A Magical Beginning

I was walking along the docks with Alisa, Mia, Julie, and my dad. Today was the day. The day I finally go near water again. It’s my 14th birthday. Sure it’s not a new credit card or $500, or a car but, it’s what my mom wants.

I was promised by her that we would go on an all-out fishing trip on our boat when I turned 13 years old. That day still haunts me. I finished her promise for my self. Even though she isn’t here to see it.

I zoned out remembering that day like it was yesterday. I remember the semi chill warm air. The splash of the water on my skin. The echoing rumble of the gunshots going through my body.

I was staring at the water, my mind phasing from the docks to the image I see in front of me. The day scaring my head. “YARA!”

I snapped out of my daze when I saw Alisa grab a board from the dock and stand in front of me. A speedboat came zipping past. And as it turned a splash of water came. Alisa put the board up at the perfect moment to block me from the water. Now I feel bad she got her clothes wet. At least she wasn’t drenched in seawater.

“Oh sorry Alisa, I was... thinking?” Mia and Julie turned and looked at me, then back to Alisa then to me again, and so on and so on. We all burst out in laughter. No matter what situation we were in we always found a way to still laugh and smile.

“It’s no problem Yara, just stop daydreaming,” Alisa said in her most caring tone, with her natural hint of sarcasm. Even though it was more like day nightmaring. I just smiled and we kept walking along the docks to my dad’s boat.

My dad, James, was a fisherman. He would go on huge ships or simple small ones. He would deliver packages overseas and what not. He’s been on a ton of trips but me, none. I have Hydrophobia, an extreme fear of water. Alisa, Mia, and Julie know. My boyfriend knows. But no one else.

Sure I drink water and wash my hands and bathe, but swimming, going to beaches, boating, and kayaking. No way. “You know it’s your birthday and all Yara, and this is your mom’s gift to you but we have an even better gift for you.” I turned around to face Mia as she spoke. “Unless it’s a million dollars, Necci’s funeral, AND no hydrophobia then nothing is greater than this gift. We all laughed.

Necci is a little miss malibu barbie of the 8th grade. She’s always trying to be better. Win at everything, be the cutest, and the sassiest. And she is always flirting with MY boyfriend Emmanuel. She is a total annoyance.

We kept talking and I kept walking backward. I thought if we were going to talk I wanna see their faces at all the silly things Julie and Alisa say. I kept walking until I bumped into something. I tripped forward and tried to dodge a bucket of water on the walkway. But me being my clumsy self I didn’t I fell on top of the bucket on my side. I almost rolled into the water. But someone grabbed my hands.

I looked up to see Emmanuel. He had messy dark brown hair.= and crystal blue eyes. I jumped up and hugged him. I thought he wasn’t coming today. He is supposed to be in the UK with his family on a trip. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane over the North Atlantic?”

He just laughed and smiled. Oh, his laugh. He is just adorable. “My mom let me stay to see you away on your first in a lifetime boating trip. After ‘your’ 3 Best Friends came to my door and begged my mom to let me stay.”

We all laughed. My friends were so persistent when it came to me. I feel bad that they worry about me so much. I mean. They don’t need to get rid of their personal lives for me.

I hugged Emmanuel all the way to the boat. When we got there I saw my uncle Laurence. I waved. to him. He did the same back and continued to talk to my dad. “So rule number one, You must at least feel the water 50 times on your trip. 1 week is enough for that. Rule number 2 go snorkeling 3-5 times. rule number-”

I interrupted Mia with a confused look. “Woah Woah wait! What are these ‘RULES’ for exactly? And why the heck are you giving me rules?!” Everyone laughed except me and Mia. “Mia girl over here made a list of rules for you to do so that way 1: you lose your hydrophobia, and 2: for you to have fun.”

I just laughed, “Okay what are these rules then?” I was actually interested. I do want to get over my hydrophobia and have fun as well. “Okay then Rule number 3: Fish,”

I kept listening to the rule Mia gave me. They were more like a to-do list, but according to Mia they are mandatory making them ‘rules’. I went over to my uncle. He was the best. He would always give me a photo of a trip or of my mom. He was the best.

