The Sea in our Veins

Virgil kept a tight grip on his dagger as they went from stall to stall. Wesley seemed intent on buying everything that Virgil looked at, leading to Misha having to lend Virgil his satchel for a bit to hold all of the things that Wesley bought Virgil, until Wesley bought him a bag as well.

Soon, though, Virgil’s tail started to hurt and he started swimming slower, with a pained expression on his face, though he tried his best to hide it. He tried to massage the sore spots on his tail but it didn’t help.

Wesley noticed him struggling and said, “We should probably call it for today,” he said, “We should start heading back around now.”

Misha looked up confused from scanning the signs for the next shops, “Wait,” he asked, getting excited, “Are you guys heading back to the human realm? Can I come?”

“I guess,” Wesley replied, “But you have to stay out of sight from other humans, though I guess it’s okay if you meet Michael.”

“I’m good at being sneaky,” Misha replied, “Remember when you had crabs in your bed.”

“Wait,” Wesley asked, “That was you?”

“Yeah,” Misha replied, “It was me. Wait, who did you think it was?”

“I thought that it was just normal crab migration.” Wesley admitted before turning to Virgil, “SO what do you think about heading back?” he asked.

“But isn’t there still more to see?” Virgil asked.

“We can always come back,” Wesley replied.

Virgil’s face it up, “I would like that,” he said, “Ivan and Jack said that you had really good food.”

Misha dramatically sighed, “Don’t get me started on the food. I feel bad for humans and the trash that they have to eat.”

“It’s not trash,” Virgil said, “Our food is actually good.”

“Right,” Wesley said, trying to prevent Virgil and Misha from arguing, “Let’s go”

They started swimming back, away from the market and the city and towards the shore.

“Don’t you make your food with poison?” Misha asked.

“Where did you hear that from?” Virgil asked.

“I think it’s called oil,” Misha replied, “You dump it into the ocean and it kills fish and you also use it to cook.”

“We don’t usually dump it into the ocean. It usually ends up there by accident. And it also tastes good to eat,” Virgil said.

Misha shook his head, “I’ll never understand you guys.”

“You like our food Wesley,” Virgil said, roping him into the conversation, “Don’t you?” Virgil blinked innocently at Wesley.

“Yeah, I guess,” Wesley replied.

“How dare you side with Virgil,” Misha gasped with fake surprise, “You traitor.”

“Have you tried Emma’s food?” Wesley asked Misha, “Wait until you’ve tried Emma’s food. You’ll change your mind then.”

“Can I try Emma’s food?” Misha asked.

“How about we all have dinner in Emma’s?” Wesley suggested, “You can all try her food and see what human food is like then. I might be able to convince Callum to come and Michael, along with Jack and Ivan can come as well. It’ll be like one big party. Emma would love to cook for all of us.”

“We can celebrate that Rafael is back now,” Misha said.

“Sure,” Virgil replied hesitantly, as the swam closer to land. Virgil noticed Michael still waiting for them on the beach. Misha and Wesley waited until the water was too shallow to swim in before they shifted out of their mer form and into their human form, which Virgil copied. When they came out of the water, their clothes were dry, while Virgil’s shorts were soaking wet.

“How do you do it?” Virgil asked as he tried to wring out the water from his shorts.

Wesley laughed, “It just takes practice,” he said

“How was it?” Michael asked.

Virgil felt so relieved to finally set the bag of items that Wesley had bought for him down, “It was so cool,” Virgil gushed, “You really missed out.”

“I’m sorry for tricking you,” Michael replied, “But can you at least say it was worth it.”

“Yeah,” Virgil said, “It was definitely worth it.”

Michael turned to Misha, “Who are you?” Michael asked.

“My name is Misha,” Misha said, “And I assume you’re Michael.”

Michael turned to glare at Virgil, “What did you tell Misha about us?”

Virgil raised his hands innocently, “I didn’t say anything.”

Michael narrowed his eyes at Virgil before he remembered, “I almost forgot. Your phone has been going off non stop for the last hour,” Michael said.

“Do you know who it is?” Virgil walked over to his stuff lying on the sand and dug through his bag.

“I don’t know,” Michael replied, “It’s just some unknown number.”

Virgil finally located his phone and turned it on to find it spammed with messages from the same unknown number. Virgil scrolled through the messages before his eyes widened. He grabbed his bags, including the one that Wesley gave to him and said, “Sorry, I have to go. Something important came up.”

“Where are you going?” Michael asked.

Virgil hesitated, “I left something at the house and I need to get it,” he said, “I can meet you at Emma’s for dinner.”

