Water of Hell

Chapter Nine - Dinner Guest

ღNaidaღ

I sat down and stared at the new addition that lay on top of the old book. I quickly looked around to see if anyone was lurking about. I was hoping to spot the person that put this book here. However, everyone that was around, seemed really busy looking for a book or reading. The title of the book is Mist of the Sea and it also looked like quite an old book. What was it about mermaids and the sea that intrigued me? It did, however, look more like a fairytale book but that didn’t bother me as I slowly opened it. The very first page was that of a mermaid under the sea and I stared at it. She looked so beautiful with her long blue tail and her light blonde hair. Mystical and magical were the words that came to my mind and I closed the book and set it aside. I went back to the one I had been reading before and continued. The mermaid will be fearful of water as the spell starts to unravel and panic will set in. Loss of time and odd dreams are also part of it. I looked up and I knew that this was way too close to be a coincidence. The more I read, the more freaked I got. Closing the book, I decided that I needed to investigate more. There had to be a logical explanation to this, other than being a mermaid. Even though I was still angry with Abby, I found myself wishing that she was here. I could already hear her voice telling me that I was losing it and that I had gone crazy. I had to admit though, thinking that I could possibly be a mermaid is kind of nuts. I then thought about how my life was since all of this had started and the facts were, I had never been scared to be in the water and yet now being in the swimming pool freaked me out. Being in the shower or bath wasn’t as bad but I still felt uncomfortable. I realized that I was getting nowhere with this investigation and so I glanced at the books on the table one more time, before leaving. When I got back home, I found my mother cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I had seen my father sitting on the sofa in the sitting room, playing some game with Dylan.

“Hey mom,” I greeted her as I glanced over to see what she was preparing.

“Oh, hi honey, how was the library?” she asked, and I sighed. Once again, I was being questioned and I didn’t like it. I didn’t trust my parents anymore and so; therefore, I wouldn’t be revealing too much to her.

“It was fine, thanks,” I said, and she hummed out in response before continuing to cut up the potatoes. I left the kitchen to head upstairs when I stopped. I could hear voices coming from the sitting room and I recognized the voices belonging to Abby’s parents. Oh, no, my mother had probably invited them over for dinner and I still didn’t want to have to deal with Abby. I huffed out, annoyed, and went upstairs to my bedroom.

“Surprise!” Abby yelled out when I pushed open my door. She was laying on my bed, rather comfortably I might add.

“Hey,” I said with a fake smile. My face muscles were beginning to get sore from all the fake smiles I had been throwing around today.

“So, where have you been?” Abby questioned as I placed my school bag down next to my desk.

“At the library,” I answered.

“Oh, I suppose that’s why you and your jeep were gone by the time I got out of school,” I could hear the accusing tone in her voice, but I chose to ignore it. I went over to the cupboard and pulled out a fresh set of clothes for the evening. I had dust on me from being in the library. “I also didn’t see you at lunch,” I knew that she wasn’t going to stop, and I turned to face her, I needed to come up with some excuse and that meant, I had to think quickly on a subject we didn’t have together. One came to mind and I threw her another fake smile.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you that I had to go to the library to do some research on my history project,” the lie fell out so easily and I immediately saw that she bought into it. “I didn’t find everything I needed, that was why I went to the city library,”

“I still don’t know how you can take that boring subject, but yeah, ok,” Abby wasn’t impressed even though she believed me. I felt guilty about lying to her, especially about this, but then again, just thinking of her and Triton together was enough to wipe the guilt away. “Anyway, I was thinking since both our parents are here, why don’t we ask them if I can sleepover?” the question hung in the air and I knew that if I said no, I would have to explain myself. I also knew that I could stay angry with her forever. “We both know the wine will start flowing and even though you are grounded, I don’t see how your parents could say no, after that first glass,”

“It’s a weeknight,” I argued, and she rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, so? The wine won’t let them say no,” she giggled, and I tried to think of another excuse. However, the thought did cross my mind about how easy it would be to smother her while she slept with my pillow.

“I really have a lot of homework to catch up on,” I said, still trying to get out of it. Abby gave me a look and I knew that she wouldn’t leave it alone until I agreed. “Fine!”

“Yay!” she exclaimed happily, and I gave her another fake smile. “Wait, who’s that?” she suddenly questioned as she stood up from the bed. I frowned as I watched her open the door. I could hear voices, but I wasn’t sure who it was. We both snuck out of the room and got on our knees by the railing. It reminded me of what I had done just the other night, but I pushed that aside as I peered downstairs. I saw the woman from the school library and a man that I didn’t know, talking to my mother. Triton suddenly came into view and my heart skipped a beat. I tugged on Abby’s sleeve and we snuck back into my bedroom. We stood up and I quickly closed the door.

