Beneath the Surface

But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, and they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown. Carl Sagan

Author's notes: So sorry this came late, I was at my grandfather's cottage for a while and they are without a computer. Anyway here's chapter 18, thank you to all you who reviewed before, and please be kind and review again, at least I'm hoping you haven't lost interest in this story! Enjoy!

Chapter 18

Sandy sat still; she didn't want to miss part of her friend's story. She was all ears. Sarah began.

"When we were about five, we noticed Dylan started to have problems breathing. After a doctor checked him out, we were devastated to find out he had to use his gills! This was something I never got," Sarah told Sandy.

"And just after our sixth birthday, he had so much trouble breathing; he had to spend about half the day under water. Then it started to get worse. He would spend most nights in the water, and most the day under water as well. But, as it got worse, he could spend less time on solid land, until he was forced to stay underwater forever."

"At first he was at the lake behind our house. He told us, while he could come on land, that there were quite a few Mer people that lived there. And usually everyday he would bring his head above water when I went to the edge of our dock. I said hello, simple chit chat. For our eight birthdays, I wanted to do something special, so I went out and bought us each a locket, inserting a picture of the two of us inside of it," Sarah continued.

"Before this, he had mentioned that there were underground rivers that Mer people could travel threw, and that the group he now lived with was going to go travel a bit. He had said he wanted to go. He always said he never knew when he'd be going, but when they had left, I would know."

"And so on our birthday, I came out onto our dock at 6:25, the time we were born. The sun was rising on the lake and the pink and gold sky was reflected on it. But something was different. The tide had gone down, and I could see it had gone down over a foot. The water was no longer restless, but still and dead. I sat on the edge waiting."

"I even stuck my feet in so he would know I was there. But nothing happened. I took the necklace I had bought for him, and threw it into the lake, hoping that if one day he would return here, for me, that he would find it, even if I was gone. But I never got to see him again, though I have heard from many sources that he is here, in this lake, and I have to see him again, just one last time," Sarah stopped at the end of her story.

"But how did you know he was here?" Sandy asked her friend.

"Well, since my father and brother were mostly Mer, we knew a lot of people who were half of even a bit Mer; they had strong leads that could help us. We traced him down for a while, and came up here, but even though it took a while, it was worth it," The blonde smiled.

"And why weren't you affected much by the Mer thing?" Sandy questioned. "Well, the doctor who looked at Dylan told us that male jeans were almost always stronger and would carry the jean better, that's why I can't breathe under water." Sarah continued.

"But, I do have a few Mer traits, I have naturally blue finger nails," She held up her hand, Sandy gasped. "Blue eyes, and some times I'll find stands of blue or other colours in my hair, since only a few Mer's have hair, they change colours to suit there surroundings, which makes there hair mostly blue," Sarah paused in thought. "And, I think that's it!" Sarah smiled in conclusion. Sandy smiled back, everything was clear now, everything.

Author's notes: Okay here is yet another chapter, sorry it's so short. I hope it comes up soon because ff.net it kinda slow at the moment, oh well, hope you enjoyed, please review and come again!