The Island Curse

Selfless

 I held on as long as I could, but a wave crashed over our bodies, dragging my father's stiffening form from my grasp. He rolled into the pool, cradled by foam and churned up sand before sinking into the sea. Instinctively, I reached for him, but I tried to move like a human girl. I had no legs to propel me forward, and I toppled face first onto the sand.

Spitting out grit, I rose to my elbows and scanned the room for help. All I wanted to do was lie here and sob until my throat turned raw, but there was no time for that. The world around me was in chaos. Mama had been right beside me, but I couldn't see her. The cave continued to shake, and bodies piled up as falling debris claimed victim after victim. Blood dripped across the rocks, clinging tight to the surface even when the ocean tried to wipe it away. The bright red faded to rust, and the bone white sand was patched with pink.

"Isla!"

Kieran's voice echoed in the cavern, and I rolled to look behind me. Part of me wished he would leave--save himself from the same fate as those around me-- but the selfish part of me was relieved to not be alone in this hellish place.

"Kieran!" I called out, sitting up straight as the sea charged forward once more, this time dragging me with it.

Water filled my mouth and nose, and out of reflex, I coughed, but like before, it didn't choke me. It filled my lungs like a breath of air. My vision was even better under the water than above it. However, it would appear that expert level ability to swim with fish tail wasn't among my newfound abilities. I sank in the ocean, and every attempt to flap my tail caused me to look as if I was seizing. I possessed none of the effortless grace I'd witnessed from Niko and Tara.

Stones crashed into the ground around me, cutting through the water like missiles. One scraped my arm, spreading a fresh cloud of blood that still glinted with silver. Was this it then? This was how I was going out after everything that happened?

"You have to calm down."

Kieran swam toward me, his movements sure and strong. And he was tailless. No matter how dire the situation was, I couldn't quite contain my bitterness.

"Calm down? Calm down? This thing weighs a ton, and it won't do what I've told it to."

He snagged my arm and put it around his shoulders, while placing a hand on my lower back. The convulsing water pushed our bodies against each other, and I became all too aware of the way his skin felt against my scales. His hazel eyes softened as they met mine, but it didn't entirely hide the simmering hurt I'd caused.

"You're trying to swim like a human," he said, kicking his legs so we started moving upward. "I guarantee in your mind, you've been scissor kicking. Move from your waist."

I opened my mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. He was right. I'd been imagining my legs moving in slicing motions which was as effective as trying to walk in a blanket. Closing my eyes, I did as instructed, rolling my hips just slightly. The movement undulated down my tail, jolting us toward the surface.

"That's it, Isla. Keep on."

"I'm doing it," I replied, sounding like a delighted child.

"You are, but we have to hurry. Something isn't right, and I need air."

"What's causing the quakes?"

"It's not just that, it's ahhh."

I grabbed my head as his thoughts blasted through my mind like a horn against my ears. His embrace faltered, and we separated. Kieran doubled over in the water, his face contorted in agony. A soundless scream fell from his lips.