“Oh my god. Don’t you dare tell me this is my niece Yara? I thought she was 3 years old!” I laughed. He wanted me to stay young and act young. Maybe that’s why he’s a child sometimes. “Nope, this is 13 years old Yara uncle Laurence.”

He chuckled. “Well then as I remember if you’re 13 then today is the day you finally get on a boat. Am I correct?” I just smiled “Yup this is the day. The day I keep her promise.”

“Well, what are you waiting for girl, get on that boat!” I heard Julie say from behind me. Emmanuel was smiling, Alisa had a video camera, and Mia was just standing there jumping up and down and being giddy. I turned around and my dad was already on the boat ready for me to get on.

I took 3 deep breaths and took 1 step forward. Then another step. But I stopped at the edge of the dock. *Thump* I heard a certain sound and walked backward away from the boat. emmanuel caught me. He whispered in my ear, “It’s just the water splashing against the dock, just breathe, walk and hop on.”

I breathed and walked forward again. *Thump Thump Thump* I stood still and ignored it. I walked forward again I got to the rim and was about to take a step on to the boat but I looked down at the water and stopped with my foot mid-air. I put my foot back down and stared at the water.

I took deep breathes and blocked everything out. If they were shaking me I couldn’t feel it. If they were talking I couldn’t hear it. if blogging were waving their hands in my face or running frantically I couldn’t see it. I opened my eyes and I was surrounded by water. Just me and the ocean. I looked down. it felt like I was on the ground but I saw barren water beneath me.

I looked around I saw a figure It was Cassy. it was my mother. She was with mermaids. I ran towards her and she saw me. The mermaids disappeared and she fled. I chased after her. I felt like I was as fast as the speed of sound. Very abnormal. I caught up with her and grabbed her arm, “Mom wait.” She turned around. I saw her face. Her tan skin, her big brown eyes her ever so perfect brows. I saw her. “Oh, princess. You are a gift. You are magical, Beautiful, and precious. And I’m sad to say and hear that you’re not mine.” Was it me or did she slow down on that mine part?

“What do you mean I’m not yours? You are Cassy Jones, right?” I asked holding her arm tighter. “I am Cassy. But you’re not Yara Jones.” I looked scared and confused. Is it true you find out your life’s secrets when you die or what. She is scaring the living crap out of me. “Mom what? The who am I? What is my name?”

She shook her head. “All I can say is you will find out in mear minutes. You will find out yourself.” She kissed me on my forehead. “No, wait. At least give me a hint a middle name, nickname something.” I looked at her with pleading eyes. Eyes yearning for information, eyes with deep concern. Eyes from a girl who is now considered as unknown.

She floated away and she smirked. She went away slowly. At this point, I wish the speed was still around because when I went after her I was very slow. Almost like a tortoise. “Good-bye, Yuna,” I saw her smirk. There’s my hint. “Now get on that boat, I always keep my promises.” She blew me a kiss and it felt like a wave going over my body because I closed my eyes and when I opened them I was back at the docks.

I breathed in and out for the last time in fear and for the first with excitement. I think they noticed this because Alisa spoke. “Finally it’s been 10 minutes. You just stood there. Your dad is over here saying, ‘Give her time’ and me the girls, and your BF is over here saying ‘Is she gonna live’, ‘Is she in shock’, ‘Is she having a stroke’. Would you step on that boat already? I know your grandchildren don’t want to watch an hour or more of you standing still.”

I walked forward and looked at the water. This time I saw Cassy and she was smiling and waving. I smiled back. I put My foot up and stepped on the boat. My dad grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I was on a boat. I was over water. For the first time in my life, I was happy and excited to be surrounded by water. I felt like I was home. Like the world was my oyster.

I smiled. Emmanuel, Alisa, Mia, Julie, and my uncle clapping. Along with, Ms... Ms.Cristy? I waved. My dad must have seen the look on my face and he answered my question. “Ms. Cristy got off of her job early and also came to send you away. I smiled. Not just any smile. A smile that I would be proud of. A smile Cassy would be proud of.

