Chapter 117: Say Something
Jim went to the door and he opened it.
How, he did not know. It was locked and he did not call or ask permission. Time wasted only long enough for Jim to break the keyhole and kick open the door.
The moon was fuzzy against the black window. Ariel sat in the moonlight, a blood red streak in the winter night. She faced the window, knees curled against her chest and arms bound against her knees. Her reflection was frozen on the black glass.
The only thing separating Jim from Ariel, was the silence.
"Say something."
Ariel flinched. She hunched against the window as if Jim had hit her. Her body shivered with every breath. And every breath melted across the frosted pane.
Jim stepped, invading the silence. His footsteps screamed.
"…Ariel?" His voice shook. It fell like gravel. "Ariel. Say something."
Silence. Ariel tensed. Like a doe, ready to dart away. Then, she moved. Raising an arm, she touched a finger to the glass. Pressing the frosty overlay, she waited for the ice to melt. Then, arm jerking she drew.
Jim watched. His heart screamed as Ariel wrote one word against the glass.
GO.
Jim stared. He stared at the words sliced across Ariel's reflection.
He met her gaze, through the glass.
And it was more than he could stand.
"SAY SOMETHING!"
Jim ran. The trident spun under his feet as he seized Ariel and wrenched her up. "Say something!"
Jim shoved Ariel between he and the window. Moonlight cut into his face. "Say something! Tell me why you are hiding! Tell me why I am here! Tell me to leave! Tell me to stay! Tell me we're everything! Tell me we're nothing! But say something!"
Desperately, Jim took Ariel's face. He gripped her hair and cupped her beautiful jaw. He ground his forehead against hers until their tears melted together.
"Say something!" He begged as Ariel struggled. He tried to hold her. He tried not to let her go. "Say something! SAY SOMETHING!"
Ariel pushed. Her hands flew over his fists, into his elbows, and against his chest. And soundlessly she ripped away, stumbling over the floor, and head cracking against the black window.
Jim bent, taking her shoulders. But Ariel thrashed, pushing him away. Armored in silence, she turned, face hidden against the window.
Jim staggered, unable to believe. Unable to breath. And it hurt. It hurt so much.
"…please…say…something."
Ariel breathed. Then, held in moonlight, she shook her head.
"….sa..s..I…"Jim tried to stand. He buckled, giving with the weight of a rotting heart. Unable to stop, he bled tears for Ariel. "I…thought you were my future."
The moonlight softened. Ariel's tears dripped long lines down the glass. She was crying.
Jim stared. Then, he blinked.
Ariel's lips were moving. Wet with tears and distorted by moonlight, they mouthed the same pattern over and over, however unclear. Jim's eyes flicked to Ariel's shoulders. They shook. They shook with the force of someone sobbing. Mystified, Jim returned to Ariel's lips. The pattern was stronger now, but less pronounced. As if she were screaming blindly through the tears.
Without a sound.
Jim leaned. Slowly, he took Ariel's jaw. He turned her cheek. He lifted her chin. He lowered his eyes. And he read the silent words.
I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Jim's hand dropped. His fingers ran down her throat.
"…Ariel."
They collapsed into each other's arms. Holding Ariel against him, Jim sank against the moonlit window. In time, the seawitch's curse would be recited in splendid form to Jim (and to all of Fantasia) as the story was chronicled by bards and poets. But at that moment, Jim would have thrown the details away. He knew only that Ariel had been hurt. He knew only that he would fight forever to stake revenge. And he knew most of all that he loved Ariel Triton. Not regardless of her forthcomings and misgivings…but because of them. Voice. No voice. Star crossed. Or happily ever after.
That night, when he carried her home and placed her to bed, Jim whispered in Ariel's ear. He told her that she didn't need a voice. Her nature spoke for her. Every movement, every mannerism, every whim, and everything was expressive.
"Remember how we met?" he asked, tracing a finger across her cheek. "Didn't talk at all. The cell phone? Under the table? At the Benbow? All I saw were your eyes. And…" he paused, finger at the corner of Ariel's eye. "…well. That's when I knew. Like…magic."
Ariel smiled. Turning, she caressed her cheek across his fingers. Then, suddenly, she took Jim's hand. Holding him still with her eyes, she gently touched the red scar.
Jim's finger twitched. He looked down. "Pirate's mark." He curled the fist around Ariel's hand, staring into her eyes to numb the pain. "Long story."
Ariel gazed. She glanced at the door.
Jim turned. "You want your dad? Attina? I think they're downstai – Ariel?"
Ariel took Jim's shirt. Slowly, she lay back. Steadily, she pulled Jim with her.
Jim's heart skipped. Gently fighting her pull, he locked both elbows. Worriedly, he looked to the door. "…Ariel. I – "
Ariel smiled. Twisting her fist, she tugged. When Jim resisted, she tugged again.
Jim looked down. Ariel laughed at him, eyes sparkling like blue opals. Never releasing, she gently tapped her lips. Three times.
Jim gazed. Then, he smiled. "Well…" he murmured, smoothing aside Ariel's hair. Letting her lower him, he whispered into her lips. "Just because I love you."