“What? It’s true – I’m not making it up. I read it in Cosmo.” It felt so good to laugh, I couldn’t stop. Some of the stress from the last couple of days fell away and my shoulders felt slightly lighter.
“Um, you guys?” Olivia’s face had gone white and her eyes were wide with fear, “I think we have company.” She looked towards the back of the boat. I stood up and saw them instantly.
Apparently, everyone else did too, because I heard several gasps behind me. As Olivia slowly stepped backwards, I stepped forward, my eyes locked on the water and its newest inhabitants.
Three pairs of large crystal blue eyes stared back at me. Each had long straight hair the color of the sky framing their pale blue faces. They were the personification of the ocean, glistening with reverence. The sprites were much smaller than I would have expected; about the size of a small child.
I eventually summoned up enough courage to speak.
“I need to gain admittance to the island. Our friend has been kidnapped.” The sprites began chattering at each other. Their voices sounded like wind chimes blowing in a summer breeze. I didn’t know how I was supposed to woo creatures that didn’t speak my language. Before I could say anything else, two of them sank beneath the water. The one in the middle remained. She glowed with a quiet dignity and her blue eyes emanated wisdom. When she smiled I felt a cool breeze swirling around me that smelled of sea grass.
“Come.” It was only one word, but it wasn’t what she said that had my pulse quickening, it was how she said it. She was speaking into my mind.
“I need my friends to come too.” I told her out loud.
“Only you.” My skin prickled. She nodded her head at me respectfully and then joined her sisters beneath the waves.
“She wants me to go with them,” I blinked at my friends.
“What about us?” Phoebe squeaked, wrapping her arms around herself.
“She said I was the only one that could go,” I answered blankly, glancing at the island in the distance.
“How do you know?” Olivia sounded more skeptical than she probably intended.
“She…talked to me. I heard her in my head.” They stared back at me with a shock I felt mirrored on my own face. My nerves were standing on end and every muscle in my body was tensed with anticipation.
“Where are they going to take you?” Phoebe asked, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I don’t know.” I was trying to make my body move, but it was frozen on the boards of the deck. Willow ran to me and hugged me tightly. Carmen and Phoebe followed.
“Please be careful.” They held on to me. I finally turned toward the back of the boat.
“Wait.” I turned to see a red faced Olivia; her dark eyes frightened. She stepped forward and hugged me. “Good luck, Stasia. You’ll do great.”
“We wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for you. It means a lot.” I tried to smile with courage I didn’t feel. I made my legs step up on to the railing like I had the night before. Only this time, the water didn’t feel warm and inviting, it held mysteries and secrets I would have to face alone.
I had no idea what I was getting myself in to. Kira’s beaten and bloodied face flashed in my mind and a renewed sense of purpose washed over me. I glanced back one more time, took several deep breaths to steady myself and dove in.
Chapter 33
“The island’s essence wanes. You have arrived just in time.” My skin prickled again at her ominous tone sounding in my mind. The other two were still quiet. I assumed the one speaking held some sort of status. I had no clue what she was talking about, but I knew these sprites were my ticket onto the island, so I was willing to say or do anything to ensure that happened. I tried to focus on the reason I was here; Kira. I needed to find her.
“I need to find Kira. She’s in trouble,” I told them.
“As you wish.” Face to face with me, I could see how magnificent she really was. Her entire body sparkled from the sunlight streaming through the water above. Her skin was almost translucent, shimmering lightly. She touched my shoulder and the world turned to a blur. As the water rushed by me the only thing I could see were her sparkling eyes full of exuberance. In less than thirty seconds, the world was still again. She nodded her head at me respectfully and smiled widely.
“Welcome to the Fortunate Isle , Anastasia.” Before I could ask her how she knew my name, she disappeared and I was alone. I kicked to the surface. The sprite had taken me to some kind of cave. I pulled myself up onto a smooth ledge and looked around. I wasn’t claustrophobic, but if I stayed in that dark, menacing cave much longer, I would be. I sensed I was actually beneath the island. Jagged stalagmites hung above and more water trickled down the walls. The eerie echo of my every move sent chills down my spine. I searched for an exit, but had trouble seeing anything distinct in the low light. Hidden in the shadows, I saw a small tunnel tall enough for me to walk through. I crept along slowly, expecting vampire bats or giant rats to eat me alive at any moment. Thankfully, the only thing I heard was my own ragged breathing as I stumbled through the thick blackness. After about twenty yards of steady incline, a ray of sunlight up ahead had me picking up my pace.
I emerged from the tunnel and my senses were immediately assaulted by a litany of sights, smells, and sounds. I was suddenly soaked in the sun’s rays, warming my skin and drying my wet shorts and tank top. The smell of mangos and oranges cleared my head and I took a deep breath, cherishing their fruity aroma. I was standing at the edge of the forest, facing the beach. Just like in the ocean, everything had a surreal quality to it, each color more vivid then the last, the flowers and trees appeared to be dotted with diamonds, and the water itself felt magical. A collage of blues swirled and crashed toward the beach.
As I stepped onto the sand, a low hum began flowing through my veins. It increased with each step and became so overwhelming I had to sit down and close my eyes. It was similar to the sensation I got from the dolphins, but much more intense. Remembering how I had blocked it out on the boat, I focused my attention on my own thoughts, my own feelings and slowly the humming fizzled, slowing my heartbeat and allowing me to think clearly again. I slowly ran my hands over the velvety, white sand beneath me. The lagoon from my vision stretched out in front of me. The same white beaches and lush forest circled it, all of it preserved by the jagged mountains protecting the island. I could feel the wind blowing through my hair and the sun bronzing my skin. There was a distinct vibration of energy flowing through everything, connecting it all together. I knew from the lightness that filled my heart, the same energy flowed through me. I was just as much a part of the island as the trees growing from its soil.
Across the lagoon, I could just make out the small wooden canoe, which told me I was on the wrong side of the island. I decided the best course of action would be to find the little-big house because I knew for a fact Isadora would bring Kira there at some point. I just hoped I wouldn’t be too late. Unfortunately, I had a long way to go if I was going to make it there before dark. I skirted the forest, hiding in its shadows as I walked. After several hours, my stomach began to growl and my throat became parched. Thankfully, there was more food growing on the island than one person could ever eat. Glimpsing over my shoulder every few seconds to memorize my path, I maneuvered through the forest looking for fruits or berries. I could immediately tell something was wrong. Not only did I not hear any birds, but most of the flowers had shriveled and several trees were dying; their branches bare. An all consuming sadness weighed on my heart and I walked farther and farther looking for food. Finally, I came upon an orange tree. Plucking several ripe oranges, I peeled them and devoured their sweetness in minutes. The tangy juice soothed my dry throat and gave me much needed energy.