ago!"
Sharon stood and touched the Sean's shoulder. "Why don't you both sit down." She gave her husband a frown. "You want answers, but Cody should give them to you. It's his secret and his life after all."
The young man shook his head. "I want to talk to him now. He owes me after everything that happened today."
Whit folded his arms and took a stance blocking the kitchen doorway. "Absolutely not. He's just as exhausted and needs to rest."
"We all do." Sharon began clearing up the medical supplies. "Whit, take him to the guest bedroom." She handed Sean his tea mug. "Finish this and go to bed. In the morning, you can talk to Cody and get all of your answers."
Sean was fuming, but knew he had no choice. He could try to make a dash for the stairs, but Sam was still up there. She'd probably locked the bathroom so he couldn't get to Cody. He most definitely didn't want to leave for fear he'd lose his one chance at getting the full story. His anger slipped a little as the full weight of his exhaustion settled on his shoulders.
"Fine. But in the morning, I get answers or I go to the news station." His threat rang in the small kitchen.
"To bed Sean. Get rest and we'll work it out tomorrow." Sharon gestured toward her husband.
A few heart beats passed and then Sean nodded. Whit, arms crossed and face dark with subdued rage, led Sean down the hallway and showed him to the guest room. He shut the door behind him with a thud, and went to rejoin his wife in the kitchen.
"We are playing with fire, Sharon."
She had sat back down at the table and was holding the sides of her head, massaging her temples with her fingers. "I know, Whit, I know. But I don't see another choice."
"We can't trust him!" Whit tried not to raise his voice, but he wanted to shout his frustrations. "Once he knows everything, Cody won't be able to stay. Maybe his whole pod will have to leave and he'll never be able to come back." He was pacing now, walking back and forth across the linoleum.
Sharon stood and wrapped her arms around him, hugging her chest to his. "Whit, please…" A tear slipped down her cheek. "Please."
Whit murmured his apology into her ear and then hugged her tight. "I'm sorry." He sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"We need to be strong. Cody needs us to be strong." Sharon was sobbing, her shoulders shaking.
"You're right. He's still here. We will work it out. I'm sorry." He kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry."
-TSLOF-
Upstairs in the locked bathroom, Sam had set up a make shift bed of blankets and pillows on the bathroom after whit decided Cody would be okay for the night. Cody had his head propped up on the tub wall so he could see his girlfriend.
'Sam?' He thought quietly in her direction in the dim bathroom. A small light plugged in by the sink mirror the only light as the storm began raging outside.
"Yeah?" She was having a hard time falling asleep on the hard tiled ground. Not to mention the thousands of thoughts running through her mind.
Cody didn't know how to phrase what he wanted to say. So, he sent his feelings of gratitude and adoration her way. She was truly the best girlfriend and he wanted her to feel that. He missed the sharing of feelings that he'd been able to do so freely with his mom. This felt so dull and one-sided. Could she tell how appreciative he was of her?
Sam gasped as Cody's feelings washed over her. It was extraordinary. "I love that! It's so amazing!" She closed her eyes and basked in the warmth and tingle in her stomach it brought her.
Happy and relieved it worked, Cody smiled. 'It's easier with you. Everyone else I have to try so hard with, but you understand me so quickly.' He paused. 'Sam…'
She was smiling now. "Yeah, I love you too."
Cody smiled and chuckled, his gentle laugh filling her mind. 'I don't know how this will all work out, but I'm glad I have you. And I'm glad you didn't run the other way when you found out I was part fish.'
"If you remember, I did the first time. But I came to my senses in the long run. How many girls get to say they are dating a real merman?" She smiled, and sat up in her makeshift bed. She was tired, but had missed spending this close, one on one time with her boyfriend.
Cody met her eyes and gave her that half smile of his. 'I suspect you are one of a kind.' He sobered at the thought. 'I've been thinking about it. We work so well together.' He paused. 'I feel so right when I'm with you. Like how I feel when I'm floating along in a current, or when the sun warms me as I swim just beneath the surface. It's just right, you and me being together.'
His girlfriend smiled at the analogies. "I know. You make me laugh and smile and don't judge me when I mess up or stop me when I want to go for something."
'But, Sam.' The mood turned serious. 'How can we make it work?' He sat up higher in the tub and she scooted closer. 'How can two people from two different species be together?' Cody was sitting up straighter in the tub now, staring down at his slight glittering tail in the dim light. The most silver of his scales were flashing gently below the surface.
It was quiet in the small bathroom while Sam took his thoughts in. "Did you ever hear any stories from your Elders about couples like us?" She had tried to not think about this exact thing since Cody had returned home.
'No.' His answer was so quick it surprised her.
"Nothing? No stories or myths about humans and merfolk as couples?" Sam was surprised. "Aren't there others who are like you?"
'Not in a very, very, very long time. And that merperson always returned to the ocean.' Cody grew quiet. 'The Elders had to search some very old memories to help me return to land. I was very lucky, if you look at it from their point of view. Most babies who are lost to land, as they think of it, never return. If my kind grows up too far from the ocean, they never change. It's like that side of them disappears when they turn thirteen and they become human. Even their kids will be human. If they are raised near the ocean, like I was, their parents are usually able to take them back home.'
