Uncharted Waters

  Uncharted Waters

  BY:

  Benji Groves

  Jaime isn’t like other girls, despite being into girls. She’s always come across as a tomboy, always appearing disinterested in everything in her boring life thus far. Thankfully for her, her boring life is forever changed by the seas when she goes for what should’ve been a simple swim. After all, what could be more interesting than being claimed by the sea, as one of its own?

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 - Lucky

  Chapter 2 - Drowned

  Chapter 3 - Am I Dead?

  Chapter 4 - First Impressions

  Chapter 5 - Why Can’t I?

  Chapter 6 - Weekend and Work

  Chapter 7 - Last Night

  Chapter 8 - Visiting

  Chapter 9 - Avoiding a War

  Chapter 10 - Let There Be Peace

  Chapter 11 - Clean Water

  Chapter 12 - The Face of My Enemy

  Chapter 13 - I Won’t Let You Stand Alone

  Chapter 14 - They Forced My Hand

  Chapter 15 - Hitting the Island

  Chapter 16 - Purpose

  Chapter 17 - Boy Do We Have A Story for You!

  Chapter 18 - You Won’t Take It from Us

  Chapter 19 - Invasion

  Chapter 20 - The Peaceful Life

  Chapter 21 - A Child of The New World

  Chapter 1 - Lucky

  Jaime

  "Jamie get down here, we're not done unpacking yet!" Mom shouted. Judging by that tone, I can’t tell if she is shouting because she is upset or because she thinks I can’t hear her. Not that either reason mattered, she knew I’m in a bad mood from having to move for the sixth. Fucking. Time!

  "Quit your whining,” I shout back as I walk back down the stairs of our brand-new blank average-sized grey brick house. We just moved here in Florida from California, and man I already hate it. Moving has always been a pain, and after enough times, I just quit trying to help the process. My dad is in the Navy, so you’d think I’m used to moving around a lot. and if you thought that, you’d be right, I am used to moving. But I hate it, and so after the third time I quit trying to pitch in, even when asked. Sadly dad is never home either, and mom works all day. Plus, no siblings, so I get the house all to myself, which is nice I guess, especially since we live on the beach. My parents are only cool with it because I'm 17 and I've learned over the years how to take care of myself. No thanks to them though.

  I walked down the hallway of our two-story new house that had empty, well……. everything. We literally just arrived here minutes ago. Still, it feels like there should’ve been something here, not sure what though.

  I grabbed a box and carried it into a room that overlooked the water. It was a simple room. Square, one massive window in the center of the left wall, the right was just blank. The north wall led to a bathroom. I’m gunna make sure this room is my room, if nothing because of the ocean-view. I sighed as I put the box down by the door. I really don’t want to do this right now……or later for that matter.

  "Mom I'm going to the beach,” I shouted.

  "Well, when will you finish unpacking?" She demanded.

  "When I get back. Promise,” I said as I walk back into the family room.

  "Fine. Go ahead,” She gave in, obviously too in distress to fight back.

  "Thanks,” I said as I put on my shoes and left. I walked down the street and onto the wooden bridge that led to the beach. The sky was bright blue, and the wind blew gently. It still felt hot though, or at least hotter than Cali. I kicked off my flip-flops and gently placed my feet on the hot sand and trudged towards the water. Many other teens were sunbathing, surfing, or swimming. Guess early afternoon is prime beach time, noted. I took off my red button up shirt so I was only in my sports bra and shorts as I waded into the warm water. I swam out a little deeper and the water was super salty. I had brought goggles too, so seeing wasn’t as big of a problem. That said however, Cali’s beaches had been way clearer, so compared to that this was kinda murky. I swam out pretty far before I came up with the thought that I should probably head back. The sky had gotten quite a bit darker too, which would explain why the waves seemed stronger now. I gasped for air as a few larger waves fell over my back, pushing me what felt like pretty deep under. I forced myself to come up through the waves, and instantly started panting. I looked over at the rest of the beach and saw everyone had left, that’s probably not a good sign. I swam hard against the growing currents and managed to finally make it to shore. “That was rough,” I said as I clawed my way up onto the sandy bumps and out of the water.

