Underneath the Surface
Disclaimer: You guys should know this by now…
Well, I hope more people start reading this as it moves along. I really like it, but then again I wrote it! Please read and review.
Chapter 2
I was still completely mind boggled the day after the storm.
Unfortunately, we didn't get a day to recuperate and we all had to go back to school.
I was walking down the hall with my books when Tidus ran up to me.
"Dude! That was some wave yesterday, right?! I wish we could have surfed it!"
"Yeah… it was great…" I said my mind on other things.
"Hey, are you okay? Did something happen?" Tidus asked.
I hesitated. Should I tell him? Knowing Tidus he'd just laugh in my face and tell me to stay away from drugs.
"I saw someone. Outside when the storm was happening." I said.
"What? Nobody is stupid enough to go out in a storm like yesterday's! Are you sure someone was out there?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure." I said as we walked to our homeroom.
"What happened?" Tidus asked.
"He jumped into the ocean and never came back up." I said slowly.
Could I really believe that that guy was a water guardian? If he wasn't, did I just sit and watch him kill himself? I was really confused.
"Dude, Riku! You gotta be screwing with me! You can't be serious!" Tidus said with a smile.
I smiled back. "You're right. I'm not."
"Good! You scared me for a second there buddy!"
The bell rang and Tidus and I went our separate ways. Tidus was only in honors classes but I was in Advanced Placement.
I walked to my creative writing class (my mom made me take it I swear!) and sat at a computer.
When the teacher was ready to teach I looked up to listen.
"Alright kids! Today we have a free-write period. You can write anything you want as long as it's not too offensive, okay?" She said excitedly.
I felt a nudge at my side and turned to my friend Kairi. "What?" I asked.
"What are you gonna write about?' She asked.
"The storm yesterday I guess…" I said.
"That's cool I guess. I'm going to write a journal entry about my date with Sora last weekend!" Kairi squealed.
I rolled my eyes "You're such a girl, Kairi!" I said.
"Why, thank you!" She fluttered her eyelashes and turned back to her computer with a giggle.
I looked at the screen in front of me… What could I write?
He was like an animal.
He hissed and growled.
His ferocity made my heart beat
A lot faster than normal.
When I jumped in,
I came up.
When he jumped in,
He never came up again.
He left my heart screaming,
Wildly, violently, loudly,
Like the animal he was.
And I let him slip through
My hands like the sand
From the beach he
Loved so much…
Could I ever believe him?
Could I ever understand?
He said I was the monster.
Was I the animal?
I don't think I'll ever know.
"Riku? That doesn't sound anything like a storm…" Kairi said with a raised eyebrow.
"That's because I decided I would write about something else." I said.
"What is this about? Did you like…" her voice quieted. "Have sex with a boy… this poem thing sounds a little suggestive." Kairi said with a smirk.
"What!? No! I don't know what it is… it just came out as I was typing." I said.
"Mmmhmmm." Kairi hummed in disbelief.
"It is about a boy though…" I said.
"What happened to make you right such a weird poem thing?" she asked.
"I think… I think I watched him die." I said softly.
"What!?" Kairi yelled for everyone to hear.
"What's going on over there?" The teacher asked as she was walking towards us.
"Nothing, ma'am." I said, but she still approached us.
"Oh! What's this you have here Riku?" She said as she started to read the screen.
"I would prefer that you wouldn't read that Ms. Clifton." I said trying to get her to stop.
"This is such an ambiguous piece… why don't you talk to me about it after class? I know you have a study hall next so I know you won't miss any other class." She said with a smile.
"Thanks Kairi…" I said sarcastically.
"Sorry, Riku." She smiled sheepishly.
This is going to be really uncomfortable for me… I don't really know what I was writing about. I know it was about Zexion, but I wasn't really focusing on my emotions when I was writing it. I just wrote it.
I just wish I knew if he was really dead…
When the bell rang I stayed in my seat and glared at Kairi as she was leaving the room. If only she wasn't so obnoxious. I have a lot of obnoxious friends; I should get some serious ones.
"Kind of like Zexion…" I said to myself.
"Is that the person you wrote this poem about?" Ms. Clifton said from her spot next to me.
Damn! I said that out loud didn't I?
"Yeah, it is. Look, I really didn't mean to write this poem, Ms. Clifton." I sighed.