“Well, I’m off to take your friends to a restaurant and send them home okay. Bye James dear, bye Yara.” My uncle let the ropes down. I waved back to my family and friends. This is the best day of my life.

~~~~~~3 Hours later~~~~~~

Laurence POV

I was resting. Thinking about Yara. oh, she’s grown up alright. Very pretty and mature. Just like Cassy. Oh, I miss her. That croc was put down. Said it was too dangerous for it to be in a park, zoo or whatever. All I know was I was the one who shot it. I was the one who killed that beast.

I opened my eyes when I heard something from the radio. I turned it up and listened.

“The ocean storm from the gulf is heading northward up to Miami, Florida. It is a Cat 4 Hurricane. We are Alerting all Fishermen and civilians near South Florida, and the east coast states up to Deleware and probably Rhode Island. I repeat a Cat 4 Hurricane I headed for the areas of South Florida, and the East coast up to Rhode Island. This is Matt Rogers, signing out.”

“Crap, Yara, and James,” I said aloud. I need to call Cristy, James, and get all fishermen off this dock. “Hey!” I called to nearby fishers. I saw some were already rushing out and away. “We need to clear this dock, there’s a storm coming pack your thing tightly secure and tie your boast up sturdy and safe. Get a move on. It’s a Cat 4 storm! Spread the word around!”

Now to call Cristy. I looked in my bag and grabbed my phone. I dialed her number and I heard her pick up. “Hello?” I sighed in relief. I thought she wasn’t going to answer.

“Cristy, yeah it’s Laurence. I need you to get the kids out of there and back home now.”

“Laurence, what’s wrong? What’s happening?”

“Cristy there’s a Cat 4 hurricane headed here and the rest of the east coast. I need you to tell the restaurant workers and leave quickly.”

“Wait, What!”

I could hear the restaurant come to a halt and silence.

“What do you mean by Cat 4 Hurricane?”

“Cristy I mean If you don’t leave and get those kids home in 20 minutes you’ll be in a hurricane.”

With that, she hung up. I’m guessing to leave. I called James and told him the same thing. I was on the phone with him for a while. I also got in my car and started heading to home myself. I was still talking to James.

“So how far out are you James?”

“About 240 miles to 400 miles out.”

“Darn the storm is close. Could you make it back in time?”

“No, My boat can go to 100 knots. It would take me another 6 hours to get back and the storm comes in 10-20 minutes. Laurence, what do I do?”

“You put up those flags I put in there. And to the cabin. There are 10 bags of oxygen in there, a lifeboat, life jackets, extra food in bags, and 20 flares. Prepare. That’s all I can tell you. Prepare.

I heard him tell Yara to do a few things and calm down. He started mapping out where the storm might lead them. If the current it’s going on is correct and continuous, They might end up in Maryland, Deleware, or New Jersey. Their end started to break-up. I heard Yara on the other side.

“DAD!”

“Yara not now. Get those sails. What did you say Laurence I couldn’t hear you?”

“I can barely hear you, James. Hold on.” I stepped out and went out for a better signal.

“DAD!”

“Yara would you wait calm down! Laur-zzzz zzz zzz hear me? Laurence - zzz zzz zz-ere hel-zz Laurence!

“DAD!”

“Oh, cr-zz! Laurence, Ge-z zzz Guard get - zzzz zz - lp

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The line went dead. Oh lord please help them. I can’t lose them too.

Alisa POV

Ms. Cristy, My mom yup my mother, just stood up so quick and yelled. The whole restaurant was staring. The words I did not want to hear, I just heard come out of her mouth. ” Wait, WHAT? What do you mean by Cat 4 Hurricane?” Everyone had a look of fear written across their face. Mia had her hand to her mouth along with my mother.

Everyone started to leave but the waiters and waitresses were telling them to stay calm and stay seated but they weren’t having it. Then Julie had her portable radio on. I and the girls listened to it while mom went to talk to the manager or someone.

“The storm is moving northward at this moment toward Miami, Florida. In 20 to 10 minutes the storm should be in full swing and move along the current or on the same path as the current toward the rest of the east coast. Again Alerts will be sent out and the Coast Guard will be picking up Fishermen Along the way.” Julie turned it off.

