10 October 2016

A theme park in LA

"From day to night, you can't peacefully rest for a single moment. You're not happy when the phone rings. I wanna run away, don't look for me."

Our managers believed that the best way to unwind after our rollercoaster of a year was a vacation in the USA. After we shot some footage for the Healing MV, we had dinner.

"I'm kinda tired," I waited for my food to digest before faking a yawn. Telling the members I would shower first before sleeping, I sneaked my swimsuit by rolling it up with my towel. Once I was done washing up, I covered the suit with my pyjamas.

Our managers probably wished we were like this more often, I mused as I tiptoed out of the house. Neither they nor the other members had woken up at the sound of the front door opening. I jumped onto the wall and shimmied down a young palm tree, as a loud thud would definitely have woken them up.

Heading for the cove I had spotted earlier, I stripped off my pyjamas and headed for the sea. During my week at home with my family, we had scoured through the last of our books with no success. On the plane, I was struck with the idea to consult with the merfolk of America to see if they had any ideas. Eomma gave me the contact details of her friends and I made the necessary arrangements for a meeting. Flotsam and jetsam on the sand included fronds of a seaweed, urchins, a starfish and a coconut with a stem budding from it. The only sound that could be heard was the dancing of the palm leaves in the wind.

"Chilly," I shivered when the white crest of surf lapped at my feet. The waves were calm, no doubt in welcome of me. Like an uncooked scallop, the moon shone on the navy water; the starlight on the waves reminding me of Himalayan salt stuck on the rim of a virgin Martini glass. Now or never, I whistled as the water reached my chest. I dived with barely a splash and the warmth was welcoming as skin gave way to scales. All my turmoil melted away and was borne with the current.

I knocked on the pearly white door, noticing that there were small windows from which to look through. A ship's wheel, no doubt a conquest from a vessel that had met an ill fate, adorned the front. Broken pillars littered the steps but this was probably due to seismic waves, as opposed to poor architecture.

"Hi, my name is Vernon Chwe. I'm Melody's son and I have an appointment with Coral," mum said that the atmosphere would be more relaxed with her best friend from her meryouth.

"It's nice to meet you," a middle-aged African American mermaid appeared and smiled. My mum had cautioned me not to ask questions about her history. If a slaver determined that, after beatings, a captive would not be suitable for life on a plantation, they were thrown overboard. Some had evolved into merpeople so I was not to be aghast when I first met her.

"Thank you for your time," I shook my head and narrated Eunbi's tragic tale, as well as my desperate quest for leviathan's scales.

"Offhand, I don't recall anything but I will search," she had taken notes all the while.

"If you can't find anything, could you please me give me the contact details of merfolk around the globe so I can request help of them?" I wanted to do the most I can while I was here.

"Of course," the scientist smiled. "It's great to see you so dedicated to help your friend out."

I thanked her and was about to leave when she invited me for a tour of the place and snacks. Needing the energy for the swim up, I agreed to sashimi.

"Phew," I emerged from the watery abode. Strands of wet hair clung to my skin like a barnacle on the keel of a ship. The gills on the side of my neck disappeared and I ran for the cove to get my pyjamas back.

Entering the house was more difficult than escaping. Climbing the wall was impossible so I focused on the gate. Willing myself not to fall or make a sound, I reached for the top of the metal structure, my feet having found steps between the bars. I pushed myself and turned around before beginning my descent. Using the momentum, I ran on the grass, the dew tickling my feet. Opening the door I had left unlocked stealthily, I filled a glass of water and drank it. This was my alibi and if questioned further, I'd merely say that I went for a walk outside to look at the Aquarius constellation, which was prominent tonight.

In the hour I was gone, not much had happened. Although I longed for my hair to dry, I took my pyjama-clad ass to bed and slept the exhaustion off, dreaming off Eunbi reuniting with her well- again mother.