Medusa’s Tale

Chapter 2

“Oh, what a great disappointment it is to have raised your expectations for my brother’s arrival. I am deeply sorry, Eleanor,” Belle apologized.

“Oh, you have nothing to worry about. I wasn’t even that interested in meeting your brother,” I laughed, taking a sip of my Slurpee.

Belle’s older brother, unfortunately, didn’t seem eager to reunite with his family. Not even his shadow appeared the entire night.

It’s now ten in the morning, and Belle and I are captivated by the sea as we sit on the shore. The serene calmness of the waves, the cloudy yet azure sky, and the gentle breeze brushing our skin—all of it blends into perfect harmony. Classes were suspended today, and Belle had planned this outing. She even called it a date, which was amusing considering it was just two girls enjoying the ocean together.

We weren’t planning to swim—just to admire the scenery. We had stumbled across this shoreline during our walk and decided to stop for a while to appreciate the view.

“Did you know?” Belle suddenly began.

“Know what?”

“This ocean is far deeper than you think. Some people even say it leads to the gates of the underworld. No matter how beautiful it looks, the government didn’t turn it into a resort or tourist spot because of how dangerous it is. Many people have drowned here.” She tried to sound spooky, but I wasn’t fazed.

I already knew about the deaths this ocean had claimed.

“Okay,” I replied in a dull tone. “To be honest, I’m not interested in your GREAT storytelling, Belle.”

“These aren’t stories! I’m telling you the truth. This ocean is deep, dangerous, and full of unidentifiable things,” she insisted, clearly offended.

“Okay.” I sighed and took another sip of my drink.

Though I feigned indifference, I knew Belle wasn’t lying. Many had lost their lives here, and I couldn’t deny how dangerous this ocean truly was. But I didn’t want to show how much it scared me. Confessing my deepest fears to someone—even Belle—was out of the question. My late mother had always taught me to keep my vulnerabilities hidden.

“Wait...” Belle suddenly narrowed her eyes, staring intently at the water. “There’s someone in the ocean.”

I followed her gaze, squinting against the sunlight. Sure enough, a figure was visible, swimming in the calm yet treacherous waters. My eyes widened in disbelief.

“Who is that? I thought you said this place was dangerous!” I exclaimed.

Belle remained silent, her eyes glued to the figure.

“That’s... no, it can’t be. But he looks like someone I know,” she mumbled, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

As we continued watching, another person emerged from the water, their head breaking the surface. My breath caught.

“How did that man manage to stay underwater for so long?” Belle asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

In stunned silence, we watched the two men converse. From where we sat, we could barely make out their features. But then, as if sensing our presence, they turned their gazes toward us. Belle and I froze.

“They’re looking at us,” Belle whispered.

The men began walking toward the shore, their forms becoming clearer with every step. My jaw nearly dropped when I could finally make out their features. They were both stunningly handsome—like angels sculpted by divine hands. The epitome of human perfection, they looked both ethereal and powerful.

But then, familiarity struck me like a bolt of lightning.

“That’s my brother,” I said, my voice trembling.

Belle turned to me, her expression mirroring my shock. “That’s my brother.”

We stared at each other in disbelief before turning our attention back to the two men.

Destiny seemed to have a wicked sense of humor. In this vast world, it turned out that our brothers knew each other and had chosen the same ocean—a place both of us had visited by chance. But what puzzled me most was why my brother had returned so soon. Wasn’t he supposed to arrive next weekend?

“I’m overflowing with curiosity,” Belle said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Aren’t you?”

I nodded wordlessly as the men reached the shore. Their expressions were unreadable, their presence overwhelming. My eyes flickered to Belle’s brother, who caught my gaze briefly before I looked away, flustered.

“So,” Belle’s brother began, his voice deep and commanding, “what made you two come to a place as dangerous as this?”

His words sent a shiver through me, the weight of his tone wrapping around my senses. He wasn’t just speaking—he was commanding.

Belle crossed her arms, unfazed by his intimidating presence. “How about you, Elliot? What possessed you to bask in this deadly ocean while our parents were waiting for you at home?”

I wanted to stop her from provoking him, but her fiery demeanor left me rooted in place.

“Don’t speak to your older brother like that,” Elliot said coolly.

“Oh, please! You’re only a year older than me, so don’t call me young. And it’s YOUR fault I have this attitude, Elliot.”

Elliot sighed, clearly exasperated. “No one is responsible for your extroverted, arrogant personality, Belle.”

He walked away, heading toward a small backpack lying on the sand. I hadn’t noticed it before, likely because of its camouflage fabric. He pulled out two towels, handing one to my brother.

“Wait until Mom hears about this,” Belle threatened, her voice sharp.

Elliot barely reacted. “I’m not scared of your empty threats. Try harder.”

Their bickering was amusing, but it also stirred a pang of longing in my chest. How I wished I had a sibling with whom I could share such a bond—a sibling who could comfort me, listen to my fears, and stand by my side. But reality had other plans for me.

“Eleanor,” my brother’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked up at him, startled. He stood before me, his expression unreadable.

“What is it, Vlad?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said simply.

His calm tone was unsettling. Vlad had always been distant, but something about him today felt... off. He was acting differently—colder, more serious.

“We were just passing by,” I explained. “We thought we’d stop for a bit to enjoy the view and the fresh air.”

“And you chose one of the most dangerous places in the area?” His tone was skeptical.

“What’s your point?” I asked, my irritation bubbling to the surface.

Vlad didn’t answer, his piercing gaze making me feel small. What was wrong with him? Had something happened at his special school to change him so drastically?

“Let’s go,” Elliot said, interrupting the tension. He and Belle were already walking toward their car.

Belle’s driver seemed surprised by Elliot’s presence but quickly regained his composure. I opted to sit in the front seat to give the others more space in the back. The ride was silent, filled only with the soft hum of the engine and Belle’s occasional humming.

When we reached their mansion, the maids greeted us warmly, though I noticed their eyes lingering on Elliot and Vlad. Their gazes held a mixture of awe and unease, as if sensing something unusual about the two men.

As we walked toward the entrance, something caught my attention. My gaze shifted to the rooftop, where a cloaked figure stood against the skyline. My breath hitched. What was someone doing up there?

The figure turned slightly, and two glowing red eyes emerged from the shadow of the hood. Chills ran down my spine as fear took hold. Those eyes—they weren’t human. They were cold, void, and filled with a darkness that seemed to reach into my soul.

“My beloved, Medusa...” a voice whispered near my ear.

I spun around, heart racing, but no one was there.

“Eleanor? Why is your heart beating so fast?” Belle’s voice snapped me back to reality.

I turned to find the three of them staring at me, confusion etched on their faces. But what unnerved me most was Belle. How had she heard my heartbeat from so far away?