Mako Mermaids S2 - Character's Story - Chapter 58

- Mimmi

As we got into the cool room, we began again combing, combing and combing every inch of the cool room for my ring. But nothing, not even a glinting hint of my ring.
“Why can’t we find it?” I groaned briefly looking back to Sirena
Sirena sat back on her ankles.
“Moon rings are magic…but they don’t just disappear.” She smiled.
I shot her an accusing look.
“Then where is it?!” I snapped.
Sirena shrugged her shoulders.
“It’ll turn up eventually.”
I looked at her, really?
“Just trying to help.” She soften her voice
I then sat back on my knees.
“This is a disaster, Sirena.” I announced feeling the sadness choking at my throat. “I can’t lose my Moon Ring.”
“…Don’t think like that, we’ll find it.” Sirena encouraged. “…it’s a small room; we just have to search thoroughly.”
I nodded my head.
“Inch by inch.” I sighed.
“..I mean it can’t not be here, right?”
Then a light bulb went off in my head, I turned to Sirena as we both jumped to our feet.
“Rita’s fish delivery.” I spoke up.
“I’ll go, you keep looking here.” She volunteered.
“But don’t tell Rita what we’ve been doing.” I warned.
She quickly nodded her headed towards the door, bolting out as quickly as she could.
I just pray we can find it before, any other Merfolk find it about it.

- Erik

My one favourite place, well not at first as thinking back to the very 1st time I came face-to-face with Ondina and her attitude towards me (at first she thought I was a land-boy….until I voluntarily revealed my true self as a full Merman). But today I’m actually hoping that it will be the Ondina I see when that front door open’s rather than Rita. As I think she holds a bit of bitterness towards me; which I could understand as with Merman and Mermaid being sworn enemies since the war between us. But that was like over 1,000 years ago, but I guess the wounds of the battle are still felt today….yikes, but still I approach this house with confidence to break down the walls between our species.
I then took a big breath in and then exhaled in confidence, as I then leaned forward and knocked on the front door.
I stood there for a while, then after a while it opened to the exact smiling face I longed to see, Ondina with her light blonde hair very so slightly flowing in the wind, gosh she was so beautiful…I wish I could tell her that, but it seems th e words don’t wanna come out (after refusing her invite to swim with her yesterday….hopefully this time I make it up to her).
We stared at each other, like time refused to speed up and only slowly down just for us. But I had to break the moment as I held towards her the seafood box I had in my hands.
“Ah, David says to say sorry this is late.” I stated.
But Ondina said nothing as she reached forward; touching hands that were holding onto the box….like an electric spark that only lasted a moment, as she gently took it from my hands and into her. Gosh that faces, that smile how could anyone resist that smile that smile?
I shuffled briefly on my feet.
“Um…I finish I my shift in an hour.” I began. “And you know the sad thing is? I have absolutely nothing to do for the rest of the day.”
Ondina slightly nodded her head in sympathy.
“That is sad.” She agreed.
‘Yes, getting somewhere.’ I though pumped.
“Perhaps we could do something about it, together?” she suggested
I smirked, I was gonna say something…but that would just ruin the moment, so I just back away with my hands shoved into my pocket and gently glided myself out of the front gate; of course I briefly looked back at Ondina giving her a bit of a wave.
Oh yes things were going my way….

-Mimmi

At my end, not so much….I had searched every inch of this floor and still nothing. I was beginning to lose it, as I groaned then got up in a grouching position and then back onto my feet, I so hope Sirena is having better luck than me. As I then began searching the shelves (searching only the sides nearest to where I had my ring last), shuffling though every bottle, create or anything that could possibly could have snagged my ring when Joe was placing the box on the bench.
But then I was jump scared, thinking of course that it was David’s brother coming back in to give a lecture….of course could of turned invisible but with how quick the event was occurring I had no time to react, so I hid myself around the far side of the shelf I was looking around.
David was quick in; quick out….only grabbing a large bottle of some sorts and the exiting out of cool room. As soon as her exited I gave a sigh of relief that hadn’t seen me; but then looking over to the bench where I was enlarging the Crayfish, something struck me, I noticed that the create that contained the Bigger Crayfish had gone. I stepped out from my hiding spot and slowly approached the spot where the creates were.
“Of course.” I said to myself.
I then mentally slapped myself in the face, how could I’ve been so stupid….how could I’ve not seen that he’d taken those creates. I then quickly made a dashing exit from the from the cool room to confront the only person who would know about the location of that particular create of Crayfish, David.

