CHAPTER 26- Dolphin Talk
I looked at the spotted one swimming in front of me. The humans stood behind me, silent. The spotted one glared at me, awaiting an answer. I searched my mind for what to say, anything at all, something that would not come as a blow to him. Finding none, I simply told him one thing- the truth. As I told my tale to him, the other dolphins overheard, and swam closer to listen. I could feel their eyes open me. Suspicion, doubt, anger, sadness, I felt them all.
"…and that is what happened, and why I am now a human." I finished, looking at them.
{You left us…} the youngest said in a soft squeak.
"No… I… yes. I did. But I had to, to help the girl…" I looked at them helplessly, as a wave of guilt ripped through my body.
{Do you know what they did? How terrifying it was sir?} The youngster asked me.
"No, I am afraid I do not know. But I am sorry. I am sorry for everything that has happened to you." I replied quietly.
{You abandoned us!} The spotted one screamed at me.
"No, I please… I was going to return…"
{LIES!} The spotted one yelled. I jerked back at his brash tone, for never had he once raised his tone with me. Part of me would have been angry at his tone, but I knew he had every right to be. {You abandoned us! Left us defenseless! All for a human!}
"I am sorry…" it was all I could say, because his accusation was correct. "But I am here to find a way to bring you home, back-" I was suddenly cut off.
{And who says we wish to go back?} the black one said calmly. I fell silent for a moment.
"You… you cannot be serious…" I breathed.
{Who said we WISH to go back sir?} He said, a cold tone when he said the word sir. {So you can abandon us again? So you can leave us defenseless? I do not wish to go back anyways.} I looked at him shocked. {Why would I? They treat us like KINGS here!}
{He's right!} The spotted one piped up. {There is no fear of sharks here Ecco! And they feed us whenever we wish! No fear of finding our next meal!}
"But… but you are captives here!" I stammered in shock.
{I like it here…} the young one said. She swam around slowly. {The water is warm, and the humans play with me.}
"You are CAPTIVES!" I repeated. "You have lost your freedom!"
{We have gained SAFETY. FOOD! No fears, no worries!} The black one snapped. {No fear of being ABANDONED!}
"You have been captured, taken captive! I can release you, set you free into the ocean once more!"
{We don't want it Ecco.} The black on snapped at me. {We are treated like kings here. Like gods! But why would you care, Ecco the human?} His voice was full of malice. The words struck me like the slap of a shark's tail, and I rocked back.
{It was terrifying at first sir…} the young one said. {But once we were here, the humans have shown us kindness. So many humans like to watch us swim and play, and we don't have to be afraid. I don't want to go home.}
"But… you are my pod mates… I have to bring you home…" I said weakly, shocked and horrified at these words. "You belong in the pod!"
{Not anymore, we wish to stay here. Go back to your humans Ecco!} The black one said coldly. {You have forsaken us, now leave us be!}
"No! I… I… please! Let me help you, I am sorry, I did not forsake you!" I looked at them desperately. I reached out to the spotted one. "Please, I am sorry, I will take you home; I will pay for the pain I have caused you!" The spotted one looked at me, and then twisted around to slap his tail upon my hand, knocking it away.
{Leave us, Ecco the human.} He snapped coldly. {Go back to the humans; they're more important to you anyway. You left us; abandoned us for them. Go back to them, Ecco the HUMAN!} The four looked at me with malice and contempt in their eyes, then turned tail and swam away from me.
"NO! PLEASE NO!" I called to them, but they swam deeper into the water at the far end, ignoring me. "No…" I sunk back.
I failed them… I failed them all…