Beauty Of The Deep

Nocturnal Beings : 11

"Deep slumber effect?" Arlo rephrased, more curious and lost as ever.

"Wait sir, is that like a disease?" Arlo attempts to ask other question to the old man but he was no longer nearby and finding him would be a task since the place was literally crowded.

"Did the neighbouring island locals decide take their party here?" Arlo mumbles. He places down his gas lamp just behind an empty barrel to get later but keeps his journal close to him before he walks into the multitudes.

While staring at the unusual things in the vendors, he implements a plan in his head to bombard another stranger with his questions, he's not leaving this place without an explanation.

And a concise explanation is what he'll get.

The vendors were filled with beautifully patterned seashells that comes in pairs and colourful pearls piled up in a giant clam, and speaking of pearls Jungkook then can't help to notice the amounts of pearls people accessorised themselves with. It's like everyone had a pearl accessory either it being a necklace, charm bracelet or ring. Was it like an emblem that represent their country?

From that observation, a thought came to him.

Didn't Moon also have a pearl accessory in her hair?

Arlo halts from his steps upon that question, eyes now exploring everyone's face. He knew he'd find her here, since at that time he met Moon at the shore, he knew that she wasn't from the same island as him so these people might be from wherever island she's living in.

At the same time, Arlo finds a target to interview. He also keeps in mind to act as if he was one of them, since he might get kicked out of the market which they have no rights to since first of all. Its not their island.

Once he spots a target; another old man, resting on a barrel, he cautiously approaches him without looking too suspicious but the man still noticed him coming his way and proceeds to question him.

"May I help you young boy?" The old man's voice was rusty and hoarse. Arlo's shoulders dropped at the failure of being unsuspicious.

"Yes, I do actually." He automatically brings his hands to scratch the back of his neck with a little smile. The old man gestured for him to come closer and sit on the other barrel next to him, Arlo obeyed his soundless commands before asking his questions, smooth as possible.

"You see, my friends invited me to join this celebration saying it was some sort of an opportunity, but they left me out with the details of what the occasion was." Lies, it didn't sound convincing to him but he hoped it was believable enough for the other.

The man emitted a chuckle once Arlo ended his question. Was he not convinced by it? Did he catch the lie?

"Not everyone is aware about the surface, only few lack knowledge of the island dwellers." Arlo did not understand anything he just said, but he remains quiet for the old one to continue. "You must be one of them who knew nothing of humans. It's a pity, your parents should've warned you sooner."

Humans? Arlo arched his eyebrows at that, it was suspicious and unusual, "Actually my parents passed away before they even had the chance to." Now that, was not a total lie.

"Well son, let me enlighten you about the surface, a completely different world from ours. The celebration you see right now-the one your friends called as an 'opportunity', it was formerly a daily event."

"Then why is it so special now?" Arlo didn't hold back from asking. He was an extremely curious person.

"It started more than 7 years ago. In this island, our deep sleep spell cannot take its effect when a single human doesn't sleep in the same hour as the others but ever since that time, we were able to cast the spell knowing they are in slumber." The old man shakes his head out of frustration but smiles later on at the delightful thought.

"But how would you know they are awake, what if a human is awake during the spell?" Arlo emphasises the word human. He knows very well that he is that human that prevents them from having their former daily celebration.

"They cannot wake up during the spell son. The spell can only happen while the moon is awake." The old man rotates his body to face Arlo, "We have an accurate gut feeling the minute all humans are asleep and without a time to waste, that's when we cast the spell."

A Minute.

Arlo woke up a second after the others fell asleep thats why he was not affected by the so-called sorcery.

"But is there a possibility that they may wake up from a noise?" A question after another, not suspicious at all. He just hopes that the man will think of him as an obedient boy who wanted to be aware of any possible danger.

"Good question son. There is one thing that breaks up a human from the spell, but it rarely happens. They might be In deep sleep but that does not mean they're dead...."

Arlo's body eases at that last remark.

"...they are asleep but their other senses are awake. Just like their ears, if someone were to verbally speak of their fears it would trigger their brain and awake them."

Arlo expressed his understanding by nodding his head, it may seem like all these information were normal to him but on the inside, he was petrified at what beings they were that addresses the people as humans.

"Thank you, i'll go find my friends they might leave me." Arlo thanked and bowed at the man with all the courage left in him before dashing out of the area.

"Oh shoot." A perfect timing to spot Moon amongst the crowds. Arlo instantly hid behind a post.

With the new information, he was able to connect the dots and conclude that Moon is one of them. The pearl accessories, the uniquely, unfamiliar features were enough to prove themselves.

And now, the fact that she was comfortable socialising with these people were more than obvious.

Arlo looked behind, the opposite of where Moon was, and made a run for it, not too fast cause that might make him noticeable.

There are two exits in this market and Arlo is gonna leave by the other exist where he didn't leave his gas lamp,--it was an entrance but considering his state of position right now, every opening is an exit to him.

Arlo successfully retreats the area without being spotted by Moon. If he were to reveal himself to her and that he was not affected by their sorcery, who knows what type of things they'd do to him.

The alternate exit he used was more further from where he lives, he would need to take a long run around the area to reach the hill. With his hand tightly clutching the journal in his chest, he closely nears his destination.

The ocean caught Arlo's attention when he notice more people were arriving at the shore but his eyes enlarged at the sight of the empty port, that's when he realised those beings were ascending from the water and walking into the surface.

"Holy--" Arlo yelped, running faster than before to the house. And once he arrived, he kicked the door open and of course no one would hear that since they were under the spell of those things.

Arlo immediately ran to his bestfriend, he attempts to shake his shoulder first to confirm if he was really in a deep sleep.

He wiggled Seven's shoulder; still asleep.

He tickles his waists; still asleep.

Slapped hard on the cheeks; confirmed. The spell is true.

"Seven! wake up buddy!" Arlo vigorously shook his shoulders, but was resulted with a little snore. Recalling the old man's words, he then yells.

"Mother found your secret garden and watered your plants with fish guts!" Arlo faces lifts up at Seven's responsive actions. The poor guy tightens his eyes, bringing his hands to rub them before he flickers the pair open.

"Arlo?" Seven who had just woken up, was surprised to see his friend hovering him with his hands grasping his shoulders.

Okay, what now?

Yes, its already been confirmed that through their fears, they will wake up but what is Arlo going tell him? That everyone was in deep sleep including him and that the island was suddenly invaded by beings that were not even human so that they could celebrate an occasion that was originally prevented by himself.

Wow, that would sound very convincing to a person who had just woken up.

"Nothing, I just thought you were dead. Man, are you even breathing?" Arlo thought of an alternative. Also placing his hand on Seven's chest to support his lame excuse.

"I appreciate your concern but get off me..." Seven kicked the boy off his bed, "..I'm going back to sleep." The kick was a combination of annoyance for being woken as well as revenge from the treatment he's been receiving lately.

"Seven, if only you knew." Arlo whispers, eyes remaining on his friend.

He picks himself up from the ground and walks towards the window.

Those beings' radar must've gone off since they were now scattered like ants around the shore and descending into the water.

Their species weren't yet confirmed, and he plans on finding it out for himself.

"I might have to meet up with Moon tomorrow."