Watery Fate
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Shore pushed a button on the machine and he and Adele disappeared from the dark ocean to appear in the light ocean. This ocean was much different from the way she had seen it on the surface. It was filled with life. Goldfish swam peacefully past giant clams that were shut tight. Shore guided her toward one of the shells and pressed a tiny button located on top. Instantly it popped open, revealing a dozing Mernorn. The Mernorn was a deep shade of maroon with a graceful red tail that curled around her as she slept. The norn’s eye opened lazily and Adele noticed that it was the same color as her own eyes. “Coral!” The norn exclaimed. She swam up to Adele and grabbed her from Shore’s hold. She hugged and kissed Adele crying. Adele struggled frightened. She finally freed herself from the embrace and backed away from the adult. “I’m Adele. Adele, not Coral.” Adele said to the Mernorn. The Mernorn nodded with understanding. Her silver hair swept gently up and down as she nodded. “So is that what those land norns have been calling you then?” She asked softly. Instantly a light went on in Adele’s head. “Mother?” She asked softly. The Mernorn gasped and muttered a soft yes. Adele rushed into her arms relieved and feeling a strange feeling of home well up inside her. “You belong with us Adele.” Her mother, Seafan, said gently. “Soon you will die if you stay above the water. It’s a good thing Shore got to you when he did.” “I tried before him.” Muttered a pink adolescent Mernorn. She swam up to Adele looking her over silently. “I’m Nessie, Shore’s sister.” She said. Adele gave her a polite smile before she yawned. “Go back to the surface to say goodbye to your friends.” Seafan ordered. “You mustn’t wait to long.” Her eyes filled with concern as Shore led Adele off to the teleporter. “She’ll be OK,” quipped Nessie. Seafan gave her young friend a hug before retiring to the Clam Shell. Adele felt her body evaporate and then rebuild itself in the dark ocean. She glanced at the faraway surface with mixed feelings. “Living down here won’t be so bad.” Shore said softly. He affectionately touched her hand. Adele looked up to see his face peering at her. His violet eyes seemed to draw energy and she felt herself made to look into them. Adele shivered even though the water was a warm 75 degrees. “What’s wrong?” Shore asked. “N-Nothing, how long do I have before I need to leave my friends and family?” Adele asked. “Until the third day of autumn.” Shore said. He let Adele go and walked slowly back to the teleporter. As a second thought he walked back over to her and kissed her. “Come back soon Adele.” Shore half walked half swam to the machine, pressed it, and disappeared. Adele stood still for a while and then began the swim back up to the dawning surface smiling.
Adele made it back to the waterfall just as Alda woke up. “Wow Adele, you’re up early.” “Yeah, but I’m still really tired.” Adele said honestly. The Kai norn shrugged and yawned. Adele curled up beside the sleeping Katy and fell asleep. The sun shone brightly overhead. Adele opened a sleepy eye and noticed the weather wasn’t as hot as it could be. Summer’s almost over. She thought worriedly. “Are you awake Adele?” Sherry came up to her and knelt. “Yup.” Adele yawned. She sat up and stretched. “The Breakfast Bell is going to ring soon.” Sherry said and offered a hand to her friend. Adele took it gratefully and was pulled to her feet by the stronger but smaller Golden Desert Norn. The two norns ran to the garden as fast as they could. “It’s about time you guys got here.” Luna said as she gobbled down some steamed Zander Fish. Adele sat beside her and reached for a fish. The Zander glinted in the sunlight reminding her of the live swimming ones in the oceans. Luna eyed her curiously. “It’s not everyday you study your food Adele. What’s up?” She asked. Tears welled in Adele’s eyes. She looked up to see all four of her friends looking at her inquisitively. She blinked trying to force back the tears. “I have to leave soon.” She said simply. “What’re you talking about? Is the Hand sending you away?” Katy asked stunned. Adele shook her head and heard her friends breathe a sigh of relief. “I’ll die if I stay with you guys any longer.” Adele sniffed and played with her food. “I’m a Mernorn.” She said softly. Alda dropped her food shocked. “There’s no such thing! Adele! You’re lying.” Sherry said confidently. “No I’m not. My real mom is a Mernorn. My egg was lost when I was born and my land parents found it and raised me.” Adele explained. Katy began to cry. She stood up and ran away leaving her untouched plate of food. Adele lowered her head and stood up too. She made her way to the tree house leaving behind three very confused adolescents. “Adele! It’s nice to see you!” Cried a green Golden Desert Norn. She put down her honey jar and ran towards her daughter with open arms. “Oh Mom,” Adele began embarrassed. “It’s like I never see you anymore!” The adult cried. “Bridget are you OK?” A gruff voice asked from a distance away. Bridget let go of Adele and ran to get Adele’s father. She dragged him to Adele and the moment he saw her he gave her a kiss. “How have you been sweetie?” He asked lovingly. Adele looked from both her foster mother and foster father before she broke down into angry tears. “Why didn’t you tell me I wasn’t your child?” She spat angrily. Bridget’s ears perked up immediately. She looked from her mate to her adopted daughter and started to stutter. Adele’s dad reached for Adele but she pulled back horrified. “You never even tried to tell me!” “Adele, we didn’t ever want to tell you because then you might leave us.” Bridget explained. “Well it didn’t work, because I have to leave anyway.” “What?!” Her parents cried appalled. “I’m a Mernorn. I’ll die if I don’t leave.” Bridget put a slim hand to her head. “A Mernorn?” She breathed. Her mate held her protectively as he tried to recover from the shock. Adele turned to take the lift back down. She regretted her mean tone but she knew that if she stayed any longer she would never go back to the ocean.
