An Autumn Night

Linore bounded through the shadowed recesses of the aquarium, carving a path through the crowd. She stumbled to a stop and found herself standing in front of a large, curved tank. Her eyes trailed up its glistening surface, taking in the vast array of colors splashed throughout the sparkling blue water. In it was a massive live coral reef that stretched past the ceiling of the room. She tried to follow the structure to the top of the tank with her eyes, but they failed her and she could only see it towering above her before continuing in a blur into the distance.

The edges of the tank stretched off into unfathomable depths and she wondered just how big the tank was. She knew it was the largest tank in the world, but she couldn’t comprehend the size and depth it would have to be to reach that status. The view of the tank was cut off by white marble pillars on each side, making it appear smaller than it was.

The tank was bright compared to the dimly lit room around her, the water reflecting on the mud-brown carpeted floor in soft, muted waves. Looking beneath her, she smiled lightly and pressed her foot on the shimmering likeness, and stifled a giggle before bringing her gaze back to the tank in front of her. Her eyes trailed up the length of the glass again as she stepped toward it in silent awe.

Sprawling on the ground of the tank and growing along the structure were bright fans, tubes, and branches of colorful coral in various shades of pink, blue and red. As she was admiring the fish and coral, she saw an unusual flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze darted towards the movement in time to see a fleeting orange tail. Narrowing her eyes, she went over to the other side. Behind a pink sea fan, the cavernous, rock-like structure stopped and curved around, with a large hole like a window in the middle of it. Looking closely, Linore could see the quick flutter of the same orange tail behind the structure. Within the hole in the rock-like structure, she saw what looked like fingers before they quickly disappeared along with a flutter of orange once again.

Shaking her head, she moved along the tank to the other side, hoping it would pop up on the other end of the structure. Acutely aware of every movement and sudden flash of color, nothing she saw resembled the creature with the orange tail. Dismayed, she turned away from the tank in time to see the steely gaze of her mother.

"Linore, you know what I told you about running off like that! How was I supposed to find you? I thought I had lost you and that I would have to find one of the attendants." Huffing, her mother placed her hands on her hips and shook her head as she gazed down at her.

As they went to exit the building, a poster on the wall caught her eye and she quickly pulled it down and handed it to her mother. “Camp?” She asked. “Here?” Linore nodded, looking at her mother with an imploring gaze. Her mother was silent as she stared down at the paper before handing it back to Linore. “You’ll behave?” Linore nodded her head vigorously. “I will, I promise.” Her mother looked at her for a few moments and then nodded.

~*~

Linore hefted her backpack and sleeping bag around her shoulder and raced into the aquarium, stopping in the large open area where the other kids had gathered. The counselors were speaking to the group and Linore tried to focus on them, the soft drone of their words becoming crisper as she listened. "...and I am Mrs. A. First, we will go over to the beluga whales. Each of you will be able to touch them."

The evening autumn air was crisp and cold around her as Mrs. A led them toward the fake rock arches that stood around the beluga exhibit. The spotlights in the exhibit illuminated large swaths of water, leaving the rest a dark, inky blue. Mrs. A blew her whistle and everyone stood in silence before the faint popping of bubbles sounded, growing nearer to them. At the edge of the glass, a pale blue bulbous head emerged and looked at the children with wide eyes.

Mrs. A gestured toward the beluga, “This is Marin. Come on, one of you come up here.” The children surged forward, leaving Linore flailing like a fish caught in a net. Mrs. A yelled something unintelligible and the children stepped back, abashed. Linore fell forward and two girls her age and an older girl around thirteen helped her to her feet, giving her a sad smile. The girls backed away as Mrs. A came towards Linore and gestured back toward the beluga.

Linore ascended the steps and reached out a shaky hand to the large creature. Mrs. A gently grabbed the underside of her arm and instructed, "gently now," as she guided Linore's hand. Linore gasped as her hand touch the beluga’s head; the beluga was soft and smooth, but almost felt like firm JELL-O beneath her fingertips. The sensation was alien to her, and yet it was soothing.

After the other children had gone, another counselor rushed up and whispered something in Mrs. A’s ear. Her face went ashen before she smiled again. "Alright, everyone. Unfortunately, we will not be staying near the big tank tonight." Groans sounded around her along with Linore's; she had been hoping to glance at the creature again. "Why not?" A kid in the back pipped up. "Well, if you must know,” she hesitated, “one of the pythons in the nearby exhibit got out and we would rather no one stay in the area until we locate him." Linore stiffened at the news and felt a bead of sweat begin to drip down the side of her face. Panic began to fill her as Mrs. A continued "No one panic though, we will be sleeping in an entirely separate building tonight and, hopefully, we can return to the area tomorrow night." Linore's panic hardly diminished as she followed Mrs. A.