We all had mortified looks on our faces. I didn’t care about no one else but Yara. She’s out there. On the open ocean, alone with no one but her father. In a Cat 4 Hurricane. She is supposed to be getting rid of her Hydrophobia not gaining it up more and more.

Probably after this, she wouldn’t go near the water she might never think of water. Heck consider her allergic to major bodies of water, do puddles count.

“Ladies and gentlemen please settle down. Everyone may leave when all is paid and certain please settle down and we can finish this in 30-40 minutes.” Everyone burst out in rage and they wanted out.

I can’t believe this fool was willing to hold people captive for money in a freaking hurricane. A cat 4 hurricane. I have had enough. I stood up the table and shouted. “HEY!”

Everyone turned to me and Mia, Julie, and Ms. Cristy looked at me like I was crazy. “You Mr. Business man will let everyone out of this place so they can go home safely! I can’t believe you would hold people captive to fill your own greedy desires! They have families! Some are here with children! Now I suggest you let these people out! Because there will be no need for your restaurant if there is no one here to come! Now, Let... Us... OUT!”

The man stared at me. He put his head down. “Alright everyone out. Macey, get all files for the people here tonight. And Jack, get the supplies packed up, Others help them out. Now everyone go home safely. I pray for you.”

With that everyone rushed out with their things and left as quickly as they could. We followed my mom out of the place and to her car. It was raining really hard now. I was really worried. Wait! Emmanuel!

He’s either in a taxi or on a plane going up the east coast. The plane might run in with the storm. “Hey, we should call Emmanuel, let him know.” Julie shook her head, “No he will be even more worried for Yara then he might already be we can’t cause him so much sorrow.”

“Are you crazy, Julie think we are not calling for Yara, we are calling for him. He could be in a taxi or on a plane heading for New York. He could get caught in the hurricane.” I told her.

We worry for Yara to much. Especially me. blogging is also my birthday gift. We are practically twins. I and Yara were born on the same day and time in the same hospital. We just have different Parents. Coincidence huh?

She is like my sister. I’ve been with her for as long as I can remember. I hate to see her hurt. I remember the day some boy threw a bucket of cold water on her. She went in shock. I was there. Holding her close and tight. Mia and Julie beat the crap out of him. I can’t imagine losing her.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Mia spoke. “Well, too late I already texted him when you were on the table.” I sighed in relief. Mom started the car. I hope she’s alright. I really do. I can’t lose my sister.

Emmanuel POV

I felt my phone vibrate and I looked at it. It was a text from Mia.

Check the news radio

Why?

Just check it. It’s critical

Like deadly critical

K then

“Hey,” I tapped on the plastic separating the front from the back. “Turn on the radio. News station please.” the guy nodded.

“The storm is moving northward at this moment toward Miami, Florida. In 20 to 10 minutes the storm should be in full swing and move along the current or on the same path as the current toward the rest of the east coast. Again Alerts will be sent out and the Coast Guard will be picking up Fishermen Along the way.”

The guy had a shocked expression on his face. He looked in the mirror toward me. “Hey, mon yuh wa mi to tun round an guh back or drop yuh off somewhere?”

I nodded, “Yeah turn around and take me to 347 Cherry-Maple lane.” The guy stopped reset his meter and turned it off and reset his GPS. “No need fi funds dis ride free inna dis situation.”

I nodded. I started to text Mia again.

Where are you guys headed?

To Alisa’s house at Cherry-Maple. Why?

I’m going to be there. Wait for

me okay.

K gotcha

What Cat is the

storm

Cat 4 hurricane

I was so worried about Yara. I don’t want her to die. This was her and Alisa’s day to relieve the stress of her phobia. I banged my hand on the plastic. The guy shook and turn around. My head was leaning on the back of the front seats

Why is mother nature a bitch, why?

Yara POV

I was in the cabin on my computer on youtube watching documentaries on mermaids. They are cruel creatures. When I was little my theories about mermaids having Cassy underwater could have been correct. If they weren’t proven that it wasn’t mermaids it was actually a killer croc.

