Out to Sea

The figures that stood before him were unlike any Neil had ever seen. Their hair was a long glowing blonde, and their skin was scaly and green. They jumped at Neil's words, then slowly came back. They whispered something to each other. Neil sat up, and noticed they had fins. They're mermaids? Neil scoffed. I must be dreaming. "You are in Atlantica, home of the mermaids." answered an old looking merman.

"How did I get here?" Neil asked. "Corel found you." explained an even older looking merman, pointing at the youngest, most vibrant looking merman. Neil began to think about his crew, floating lifeless at the bottom of the Atlantic. Then his thoughts drifted to Maria.

"I want to go home." Neil whispered. "I am afraid we can't let you." answered the merman named Corel. "What?" Neil said indignantly. "This place is secret, if anyone should find out about Atlantica, they would surely kill us." explained the oldest merman, a slight edge to his voice that sent a shiver down Neil's spine.

Neil began to panic. What would Maria think if he never came home? He couldn't stay here, he didn't even know where here was. How did he know that these merpeople wouldn't kill him while he was sleeping?

Two mermaids entered the bubble building with a pop, carrying plates of food. They giggled as they handed them to Neil. He took them gratefully. Neil decided he would worry about escaping later at night when the merpeople were sleeping. "We shall leave you in peace." said Corel, motioning for everyone to leave.

While eating his food in the bubble room, Neil plotted his escape. Strange lights flicked on in the room as the water darkened from the setting sun above. Now would be the time. Neil walked to the edge of the bubble room, stumbling because his muscles had weakened. Neil took a deep breath, and prayed that he could make it to the shore. Neil walked through the thick, rubbery substance. Icy water flowed around Neil's body. He swam with all the strength he could muster through the water.

He gasped for breath as he broke through the surface. The moon reflected off the calm seas. He spun around, and picked a direction to swim in. He swam for hours and hours. Thirsty and tired, he stopped. Neil laid on his back in the water, and looked up at the brightening sky. Suddenly he heard a squawking. Neil looked up. A seagull was flying over head toward the rising sun. He sat up, and saw something faintly green in the distance.

With a sudden burst of energy, he swam towards the ever-growing green island. He let the suttle waves wash him onto the sandy shore. The island was covered in trees that seemed to surround a tall mountain. The island was completely deserted, unless you counted the occasional animal scurrying across the forest floor. There was defiantly not a lack of food on the island. Bananas grew in bunches upon the tall palm trees. Exhausted, Neil laid back against the soft white sand, and fell asleep.

"It's him!" cried an excited voice. The sky had once again gone black, and the seemingly deserted island was now crawling with many men, women, and children running over to Neil, carrying flaming torches that illuminated their filthy faces. Neil bolted to a sitting position, and scooted back.

A very thin, very tanned white haired man made his way to the front of the crowd importantly. "Our savior has come!" he announced, turning to face the curious crowd. "As the prophecy predicted, on the night of the fiery moon, a man will wash upon our sandy shores." he said, pointing to Neil. Neil looked at the moon, and indeed it was a fiery orange color. "And with his sacrifice on the last night of the fiery moon will our people deem ourselves worthy of Argus' protection." Two men walked over to Neil, and lifted his tired body to his feet. Compared to Neil's tattered jeans, the tunics that these people were wearing were very nice indeed. The thin man approached Neil, only a foot from him. The man stared deep into Neil's eyes. Neil wanted to break contact, but it was as if his eyes were super glued in place.