Crashing Waves

Do Not Make Me Go.

"Ashton, your father just arrived. He requests your presence." Opal says as she shakes me awake.

"Okay I am coming." I say softly.

I get up and we go downstairs to meet with father. I knock on the door and wait for his permission to enter.

"Come in." I hear his strong voice.

I go in and Opal shuts the door behind me. I am alone with my dad.

"I have met with the humans that know about us. We have come to an agreement and I do not know how well you will like this." He says softly.

"Okay. What is it dad?" I ask anxious.

"They have sworn to secrecy if they are allowed to know more about our culture to know if we are dangerous or not. I have informed them that we will allow one of our people to live with them for a while." He explains.

"And how does that effect me?" I ask confused.

"You will live with them and teach them of our culture. This will also double as your punishment." He says.

"But dad!" I say loudly.

"Do not raise your voice young lady! You were the one who broke a law and now you must face the consequences. We will leave now. I will give you legs and you will be human. Come now." Dad says as I sulk.

We head to the door and I have a strange feeling inside of me.

"Dad, please do not make me go." I beg.

"I do not want you to leave Ashton. But it is the only way. It is not for forever. Come now. We must leave." He says softly as we go out the door.

The swim to the rock is utterly silent and I cannot help but to wonder what life will be like. Before I can get into details we arrive at the rock.

"I am going to give you legs now. There will be a woman on the shore with a towel. You will go to her and she will take care of you for now. I love you honey." Dad says softly before hugging me briefly.

"I love you dad." I say as we let go of each other.

Dad closes his eyes and mumbles a few words before I feel an oddness overcome me. I feel myself swirl and I close my eyes. The feeling ends and I take a deep breath, only to have a sinking feeling. I look to dad and see his pain as he pushes me to the surface.

I take a deep breath of air and I feel automatically better. I look around and see the woman with the towel. I try to swim to her but I cannot swim like I use to. I think back to how Lance swam and I try to swim like that. It works better than I expected.

I try to stand when I get to shore and I stumble.

"Here let me help you sweetheart." The woman says.

"Thank you." I say as she wraps a towel around me and then puts her arm around me to steady me.

"I'm Elizabeth. What's your name?" The woman asks.

"I am Ashton. Nice to meet you." I say with a small smile.

"When we get to the house, well get you some clothes and then we'll sit down and all talk." Elizabeth tells me.

"Okay thank you." I say softly as we continue to walk to their house.