CHAPTER 23- Opportunity and Disaster

            I sat in place and looked at this large creature. Was it a wolf? I could not be sure. It appeared like one, but seemed much too different. It growled at me once more, so I remained still, watching this strange wolf. Suddenly, it lunged at me, knocking me from the chair. I hit the ground hard, and in reflex swung at the beast. It growled loudly at me, as I pulled myself to my feet as fast as I could. It's growling turned into angry barks, and it moves for me again. Just then Kimmy returned to the room.

            "Oh no! Howl! DOWN BOY! Get down!" she snapped at the beast. To my amazement, the wolf obeyed! It slowly backed down and returned to her I looked at her in surprise. "I'm so sorry Ecco; I totally forgot he was out of his room!"

            "He belongs to you…?" I asked slowly, still eyeing the wolf. She nodded at me.

            "Hi name is Howl, I'm so sorry about that, he didn't hurt you did he?"

            "Of course not." I said simply. "Is he a wolf?"

            "Wolf?" She began to giggle, "oh no, he's a Husky dog. Purebred with papers." She said in a boastful tone. Since I did not know what 'purebred with papers' was, I merely nodded. Kimmy turned and commanded the Husky to leave, and it obeyed. "I'm really totally sorry about that. Oh HEY!" she squealed in sudden delight. "My friend Tobias said like he invited me to go to the aquarium with him tomorrow night! I told him about you and he totally like wanted to meet you! Do you want to come with me tomorrow?" I stood silent for a moment, until the thought registered.

            "Aquarium? You mean a place where they keep dolphins!?" I said, perhaps louder then I meant.

            "Well yes! Dolphins and whales and seals, you mean you've never been to one?"

            "No…. no I have not….but I wish to." I said finally. Could this human really have the means to take me to this aquarium? I cannot miss this opportunity! My mind began to race as these words sunk in. "Yes, yes I would be very much appreciative to accompany you tomorrow!" I said finally. A smile spread across my face, and this made Kimmy smile as well.

            "Well good!" She sat back down at the table, and I did as well. "Tobias has been like my best friend since we were toddlers. He like works at the aquarium so he gets to go backstage whenever he wants, he always takes me and his girlfriend to see the animals close up before the shows open, it's like such a blast! Oh I can't wait, they just got new dolphins there, oh I love dolphins, and they're like so CUTE!" I looked at her oddly.

            "Dolphins are…cute?" I blinked a few times.

            "Oh yes! I mean totally adorable! How they swim, how they jump, everything about them! But I guess you already know bout them huh? I mean you said you were watching them and all." She babbled, laughing to herself. I had to smirk.

            I know more then you could ever fathom human… "Yes, I know quite a bit about dolphins. I… well they are my life." Kimmy looked at me.

            "Oh really? Do you study them?! Have you ever swum with one? Oh I've always dreamed of swimming with a dolphin!"

            "….you have?" I asked curiously.

            "Yes of course!" she replied smiling.

            "Why…?" I had to ask.

            "Well… it's just they are such magnificent animals! They say they're almost as smart as humans, but I bet you knew that!" She giggled again. I had to snort softly, taking a bit of offence.

            "Almost". I would beg to differ on THAT…she must have seen my face, because she went quiet.

            "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" she looked at me, a hurt look on her face.

            "Oh no, you did no such thing Kimmy." I said calmly. "I merely believe dolphins are more intelligent then humans could ever believe." Her expression perked up at this.

            "You do? How come?" she asked. She leaned onto the table, and it seemed like I had gotten her full attention.

            "Well… for one thing we-I- I- mean they do not need to rely on so many contraptions to live. Their life-" she suddenly cut me off.

            "We? Is that what you said?" she looked at me with a serious look. Suddenly it felt like my heart stopped.

            "I… I said they." I quickly said. She laughed at me, and pointed her finger at me.

            "Oh no you didn't! You said WE! What are you a dolphin in disguise or something?"

She began to laugh and before I caught myself I blurted out, "Yes." DAMN! ECCO YOU FOOL!!!  I screamed in my mind as soon as that one little word left my mouth. I tensed in my seat and looked at her; I could feel my face draining of color as I tried to keep a straight face. She fell silent and looked at me, slowly sitting back down.

"Yeah, right." She said in a skeptic tone. "Nice one! You, a dolphin!" she began to laugh at me. "Almost got me there!"

I looked at her, my face quite serious. When she realized I was not laughing, she ceased her laughter and looked at me.

"You're… you're joking, right?"

I remained silent before quietly saying "You would not believe me if I told you." We sat, looking at each other in silence, before she finally spoke, seriousness in her voice.

"Try me."