Chapter 11: Chapter 11
The students stared at Kapella as she sat legged crossed on the chair in the hallway.
" That's her ".
" She's truly beautiful ".
" She's the reason they're fighting ". She could hear several voices from different directions as students pass by.
"They literally destroyed two brand new iPhone 12 just because of a silly fight, stupidly rich". She heard another voice and rose to her feet.
She was getting irritated by the voices.
She paused as she walked past a room and peeped in.
She could see students in swimming suit diving into the pool.
She pushed open the door and entered.
It seemed to be a swimming contest among the students.
"Kapella do you.....". A student was saying but she cut her short sharply.
"No Nancy, I don't swim although I haven't tried before or learned". Kapella said and stood beside her.
The students swam back and climbed up the concrete.
"I did it now, right?". A student asked.
"Not close". Nancy told her and stared at the stopwatch she held.
"Jake over there took thirty seconds to get here, you thirty-five, remember the goal is twenty seconds". She added and he nodded.
"Yeah. I'll be off for lunch then, thanks". He said and left with the other students in their wet suits.
"You do this all day at lunch hour? ".
"Yeah, it's fun, you can come here, it's safe, knowing fully well that you're some kind of fugitive now". Nancy said.
"That's right, I guess this place will be my refuge for today".
"Um Kapella".
"Yes..".
"My big Sis returned from Korea and she's having her birthday party like today".
"That's nice".
"Will you be free tonight? ".
"Um...". Kapella said and laughed.
"I noticed you don't go out a lot, it's just a birthday party, not some stripper party, there'll be a lot of influential people and delegates, it's really big, She's getting married to the son of the President of Korea". Nancy whispered.
"Wow! Really?".
"Yeah. So the birthday is gonna be in one of the biggest hotels cos there'll be a hell of a lot of guests, at least for once, go out Kapella, get to know people, I'll give you an invitation card, Cindy is coming as well".
"Huh?".
"Yeah. We go to birthday parties together, she says you ain't gonna come".
"That dumb girl".
"Will you?".
"I'll think over it".
"C'mon you don't have to think and also how about singing?".
"I don't get you, Nancy".
"You sang once at freshman year and then refused to sing again because you had a lot of suitors as a result of your charming voice".
"Don't flatter me, Nancy".
"You know it's true, My sister loves the record of the song and listens to it a lot, she always wishes to see you".
"I feel flattered".
"Nope. We're friends Kapella although not in speaking terms since this grade".
"Um-hum".
"Just honor my request for once Ella, it means a lot to me".
"All ears".
"Can you sing at my Sister's party tonight?".
"What?".
"Yeah. I told her I'm gonna bring you so please don't disappoint me".
"Seriously?".
"Yeah. I know it's big to ask".
"You mean I'm gonna sing in a party full of......".
"Influential people, the president's children will be there".
"Oh, my... Is that possible?".
"All you have to do is to come, the best way I could make her happy on her birthday is bringing the singer of her favorite song live on stage ".
" I'm gonna need some air after this talk ". Kapella said as she exhaled.
" Don't be nervous, you still have time to think about it ".
" You mean I'm gonna sing in a special party as I did in the freshman party ". Kapella said and Nancy hugged her.
"You're still nervous, you can do it, I know you, you got the courage".
"Alright, I'll think about it".
"And also on swimming, if you have interest, I'll always be here". Nancy said and she nodded.
"Nice speaking again as friends Nancy".
"An who is harboring the fugitive?". They heard a voice and turned to see Finn at the door.
Kapella gasped and Nancy held her hand.
"It's you, Nancy". He said.
"Finn". She said.
"You know him?".
"I do, we have a history but we're clear I have nothing to do with the Arrowood anymore".
"In exception of Candy". He said.
"You want to earn love, go learn from him, He's the only human in a family of vicious beasts".
"Stay away from this girl Finn, you ain't ruining her life like you ruin everyone else's".
"Like yours, Nan". He whispered and she slapped him across the face.
"I was childish and took advantage of it, Good, let's go". Nancy said as she dragged Kapella after her but Finn grabbed her arm.
"Let the girl go, Finn, you don't force people to love you, you earn it but people like you can't cos you're incapable of loving". She cursed and tears formed in his eyes.
"Watch your lips, Nancy".
"What are you gonna do?".
"How about the Arrowood crash your sister's party, our services are fast and reliable". He told her
"It's a presidential affair, a day in jail will do".
"You're right but if I can't earn love why not do the easier one, earn hate ". He whispered.
With one swift move, he grabbed Kapella by the waist and threw her into the pool as she screamed.
" No one goes in ". He roared at the students.
" Kapella! ". Nancy yelled and she made to dive in but Finn grabbed her neck to the wall.
" Now repeat all the shit you just muttered, Ex". He whispered.
Kapella could be seen drowning deep and deep into the pool as bubbles came from her mouth and nose.
She suddenly open her eyes as her body balanced in the water.
That was when she realized what was happening.
"I can breath". She thought.
"Finn, let me go, she isn't coming out, I'm begging you". Nancy cried trying to pull his hand off her neck.
"A pool bath will do her".
"She's drowning, she can't swim". She screamed.
"What!". Finn cursed and let go of her neck.
"Your arrogance is gonna get someone killed". She cursed and took off her red jacket.
"I'll go". He said moving toward the water.
"Stay back Finn". Nancy said and a hand from the pool laid on the concrete.
"Kapella?". Nancy said and rushed there.
Kapella arose from the water with her wet hair.
Finn quickly rushed to where she was to help her out but Nancy pushed him away.
She stretched her hand and helped her out.
"Are you alright?". She asked and she nodded.
"I thought you couldn't swim".
"Maybe I could". She whispered.
"C'mon let's dry your clothes, your insides are transparent now". Nancy said helping her up.
"Kapella I'm....".
"Don't be sorry Finn, Just stay away from my life". She warned and Nancy helped her out.
"What are you staring at ?". He roared at the students who focused on him.
..
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Flashback
..
..
"Elijah, let's get out of here". Mrs. Elijah called dragging his hand.
"Hold on". He said and he moved close.
"She's dead".
"The blood is fresh".
"Mermaids truly exist". She mumbled.
"They do". He replied and moved close.
"She isn't dead".
"How are you sure?".
"Dead mermaid under such scorching sun would dry up ".
" How do you know that? ". She asked.
" Does it really matter? ". He said and leaned close.
Her eyes suddenly opened and it was blue.
She gripped him swiftly and Mrs. Elijah gasped.
" Chi sei! ". She said in Italian which is been interpreted as 'Who are you? ".
"Hey calm, we're not here to harm you". Mr. Elijah promised.
"Who are you?".
"She speaks English, Good can you let go of my husband now".
"You're spies, who sent you". She said.
"What's she saying?". Mrs. Elijah said.
"I've no idea".
"The Hunters, they sent you". She said.
"Elijah, we need to go before she hurts you".
"Elijah?". She said.
"Elijah Marcus". She added.
"How do you know me?". He asked and she let go of him.
"C'mon let's go". Mrs. Elijah said dragging him.
"Jane, you haven't changed at all, fearful as hell". The Mermaid said.
"Do Mermaids read people's minds?". Mrs. Elijah asked.
"No we don't, only with our kind, take a good look, don't I remind you of someone". She said weakly.
"We're done with this madness, Elijah come let's go". She said.
"No".
"Hold on". Mrs. Elijah said and squatted low as she pushed the Mermaid hairs off her face.
She gasped and saw her face clearly.
"Anita".
"Anita?". Mr. Elijah asked.
"It's Anita, The beauty queen, my best friend at High School ". She whispered.