2011 Submissions:
Big Fish in a Small Pond
by Renee P
Part Two
Isaac's apartment was exactly as I'd expected, a fully loaded bachelor pad with a big screen TV, stereo sound system, walls of DVDs, and fat, comfy leather couches. It was the epitome of a man-cave and I had to grin as Isaac gave me the grand tour. He was obviously pretty proud of their place. I had to admit that it was definitely nice. They put a lot of money into it even the bathroom. The tub was huge and I couldn't wait to get into it.
But I'd have to wait as Isaac insisted that I eat something even though I didn't feel like it. Just to be polite we sat together at his kitchen table and shared a frozen pizza. I nibbled at my piece as we talked about his brothers.
"So, where are they?" I wondered.
"Zac is in California vacationing with his girlfriend while Taylor's probably out at a bar or a ball game with his friends," Isaac explained. "He's kind of a wild one. He does the whole party thing about 4 nights a week. Who knows when he'll be back."
I nodded. "Oh, all right."
"They're cool most of the time, but they're also my brothers. I'm sure you can relate," Isaac grinned knowingly.
"Definitely," I laughed as I helped him pick up our plates and the leftovers on the counter.
"I'm sure you just wanna take a shower and go to bed," Isaac said sweetly reading my mind. "I'll get you some towels and sheets and stuff."
"Ok," I replied, "thanks."
"No problem." Our eyes met then for a brief second and I realized that I had relaxed.
I felt safe in Isaac's company. I knew then that I could trust him.
Yet, I wasn't quite ready to tell him the truth even though I think it was inevitable that he'd have to know sooner or later. The more we were together the closer he'd get. For now though, I'd do everything I could to keep our secret safe.
"Well, this should do it." Isaac came back into the kitchen with an armful of blankets and pillows.
After he put the items down on the couch, I followed him into the bathroom. He showed me how to work the water and was the most perfect host. How did I get so lucky? I could've ended up with a weirdo or worse, I wondered as I watched his tall frame slide passed me. I grabbed his hand before he walked away and the electricity that came from his touch almost made me jump in surprise.
"Um, I just wanted to say that you're a lifesaver, Isaac. Thank you so much. I appreciate it more than you know."
A big smile spread across his face and his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as I released my grasp.
"You're welcome, Echo. I, uh, I'll be in my room getting ready for bed if you need anything don't hesitate to ask."
"Will do," I nodded before shutting the bathroom door behind me.
Finally, privacy and... water! I needed it now. I immediately turned the warm knob and as soon as I saw the wet spray of the faucet begin to fill up the tub my heart leaped excitedly. My body was yearning to be in the water to stretch out and rejuvenate my soul. It had been too long since I was in water last and I knew that I had pushed it to the limit this time.
I took my clothes off and slipped into the bathtub. Instantly, I felt the change. My legs merged together into one long tail as my fins slowly unraveled over the ceramic edge. Bluish-green scales climbed up my shins to my thighs and stopped slightly beneath my belly button. This was my secret. This was our secret, the one we were trying to protect. My sister's and I were mermaids.
The bath was exactly what I needed, but I knew I probably should get out before Isaac noticed how long I had been in there. I let the water out of the tub and looked over at the towel that was across the room on the sink counter. My tail took at least a good 3 minutes to dry and separate back into my legs. That was the only downfall about being a mermaid. It was incredibly inconvenient at times.
"Great," I sighed and started waving my fin up and down to try to dry off faster.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It was hard and quick. When I didn't call out, the person behind the door began to knock louder.
"Uh, wait a minute! There's someone in here!" I finally yelled. For some reason, I didn't think it was Isaac.
"Hello? Who's in there?" I was right, definitely not Isaac.
"Uh, um," I panicked pulling myself over the edge of the tub and onto the floor.
I landed with a thud and that only made who I suspected was Isaac's brother keep knocking faster and louder.
"Hey, I really need to piss." He told me from behind the door. "Are you all right in there?"
My eyes got wide as I saw him jiggle the handle getting ready to turn the knob and open the door. I forgot to lock it! I pulled myself across the floor and grabbed the towel.
"Yeah, I'm fine don't come in! Please just wait a minute! I'm not decent!" I yelled at the impatient one named Taylor.
"Fine fine, but hurry up!"
I let out a sigh of relief as my tail finally disappeared and my bare legs lay underneath the soft towels.
"That was a close one." I shook my head disappointed in myself. I shouldn't have stayed in the tub for so long.
After I threw my clothes on and hung up the damp towels, I opened the door to see a tall blond staring back at me. His look changed from one of drunken frustration to one of curious intrigue.
"Well, what do we have here?" he asked stepping into the bathroom, closing the space between us.
"I- I'm Echo, a friend of your brothers," I explained trying hard not to look into his eyes.
That's what he wanted me to do, I could tell. He wanted to charm me with his looks and lure me in with his eyes. He was one of those guys.
"Just a friend, eh? Well, I'm Taylor, Isaac's brother."
"Nice to meet you," I nodded before attempting to get by him. "If you'll excuse me I'm going to lie down now."
"Wait a sec," Taylor put his hands up to block me. "Are you sleeping with my brother?"
I shot him icy daggers. How dare he instantly assume that about me or his own brother! I didn't trust or even like Taylor as far as I could throw him.
"No, we just met!"
"Ohhh, I see!" Taylor smirked and right then I just wanted to wipe that cocky grin off of his face. "In that case, maybe we..."
"Don't even think about finishing that sentence," I rolled my eyes annoyed with the immature way this guy was trying to hit on me.
"Ok ok!" Taylor grinned again, holding his hands up in defense. "But if you change your mind, my door is the one on the right."
"Ugh!" I grumbled and walked back over to the couch in the living room.
Luckily, when Taylor was finished in the bathroom he wobbled his way to his own room to pass out. I let out a sigh of relief and laid there in the dark waiting for dawn.
The sun couldn't come up soon enough. I was pretty sure I hadn't slept but maybe an hour the entire night and here I was up and ready to go at 6AM. Surprisingly, Isaac came out of his room only 20 minutes after I woke up. He appeared to be a morning person as well. I smiled at his presence.
"Good morning," I said as I folded the blankets on the couch.
"Good morning," Isaac replied as he headed over to a little black coffee maker on the kitchen counter. "Did you sleep well at all?"
"Honestly, no. I'm just anxious to get looking for my sisters," I told him.
"Yeah I bet. Ok, instead of making coffee here I'll just go through the drive thru at Starbucks while you check out this map," Isaac said handing me a small folded map of Tulsa.
Unfortunately, the map wasn't going to help much. I had hoped for some sort of dream or visual connection between my sisters and I during the middle of the night but all I got were flashes.
Most of the time, we could locate each other just by our "psychic" connections. I'm not sure if psychic was the right word, but that was the easiest way to explain it. Basically our powers allowed us to see where we were and what we were feeling if we concentrated hard enough. After replaying the flashes again in my mind I could tell that my sisters were weak. The only helpful visions that came back were of quick glimpses of things around them.
The first vision: dark walls surrounding the inside of a building, the windows covered with newspaper. The second vision: the water tank that they both sat in filled with salt water and chlorine. I could almost smell the chemicals on my own skin.
The third was the only real clue. It was a sign that read "Warehouse...River... Exit..."
The problem was that there were bound to be numerous warehouses located next to the Arkansas River downtown. Which one were they being held captive in? If it came down to it, I was willing to check out every single warehouse along the river with or without Isaac's help. I was not leaving this city without my sisters.
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