“I can text you the address,” Wesley said.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Michael asked.

“No,” Virgil looked like he was trying his best to get out of the conversation as soon as possible, “I’m good.”

“The door might be locked,” Michael said.

“I’m really good,” Virgil said.

Before Michael or the other two could say anything, Virgil was already up the beach, walking along the boardwalk, lugging his stuff behind. He tried to walk as fast as he could be his bags were slowing him down. When Virgil reached the house, his heart sank when he saw the lights off. He quickly shot the unknown number a text and sighed in relief when he got an answer. Virgil found the door unlocked and walked into the living room to find Roman, sitting on the couch, waiting for him.

Virgil stared at Roman in surprise, before his face lit up, “You’re really here,” Virgil replied, “I thought it was a joke at first but…”

Roman glared at Virgil angrily, “What took you so long to reply to my texts?” he demanded.

Virgil tried not to flinch, “I’m sorry,” he replied, “I was busy. I didn’t see your texts until just now.”

Roman studied Virgil, trying to gauge whether Virgil was telling the truth and Virgil took the opportunity to ask the questions that had plagued him for the last two years, “Where were you?” he asked.

“I had stuff I needed to do,” Roman replied.

“You left,” Virgil replied, “No note, no goodbye, nothing. I had to figure out everything on my own.”

“And you did fine,” Roman said, “I couldn’t baby you forever.”

“And after everything that we’ve been through, you thought that I didn’t deserve a goodbye,” Virgil asked.

“Don’t put this on me,” Roman replied, exasperated, “It was an emergency. I had to leave. I expected you to be mature about it. Clearly, I expected too much from you. I have better things to do than try and talk to you.” He stood up from the couch and walked to the front door.

Roman had his hand on the door when Virgil said desperately, “Wait, I’m sorry. Please come back. I’ll try not to be annoying.”

Roman slowly turned around, “Are you going to behave more like an adult or a child?” he asked.

“I’m sorry,” Virgil said again, “I’ll act like an adult.”

“Good,” Roman walked back and sat down on the couch, “I actually came by to check up on how you were doing.” Roman replied, “I was thinking of you. Let me get you something to drink and we can talk and catch up like how we used to.”

“Would you like me to help you?” Virgil asked.

“It’s okay,” Roman replied, “Just relax.” Roman disappeared into the kitchen as Virgil sat down on the couch. Roman came back carrying two glasses full of lemonade.

Virgil took his glass, making sure that he said thank you to Roman. He took a long drink before he set it down on the coffee table, “It’s really great to see you again,” Virgil said, “How have you been?”

“We should talk about you instead. My life has been pretty boring,” Roman said, “How have you been doing? What university did you end up at?”

The atmosphere was so awkward as Virgil cleared his throat, “I’m actually not going to university,” Virgil said, “I’m still in high school.”

“Oh,” Roman replied, “That’s great.” There was a moment of awkward silence before Roman said, “Do you want to play cards like we used to?”

“Actually, I have to go. My friends are waiting for me.”

A flash of annoyance flickered on Roman’s face, but Roman did his best to disguise his annoyance, “You have friends?” he asked.

“Don’t ask so surprised,” Virgil grumbled, “Of course I have friends.”

“What are their names?” Roman asked.

“Well,” Virgil hesitated, unsure who he should call his friends, “There’s Michael, Wesley, Misha, Ivan and Jack.”

“I’d like to meet them one day,” Roman said, “But I’m glad to know you’ve been making friends. I’ve really missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” Virgil said as he drained the rest of his glass of lemonade and stood up, “I should get back to them.”

“But you just got here,” Roman complained, “I’m sure your friends can wait. Tell me more about yourself”

“Right,” Virgil slowly sat back down on the couch, trying his best not to glance at the clock on the wall, “Life’s been good. I live an apartment by myself and work two jobs to support myself while I’m not at school. What else do you want to know?”

“I care about you Virgil,” Roman replied, “And I don’t understand why you’re being so disrespectful to me when I’m being so nice to you. Did your friends teach you this behavior?”

“No,” Virgil said sharply. He let out a breath before he said quietly, “I just want to know whether you’re staying.”

“I have important things to do,” Roman replied, “I don’t expect you to understand.”

“I don’t,” Virgil replied, angrily as he stood up, ready to leave. As soon as he stood up, he felt dizzy. The floor tilted and Virgil collapsed on the couch. He saw black spots and the last thing that he saw before he blacked out was Roman’s full cup of lemonade.