The Selkie Captives by Aaron Galvin

Author:Aaron Galvin [Galvin, Aaron]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aames & Abernathy Publishing
Published: 2020-02-20T22:00:00+00:00

6

SYDNEY

Sydney leapt out of the Indy Zoo dolphin pool alongside the blonde Merrow, Amelia. She welcomed the blood rush to her head as both of them performed a somersault before diving back in, reaching the water in tandem.

Nice one, Syd! Amelia shouted when they continued their dive to the bottom of the pool. You’ve really come a long way since you started swimming here, you know.

Sydney spread her arms and grazed her fingers along the pool bottom as she swam a foot above it. Thanks, she said. I know that I’ve still got a lot to figure out about being a Merrow though.

No more than me. Only so much we can learn in this pool. Amelia crossed her arms and rotated as she swam, her blonde hair trailing around her like thread upon a spindle. Can you imagine what it would be like to swim together in the Salt?

Sydney laughed. Only every day since I found out I could shift. Pretty sure I’ve talked my mom’s ears off trying to get Salt stories out of her.

Same with me asking Grandmother Wilda, said Amelia. She says she understands all my curiosity about the Salt, but I think she forgets what it’s like to really be our age and to never have been there.

Right? Sydney said. My mom’s the same way. She tells me just enough to get me excited, but then says it’s not all fun and games out there. It’s like you can’t tell me all this stuff and then expect me to not ever want to go!

Amelia grinned. Maybe we should . . .

Huh? Sydney stopped mid-swim, the self-made current from her speed carrying around her.

Amelia turned back too, laughter in her eyes. Maybe we should go to the Salt. You and me. Find out what it’s like together.

Sydney chuckled. Right . . . like that’d ever happen.

I’m serious, said Amelia. Why shouldn’t we?

Uh, because the shortest route would be like a ten-hour drive from here to get to the ocean.

Amelia shrugged. I got time.

Well, I do too, but . . .

What? Amelia asked. Why couldn’t we go? Who’s going to stop us?

My mom, said Nattie. Or Wilda.

Amelia laughed. No. Grandmother Wilda’s already tucked in for the night. Believe me. She goes to sleep way earlier than it is now.

Sleep? Sydney asked. What time is it? How long have we been swimming?

I dunno. A few hours, at least. It’s night outside.

Is it? Sydney wondered, turning her gaze to the surface and speeding to the above with the slightest kick of her dolphin tail. Breaching, she swam to the pool’s edge and looked beyond the dolphinarium’s entrance doors.

All was dark beyond the fluorescent lights outside.

Sydney’s brow furrowed as she looked back to the empty stage. How did it get so late? And where’s Mom?

Amelia surfaced beside her. “What’s wrong?”

“My mom’s not back yet . . .” Sydney swam for the stage. Gathering speed upon her approach, she leaped at the last and shifted her tail in mid-flight. By the time she touched down, she had her human legs and feet back again.

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