Linore snapped to attention as they opened the doors and entered the rotating exhibit space. The exhibit that was on display now was “The Titanic”. Linore began setting up her sleeping bag as a life-size replica of a sunken portion of the titanic loomed above her. Its hull was old and rusty with murky green light rippling in ominous waves across it. Spectral, sullen music drifted throughout the exhibit along with creaking sound effects, lending the room a somber, eerie air.

Everyone began to go to the bathrooms to change and then settle into their sleeping bags. Not wanting to get up, Linore changed her clothes inside her sleeping bag and waited for the music and lights to cease. They turned the overhead lights off, however, the music and spotlights remained. She could still hear the creaking of the sunken ship and saw the waves of green light dancing across her eyelids as she fell asleep.

Sometime later, Linore blinked open her eyes wearily and wondered what had awoken her, before she felt something winding around her leg. Her eyes widened and she panicked, wriggling out of her sleeping bag and shoving it away with her feet. She sat and stared at it for a while longer, before crawling toward it.

Grasping the top of the sleeping bag between her fingers, she gingerly lifted the flap and peered inside. Too dark to see, she went to the side and slowly unzipped it. At the bottom of her sleeping bag, she could see the shadow of something curled but still. Cautiously peering closer, she saw the jeans that she had been wearing the previous day. They must have become tangled around her legs when she fell asleep.

Feeling foolish, she tried to steady her breathing as Mrs. A came up to her. "Are you alright? Did you have a bad dream?" Linore shook her head and motioned toward the limp piece of clothing that had awoken her. "I thought the python had gotten into my sleeping bag."Linore hung her head, but Mrs. A gave her a sympathetic smile before whispering, "Don't worry, they've already found it and secured it. We should be able to sleep in the room tomorrow night.” Linore suppressed a squeal at the sudden news and wriggled back into her sleeping bag. Mrs. A laughed and disappeared back into her sleeping bag and was soon asleep. Linore kept thinking about the big tank, now that the python was not on the loose. She peered at the sleeping people around her before slipping out of her sleeping bag and out the door to the exhibit. The full moon cast a white light on the metal ramp as she tiptoed down it, the metal feeling cold against the soles of her bare feet.

As she got to the other building, she was surprised to find the door unlocked. She looked around and slipped inside, pattering over to the large tank. The lights in the tank were a dim purple to mimic and as she peered closer, she saw the flash of a red eye and jagged red spikes. She jumped backward in alarm before a small red fish scuttled by her. She exhaled and continued looking.

At the edge of the structure, she saw a huge orange tail curling out from behind the hole in the structure. Excited, she rushed over to that side of the tank and tried to peer around the structure as she had before, but again had no luck. The large tail curled out from the hole and then separated into two translucent fins on each side. It was like no fish she had ever seen. The tail twitched slightly and disappeared back into the hole. Linore edged herself behind the pillar as a mermaid emerged from behind the structure. She had an orange tail and orange scales on her chest that glistened like jewels. A small gasp escaped Linore as she looked at the mermaid, her white-green hair swirling around her and shining in the light like a halo.

Hardly paying attention to what she was doing, Linore slowly walked forward. As the mermaid saw her, she retreated. Linore rushed forward; she could see the mermaid's hovering green eyes peering curiously at her from within the hole in the structure. Linore tried to get her attention, "no, I'm good. Please, I want to help you." Linore wasn't sure if she could hear her, but she poked her head out further from behind the structure and Linore smiled and nodded her head encouragingly. "Yes, yes, please. How did you get here? Can I help?" The mermaid shook her head and pointed to her mouth. Linore stopped and thought for a moment before holding up a finger and rushing outside the exhibit.

Rushing out to the Beluga exhibit, she stood at the edge where the glass met the water and looked at the fake stone structures extended over the beluga exhibit, leading to what looked like the top of the large tank. Taking a step up, she placed her hands on the glass and pushed herself up, shaking as she delicately tried to balance and spread her hands out on either side as she traversed the short distance. Once she reached the edge, she lurched lurching forward against the fake stone. Staying on her hands and knees for a moment, she grimaced and stood, looking up at the intimidating structure before her. Swallowing, she grabbed the nearest outcropping and lifted herself.