I slowly exited; to make it looked like I’d just been to the bathroom. As ahead I could see David with a black tray ahead and him handing out that sauce he’d grabbed from the cool room. I politely tapped him on the shoulder.
“Where did Joe take the Crayfish?” I casually asked.
“Why?” he quizzed back.
“…I really feel like Crayfish for lunch.” I lied straight out
“What about a Calamari salad?” He suggested. “I make a great spicy dressing; or fresh whole snapper?”
“No, it has to be Crayfish. “ I insisted
David mini rolled his eyes.
“Of course it does…” he sighed. “Everybody wants Crayfish; so what does my brother do? He takes them away.”
I felt a bit sorry for him.
“….So where did he take them?” again trying to sound casually.
“To his warehouse.” He finally gave me a straight answer. “There part of his new export shipment.”
“Export shipment?” I quizzed
David turned to face me.
“Joe flies fresh Crayfish to the China every day.”
I nodded my head in satisfaction….now we were getting somewhere. I hung back for a moment and then followed David more towards the entrance of the café.
“So where, perse would this warehouse be?” I quizzed. “If someone was to know about how he catches it, as I’m very strict about the catching methods.”
David looked back at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Really?”
“I’m very picky.” I shrugged.
‘This is a true fact, as with my seafood I like it truly fresh and caught by hand.’ I thought
He sighed as he quickly then went back to the counter, took out a pen and some paper (either from under the counter or right next to the register) and began writing down the address…his writing was neat as and then handed it to me.
“If you really want to ask him...” He started turning back to finish off his work I pulled him from. “Go there. He should be there ready to pack up in about an hours’ time.”
I quickly thanked him as I then clutched the paper in between my fingers….now I have something to get my ring back.

Of course that confidence only lasted about a minute, as next thing I knew I was completely lost…wondering around completely aimlessly. Which again, I had to stop and ask for direction and again I was saved by an awesome random male this time; who graciously looked up the address that David had given me and it turned out to be only a few minute walk from my current location. I so grateful to the boy, as I watched him writing down the exact coordinate to the warehouse (and lucky me without giving my reasons for going there a 2nd thought).
I thanked him again as we moved our separate ways, I re-looked at the piece of paper began and then began following the directions to the letter.
After about a few minutes I found the place that David described, it had the same lettering going downwards of Oceans and Seafood (with the E in seafood being in line with the E from Ocean’s); I scrapped the piece of paper in the nearest bin before approaching the warehouse as cautiously as I could, with a lot of land-people trolling this place. So I used my invisible powers to sneak myself through the first part of the grounds, before reaching the front door.
I quickly peered inside, no one was present. I then tried my luck at the door, which obviously was locked tight (good thing they didn’t count on a mermaid with powers to unlock doors to be coming for visit); so I quickly looked both sides before backing off a bit and then raising my left hand slightly towards the door. I then turned it in a way that you would a normal door. A ‘clicking’ noise came from the door, I retried the door in which was Open sesame.
I then quickly ventured inside, making sure to quietly close the door behind me and then using my powers again to re-lock the door, in case another land-person came by and found the door had been magically unlocked (which would raise alarm bells to the owners).

Once inside, this place wasn’t so bad only a few creates only a matter of searching each for my ring; then something caught my eye as I turned around to see a very high shelve of creates all of the exact same design as the one that has my ring in it.
‘Okay this just got a whole lot worse.’ I thought.
I then spread my arms out, and then collapsed them by my side….and now it’s only a matter of if I can even find me ring; let alone in this place and without tipping that anyone had roamed the place.