I also looked up the name Yuna. It’s just some singer. Why would Cassy call me Yuna then? I had no Idea. I went up to the deck and saw my dad with the lines and the sails. “Hey, dad.” I greeted him. He looked up and smiled. “Hey princess. So what do you think.” He motioned toward the vast blue waters surrounding us. I remembered when I was little and I loved the water. I may have been only three but the time I loved it was still in my head. “It’s fun and beautiful. Did you know Mia gave me a list of things to do? They seem fun.”

“And what would be on that list exactly?” I had a smirk on my face. “Well, one that she wanted us to do together was, snorkeling.” His smile turned into a blank face. “No.” Then he turned around and went back to fiddling with the sails.

“I huffed, “Oh, come on dad. I know about that story it’s okay. Everyone has that 1 embarrassing moment.” “When my dad was on a field trip, he went snorkeling. Sadly there was a reef or something. It grabbed his swimming trunks and yeah you can guess the rest.

“Fine but I see one thing, one simple thing and we turn around and go back to the boat.” I nodded eagerly. I shivered a little. One thing was for sure. It’s gonna get real cold out here. “Hey dad, Imma go and get my jacket from the cabin, I’ll be right back.”

I went down the ladder and went to our suitcases. I opened mine and looked around for my jacket. I found it and put it on. Then my dad’s phone rang. I walked over to the shelf and looked at it. My uncle was calling.

I quickly ran up to the deck. “Hey, dad! Uncle Laurence is calling.” I handed him the phone. “Hey, Laurence what’s up.”

While my dad was talking I went back down to the cabin again to get my computer and bring it up to the dock. I like blogging or doing post online about whats going on in my life. I took it out of its water safe, and other natural elements protective case.

As I was climbing up the ladder I heard my dad yelling. “Laurence what do mean?! You said it was safe to come out today!” He stopped and listened. “Laurence I can’t lose her. No. I can’t. Please tell me it’s a wrong forecast. Please tell me it’s not true.”

What was he talking about? Can’t-lose who? Ms.Cristy? I climbed up quietly hoping he didn’t hear me. I hid behind some barrels. “So you’re telling me a Cat 4 hurricane is headed toward this boat? The boat me and my daughter are on?”

Wait, what?! I stood up and gasped with my hand on my mouth. My dad turned to me. His face plastered with worry as he stared at me. I started to hyperventilate. Here is where my hydrophobia kicks in. I looked around surrounded by water and images and thoughts of a hurricane came rushing to my head giving me a migraine.

I lay down in a fetal position. I hugged my legs so close and tight toward me. I can’t die no, no, no. “Hey Yara, I know this is bad and as bad as it seems we can still get through this. But I need your help. Please overcome this not for me, nor for you. But for us okay.”

My chest was tight and I was breathing heavily. He’s right. But how do I do that? How can I overcome a fear that developed at the young age of 3? “Yara, please snap out of it you have to snap out.” He was shaking me.

I closed my eyes and sealed them shut tightly. “Yuna.” I heard a voice I’ve never heard before. “Oh, Yuna.” I opened my eyes and I was in a hospital room. There was a lady with red hair and a man with blonde hair. The lady was holding a baby. I walked closer and they didn’t see me. I waved my hand in their faces. “Um hello?”

They didn’t see me. I looked at the baby. The lady was cradling her. I looked at the baby’s eyes. She had light brown eyes. Almost like mine. I looked closer seeing as they couldn’t see me. And I saw her face. Features that looked so similar to mine. I backed up and the father came to pick her up. Well, who I’m guessing was the father. “Look at my little princess.”

then a crash was heard from the hallway. I turned around and looked at the door. There was another crash but this time a... Fairy-like lady came flying back like she was thrown or tossed. I ran toward the door I looked at the other end of the hall. there were 3 ladies that didn’t look too friendly.

The one of the 3 spoke, “Give up yet Miss Solaria?” The fairy got up slowly. She was in pain. She had scratches and bruises all on her. “Not yet Icy. Now leave.” The lady just laughed and the other 2 joined in. “Icy you heard Stella. Leave now or be sent to oblivion. again for your what, tenth time?