“Who are they?” I asked but Abby just shrugged. It would seem that she wasn’t interested or bothered by it. “What are they doing here?” once again Abby didn’t answer, and I sighed as I quickly changed out of my clothes and slipped on the fresh pair of pants and t-shirt. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I felt better already. When I was done, I motioned for Abby to follow me and we headed downstairs. I could hear their voices and laughter coming from the sitting room and we went in to join them. I avoided looking at Triton as my mother turned to me and smiled.

“Naida, this is Crystal and Tommy, Triton’s parents,” Talia introduced us, and I smiled politely and greeted them. I then hurriedly excused myself and went into the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” my mother asked, and I let out a small scream of surprise. I hadn’t known she had followed me.

“Why are they here, mom?” I questioned as I turned to face her.

“Tommy has started working with your father and we invited them over for dinner,” she explained with a frown. “Why, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing,” I groaned out. “And why are Abby’s parents here?”

“Naida! What is with all the questions?!” Talia asked as she shook her head. “I thought you would’ve been happy to spend some time with your friends, especially since you are still grounded,”

“It was just a surprise, that’s all,” I hurriedly lied. How could I tell her that I didn’t trust her, that I was still angry with Abby, and that I was too shy to talk to Triton? Talia opened her mouth to say something but Michelle, Abby’s mother, and Crystal came into the kitchen with Abby leading the way. Could this night get any worse? Abby smiled over at me before putting her arm through mine and gave me a slight tug.

“Your dad said yes,” she whispered, and I wanted to smack her upside her head. However, I didn’t do that as I allowed her to lead me away, back to the sitting room. Triton smiled when he saw me, but I had nothing to say to him. My father, Tommy, and Greg, Abby’s father, left the sitting room and headed outside. Dylan jumped up and ran after them. I fake smiled at Abby and Triton. What a nightmare!

ღTaliaღ

As soon as Abby and Naida were out of sight, I knew that this would be my only opportunity to try and get control of the situation.

“How have you been, Crystal?” I asked as I leaned back against the counter.

“I can’t complain, in fact, I am rather good,” she said with a smirk plastered on her face. “How have you been doing after being humiliated and banished?” I wanted to whack her right across her smug-looking face with a stainless-steel frying pan.

“Ha!” I spat out as I stepped toward her. “I invited you here to warn you and trust me when I say this, I am only going to warn you once, keep your filthy son away from my daughter!”

“And mine!” Michelle added quickly and I nodded in agreement. I could feel my blood pressure flying sky high.

“Filthy?! I’d have you know that my son is anything but filthy! Both of your daughters are blessed to even be in the same room as him and speaking of your precious girls, when are you going to tell them the truth?” Crystal folded her arms across her chest and continued to smirk.

“Why don’t you shut up?” Michelle spat out and I had the absurd notion to burst into laughter. Of all the things to say, I had not been expecting that. Although as I gazed over at my friend, I knew it had taken a lot for her to say that.

“I still can’t believe you brought Triton with you,” I complained. When I had invited Crystal and Tommy over to talk, to warn them, I hadn’t expected them to bring their trouble-making son with them. That meant, I couldn’t say what I wanted and then throw them out. Triton maybe whatever he is, but as far as I knew the boy wasn’t aware of anything either. “Ok, let’s just enjoy the evening and then go our separate ways?” I suggested. Crystal nodded before leaving us alone in the kitchen.

“Do you think she will say anything?” Michelle asked and I shook my head. “I hope not,”

“Same here, Naida is already acting suspicious,”

“Abby too,” Michelle said, and I knew that we would have to deal with the situation sooner rather than later. With Crystal now making an appearance in their lives, I knew that my time was limited. She had always gotten under my skin, ever since we were little, however, I would not let her hatred and destruction destroy my family or Michelle’s family.

“Come on, help me set the table,” I said as I turned to the cabinets. I had already prepared the potato salad and I could hear the men outside barbequing the meat. I took out the plates and handed them to Michelle, who took them with her to set the table. I grabbed the cutlery and followed behind her. Crystal had managed to wiggle her way in and right now, I had to pretend that everything was simply fine. As soon as we had finished eating, I planned on sending my sister and her family out the door. Although Triton was not their own son, they adopted him when they found out they couldn’t have any children of their own. That didn’t mean they hadn’t trained him. I didn’t believe the boy was evil, but I couldn’t put anything past them. I was aware that Michelle and Greg had given Abby training under the false pretense of protection, but Zale and I had never given our children any training. We had never thought it was necessary. However, things had taken a turn for the worst and it may not be a bad idea to start training them. We finished setting the table and Zale came in with a tray filled with the cooked meat.

“Dinner is ready!” he yelled out. I smiled at him as everyone started coming into the dining room. Zale threw me a pointed look and I gave him a quick nod. I had warned my sister, now I could only hope that she would keep her son away from my daughter. Although I felt confident in Naida, I didn’t trust them.