"That's exactly why I wanted to talk to you about it. I know you don't particularly like this class. I can tell through you're writing, your other work is very generic and noncommittal compared to this piece." She gestured to the screen.
I looked at her in confusion.
"This is the first piece of work where you actually had me emotionally engaged. The poem is so full of mystery, of question and doubt. I had to think before I came up with the conclusion of what its about." She said.
She knew what it was about? Please, enlighten me!
"What is it about?" I asked.
"It's about you're first sexual encounter with another male, right?" She asked.
"No… I didn't have sex with anyone Ms. Clifton." I said with a frown.
Does it really sound like I had sex with him?
"Well, why don't you tell me what it's about?" She suggested.
"Well, during the storm… I saw someone on my dock and I was shocked to see someone trying to get into the water in the middle of a hurricane. I thought for sure he was committing suicide." I started.
"Oh my goodness! Did you get him?" She asked intrigued.
"Yeah I somehow managed to pull both of us out of the water and into my house. But the boy, he kept screaming, bloodcurdling screams… they terrified me. Why was he trying so hard to get away? Didn't he want to be saved? I was so confused. His skin was slimy like a frog, he literally would slip from my hands. He would mutter too, about returning to the water. He hissed and growled like an animal and when I tried to make him stay in the house he basically called me a monster and told me I would never understand… and I don't. I really don't know why I let my mother let him go… I can't believe I watched him jump into the ocean during a hurricane. I can't believe I just sat there when he didn't come back up…"
"Wow… that must have been quite a dream you had, Riku! You feel so emotionally attached to something that never happened." Ms. Clifton said.
"It wasn't a dream, Ms. Clifton… I think I watched someone die yesterday…" I said with a frown.
"I think maybe I need to talk with your parents about this… It sounds serious." She said.
"Look, I'm not a crazy person that just thinks up crap like this! It really happened! If you don't believe me, fine! But that's what I wrote about today and that's that!" I said angrily.
"Calm down. I didn't mean to offend you. It's a little hard to believe okay? I'm sorry." She said.
"Can I just go to study hall now?" I asked.
"Yes, you may. I'm sorry for keeping you."
I got up and left the room.
***
When I got home I decided I would go surfing. Even though it was dangerous, I wanted to surf by myself… I really needed to think.
I went down the porch steps to get my board from the shed. It was a cobalt blue board with three bright yellow fins at the back. I liked it because I blended with the water so it looked kind of like I was gliding on water when I surfed.
I ran down the path to the beach and looked for a good spot to start. The waves were pretty good today. Most of them were a decent size and were surfable. I entered the water and swam out.
And then I waited for the perfect wave.
When there was one coming in my direction I started paddling. I stood up in the bored when I felt the wave under me. I slid along and when I felt the need to let go I flipped my board upward and let the wave flip me over.
I loved the quick tumble I take after every wave. Just being able to let the water take you was very refreshing. After a second of sitting under water I came back up.
And that's when I saw it.
The next wave was going to significantly larger than the others.
I quickly pulled my board close and waited a second before paddling. I could feel my excitement building as the wave started to lift me and the board upwards. I stood up and decided I had enough space to spin the board a full 360. I took a breath and turned my body. The board surprisingly didn't slip from under my feet and I managed to turn the board all the way around. I road the wave for a good minute afterwards before I fell over. When I came back up I felt a lot better about the way I was feeling.
Whatever happened to that boy… is the past and there's nothing I can do about it.
I looked around and realized that I drifted very far from where I first was. I actually really didn't know where I was… but the people on the island were nice so if I went to ask I wouldn't get my head bit off.
When I got to the shore I noticed a cave… I guess it would sort of be invisible during high tide so if I wanted to check it out I should do it now. I thought to myself as I walked towards the cave.
I gasped at what I had seen inside.
There, in the middle of the cave was the boy! Zexion! And next to him was a dolphin… a beached one…
I stepped inside only to be hissed at.
"You should not be here. You must go, you foolish child." Zexion said while calmly petting the dolphin.
"What are you doing?" I asked and stepped closer.
"Do you not understand the language I speak? Go! You must leave this place." Zexion started to mutter in a different language.
"I won't do anything! I just want to know what you are doing." I said.
Zexion made to open his mouth to say something but paused and looked at the dolphin. The boy placed his hand on the head of the dolphin and sighed.
"This dolphin is very sick… he has chosen this cave as his final resting place. I have decided to stay with him until his time is up." Zexion said calmly.