After what felt like an hour, Linore brought herself to the top of the large tank and surveyed the large area; it seemed endless like the ocean itself. Shaking her head, she peered down into the lightly rippling water and brought herself to her hands and knees, gripping the edge of the tank and dipping her fingers into the water. After a moment, she saw the swirling mass of the mermaid's hair slowly start ascending. A moment later, the mermaid's head breached the surface and she delicately placed her fingers on the edge of the tank beside Linore's and looked up at her. She looked hesitant and slightly fearful, so Linore decided to speak first. "I'm Linore." Linore gestured towards herself and spoke slowly. The mermaid pursed her lips and tried to mouth the words, but appeared to have trouble. Linore grabbed at her throat and shook it slightly "You have to use this." The mermaid looked at her quizically before trying again. Her voice came out weak and raspy, "Alia" she responded. Linore smiled, grateful she was able to get the mermaid to talk.

Linore looked around them. "So, how did you get here?" Alia looked around her as well. "Where's here?" her voice was still raspy, but she seemed to be gaining some confidence in speaking. "An aquarium. It's where they showcase marine life." Alia grimaced. When Linore peered at her, a questioning look on her face, she continued, "I’ve heard the animals speaking of that. They were afraid, as am I." "The sea animals can talk?" Linore asked, incredulous. Alia nodded.

Linore shook her head and looked around. "Right, we need to get you out." Alia raised an eyebrow. "Do you intend to lift me?" Linore thought about it for a moment. 'I'm not sure I have any other choice." Alia raised her eyebrows, surprised Linore agreed. "What will happen when you're on land?" Alia shrugged in response. "I guess I'll find out,” Alia replied.

Linore stood up and extended her arms. Alia grabbed them and Linore tried to pull, shocked at how much the mermaid weighed. She stopped for a moment and stared at the mermaid. "Tail" she answered as if reading her mind. Nodding once more, she began pulling again before hearing a scraping sound behind her. She didn't pay it any mind and squeezed her eyes shut as she continued. Suddenly, Alia’s became lighter and she heard the distinct sound of Linore slipping out of the water and flopping onto the ground. Linore opened her eyes, shocked at the feat, and was surprised to see others standing beside her. Two of the three girls that had helped her earlier stood on each side of her, each grasping an arm of the mermaid, while another girl ascended the rock ledge. Linore realized it was them that had helped them and smiled gratefully. "How?" she began to question, but Alia's sudden sputtering halted her.

They released Alia and watched, helpless, as she wriggled in a ball on the ground before her tail appeared to melt off and evaporate along with her scales encasing her torso. Legs as smooth as a baby’s skin took the place of her tail, and Alia's arms covered her chest in an attempt at decency. The girls looked at each other with awe on their faces before quickly rushing to Alia's aid. They all took a portion of her body and lifted her before turning to the rock ledge and stopping, not having thought this far. "I have an idea," the older girl said. "Let her go." The others looked at her in confusion but listened. The girl remained holding her before rearing back and throwing her off the precipice. The other girls looked at her in shock before rushing over to the edge just in time to see her land in the Belugs habitat. "Are you crazy?" Lenore screamed. She shrugged and began to scale her way back down, the girls begrudgingly following.

On the ground, they saw Alia's head bobbing at the edge of the Beluga exhibit. "Was that really necessary?" she asked as the girls climbed down. The older girl shrugged her shoulders. "Not sure how else we were going to get you down." The girls repeated the effort of lifting Alia from the water and waited for her legs to emerge. "Okay try walking," one of the girls said. Alia brought herself to her knees and tried to stand, but her legs wobbled and folded beneath her. "How far is the nearest beach?" She asked. The girls looked at each other with wide, unsure eyes and didn’t answer her.

The girls took an armful of Alia and began to run to the entrance. They stopped at the wrought iron gate feeling helpless before Mrs. A appeared. The girls stumbled back, worried, and Alia hid her face in Linore’s chest. Mrs. A held the key up in her hand. The girls looked at her with questioning gazes. "Well she doesn't belong here now does she?" the girls shook their heads silently and watched as Mrs. A went and opened the gate.

The girls began to rush out, struggling with Alia in their arms, but Mrs. A stopped them. Linore pulled back from her grasp on instinct but handed Alia to her after a moment. Mrs. A heaved Alia into her arms and shoved past the gate. "Beach is down this way girls!"

The girls were panting as they reached the beach, but Mrs. A didn't seem to mind. She waded knee-deep in the water before gently lowering Alia into it. Alia's tail flared in the water and she flicked it before looking up at them. "Thank you," she said. She looked at Linore, a mischievous twinkle gleaming in her eyes, and flicked some water at her. Lenore yelped and jumped back, but laughed nonetheless. Alia gave them one last look before swimming away, the full moon reflecting on the inky black water of the Autumn night.