Page 30 of Oceansong
Defeated, she slumped and covered her face. “Thanks for letting me know anyway.”
“I apologize for not being able to do more, or deliver better news.” He peered toward the water’s surface, and then back at her again. Still, he kept his head slightly turned away from her, his gaze darting back and forth.
“Are you expecting someone to sneak up behind you?” Angie followed his gaze. Before he answered, more footfalls sounded behind her. She jolted and Kaden hid between two taller rocks.
A man walked past without a second glance, whistling to himself and picking up garbage and debris from the floor with a reacher. Part of the evening cleanup crew, but they didn’t come this far out. Her chest tightened. Then again, things weren’t normal these days.
The man left, and Kaden reappeared from his hiding place. “Kaden.” She took another cursory glance around. “I should go. If they’re sending people further out here, it’s not safe for us to keep meeting.”
Kaden narrowed his amber eyes, nodding slowly. “Agreed. And Angie?”
“Hm?”
“If we ever see each other again, I promise I will not strike at you. But, I will not be coming ashore anymore.”
She gulped, her next words tumbling out breathy and cracked. “Me neither.”
What was she supposed to do now?
With a flick of his tail, he dove back underneath the sea. She made her way back, pulling her jacket tighter as the cold and heavy winds howled.
She struggled to think of a plan B, but she had nothing.
Fourteen
A fortnight passed before Bàbacalled Angie to go fishing since she had volunteered at their last meeting.
“We found a safe route, and we’re using smaller, quieter boats to hopefully not draw the mer’s attention,” he said as soon as she arrived at the boat dock. “I know you’ve been counting the days until you could go out, and we already lost two boats. But the past week has been quiet.”
Angie knew, and she dreaded what the mer might be planning. If she and Kaden hadn’t agreed to part ways, she may know a thing or two. If he even knew, or would have told her, that was.
“I know, and I understand.” Heart thumping with excitement, Angie took the keys from him and stepped aboard the midsized, single-decked open hull boat with a center helm. Despite the danger of mer, she still wanted to be out in the open water instead of being stuck at home and on the docks day in and day out.
“Be careful. If you see anything, don’t hesitate to attack. I’d rather you–”
“Impale a random sea creature than risk merfolk following us,” Angie finished.
He pressed his lips together. “Yes. Exactly.”
“You’ve told me three times this morning already.” She gave him a knowing smile and moved to the helm.
“I worry about you; that’s all.”
“I know what I’m doing.” Angie started the blower before turning on the engine, and it roared to life.
This was it. It had been years since she helmed a boat, but she wouldn’t let Bàba see her nervous. Yet, putting her hands on the throttle and steering wheel jogged her memory.
With a heavy sigh, Bàba turned and waved to the two women whowalked toward the boat.
One looked to be Angie’s age, her hazelnut hair tied in a long braid down her back, expression open and eager, and she introduced herself as Abigail. The other looked middle-aged, and spoke with a quiet reservation, a fishing rod steady in her hands.
“And this is Elise. She’s a seasoned spear fisher. Also, Abigail has been fishing since she was a young girl. So, you’re in good company,” Bàba said. “And both of you know my daughter, Angie. Take care of yourselves, okay? Call the command center if anything happens. And I mean anything.” He pointed the last part of his statement at Angie, and she raised an eyebrow, folding her arms over her chest.
“We will, Zixin,” Elise said.
Angie drove them out to the open sea, making conversation with them as they moved further away from land.
Even though it broke the monotony of her days, she felt even less safe. It was mer territory, but the waves’ gentle lapping and swaying of the boat put her at ease for the time being.
