The class dispersed and disappeared into the ocean openings, yet I remained at my seat, frozen and frustrated that I’d laid myself bare without so much as a thank you. Tima gave me a pat and left, likely guessing that I’d be late to our next session of Guard training.

Chupacabra burst from the water and forced my head down towards my lap.

“H-hey! What are you—”

Our classmates continued to file out as I flailed, unable to release myself from his thumb. He pulled my clips out so that my orange hair completely covered my view of everything but my lap.

“S-stop! I—said—stop!” I slapped his face, which only resulted in pushing his mask up in addition to scraping my hand on the sharp point of its nose. The struggle echoed as if we were alone.

He pulled my head back. We were face to jagged-lined face.

Oh….so we were alone.

“Huh. I thought for sure you’d show me something ugly.” He muttered, releasing my hair. I pouted and smoothed down the clump he’d pulled.

“Wha—are you talking about my scales?” I shoved him back with my tail but he caught himself on a wooden bench. “…Oh please. As if I’d let myself go in front of everyone.”

“So then your tears…”

“Anyone can cry.” I muttered.

“And anyone can make up a story.” Chupacabra glared at me as if I’d betrayed him something terrible. It took me a second to look at him past his face. I kept getting drawn at the white streaking scales, following their path, finding myself in his eyes…

I blinked and shook my head. “N-no. The story was completely true.” I felt numb recalling it again. Ma’am never brought up that time we went missing. We’ve never talked about it, and I doubt we ever will.

He spat air. “You’d do anything for attention, from spinning a highly unconvincing story to faking a breakdown in front of our whole class—”

“You think I made that up?!” I shrieked.

He flinched back in surprise. “You’re telling me your mother, one of the most ruthless captains of Kiniye Island—that she was actually going to retire? I don’t believe that’s physically possible. She’s the embodiment of fire.”

I replied in the most patient voice I could muster.

“How do you think she got that way?”

He stared at me with blank brown eyes. I stared back. But then his head snapped to the wide open doors to the hallway and dove under. I watched him skeptically, up until he pulled my tail so hard I hit my head on the bench on the way down. Yow!

He swam to the edge of room with me in tow until we were underneath the land bridge that connected the centered stage to the exit. He released my fin and positioned me against the curved rock. He was still hovering very close when he put a finger to his lips.

(What are you doing??) I signed. He ignored me and stared above us as footsteps clicked past.

“Do you truly believe this new rank will gain traction?” a young male voice said. He sounded rich and smarmy.

“We’ve been testing it for a few years now. I believe it’s an alternative many young mermaids will find interest in.” another voice, an older and wiser one, said.

As curious as I am, it’s hard to concentrate when Chupacabra is literally pressing me into the rock. When he isn’t choking me with those darn strong arms, he’s choking me with his full body. Ugh, and it’s seriously starting to get hot here…

“It’s too good for freshmen.” Smarmy said. “All the traveling and undercover jobs they’d get to do…ick! I can’t imagine any of them being able to handle that responsibility.”

Wise man chuckled. “If they can handle initiation, they can handle anything else we throw at them.”

“I suppose.” Smarmy muttered. There was a rip.

“INTACT, Singtee. Maps are not cheap.” Wise man snapped.

“Sorry sir.” Singtee said quickly. “…When was the meeting again?”

Wise man sighed. “If I weren’t here, you wouldn’t remember anything. Its tomorrow night at 10pm. Balai Islet. Do you need me to take you by the hand?”

They passed overhead. Chupacabra gave me a look likely meant to freeze me still. But our proximity has me all but cold.

“Hah! Good one sir.” Their voices depleted as they disappeared further down the hall. Chupacabra still wouldn’t let up even as we lied in silence.

(Empty,) I signed, slicing my middle finger across the back of my hand.

He craned his neck out and looked around, then returned to me. “I think it’s empty.” He whispered. I huffed with exasperation.

“That’s what I said. What class do you think they were talking about?” I asked. He shrugged and threw himself into the water, whacking me with the backsplash. I cleared my nostrils and clipped my hair back up.

As distracting as it was, pinned to Chupacabra for exactly 120 seconds, I soon became consumed with what we’d overheard. What was this alternate class? And how could I join it and get out of the Guard?

And where the heck is Balai Islet?

* * *

Rocca,

Pom met a horse for the first time today. It thought her hair was food. It was both hilarious and quite scary. Can you believe horses have such a bite? I can’t imagine how you deal with all the sea life there.

I asked her about the Kiniye Attack to understand your reservations with it. She was…quite unresponsive about it, and only shared that it took the lives of many, many mermaids. It was disturbing, seeing your gallant sister shrivel behind a shell.

I might never understand your pain. As you’re well aware, I’m human, and on top of that I come from a land-locked region in the center of the country. The news of attack hadn’t reached us till weeks after the destruction, and was scarce at best. It became an insignificant accident to a man just reaching his 18th year. I can’t imagine what you and your family has gone through.

Your story is just beginning, Rocca, and I believe you can overcome anything…even Guard class. You are ever the resourceful pupil.

Keep up the search. You will find a place.

xE