WATER SPLASH : MERMAID ADVENTURE

QUEEN MARABELLA ISLAND(6)

CHAPTER SIX

Clara’s head whipped toward the sound. At first, she saw nothing but the glitter of water and the empty dock in the distance. Then…movement.

A figure stood on the far edge of the pier, framed against the horizon. The girl’s hair caught the light, burning red like a flame in the ocean breeze. She wasn’t tall, but there was something commanding in the way she held herself. Even at a distance, her eyes shimmered unnaturally, catching Clara’s gaze with a pull that felt almost… inhuman.

Clara blinked, and suddenly the girl was closer, walking along the narrow wooden planks with the ease of someone who belonged to the water.

“Who…?” Clara’s question caught in her throat.

The girl didn’t answer. With fluid grace, she stepped off the pier and onto the boat, landing as though the rocking deck was steady ground. Without hesitation, she crouched by the controls, her fingers moving with practiced confidence.

The engine roared to life, startling Clara, and the boat surged forward, cutting through the water as if it had been waiting all along for this girl’s touch.

Clara gripped the side of the boat, still trying to steady her breath. The stranger’s hands moved with practiced ease over the controls, guiding the speedboat as though she’d been born to it. The engine purred under her touch; no hesitation, no fumbling.

Clara watched her for a moment, then cleared her throat. “Um… thank you. But…who are you?” Her voice was careful, polite, though curiosity edged through.

The girl’s lips curved faintly, her eyes still fixed on the horizon. “Elina,” she said simply, as if that explained everything. “Sorry for barging in. It was the quickest way.”

Clara blinked. Barging in? The way she said it made it sound natural, but who just jumps into someone’s boat like that?

She opened her mouth to ask more when Elina added, almost casually, “You should be more careful, Clara.”

Clara stiffened. She knows my name?

“How did you…?” The words tumbled out before Clara could stop herself. “Did Zayan send you?”

At the sound of that name, Elina’s expression hardened, a flash of distaste flickering in her eyes. “No. I’d never do anything for him.” The way she bit the words made Clara believe it.

“Then how…?” Clara pressed.

“I overheard,” Elina admitted. “Back at the docks. You and Zayan weren’t exactly whispering.” Her tone softened, almost teasing. “And besides… I saw you at Antares university entrance exam. Hard to forget someone who looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.”

Heat crept up Clara’s neck. She tried to brush it off. “So… do you work here at the port? Is that how you got the key?”

Elina’s hands never faltered on the wheel. “Let’s just say I’ve spent enough time here to know my way around boats. Some things don’t require permission.”

Elina’s fingers tapped the wheel lightly, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “The key? I stole it from Zayan.” Her voice carried a kind of satisfaction, as though the act itself had been a small personal victory.

Clara’s mouth fell open. Elina only smirked wider, clearly pleased at the shock.

“You seem to have a soft spot for him,” Elina teased, glancing sideways at her.

Clara’s nose wrinkled instantly, her expression twisted in disgust. “What? No. Absolutely not.”

Elina laughed under her breath. “Relax, I’m only joking. Zayan’s the last person anyone should have a soft spot for. Stealing his boat for a while… well, maybe it’ll teach him some manners.”

That earned a chuckle from Clara despite herself. “That’s actually funny. So where are we headed?”

Elina shrugged, the wind tossing strands of red hair across her face. She brushed them back with her left hand, but they fell right into place again. Somehow, she didn’t seem to care. “No plan. Do you?”

Clara shook her head, watching the way Elina guided the speedboat with effortless precision. “Nowhere, really. By the way, you’re good at this. How long have you been sailing?”

Elina’s eyes never left the horizon. A faint smile curved her lips, small but genuine. “Since I was a kid. My dad’s a sailor. Guess it runs in the blood.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “You’re… really good.”

The compliment seemed to settle over Elina like sunlight; she didn’t say much, just let her grin deepen, her knuckles tightening slightly on the wheel as if the words had fueled her.

The boat skimmed across the water, its bow slicing cleanly through the waves. Spray misted against Clara’s skin, cool and salty, but instead of panic tightening her chest, a strange calm settled over her. The steady hum of the engine, the roll and sway of the boat, felt almost hypnotic. For the first time in years, the water didn’t feel like an enemy. She found herself leaning forward, eyes wide, as though memorizing every ripple of the ocean’s silver-blue surface.

Beside her, Elina caught the change and smiled faintly. “Hey, Clara? You’re doing great. No aquaphobia kicking in?”

