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GUARDIAN

"But your highness!!! I do not think is wise to go that far... the chances of saving our future might become slimmer. "

She looked at Alejou with defiant eyes:

"Guardian do you honestly think I have not thought of such consequence? It is my daughter, my blood, the future of our peace what is on the line. It is the only way to retrain her thinking. Love has gotten her soul too deep; she is damaged and won’t have the power to control was to come.

"She is and will be our Goddess of love and as such is her responsibility to understand the repercussions of falling. I am sure she can recover and find ground without affecting her needs for was to come I am sure she can ..."

He knew that taking different ethereal forms to keep her emotions in check will confuse her feelings and he just wanted her to be happy after all she was and is his only and true love.

The queen interjected in his thoughts to making stop triggering waves in the court room.

Please Understand Alejou: I can’t and under any circumstances approve of your feelings towards her; you have a duty to your people as master in command, besides who you would rather have as my replacing? her siblings already have chosen their path in the human world. I cannot lose her too Alejou.

It will be done than... He replied and as he glided away from the atrium, he repeated to himself. No, your majesty, my duty can only and shall only be to her.

BRANWEN

My loneliness: She is my best friend and has been for the first 15 years of my life. Of course, this does not mean I am alone, I have friends, I have family, I have romance. Still, loneliness is my comfort so when I am floating in the currents of the beach shore here at home, the silence the water provides is the only comfort I find these days it is my peace my solace and my warmth.

Today I needed her; I needed her surroundings to overwhelm me to condense around me and give me the separation I needed. Here I was able to cry, to scream, to hold my breath for what I felt were ages without anyone missing me or noticing me.

It was near dusk in a moon free sky; from here I can count as many starts as I could. They were so clear I could even see them reflecting in the water.

Something curious happen: the lights in the water were growing and moving; they were getting close and rather than being scared I was curious; I even though I heard them calling me as I dive in the water. I wanted to get closer. To understand their fascination.

The lights were growing bigger and clearer. As they get closer, I was no longer curious I felt a threat was happening and yet they starting to look familiar:

“Branwen… let us take you home”

I could not believe my ears I was hearing and what was more incredible was that I was hearing them under the water. It was an uncomfortable comfort. Confusing. I did not like the feeling of insecurity and in consequence fear kicked in and so the water in my longs. I forgot where I was and for how long I have been completely submerged. The darkness pulled me and the last thing I remember was a big pull: a void.

“1,2,3 push...1, 2, 3…push… Come on stupid girl breathe.”

“Shit this too early in the season … come on come on Breathe”

I heard his voice and my longs started to combust until I felt the need to spit. Huge gulps of water kept coming out thru my mouth.

“Were, are they? where did they go? I thought I was speaking to myself

“What? who? Stupid Speaks I guess is my lucky day.!” I heard him say in frustration.

“Are you calling me Stupid?” I said as I looked into his hazel eyes or where they green? I could not tell.

“Sure, or do you see anyone else trying to drown in this peaceful part of town. I am not even on duty I have you know”

As I stop myself to try and understand the words that were coming out his mouth, I realize he was the only I could see as he was close too close for comfort. I try to pull myself up but my legs: I could barely feel them.

“Stay there! stupid girl I have called for help.”

That is when I saw the ATV getting closer to us

“Stop Calling me Stupid girl, I am not stupid and not a girl for far too long if I may say so. “

“Well can I have your name than at least? Your highness”

“Bran…. I mean Brenna”

“Ok nice to meet you Bree”

“It is Brenna” I attempted to say as a coughing fit took over.

The paramedic started asking questions as well like how many fingers do you see and how far is your home. I was glad I did not leave far. I did not want to end up in the hospital.

“BB? What on earth?” Finally, a familiar voice.

“I am ok Matt can you please take me home?”

“Hold up- what is going on here?

Matt is my stepbrother and quite honestly, he was and will be my best and only true friend in this island - aside from the sea water of course-. He was 2 years older than me; he knew me best than anyone could since I became part of his family’ I was an orphan and have been since I can remember, and this is the longest I have been in a single home with the foster system of providence island. His mom always feared that we were too close for her comfort and his father was aggressive and mean to him. He would always say “better me than you or mom.”

“I am fine Matt; can you please take me home I will tell you all about it later”

“Hey Brice! “He called to the guy filling some sort of report as he was talking to hazel eyes.

Yeah, Matt! give me a sec alright? Matt gave this Brice a node.

“Do not go anywhere BB Let me make sure I can take you home”

I stayed on the ATV my head still buzzing from all the confusion and the lights that surrounded me. The lights! I try to look to the area where I was floating in the water: there was only darkness in between the artificial lights reflecting the shore.

“Ok we are good to go”

“Hey Matt” We swayed to the sound of his voice – Hazel eyes voice. My irritating savior

“What?” Matt scream at him.

“Make sure you keep your eyes close on your little sister”

“Who are you calling Little you...” I started saying in irritation

“Don’t mind him BB lets go home”

As we walked home, I kept on wondering If I should talk to him about the lights and the strange beings I saw under the ocean; I did not want to scare him. Most of all I did not want to lose the opportunity to come again and investigate. I was looking forward to it but promise to myself to be more prepare next time.

” Who was that new kid” I ask Matt referring to hazel eyes to calm his curiosity. I could see it in his face as he held me in his arms. I knew It would have been fruitless to ask him to put me down so I let him take me home in such way we did not leave that far.

“Who Brice? Oh, you meant long locks. He is new to the area his family moved to the island about 2 months ago he is the newest recruit at the aquatic shelter. “

Providence was a small island within San Andres Archipelago. I could not understand why have not seen Long Locks before.

“Yeah, what is his name so I can thank him properly when I see him again.”

His name is Alejou yeah weird I know, but everyone calls him Alex at the shelter is easer that way.

“Hmm” that is all I could say before he interrupted me.

“ Now tell me what in the name of all the weird fishes on earth where you doing there this late tonight?