I chuckled. "You talk as if you can speak and understand the dolphin… you've gotta be crazy dude." I said with a laugh.
The next thing I knew Zexion was roaring in my face with a snarl.
Roaring… as if he were an angry beast.
"You will not laugh at this matter, you vile and disgusting parasite! I will never understand the vicious nature of the human being." He said with disdain.
"Whoa! I'm sorry! It's just really hard to believe that you can talk to sea creatures and such… it's not normal." I said.
"You will leave. You will not besmirch the serenity of his resting grounds." Zexion growled.
"Okay! I'll leave but I want to see you again." I said and moved to leave.
The dolphin clicked.
"Wait."
I stopped and turned around.
"You are a surfer… you and a boy with golden hair frequently ride the waves of this area. You are a strong spirit and have a heart of gold." Zexion said quietly.
"How?"
"The dolphin relays this message: There will be a time where you will fight for what you love and what you believe in. This is a journey that only you can venture because it is a not one for those faint of heart." Zexion said.
"The dolphin said that?" I asked.
"Yes… he has seen you grow and from these waters. And he believes that it is fate that you have come here. He would like you to stay as well."
"Okay…" I said softly. This had to be true… no one could just make that up…
Zexion and I sat as the dolphin rested quietly on the sand. Zexion reached to slowly stroke the back of the dolphin.
I reached my hand out to touch but retracted.
"You were thinking correctly to pet him… he is in much pain. Offer him comfort." Zexion said quietly.
I reached my hand out and stroked the top of the dolphin. I repeated the motion.
"It will not be much longer… his spirit is fading. " Zexion said somberly.
I watched as the dolphin released its last breath and let go of the life it once had.
"I can't believe it…" I said softly.
I turned to Zexion who was talking in a different language.
"May god hold your soul in graceful hands and set you free into the afterlife. May you sleep in peace until we meet again." Zexion finished.
I reached down and touched the dolphin's head, closed my eyes, and said a prayer of my own. I couldn't help but feel like I lost a very wise and very strong friend.
When I finished I stood and turned to Zexion.
He was staring out into the ocean.
"He was the third one today…" He said.
"That's so… so sad." I said.
"It is my fault. I should not have been so careless as to use the dock to enter the ocean. If I hadn't I would not have been caught and I may have been able to weaken the storm." He said softly.
"I'm sorry…" I said…it really wasn't his fault. It was my own.
"Why are you apologizing?" He asked.
"If I would have let you go… I-"
"Don't you ever blame yourself for what had happened. I have been chosen by god to protect them and I have failed."
"I don't understand. How can dolphins get sick from a storm." I asked.
"A hurricane picks up water as it moves, it also deposits water as it moves. This particular storm picked up and deposited water containing harmful chemicals that affected the fish and all the things that eat them." He explained.
"My water was so clean for millions of years… and now it is being soiled by a race who has lived so little. It's absolutely horrifying." Zexion said.
"I wish I could help you do something about it…" I said.
"My race, my family, we are a dying breed. We are old, old, creatures that are becoming obsolete. I will depart from this world as one of the last to survive."
"Why does to have to be that way? Animals evolve right? Why can't you?" I asked.
"I only wish it was that easy. It takes time, generations to become adapted to new environments. By then, it will be too late. The creatures of the sea go extinct by the day."
"Why? Why must they die? Why can't we do something!? Think!" I felt a tear escape my eye.
Zexion grabbed my face and wiped the stray tear. "You, who cries for a race and world he will never understand, will become a savior." He said looking into my teary eyes.
"What-"
"It's a prophecy my mother, my mother's mother, and so forth have passed down from the generations." Zexion says.
"I want to help you survive, but a savior? That seems like such a magnificent word. I don't want to fail." I said.
"Then don't." Zexion said.
"How's your arm?" I asked.
"See for yourself." He stretched his arm out.
There was no indication of any injury ever being there.
"How did you?" I asked.
"I can heal faster than most." He said simply.
I thought for a second before asking. "Does a water guardian really die if they stay away from their chosen water for more than a month."
"I see you have heard the stories." Zexion smirked.
"Yeah, my mother told me them when I was little." I replied.
"Technically that assumption is false. One will not die if one leaves his waters. But if a water guardian is away form his water, who is protecting it? If the water gets ill so does its protector. If the water becomes inhabitable by the organisms that once lived there, the guardian dies. Sometimes a month is all it takes." Zexion explained.