- Zac

Working out in the hot sun was enough to make your skin dry out; makes my thankful that I’m not complete mermaid or else I’ll be a shrived up corpse by now. Of course after my short event in the toilet and coming out to see Evie pounding the ground like she was releasing all of the stress she had inside….most would be from lying to her dad about her being a half-mermaid. Which I could understand as being in almost coming to around 2 months since she’s gotten her powers and for me very close to a year.
And what a number of events it has been, Evie coming really close to voluntarily revealing to her dad about her half-form (and with me coming to the rescue, see: KEEP THE SECRET)….as before she shares everything with her dad, he’s the only family member she’s got left and I could understand that. But with my folks, sure they suspect I was keeping something from them; then now there not even pestering into spilling the truth; huh, makes me feel like they’re keeping something from me (rather than the other way around).
I then mentally shook my head as I approached Evie still pounding the designated watering area, I then gently laid my hands on her shoulder and then took the shovel off her.
“Thanks.” She painted. “You have….no Idea….how hard it looks…compared to how….they does it….on TV.”
I grinned.
“Yeah, watching all of the those episodes of Better Homes and Gardens (AN – Real Aussie TV show).” I explained then beginning my turn in pounding the last bits of the ground as Mr. McLaren came along my row to lay down to last of the pipping.
“Amen to that.” Mr McLaren pitched in like he’d just overheard our conversation.
Evie frown at her dad.
“Thanks for ears dropping, dad.” She complained.
Mr McLaren just tried to look at us innocently like he hadn’t done anything of the sort.
Evie rolled her eyes as neither she nor I believed his innocent behaviour.
“Nice try, Dad.” She sighed.
Mr McLaren just cheekily stuck his tongue out of the side of his lips.
“Daaaaad.” Evie groaned.
But he just then turned back to what he was doing before, still trying to make it look like he hadn’t done anything wrong. But we were so not buying it, as we then got back to work….as he then got back to connecting up the last of the parts to the main water tap.

“Steve from Misichen says.” Mr McLaren began pacing holding and quoting. “I got this home and it was up and running within an hour…Margery says: Simplest sprinkler system ever.”
I stopped my line of work….clearly he’d bought it from online and wasn’t too happy with the way it was needing to be settled up.
“These guys must be working for NASA…”he joked. “Cause I can’t figure out.”
I clearly felt sorry for him, all this time to himself.
“Look, lets to a test on the pipes anyway.” He announced. “And we’ll see if there is any leak.”
We both looked at each other….DANGER ZONE!!!
So we then quickly bolted up to the veranda, with me having to drop the spade right where I held it earlier. I noticed Mr McLaren observing us as he suddenly saw us on the veranda.
“What’s up with you?” he quizzed.
“…Nothing.” Evie shrugged off.
“Mum and I couldn’t keep you away from the sprinklers when you were little.” Here reflected on the past. “You’d play under it for hours.”
“…Well I’m a little more grown up now, dad.” Evie stated cold but sweet.
He then shrugged his shoulders and then turned back to turning on the water pipping.
“And Anyway.” Evie spoke up again. “It’s time for lunch…(turning to me) anyone for toasted Sandwiches?”
“Sounds great.” I quickly backed her up. “I’ll give her a hand.”
I rushed inside, as soon as we were out of sight I leaned on the side of the door frame.

“That was waay to close for comfort.”  I sighed heavily.
“And here I thought you were the one who had a lid on it when it came to keeping your powers under wrapped?” Evie quizzed putting her hands on her hips.
I looked at her accusingly.
“Well I didn’t expect him to finish up the pipping system that quickly.” I protested. “And also taking into an account of getting a plumber as well…”
“Yeah well, so far all of our safety precautions have been blown out the window.” Evie sighed as well making her way towards the kitchen. “Still makes me wish I could tell dad about this (Jestering toward her whole self-whilst reaching into the freezer to grab out wholemeal bread slices).”
“You’d really put all of us in that much danger?!” I began to panic.

