The Mermaid Secret

• Katelyn Papakostas, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2013

ORIENTATION:

"Come on Sky, it's Christmas morning! Get out of bed and let's go to the Christmas tree!" Yelled Violet into Sky's ear,
"Alright, alright I'm coming!" Replied Sky, as she jumped out of bed and ran down stairs.
When they got to the tree their brother, Zack, was already there waiting, and their Mum, Alyssa with the video camera ready and their Dad, Andrew watching,
"Ok Sky, you're not going to get your present till last" said Alyssa
"But why?" "No buts, just go with it."
"Fine!" And she waited...

After her brother and sister had finished opening her presents, it was sky's turn, but she realised there was only one for her,
"Ok, now Sky, here is your present." Said Andrew,
"Thank you" replied sky,
The wrapping paper was beautiful, blue with ocean swirls and fish on it, she ripped open the wrapping paper and saw... She gasped.
" Your Mono Fin, you said you've had it since you were my age right?" Said Sky,
" Yes I have, but now I think it should belong to you." Said Alyssa,
"Thank you sooo much, but, how come we all got some sort of water object when we don't have a pool, and, why are all the curtains closed." Questioned Sky,
" Well, that's because.." Alyssa walked over and pulled open the curtains,
"We have a pool!" Exclaimed Alyssa,
"Wow, did that happen when we were in Queensland" asked Zack,
"Yep!" Said Andrew,
"Let's go swimming!" Yelled Sky, and the three children ran and got changed.

When they were outside getting ready to get in the pool, when Sky realised a small dark spot in the corner of the deep end, that looked like it had a crystal glowing inside it, almost immediately, Sky jumped in, put her Mono Fin on and swan deeper, her brother and sister weren't allowed in the deep end so they stood staring at what she was doing,
She realised it was a carve in he pool that was the exact shape of her Mono Fin, she quickly ducked up for a breath and swam back down again, she took off her Mono Fin and pressed it against the carved shape, and everything around her went white, her legs glued together and her Mono Fin grew higher up to her waist, and turned a vibrant shade of blue and shiny scales grew on top, she started breathing underwater and then the white disappeared, and then she saw the Underwater Kingdom of Omarine

"Woooow" Sky exclaimed, " This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen! It's like a dream come true!" Sky continued, "I can't believe it!"

This kingdom was the Kingdom of Omarine, and underwater kingdom that is hidden somewhere in earths oceans, no one have ever heard of it, and neither had Sky, until now.
It had beautiful coral decorations everywhere, and fairly modern shops made from different pieces of large coral and houses made out of large clam shells, Sky could see lots of mermaids swimming around the place, and in the distance she could see the castle, she noticed a part of it disappeared, but then she heard a voice...
" Ah Sky, I have been expecting you for some time now." It was the Queen of Omarine, Queen Aquamarine,
" You know me? Who are you?" Sky questioned
" I am Queen Aquamarine, Queen of Omarine, And beleive it or not, I have known your mother, Alyssa, for some time now, when she first came here, the same way you did, I was 12 aswell, we were the best of friends." Replied Queen Aquamarine,
" You knew my mum?" Said Sky,
" Yes, I did, and I know all about that Mono Fin of yours too, I made it. But there is no time for anymore questioning, as you have probably seen, our kingdom is slowly starting to disappear, and there is nothing we can do to stop it, but I am hoping you can still make the most of your time here. " Said Queen Aquamarine.
" Oh I'm sure I will have the time of my life!" Said Sky excitedly.
" Good, now, let me take you on a quick tour." Said Queen Aquamarine,
" Sounds like fun.," replied Sky.

So they then went on the tour, Sky was quided by two mermaids, Zoe and Cleo, they showed her the Main Street with all the shops, the main neighbourhood, the parks and of course the palace, the palace was a lovely light shade of blue coral and was very large, they went in side and Zoe and Cleo showed Sky the Queens headquarters, they met up with the Queen, she looked worried...
" Sky we don't have much time left, the Kingdom is starting to disappear faster than it was before, before anything to bad happens, I want you to have this, it's a see shell, it will show you what this kingdom used to be and the significant history events, even when your mother was here. " said Queen Aquamarine,
" Thank you so much, I can't believe I have to leave so soon..." Said Sky,
" I know, it is much saddening, but what has to be done, has to be done." Replied Queen Aquamarine,

Then suddenly, the whole Kingdom stated shaking, like an earthquake,
" What's happening!?" Sky asked,
" I'm afraid it's time to end your journey Sky, you must head home before this whole place disappears, and the mermaids, and you get lost here forever" replied Queen Aquamarine,
" But I want don't want to leave yet!" Yelled Sky,

Then they both peered outside, and saw buildings disappearing, fish swimming away and not talking anymore, and worst of all, mermaids turning to dust... Then suddenly, they saw Zoe and Cleo turn to dust,
" Sky come here!" Said Queen Aquamarine,
" What are you doing?" Asked Sky,
" I am putting a spell on your mono fin so you can get out of here and never come back" replied Queen Aquamarine,

And suddenly there was a burst of blue magic, and everything around Sky started to turn white again,
" Goodbye Sky, Always remember this as a part of you, I will see you soon" Said Queen Aquamarine, and then she burst into Aqua sparks, and then Sky's tail went down from her waist and was then back to a normal mono fin, the white disappeared, and she was back underwater in the deep end of the pool, she looked to she if the carved shape was still there, it wasn't, she came back up to the surface, Sky was expecting it to be the next day at least, but it was like she had dived down and come straight back up,
" Sky do you wanna play Marco Polo?" Asked Violet,
" I'll be in!" said Zack,
"... Sure... Lest play" said Sky, a bit confused at what had just happened, " Just. Let me ask mum something"
So she went over to Their mum Alyssa, and asked,
" Did you know about the mono fin?"
She just winked back and smiled, but Sky could tell that was a yes, Sky smiled back, then went back with her brother and sister,
" Ok let's play!" Said Sky.

Afterwards Sky out her See Shell on her dresser, and from that day forward, she felt she had a stronger connection with the ocean, and she always remembered that short but magnificent visit, to the Kingdom, of Omarine.