  I laid back on the sand and looked up at the night sky. I blinked as the rain began to fall on my face. Perfect! I should probably get home anyway, mom won’t be happy. I gathered my shoes and shirt and left for my new home. I really did need to finish unpacking my stuff. I yanked on the red shirt I’d previously taken off, and headed home.

  Cameron

  "Cameron! Don't ignore meeee..,” My girlfriend, Laney whined. As I turned to face her once more, I unintentionally bit my lip as her smooth pale skin glistened in the underwater sunlight before me, her radiant red hair floating behind her. Her freckles, sea green eyes, and pink lips all added to her beauty. Her purple and neon green tail swishing from side to side, keeping her stable in front of me. I tried keeping my eyes on hers, but her chest was a temptation not easily resisted. Looking at Laney now, it just reinforces my confusion as to why humans wear so much clothes? And on top of that, doesn’t it slow them down? Humans aren’t a necessarily unattractive species either, so shouldn’t they embrace their looks? I don’t know, the surface world is soo complicated! “Cameron!”

  "What do you want?" I asked a bit harsher than I meant to.

  "Don't be mean,” She teased as she playfully hit my arm.

  "What were you saying?!" I demand.

  "When are you going to the surface world again? Cause I wanna go with,”

  "I told you my mom deals with all that stuff. She rarely even takes me,”

  "Because you never asked to go!" Laney exclaimed.

  "Screw you,” I replied with a hiss.

  "You can screw me anytime,” Laney purred. I groan in frustration, running my hands through my hair, and Laney only laughed.

  Uuuuggghhh, There's no winning with her. I've known that since I met her and yet I still indulge her. I need to start learning from my past.

  I opened my mouth to retort but shut it after a while. I hate losing arguments. I hate losing period. but Laney always won when we argued, and she was the one person I truly didn't mind losing too.

  "By the way, why didn't you go hunting at the beach today?" I asked.

  "Well I did look around, but most of the humans didn't look good enough,” Laney pouted.

  "I feel you,” I agreed.

  "Ooooohhhhh, but I did see this one boy, and he looked delish. But he stayed too close to the other humans,” Laney said ecstatically but trailed off, “…so, I couldn’t get him, humans can be so frustrating sometimes!”

  "That usually doesn't stop you,” I said, surprised

  "Yeah but I know the rules, don't be seen,” Laney recited.

  "True,” I agreed.

  "I'm still hungry though,” She whined, and I chuckled.

  "Go check the ports or harbors, I'm sure some ships have to be leaving,” I suggest and Laney's eyes lit up with excitement.

  "You gonna come with?" She asked hopefully but I sighed, “Please?" She begged.

  "Fine,” I reluctantly agreed. Hunting at night is super easy anyway. I followed Laney to what she called "the yummy places,” She is such a picky eater, she'll only eat boys from about 18 to 35. Me, I honestly don't care. But obese, elderly or young kids are a big n
o no, period. Too hard to digest efficiently, plus, um that’s disgusting. We swam towards the docks from underwater and stopped several yards out. And remained submerged and ready. I nudged Laney and pointed to a late-night fishing boat. She nodded with an eager smile. Giving me the go ahead. We swam until we were about 10 feet from the boat.

  "Could you, you know. Do the thingy?" Laney asked.

  "You’re a hopeless hunter,” I chuckled and created a fairly decent sized wave that rocked the boat violently. Then I made another and another until the boat flipped. She’s even worse than Megan! Granted Megan is only 17, and her appetite is better than Laney’s but they both are lazy hunters and they both like to play with their food a bit too much.

  "Thank you,”

  "Uh-huh. Go get your dinner. We need to get home soon,”

  "You don't want any?"