Evie didn’t answer.
“I still get where you’re coming from.” I sighed leaning towards the fridge as I too began fishing out ingredients. “There have been moments in my time as….this. That I’ve wanted to spill it all to my folks….but then overtime; I came to realise of that it doesn’t matter whether I tell them or not.”
“Why?”
“Well….cause whether or not I tell them; I’m still there son. And there gonna love me human or not.” I explained jumping to my feet as I walked around to fish out the toaster from the corner cupboard and then placed it on the bench.
“How can you be so sure? They’ll even treat you like that?”
I then just shrugged my shoulders.
“Just a feeling.” I sighed plugging in the toaster to the wall.
‘But I didn’t want to tell her about, how my parents might know….just might about my other half.’ I thought

You mean me? – Mer
Yeah….oh, so now your finally gonna be speaking to me on equal terms? – Human
…soon enough, but right now I’m sensing something wrong.
*pausing* (then searching around my head) what? What is it? I don’t sense anything…
It’s because I have more of a heightening sense’s, especially when it comes to your-

“Ac….Zac!” I heard a voice.
I snapped back to reality to see Evie staring right at me.
“In your own world again?” she sighed as I saw her handing me a finished sandwich waiting to toasted.
“Yeah….sorry.” I apologise and then placing the sandwich in the toaster, closing the lid down to start the cooking process.
“You know you’ve been even more spaced out as of late.” Evie commented.
“Really?” I sounded a bit shocked.
“Yeah, more than late….so what’s up with that?” she urged.
I was at a loss for words…how could explain that? Spacing out more?

Telling her the truth? – Mer
Oh really, that’s gonna work golden for her…and what truth do you mean? – Human
I mean the truth about you mostly have conversations with me.
Oh that’ll go down in history….I’m a true nut case, as in that I’m talking to my other-self most of the time
Pretty much…so you doing that? Or you just gonna go for another white lie?
What do you think?
…Up to you.

“Ac…Zac?! You there?!” Shouted Evie as I could see her hand waving right in front of my face.
I blinked a few times before snapping back.
“Sorry….Evie there is actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you?”
“You mean besides from the fact of you totally spacing out and looking dead on your feet?” she crossed her arms over her chest.
I nodded.
“I’ve actually been… (Sighed, here it comes) I’ve been talking to my other self.” I confessed.
Evie was silent for a while.
“So you’ve been talking to your inner self? Like an alter-ego?” she quizzed slowly trying to piece it all together.
I nodded again. “Pretty much…so you believe me?”
Evie was silent again.
“Well…with everything that has happening in my life so far….I’m finding it hard not to believe you.” She concluded.
I sighed in relief….she then lowered her voice.
“So how long has this been happening?” she whispered as she then gently shoved me over to then take control of the toaster.
I rubbed my head thinking back.
“Well….I thinks ever since the first full moon.” I stated.
“So for well over 7-8 months?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, but the weird thing is….at first communication between us was only limited to when there was a Full Moon. But as of late (during the last Full moon…when Mimmi and Ondina 1st tried to steal my powers) we’ve been chattering all the time.” I explained. “It’s like his connection with me has grown stronger over time….and its starting to really creep me out.”
“I can imagine so….so randomly does you think I have one of those too?” she lightened up hopefully.
I then lowered my head.
“He says he can’t feel anything….not even a glimmer.” I stated down cast.
She sighed… “Thanks for being honest….I would hate to be you, having an annoying voice in your head all the time.”
My smile perked up a bit.
“Tell me about it.”

Hey….I’m not that annoying – Mer
You wouldn’t believe of how wrong you are. – Human
I object to that…I’ve been the voice of comfort in times of need
True; but mostly you’ve been like the 5 year old sister or cousin who just won’t shut up.
…Seriously?!
Hey preaching le-choir.

“So…Hey, would you like to talk to him?”
“…you can do that?” she lightens up.
“Supposably; it’s pretty easy as I’ve done it with Erik (during the time when we went camping the night of the last Full moon…though I still don’t remember anything of the conversation).” I commented.
“If that’s alright with you?” she asked.
“I don’t mind.”
I then closed my eyes for a moment, as I could feel the gateway to Mer’s hiding place opening up and entering my own soul.

