The Salt Children by Aaron Galvin

Author:Aaron Galvin [Galvin, Aaron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aames & Abernathy Publishing
Published: 2020-03-17T22:00:00+00:00

7

GARRETT

Garrett clung to Paulo’s elephantine seal neck, the stink of wet fur entrenched in his nostrils, as waves crashed over them.

Two feet away, the Ringed Seal popped its head above water.

Garrett yelled over the waves. “I did what you asked! Now tell me why!”

Had to see ya control the changes, said Lenny. Needed to know ya could before taking ya to Crayfish Cavern. Ya done good, Weaver. Real good.

“So now what happens?”

Ya change back into a full-on Orcinian. Then we go!

“I don’t know what an Orcinian is!”

The primal voice returned, called out his lie. Yes, you do. It said. You’ve always known. Now, you believe.

Yesssss . . . Garrett closed his eyes and slipped off Paulo’s back, reimagining his tail. He allowed himself to sink, no longer fearing his inability to swim. No longer afraid to drown. He pictured the painting on Oscar’s boat - the mammoth size, the raw power, the overwhelming awe of sighting such a majestic beast. That’s what I can be . . . that is what I am.

The itch returned in his toes.

No. Garrett willed his eyes open. I want to see it.

He found himself naked, his clothes rent to shreds from the last transformation. The changes had already begun, his feet black and flipper-like. They conjoined at the ankles and he felt a drag akin to nails drifting up his shins. Goose-pimples rose in its wake like a trail for the blackish hue to follow. It overtook his shins, knees, and thighs. All expanded, like an airless balloon hung from the end of a tap and filled with water. A sprint of white emerged near his groin and raced up his stomach and chest, even as the black weaved in and out about his ribs to form an hourglass pattern around it.

Garrett watched his biceps flatten. The changes continued down his forearms and his fingertips melded together, rounding into giant black paddles.

The itch worked up his neck, enveloped his head and face. He imagined the splotches of white around his ears expanding into what he previously thought of as a Killer Whale’s eyes. Garrett pictured the white streak up his chest, continuing to his throat and encasing his lower jaw. He felt his teeth round, mouth widening. The ocean spoke to him again.

And now we are truly one, the primal voice whispered ere vanishing to the recesses of his mind. Garrett grinned inwardly. Lenny. I’m a Killer Whale!

Lenny ventured closer. An Orcinian, Weaver. That’s what you are.

Garrett’s mind raced with the new senses. He laughed and listened to the shrill call echo away. It returned a moment later with mental pictures of the waters around him. Garrett kicked his tail, spun, then dove. He laughed frequently, receiving new x-ray-like images each time.

Wow! Garrett said. I feel like I can hear and see everything.

That’s great, said Lenny. Glad you’re happy now.

Happy? I’m stoked, dude! Garrett cut through the waters. His Orca mind sensed fear in both seals as he zoomed past. The thought elated him. He laughed again and performed a slow, wide angle before returning to Lenny.

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