  "Nah, I'm still full from yesterday,”

  "Suit yourself,”

  "I'll wait here,”

  "You’re no fun,”

  And without another word Laney swam off and drowned the human and pulled his corpse several yards away and picked him dry until only his bare-bones remained, and they sank to the bottom of the 200-foot-deep harbor. She swam back over to me and was still sucking on her fingers that still contained remnants of his flesh, namely his blood.

  "You happy now?" I asked.

  "Mmhmm. I'm good for a week,” She replied happily.

  "Girl, mermaids can go months without getting hungry,” I retorted.

  "Yeah, but I'm a growing woman, I need my food,” She whined, and I snickered.

  "Laney, will there ever be a time when you can go more than two weeks without eating?" I chuckled.

  "Maybe, but it ain't coming any time soon,” Laney snorted.

  "Probably not. But you’re going to get fat if you keep eating like this,” I replied and Laney chuckled.

  "Cameron, you know as well as I, mermaids are physically incapable of getting fat,” Laney stated proudly.

  "I know, I was joking,” I retorted, and Laney snickered.

  "Oh, I'm sure you were,” She said doubtfully.

  "Shut up,” I replied with a half grin.

  "You love me, and you know it,” Laney purred seductively and kissed my cheek.

  "What was our one rule?" I asked holding up my right index finger. My comment making Laney groan and swim in a circle before facing me once more.

  "No kissing right after eating,” Laney recited.

  "Correct,” I replied happily.

  "But it was on the cheek!" Laney argued.

  “Don't wanna hear it,” I replied playfully.

  I began to swim back because the water was still red from Laney's meal. Laney followed me, still ranting.

  "It's a stupid rule! You need to make a different one and throw that one away!" Laney yelled after me and I chuckled.

  "You’re not supposed to like them. If you did it wouldn’t be a rule!" I shouted back.

  "But still..,” She whined.

  "Girl, let it go! I ain't changing 'em,” I shouted back. I heard my girl huff with annoyance.

  "Fine,” She huffed.

  "You love me, and you know it,” I giggled back.

  "I know you did not just use my words against me!" Laney yelled as she playfully tackled me from behind. We spiraled downwards into the depths, both laughing.

  Just then I felt a massive vibration run through the water.

  "Shit!" I muttered under my breath and Laney giggled as she unattached herself from me.

  "Someone's late,” She sang happily.

  "Laney..,” I warned but she only giggled.

  "See ya girlfriend,” She sang as she swam home.

  I sighed as I swam home in a hurry, my mom is scary when she gets mad.

  Chapter 2 - Drowned

  Jaime

  I went home and unpacked the rest of my stuff. By this point though, my room had been set up by the moving truck people. Thankfully I didn’t have to do too much, my bed against the right wall against the huge window, sofa on the left, and my mini TV on the south wall. I placed my books on my bookshelf that was by my closet. I hung up my mirror right over my TV. Finally, I plugged in my PS4. I sighed as I checked my looks in the mirror.

  I combed my long brown hair, so it rested on my right shoulder in the form of a ponytail. I reapplied my lipstick and sighed contently. I look good the way I am, and I know it, therefore an abundance of makeup is kinda pointless in my opinion. Other girls judge me for it all the time though. Not that I care, I'm not looking to impress anyone. I'm already an outcast as it is, being a lesbian kinda does that……in most cases at least. But again, I honestly don't care.

  I changed from my drenched shirt and shorts to a pair of white baggy cargo shorts and a black tank top. I grabbed my headset and controller and flipped on my TV and ps4, and hopped on my couch, flipping on my side so o could see the tv. I scrolled through the menu on the primarily blue screen until I found my favorite game and pressed start, the screen zooming in on the application. I also received an invitation to a party chat with my best friend, Johnny.

  "Hey bro. How ya been?" I asked.

  "I've been good, been dealing with my BFF moving away from me,” Johnny joked.

