short story
I call to the great one. Hoping she hears me hoping anyone hears my cries. Grandmother had said these black algae were here before I was born and they took one of her brothers. She had said that they had surrounded our family casting this brown kelp around them. Capturing the young and pushing their mothers away. She said it was too horrible to say more. All she could remember was the pain their mother felt and the pain of all mothers losing their children.
We’ve roamed these vast blue halls for many years yet food is getting scarcer and scarcer. My brothers say it is because of the black algae with their unbitable kelp that take the fish. My grandmother always steers us clear of them, the fear of losing any of us is always on her mind.
Rushing through these vast halls my little sister cries for our mothers milk. But she has none to give. She cries and cries but there is none, all of my mothers and aunts have none to give. For they are hungry as well. I hear grandmother’s mournful moan. She knows that if we do not hunt, another of our family dies.
“Keya,” grandmother’s gentle voice boomed through the family. “Come beside me.”
Coming forward I’m beside her. “Scout ahead and see if there is food.”
Rubbing the side of her cheek, I rush forward with my brothers and aunt beside me. Sending my voice through the halls, they vibrate. I again call to the great one, hoping she hears my cries. She must have heard me for the halls vibrated back. With a strong push, I rush forward with my family following.
Finally, finally we can eat. Finally, my sisters and cousin will not go hungry. As we rush forward hope blooms in my heart.
“Keya look.” snapping ahead we stopped and circled. My hope diminished, replaced with anger.
The black algae had taken our food, our prey again. My brothers and aunt circled away but not I. No I knew for if we did not bring back good news we, our family would lose another.
Jumping up my heart grew with anger. Returning to our blue halls, my aunt pushed me back to the pod. I did not budge, instead I rushed forward and bit and I bit at the algae tearing it off. Spitting it out I then circled around it. Noise was heard but I rammed its hard side. My brothers protested but my aunt joined. She rammed the other black algae. We continued this until our prey was released. But even then I did not stop.
I only stopped when the algae parasite was knocked off. Rushing forward my teeth sank in. Blood was spilt. Parasites were screaming but I, I was screaming in happiness.
I pushed the parasite down into our deep halls, its breath getting weaker and weaker. Until finally it went limp. Rising our halls were dyed red as the parasites were scattering around the algae.
Huffing at them I turned back to my family. The parasite in my mouth.
My brothers must have called grandmother for she appeared in front of me. “Keya what have you done?” she boomed. “I have done what should have been done long ago. I have killed one of the black algae and taken one of its parasites. We could finally eat.” I told. “These blue halls have become less and less abundant. We have been pushed so far away and so hard that we cannot continue like this! We must rise up. We must release our rage, if you cannot do so then I will. I will be your rage!”
Years passed and my crusade of rage continued. My sisters were strong enough to join me. I was again scouting ahead when our halls vibrated. Looking up, the black algae which the parasites called a ship was above me. It stopped silently coming forward, I was about to bite its propeller when a bang was heard. Diving back down to our halls. I waited as more bangs were heard. Suddenly parasites already dyed in red were dumped into the water. Shouting was heard but it sounded joyful. Rising I peered at the parasite.
It squawked like those annoying buzzards. But then it caught sight of me and its brown eyes widened. A piece of the ship was attached to its chest but they swiftly removed it.
“Oi, what are you doing! Don’t tell me your going to pet her!” it’s ally squawked.
The parasite rounded on them to which they shrunk back. “She probably thinks were an enemy!” they hissed. Huffing at the obvious yet their tone had me inching forward. A curiosity I thought long gone drove me forward. “I swear, you can be really, If you call me delusional I’m gonna smack you.” they snapped.
A laugh came forward. Circling back to me their eyes were filled with a playful wonder. But they frowned as they took notice of my scars. “How long were they trying to hurt you?” is what their eyes said. A dark look crossed their face but then softness came. “Don’t worry Kamali, were here and we won’t let them hurt you.” A fire hydra had appeared in their eyes.
Moving their ship, a ‘protect you’ was heard.