Clara blinked, as if just realizing it herself. She shook her head, a small laugh escaping. “I guess not. You’re a good captain.”

Elina’s grin widened, softening her sharp features. “Thanks. I try to make my passengers feel safe.”

Before Clara could answer, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fumbled to answer, pressing it to her ear.

“Clara!” Monica ’s voice was sharp with worry. “Where the hell are you? We’ve been calling you nonstop!”

Clara winced at the tone. “I’m on the ocean right now… thanks to Zayan.”

There was a beat of silence, then Annalise’s voice cut in, low and furious. “Zayan? You met him? What did he do?”

Clara hesitated, watching the horizon blur with spray, then muttered, “He left me stranded. But someone helped me out…I’m fine.”

Annalise swore under her breath, the sound crackling through the line. Monica pressed, “Where can we meet you?”

Clara looked at Elina, who gave her a knowing nod toward the docks. “The port,” Clara said quickly. “I’ll see you both there.”

She hung up before more questions could flood in.

Elina raised a brow, still steering smoothly. “Ready to head back?”

Clara exhaled, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

The boat eased back toward the dock, the engine’s hum softening as Elina steered with steady hands. Clara sat quietly beside her, her heart still unsettled but strangely soothed by Elina’s quiet confidence.

At the dock, Monica and Annalise were already waiting, shifting anxiously from foot to foot. The moment Clara stepped off, Monica rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. Annalise followed, pulling her close as though checking she was real.

“You scared us half to death,” Monica said, her voice sharp but trembling.

Clara managed a sheepish smile. “Sorry. Long story.”

Only then did both girls turn their attention to the redhead at the helm. One hand resting on the wheel, watching the reunion in silence.

“Thank you for bringing her back,” Monica said sincerely, her expression softening toward Elina. “I’m Monica, by the way.”

Elina gave a small nod, lips curving into a half-smile. “No problem. I’m glad I was around. I’m Elina.”

Annalise lingered on Elina’s face, brows drawing together. “You look familiar… have I seen you at the port before?”

Elina’s smile widened knowingly. “You might have. My father is Captain Emberwing.”

Recognition flickered in Annalise’s eyes. “That explains it. He’s well respected here. My mother speaks highly of him.”

Elina tilted her head. “Mrs. Khione Leclair is your mother, isn’t she?”

Annalise stiffened slightly, then nodded. “Yes. She is.”

The acknowledgment hung in the air for a moment, but Annalise’s anger quickly returned, sharper than before. Her jaw clenched as she turned back to Clara.

“Zayan is going to pay for this. It’s bad enough we’re related, but leaving you stranded like that…he’s crossed a line.” Her voice cracked with frustration.

Elina leaned against the railing, her tone light, almost teasing. “Well, one way to deal with him is to take away his toy. His speedboat’s ours now, at least for the day.”

Clara blurted, “She stole his keys.”

Monica’s eyes widened, then she and Annalise exchanged a look, half impressed, half amused.

“Brilliant,” Monica muttered.

Elina grinned at their reactions before casually suggesting, “So, what do you say we make the most of it? A trip to Queen Marabella Island.” Her eyes glinted with mischief.

Monica’s face lit up instantly. “That’s perfect!”

Annalise nodded, though her expression stayed taut, anger still simmering beneath.

Clara froze, her gaze drifting toward the hazy silhouette of the island in the distance. A chill crept over her. The thought of leaving the safety of the shore made her chest tighten again. “I… don’t know. It’s far.” Her voice faltered, eyes fixed on the stretch of water between them and the island.

Monica nudged her gently, eyes pleading. “Come on, Clara! We’ve never been there. It’ll be fun.”

Annalise’s look carried the same persuasion, calmer, but firm. Clara felt cornered by their eagerness.

Before answering, she turned back to Elina, suspicion flickering in her eyes. “Wait. Why are you even at the port today? Everyone avoids it on March 16th.”

Elina gave a light laugh, almost mocking. “Oh, those old curses? I’ve been around this port all my life. Nothing ever happens. People just like stories.” She leaned forward, her tone playful. “Honestly, spending the Festival of Still Waters stuck in silence is boring. Sailing to Queen Marabella Island sounds like the proper way to celebrate.”

Clara’s unease didn’t fade, but between her friends’ hopeful faces and Elina’s confidence, resistance felt impossible. She exhaled slowly, forcing a small smile. “Alright… let’s go.”

Monica clapped in delight, Annalise gave a satisfied nod, and Elina’s grin widened as she pushed the throttle. The boat leapt forward, skimming across the waves toward the horizon.