Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young

Author:Brian Young
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Hastą́ą́ Ts’áadah

Sixteen

THE WAVE KNOCKED EDWARD DOWN, and water invaded his mouth and nostrils. He landed with his face pressed into sand. The weight of the water felt like an elephant stepping on his back. He was going to suffocate if he didn’t do something. He slid his hands under his shoulders for maximum leverage. All the muscles in his chest, shoulders, and arms burned as he pushed to save his life. The edges of his vision darkened, and his lungs stopped burning from lack of oxygen. A calm feeling expanded outward from his chest. This was it, his end.

Then, as soon as it began, it stopped. The waters engulfing Edward simply flowed back into the ocean, allowing Edward to gasp for air. The darkness in his vision turned to television static. His lungs stung like they were pierced with needles as fresh oxygen flooded into them.

Edward noticed Dew’s lips were moving. But he didn’t hear a thing. That’s when he realized that his ears were covered in ice again. He pried the muffs off and was finally able to get his bearings and stand firm.

Dew explained to Mother Water Monster, “I told you about Edward! He’s Nathan’s replacement.”

Mother Water Monster’s angry gaze made Edward shiver in fear. He wasn’t eager to be crushed by water again.

Mother Water Monster said, “Regardless, this human does not have my permission to be here.”

“Mother Water Monster!” Edward said. “I’m sorry for coming here without your permission.”

Mother Water Monster’s facial expression softened. “At least he has manners. Are you going to sing my songs to me now?”

“What?” Edward asked, dumbfounded. Was he supposed to sing songs? He knew Nathan should have taught him some of the songs!

“The last five-fingered being sang me my songs to prove his intentions,” Mother Water Monster explained.

Dew said, “Nathan and I didn’t teach Edward any songs. I thought since I was here with him, he wouldn’t need to sing any.”

Mother Water Monster said, “I suppose the fewer five-fingered beings that can sing my songs, the better.”

Edward wasn’t a fan of her attitude, even if he was to treat her like a grandmother. He wondered if all water monsters except Dew held a grudge against humans. Edward tried his best to remain calm and bit his tongue.

Dew continued. “We need your help. Yitoo Bi’aanii has decided to take all of the waters from Phoenix, the hometown of both Nathan and Edward.”

Mother Water Monster asked, “Why should I care about Yitoo Bi’aanii or this Phoenix?”

“Mom, many humans are going to suffer,” Dew explained.

“Let them suffer,” Mother Water Monster spat.

“Mom!” Dew said. “That’s so cruel.”

“Was it cruel of them to kidnap one of my children?” Mother Water Monster asked in response.

Edward couldn’t just stand around when Mother Water Monster was so indifferent, so heartless to what was going to happen to his home. He had to say, “You can’t blame the rest of humanity for the mistakes of a few.”

“Quiet, Edward!” Dew whispered. “You’re only making things worse.”

Mother Water Monster chuckled over Dew’s whispers.

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