Unfamiliar Magic by R. C. Alexander

Author:R. C. Alexander [Alexander, R. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-375-89308-7
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2010-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

24

CAT HALTED AT the top of the steps that led down into the concrete auditorium. Far below, past the expectant heads of the audience, an enormous pool glistened blue-white from the reflections of the lights overhead. “Water,” Cat said warily.

“That’s right, fish live in it—big ones,” Desi said, coming up behind her. “Let’s get good seats before the place fills up.”

Cat stepped gingerly down between the empty rows of concrete benches. The seats were hard but dry and were beginning to fill up with people. Cat was uncomfortable with so many humans packed so close, but she wanted to see the big fish, so she followed Desi.

Desi kept going. “Down here, guys. We want to see the fish close up,” she said.

“They’re not fish,” Jarrett said in exasperation. “They breathe air just like we do.” He joined Desi at the bottom row, which was almost empty. Desi picked a dry spot and sat down. Cat sat next to her, with Bob at her side.

“I do not see any fish,” Cat said.

“In a minute,” Desi answered, “there’ll be all the fish you want.”

All around them, music came over the loudspeakers. Cat hunkered down to wait.

“Is this okay?” asked Bob.

Cat didn’t know what to answer. So much water so close put her nerves on edge. She could see clearly into the water; the pool was just a few feet away, but there were still no signs of activity.

“This is gonna be a blast,” said Jarrett. “I can’t wait.”

A figure appeared on the other side of the pool, a young woman with a bucket. A faint aroma teased Cat from across the water. There were fish in the bucket; she was sure of it. She sat up expectantly. Her head jerked forward. Suddenly, there were the fish! They shot up at the female’s feet, begging like dogs, but bigger, much bigger than any fish she had ever seen. Then the girl dropped tasty little fish in their mouths. Cat’s mouth began to water. Her stomach growled.

The girl waved her arm and the fish disappeared. Cat was disappointed. Was that all? Then, from the center of the pool, two gray forms shot straight up out of the water high in the air, sleekly shining, flying without wings. Fish that flew! The audience cheered, and Cat felt their joy. How marvelous!

The fish did a flip in the air and disappeared under the water. Cat waited, tense and excited. “Will they come closer?”

“Man, will they,” Jarrett said.

Bob looked excited, too, but he was looking at Cat instead of the water. On the other side, Desi was also watching her. “Just wait,” she said.

The crowd hushed. The water stilled. The girl with the bucket was talking and waving her arms. “Ladies and gentlemen, and boys and girls, let me present our newest addition, born just over two years ago in captivity but already topping the scales, the world’s biggest little orca, Keeru!”

Cat scanned the quiet surface of the pool. Come out, little fishy, she thought. Fly for me.

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