"But you got separated?" Sam hadn't heard any of this before. His parents had told her they had found him, but she'd always wondered why his mom never came for him.
'Yes… my mother said she tried to get me back a few times, but I was always surrounded by humans and she couldn't risk the exposure. All she could do was wait and hope that I'd be able to change on my thirteenth year.' He gave a short laugh. 'She'd been so anxious to help me change. Most mers change on their own. I needed her current to help me. Without her I probably would have died. My merman side had grown so weak from living out of the water.' Cody stared at his hands.
Sam was speechless. "Do your parents know this? Is that why they let you go so easily?" She had wondered what his mom had learned from his mermaid mother to let him leave so suddenly.
'Most of it. They knew it would be impossible for me to stay. That my changes needed to finish and that I needed to go home. She helped them to feel her urgency and the danger of me staying. It was enough.' Cody wiggled his tail, trying to work the sore muscles in the cramped tub.
"But you were able to come back. You're able to change back. Your mother said you could come back." Sam was trying to make sense of it. "Why did you have to stay away for so long?"
'I almost didn't come back. Honestly, my other mom told my parents that so it would be easier to let me go.' Cody draped his arms on top of the tub edge and rested his chin on an arm. 'The Elders found an old memory about a mermaid who had the same situation as me. She learned how to go back on land. She never returned to the ocean and they don't know what became of her. They told my mother it would be painful and maybe impossible. The memory was so old that they didn't know how true it was anymore.'
"But it worked." Sam rested her back against the wall so she was facing Cody. "You changed back."
Cody shook his head. 'Sam, I'm a merman playing at being human.' He held out his arm for her to see his arm fin and clearly not human hand. 'I may be able to reverse the change somewhat and have legs and seem human, but I'll always be a creature of the sea. I'll never have the life that I lost a year ago.' He sighed and stared into her eyes. 'It was a life I was never supposed to have.'
He sounded so sad that Sam couldn't help but reach out and grad his hand in her own. She traced a finger over his scales and lightly teased the webbing between his fingers. He watched her as she took in his otherworldliness. There was no denying what he was. Heck, their whole conversation was proof with him speaking all of his thoughts to her.
"You're right, Cody. You're not the boy you used to be. But that doesn't mean you're not the same person. You have the same strong spirit and kind heart." She met his eyes. "I love you for who you are, merman and all."
She pulled herself closer to him and leaned in until her face was inches from his. Cody's breathe hitched in his throat. Her gorgeous hazel eyes were examining his own, taking him in and stripping away his barriers.
Then he felt it. He didn't know how, but he was feeling the love and admiration she had for him. And the trust that she had in their bond.
'How…' He didn't get to finish the thought as Sam closed the few inches between them and kissed him.
It was a tender and deep kiss, one that spoke of promises and trust. Their clasped fingers entwined and he cupped his free hand to the back of her neck, pulling her in closer. White hot electricity danced from his fingers into her hand and she kissed him back harder.
Out of breath, they pulled apart, gasping slightly. Sam rested her forehead against his and smiled, biting her lower lip.
'Wow.' Cody kept his eyes closed, relishing in the feeling of love that spread between them.
'Yeah.' Sam took a deep breath and pulled back.
Opening his eyes in shock, Cody stared at Sam realizing he'd heard her voice in his head.
'Sam? Can you think something else?' He watched her mouth in confusion.
It was quiet for a second. 'Can you hear my thoughts?'
Cody sat back in shock, releasing her hand. 'How is this possible?'
'This is so cool!' She laughed at loud and clapped her hands together in excitement. 'I can send thoughts just like you!'
'But how?' Cody didn't get it. The Elders hadn't told him anything like this was possible. Then again, his mother was the only merperson who had known that he had left a human girlfriend behind.
'Maybe it's from all the practice of listening to your thoughts.' She paused and licked her lips. 'It feels weird though, talking and not using my mouth.'
Cody just shook his head. 'You'll get used to it…' He gently grabbed her hand in his again. 'I don't know how this is possible.' It made him strangely feel less like a freak. He'd missed this intimate mode of talking with others. It was faster and more true to what you actually wanted to say.
Sam leaned in and kissed him again, causing more of those bright white sparks to fly between them.
'Impossible or not, it's wonderful.' She pulled away when she was out of breath and leaned her forehead against his once more
Cody shook his head gently, but smiled. With all that was going wrong, and with all he had to face in the morning, this might be enough to help him get through it. Sam was by his side. They'd make this work.
'Yes.' Same thought to him, more in-tune already than he'd realized. 'We will.'
The merman smiled. 'We have to.'
I went through so many revisions trying to get this chapter to a point I was happy with. I wanted to play the villain card with Sean, but within reason. I wanted Cody to come to terms with things, but I also wanted to move his and Sam's relationship along. There was so much potential for disaster but I hope you all like the direction this is taking. As usual, if you enjoyed this please leave me a comment or review. Your input is invaluable and I thank you all for sticking by me on this adventure. Now that I've got my direction more or less figured out, the next chapter should come much quicker. See ya'll on the surf!