  "Yeah, sorry about that..,” I chuckled awkwardly.

  "It's fine.”

  "So what game are you playing today?"

  "Assassins Creed 4,”

  "You still haven't beat it?" I laughed.

  "It takes time. I only got the game a week ago,” he pleaded.

  "I beat games the week I get them,” I bragged.

  "Meehhh,” He said in a defeated tone.

  "Winning,” I laughed.

  "If you brag one more time, I'm going to mute you,” He warns. I fake gasped.

  "You wouldn't dare.”

  "I would though,” He joked back and we both laughed. We talked for a bit longer and then mom got home from work and told me to turn it off and go to bed. Which is great parenting might I say! Truly spectacular! Your working all day away from home the day after we got all our stuff unloaded by the movers, and then you come home and tell your 17-year-old daughter to turn off her gaming system and go to bed before even saying hi to her. Ten out of ten for parental performance.

  “gotta go Johnny, mom’s shouting,” I said, though it came out with a heavy apologetic tone, which was accurate. Johnny was the one relationship I have done my damnedest to maintain and not ruin, and in turn he’s been there for me through thick and thin, he’s my rock I guess I could say. Or at least, he’s the main one that still talks to me. My older step sister, Kayla, would be the other one. But she isn’t around enough to have the same effect. When I asked our mutual parent, dad, he said something along the lines of, “she’s out living her life.” Which for me, translates directly to: don’t count on her being here for you.

  “no worries, I understand. Peace J, take care.”

  “you do the same,” I smiled even though I know he couldn’t see it. However, my smile vanished after I yanked off my headset.

  After she went to bed I turned on the nightly news, good idea to stay informed. The first thing I read and heard was about some killing in a harbor. And that they haven't found the bodies yet.... or the killers. Not for lack of trying though it seems, there was quite the number of police boats on the screen, patrolling the harbor. I scoffed in disbelief, nice and safe new neighborhood huh, and turned off the TV. A great start to yet another boring life. I took out a pen and paper and wrote mom a note that said I was going to the public beach.

  The beach should be safe, it’s located a few miles away from that harbor so whatever killed those people shouldn’t be there, or at least I hope it’s not. I don’t care about some killing in a harbor, I mean it’s unfortunate but still. I probably should be asleep too, but I’m too awake right now. Besides, the beach is safe for the most part around here, if it wasn’t, people wouldn’t go there that much. I don’t know, maybe I am careless, but right now I want
to swim. And ya know, considering I already fulfilled my promise of unpacking the rest of my stuff, mom shouldn’t be able to complain.

  After grabbing some trunks, a sports bra, and my phone, I left. I walked down the walkway and sat on the sand. I saw some people far away setting off fireworks. The Stars glowed, the waves crashed against the shore and the moon illuminated it all. It’s so majestic and peaceful, I love it. Grabbing my goggles and pulling them over my eyes. I stripped off my shirt and shorts and waded into the cool water. Swimming against the waves and I ended up going underwater for a bit. I felt the seaweed graze my body. I resurfaced to get air and turned around to go back to the shore.......but I couldn't see it. Great….. Just then something grabbed my leg and yanked me under.... they felt like hands, I sucked up as much air as I could as I went down. I began to kick and thrash as the thing pulled me further and further down. I managed to get free and make it to the surface once again and I swam madly for wherever I saw light. I felt the water beneath me beginning to move, whatever pulled me under was coming after me. I swam harder, my heart pounding and my body aches, but I’m not dying here. I pushed on, with every ounce of my being. Whatever that thing is, it’s faster than me but it didn't try to pull me under again, it just swam beneath me. It was like it was toying with me. But then the water calmed beneath me and I was almost to the shore. And that's when everything went black, the last thing I felt was me being pulled under the water and I heard a girl giggling.

  Chapter 3 - Am I Dead?

  Cameron

  "Cameron what have I told you about sneaking out?" Mom said disappointedly.