I looked over the one in blue’s shoulder. There were now a group of fairies. I have to be seeing things. “Trix leave Yuna and Bloom alone. Or else.” I turned around and the guy from earlier was there he had a sword in his hands. It was glowing blue like it was some kind of lightsaber but it was a sword.

One of the ladies laughed maniacally. “Oh, you stupid fairies you underestimate us witches.” She threw her hands up in the air and a dark cloud formed above her. She smirked, “Chaotic Power!”

Dark black and blue portals formed everywhere sucking everything that it could in. I had to hold on to the corner of a wall to hang on. What the heck is going on?! I climbed up and held on. There were some in the hospital room as well. The lady was holding on close to the baby with one hand while the other was on the rail.

I looked around for something to stop the hole but not get sucked in itself. I found a cart I emptied it off and threw it at the portal. The portal kept sucking air in but it was blocking enough to stop pulling human beings. She got up confused. She walked into the hall. Right as she stepped forward some kind of blast hit her and she fell back.

The blonde guy came to her. He looked around frantically. The baby was gone. I looked to and I saw one of those witches holding her. “Oh how precious and cute. But it’s too cute for me. Darcy, be a dear get rid of it.” I don’t know what came over me. I ran to the man and grabbed some kind of knife or dagger. I threw it at the one witch. It hit her arm. Painfully, suggesting by the shriek she made. She turned and looked at the man.

“Okay, Prince boy this is the last time I deal with you. DARK STORM!” And here comes more Witch magic. I threw a silver platter plate thing in front of the blast and blocked it. They were all so confused. “Oh forget them Darcy give her to me.” The one in blue said. I think her name was Icy. Icy grabbed the baby and threw her into a portal.

I shrunk. She just killed a baby. WHO DOES THAT! A NEWBORN BABY JUST TOSSED LIKE IT’S A BALL! My thoughts were interrupted by a deafening shriek. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

I turned to the lady, Bloom was what they called her. She was on the ground bawling her eyes out. Her husband was next to her. He looked away from Bloom still holding her. He stared at the 3 witches with a death glare. If looks could kill they’d be 12ft under. “I’ll have your head for this.” Then Witch Icy just laughed.

“I’d like to see you try little prince Sky. Well, our mission is done here. Sisters lets go.” The Darcy one made a globe of black magic and the poof. They were gone. I closed my eyes and opened them to see my dad shaking me frantically. I stood up swiftly. “Okay let’s go what do we have to do.”

He got up and smiled. “Hold on.” He put the phone back to his ear. He was talking to Uncle Laurence. “Okay, I need you to put the sails down and untie them quickly okay.” I nodded and went for the sails. I climbed the post till I got to the hooks that the sails were tied to. I untied them careful not to cut them. We would need it if we ever got out of this.

I slid down the pole and tried to pull the sails down. I turned to my right and saw it. The biggest storm I have ever seen. “Dad!” I turned to him he shook his hand “Yara not now. Get those sails. What did you say Laurence I couldn’t hear you.”

I ran to the edge of the boat. I saw it. It was huge and I could feel the winds from it blow past my face. My hair was constantly in my face. I snapped out of my daze. A cat 4 hurricane can move as fast as 50 to 80 miles per second. So that thing is getting closer each moment we’re standing here. “DAD!” I hope he heard me. I turned around and he was looking at the map.

“Yara would you wait calm down. Laurence, can you hear me? Laurence are you there hello. Laurence!” I looked at the storm it was faster it was close, then closer. Then the storm was just 10 miles away. “DAD!!” He finally looked up from the map. “Oh crap,” It was fast. “Laurence, get the guard,” It was closer. “Get some help!” It was right here. I ran toward my dad as a wave came. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

The boat was tossed and he dropped the phone in the water. I’ll go just like the way my mom did. Drowned. But at least I’ll go by keeping her promise. Then the wave grew bigger. Then it washed over us. Goodbye.