"Ummm, do you really have gills? Can I see them? Can you really live in the ocean?" I asked uncertainly.
Zexion turned to me and began with a serious tone. "Exposing my gills is not a trivial matter. It's an act of binding. It will bind my spirit you yours… If you die, I shall as well. It is not vice versa but still a very serious matter."
"I'm guessing you don't reveal your gills often?" I asked.
"No, I do not. A water guardian reveals to one person and one person only. I have yet to choose who I shall reveal them to." Zexion explained.
"Oh… well I don't want to steal your soul or anything." I said.
"I will choose you." Zexion said.
"What?!" I said incredulously.
"With the help of the ocean, me, and God, we will save my dying race and the waters of the future. I am willing to give you my spirit and loyalty if you agree to help."
"I just feel that is the largest commitment anyone has ever offered to me… are you sure you want to do that?" I asked.
"Yes, I am certain." He said.
I took a deep breath… "Okay, I agree to help in anyway possible to save you and your race." I said.
"Thank you." Zexion said and asked me to sit.
I moved to a fairly sized rock and watched as he kneeled before me.
He closed his eyes for a second before opening them. He swiped his hair away from his face and neck and exposed his neck to me.
I gasped as flaps of skin arose from his neck and expanded. The flaps of skin opened to reveal what seemed like a pinkish red filter system inside of his neck. It was slightly frightening.
I suddenly had this feeling of being refreshed, of being renewed. It was relaxing and scary at the same time.
Zexion got up from his position and took my hand. "Come." he said softly.
I followed him to the beach and was confused when he was pulling me into the water with him.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Close you eyes and follow me." He said.
"What? Wait, I'm not like you-"
"Just trust me…" He said and waited for me to close my eyes.
I closed them and relaxed. I waited for him to do something.
"Open your eyes" he said.
I did as I was told.
I was under water but everything was so clear… I could breath just fine… what the hell was going on?
"It is the bond. You have my spirit and as long as I am near you have my abilities as well." Zexion explained.
I looked at my fingers… they were webbed along with my feet. I looked to Zexion who also had these traits.
This is… magical… was this world here the entire time? I thought to myself as I looked at the animals and homes all around me.
"Be careful of the sand, many animals live there. Stepping on the sand would only destroy their homes." Zexion said.
I swam and hovered over the bottom to see a series of various animals going about their business.
It's like a mini-city. This is… unreal!
"It's very real, Riku. But I think we must return to shore, your mother must be worried."
Can he read my thoughts?
"Only in the water, seeing as it is the only way to communicate." Zexion explained.
You are right though. I need to get home.
Zexion grabbed my hand and pulled me towards what looked like swirls of moving water.
He pulled me inside and I was surprised by the speed in which the water took us after a minute he pulled me out and we reached the surface.
"WOW! THAT WAS FANTASTIC! WHAT WAS THAT!?" I laughed.
"A current… go home, Riku. I will be waiting for you at shore when you are ready." Zexion said.
"Thank you for sharing that universe with me. I can't thank you enough. " I said sincerely.
Zexion pressed his forehead to mine.
I tried to suppress the slight blush on my cheeks.
"What are you-"
"I'm saying you are welcome." He said softly.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"I would say around 10:30 in your time." Zexion said.
My eyes widened. "I really have to go." I said.
I moved to swim to the shore when Zexion pulled me back and kissed my lips.
When he pulled away I looked at him, shocked.
"What are you-"
"I'm saying goodbye." He said.
I smiled and swam away.
***
When I got to my house my mother was screaming at me before I even opened the door.
"Where the hell were you?! You had your father and I worried sick." She yelled.
"I…" I paused. "I went everywhere mom… everywhere and back again." I said softly and walked to my room.
Mother turned to Father, "What do you think he's talking about?" She asked.
"It sounds to me like he met someone…" He answered.
"You mean…" she trailed off.
He nodded.
"Looks like our baby boy is growing up… he better be safe with that!" She said.
Father shrugged and sighed. "I think it's time for bed, honey." He said.
"Alright… I just worry about our son sometimes." She said.
Father snorted "Sometimes?"
"Shut up and go to sleep you old man!" she replied.
"Sweet dreams, you old hag." He said.
"Yeah, yeah…" she said and soon the entire family was asleep.