Surprising that she wants to even talk to me – Mer
Yeah, I mostly would have thought she would be freaking out over it…and then start running for the hills.
*light giggled* so you ready?
*nodding* go for it….just promise nothing weird and be on the lookout for her dad.
Gotcha…

Opening my eyes, I caught a glimpse of myself in the window….my eyes were this sea glass green (from the normal earth brown).
“Hello Evie.” Mer spoke-up politely. “I’m really honoured to be able to finally meet you here in this world.”
Evie of course was speechless, well with my inner Mer surfacing (for the 1st time for Evie) I wouldn’t blame her to start running for the hills.
“Hello…the pleasure is all mine.” She slightly bowed.
Mer rolled his eyes.
“Please don’t bow….I’m not royalty or anything.” He protested slightly.
“Well you’ve been the protector of my boyfriend; so this bow is one of friendship and of my deepest thanks for being there for him.” She explained further.
Mer smirked.
“I just hope I could be there with him all the time.” He whispered.
“Did you say something?” Evie quizzed.
Mer denied it as he claimed he was talking to himself.
“So…what do you do most of the time besides just chatting to Zac?” she quizzed
“…Well I have my own place; and mostly I’m bored out of my brain there.” He sighed heavily.
“You do? What’s it like?” sounding intrigued
“…Well kind of like a white void of water with only a dirt patch of an island to call home.” He explained.
“Sounds awesome….has Zac ever visited there before?” she continued on.
“Yeah; but only once.” He answered.
“When and how?”
“When as during the last full Moon and as of the how bit….well, you’ve got me he just suddenly appeared.”
Evie was silent.
“And get this in reality his body was walking like a mindless zombie…but it seemed to have a goal in mind.”
“Which was what?”
“Apparently towards the Merman Chamber.”
“Why was it heading there?”
Mer shrugged his shoulders.
“You got me….but after the event Erik offered to work with us in finding out what the whole place is about and possibly why it’s trying to draw Zac’s physical body.” He explained looking down towards.
“And you took him up on his offer?”
Mer nodded.
“But with the condition that no harm was to come to Zac in any way shape or form.” Mer’s tone was dark.
“I guess he’s keeping to his end of the bargain…so have you found anything out about the chamber?”
Mer shook his head again.
“Nothing…but I do know: that for some reason it’s reactive to Zac’s touch and it possibly doesn’t like mermaids.”
“Well at least that’s something to go on.” Evie sighed.
“True; but we’re still in the dark about the true meaning of the chamber…”

Then Mer started to feel like his being was being pulled back in, like a big vacuum cleaner….he was struggling on his feet swaying bit.
“Are you alright?” Evie asked concern approaching him.
Mer said nothing.
“I’m sorry…looks like I can’t…stay out here for much longer.” He apologies.
Evie shook her head.
“It’s alright; I’m just really glade if got to meet you in person.” She thanked.
Mer smiled a weak smile.
“…One more thing…” he began leaning on the kitchen bench for support. “After this…when Zac surfaces back…he won’t remember anything….of our conversation.”
“Nothing?”
Mer shook his head.
“I know this is an inconvenience…but could you not tell him about the Mer chamber…or my conversation about with Erik….as he has no memory of it.” He explained.
Evie said nothing…
“Please….I can’t hold on…much longer.” He moaned with the beginnings of collapsing. “Promise me.
She sighed.
“Okay…I promise.” She begged. “I promise everything you’ve said.”
Mer sighed.
“Thank you.” He sighed as he began closing his eyes. “I can see…why Zac chose you.”
As Mer closed his eyes slight tears feel down Evie’s cheek. Only to be dried up as she saw my eyes opening again, back to normal.

“Evie?” I quizzed rubbing my eyes.
“Yes, I’m here.” She sighed as helping him to his feet. “Are you alright?”
“…Yeah, but why was on the floor?” I rubbed my eyes and yawning slightly.
Evie was silent.
“You were tired…I guess using Mer as a volunteer take over must be taxing, on you physically and mentally.” She explained.
“Guess so…so how was it? Did he do or say anything weird?” I instantly quizzed.
Evie shook her head.
“No, we were just chatting like friends.” She explained straightening up and then taking out the first toasted sandwich.
I sighed deeply.
“Was your dad anywhere in sight?” I quizzed the obvious question.
Evie shook her head again.
“No he’s still outside…I was gonna call him as with his lunch being ready and all.” She explained shoving the freshly toasted sandwich onto a bread-n-butter plate.

I nodded…but I think there was more going on with Mer and her; she clearly doesn’t wanna talk about. Did Mer let her in on what he’s been keeping from me? Or could of it been just a causal conversation?
Either way, with the next Full Moon just around the corner; hopefully I can get some answers out of him.