The waves crashed against the cave walls in a fury of confusion, splashing one way then rolling another only to splash in the opposite way it previously had, spraying water towards Daphney and I as we stood a few metres from the entrance surrounded by the glowing of a green light.

''He knows something is up.''

''What does he know?'' I stressed at the news of my father being suspicious.

''He doesn't know anything but he has been looking around. I think he feels in the water that something is wrong.''

''What do you want me to do?''

''Nothing. Just stay here and make sure to lay low. I want to keep shadowing him and making sure he doesn't have any idea that you're gone but I might need to stop coming here.'' She frowned placing a hand on my shoulder.

''Do you think he'll figure it out?'' I sighed and sat on a large rock against the moist walls, taking little notice of the waves clambering in defeat, retreating out of the cave and back in to a sullen roll at a bored pace.

''Yes, I do. Sadly, your father isn't as stupid as everyone believes him to be about certain things. He'll find out eventually. I just hope by then he won't care if you're here or there.'' She sat behind me and picked up her octopus off the floor which had crawled from the water and now made its home on her lap.

''What are we going to do until that day?'' I looked to her face and saw an apologetic smile form on her lips.

''I won't be able to sustain you in this world. You'll have to stay here.'' Her eyes looked over the cave and I could tell she felt horrible about it.

''Daphney it's fine. I actually prefer being close to the water. It helps calm me and keeps me close to my mother.'' Smiling reassuringly at her, her face seemed to lessen of worry at the truth behind my words.

To be close to the water was provably a stupid idea considering my father was God of the sea, but I couldn't help being close to it. It was as if you had a lotus, it could sustain without water for a while, but it would eventually become sad, lose its colour and die. Not that I would die without being close to water but the loss of it for extended periods of time would take a toll on me.

I went on to tell Daphney about my day at Lannie's. I told her about Alex, about Chandler, the lotus, the house, the shop, the old man, the man's wife and about all the different types of flowers and finally the story of the butterfly. Daphney nodded along with me, smiling and congratulating me on a job well done, the pride from Alex's face mirroring hers making me feel like I was finally doing something good.

To live in a cell under water for your whole life would have left anyone feeling down on themselves, like the weight of the water surrounding you would suffocate you and everyone else but it was no one else's fault, it was your fault alone and you would eventually have to deal with the utter disappointment and disgust in everyone's eyes. But Alex and Daphney had stared at me with nothing but amazement and pride. It felt like all the weight of the water and now air had left me weightless again, like not everything was my fault.

''It's getting late I better go.'' Daphney brought me from my thoughts by placing a kiss on my forehead, gathering her octopus in her hands and starting towards the water turning only to smile and give a soft wave before the water crashed against the cave creating a curtain of spray that settled with Daphney disappearing.

--

The sound of sea gulls chaotically swarming the water and beach life in search of food echoed throughout the cave. A particular shrill scream from one which had wandered into the confines of the cave had awoken me with a start, my dream state shattered into a thousand forgotten pieces as I noticed the sun creeping through the sundried rock entrance.

Rubbing my eyes, I looked towards the depths of the blackness behind me, considering travelling further into the darkness for some peace but deciding against it as the bird flapped it's wings and wandered further towards me shrieking.

''Good morning to you too.'' Groaning, and making my way towards the entrance I had to shield my eyes and then vise them as I looked out on the calm waters, the sun creating glittering sparkles over the water that rippled at the natural currents.

Deciding I should go for a walk to stretch my sore limbs I walked back into the dimly lit cave and over towards some bags that Daphney had left with clothes in them quickly deciding on a white graphic tee, light grey cardigan, slim navy jeans and black slip on skateboard shoes, I walked out of the cave and through the sand enjoying the sun soaking into my skin.

''Jackson?'' A voice twitted as a small body walked beside me. ''What're you doing here?''

''I'm staying close by.'' I looked over to Chandler and smiled at his attire.

He was currently wearing black tracksuit pants, a bright blue hoody over a black tank top and a pair of black and blue running shoes that matched his sweat band on his wrist. A slight film of sweat covered his face and his cheeks were a soft red, his chest rising quickly signally he had gone for a morning run.

''Oh. Well you can come get some coffee with me. I think I'm going to die.'' He bent over his legs huffing out air and sucking it in quickly trying to catch his breath.

Nodding at his offer, we made our way towards a small coffee shop at the end of the beach. We ordered our coffee's paying for them as we made our way over to a table to wait for our order to be called, me paying with some money Daphney had left that she could conjure not knowing much of human currency.

''How long were you out there running?'' I asked genuinely curious.

It couldn't be much later than 7am.

''About 10 minutes.'' Chandler's cheeks turned a few shades darker than they already were as he mumbled his reply.

I couldn't help the surprised look that took over my face before I laughed,trying to muffle it with my hand as I heard our coffee order called but it was no use he looked beaten.

''I'm not athletic and Alex thought she could change that.'' He huffed as he got up to get our coffees signalling me to stay put that he would get them.

By the time he brought back our coffees I had calmed down and he made me promise to not say anything about his short run.

''Especially Alex.'' He continued. ''She'd kill me if I gave up after 10 minutes. She's the devil I swear.''

We spent the next few minutes sipping coffee before Chandler suddenly stood up and checked his watch.

''We should get to the store.'' He nodded towards the door and filed out of the coffee shop and started towards Lannie's, me hot on his heels.

''You're finally back!'' Chandlers twin ran to him with excitement in her eyes before they fell on me and she engulfed me in a hug too. '' And you brought Jackson. Admittedly Chaddi, I thought you'd give up after 10 minutes and collapse on the beach.''

I couldn't help almost laughing at her accuracy which was shot down immediately after Chandler's eyes shot to mine and almost pleaded with me not to say anything.

The cheerful girl soon bounced over to the door, changing the sign from closed to open as she instructed her twin and I to water some of the potted plants and flowers that needed it.

I was too busy watching Chandler gather watering cans to notice the way some of the water followed me through the containers holding the benched flowers and the slight bloom some of the older flowers gave as I touched over the benches, brushing my fingers across petals and leaves, I did however notice the slightly fluttering swirls of current that occurred in the can I was given when Chandlers smile fell over flowers he particularly liked when he watered them.

''So your friend.'' I was knocked out of my gaze by a girl's voice belonging to Alex. ''Who is she?''

I racked my brain for who she was talking about as I remembered the way she looked at Daphney when she had been with me.

''Daphney?'' She nodded. ''She's a really dear friend to me. The reason I'm here actually.'' Her head slowly nodded again, confusion knitting her brows as she tried to figure out more about the oracle, but I felt it best to cut the conversation short and went back to my watering can.

My mind wandered to Daphney, only imagining the amount of trouble she'd be in if my father actually found out about her aiding my escape. She'd be a lot worse off than I was before she rescued me. I could only hope for the best luck for her, pray that no one found out about my cave and plead that the water I had now noticed spiralling out of control towards Chandler, wouldn't cause too much damage.

A/N

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