I wasn’t prepared to see Naira in such a horrific state. To begin, her already startling growth spurts had more than doubled and she no longer looked four – she was the size of a ten year old. Deathly pale, the whites of her eyes red and her body soaked in sweat, she resembled a mere shell of a person. Catatonic, she didn’t even notice me enter the room and wave at her from the top of her special sunken bed.
Mom was in a sad state herself; her long blonde hair looking like aged seaweed. Her face was gaunt and troubled. She sat on Naira’s bed holding her hand and when I entered the room, she frowned and looked away.
“It looks as if her body is beginning to age as quickly as we mature.” I whispered to Tammer, ignoring Mom’s strange reaction. He leaned, hunched against the wall, his arms wrapped around himself in an embrace. When he didn’t answer, I placed my hand on his shoulder and he jumped.
“Sorry,” he apologized and moved away from me to the end of Naira’s bed. My parents were in shock. Too much had happened at once and I wasn’t sure if they were going to be prepared for the bad news I had to share. I hoped there might be something they could remember from their teachings that would help.
Praying for a miracle, I knelt on the bed.
“Naira?” Her blank gaze focused on me. No recognition swept her face. It was odd to think that just a few weeks ago she had been a happy, content little girl.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, hoping she would smile and answer in her sweet little voice. But there was nothing. Forcing a smile, I lay my hand on her arm. The heat her body emitted was unnatural and I looked to Mom in alarm. Her face said it all; there was nothing more she could do.
I leaned forward, my lips close to her ear. “I’m going to find a way to make you better. You just hang in there okay?” I kissed her hot cheek and stood. “I need to speak with both of you.”
Mom and Tammer didn’t move. They continued to stare at Naira in a trance-like state. “Hello?” I said a bit louder and their weary eyes turned to me. “We need to talk.”
I exited Naira’s bedroom and made my way to the living room. Tammer followed and a
few moments later, Mom emerged from their room. My parents stood next to each other, not touching. I dropped next to Thayde on the couch.
I didn’t know where to begin. “When did this start?”
“Three days ago,” Mom’s voice was hollow.
“What did you do to help her?”
“Everything I could! Do you think I wouldn’t try everything?” Her tone was accusatory.“Have you contacted Aletheia?” I tried.
“Yes,” Tammer clasped his hands together. “She’s on her way. The only thing she said she knew for certain was that The Link has never had siblings and we’re walking on new ground here. She’s bringing a friend with her – Hada or something.”
If my aunt didn’t know what was going on, I didn’t hold out much hope of finding a way to fix this. I had already wracked my brain and found nothing. My parents read the emotions in my face and Mom leaped to her feet, her hands shaking.
“You have to find a cure for her! You’re The Link – you can’t just let her die!”
“I will try my best, Mom.” I said, grasping at straws. “I promise you, I will.”
“I don’t care what you have to do. Fix her!”
I’d never seen her so angry and I didn’t know what more to say.
“Elan,” Tammer interrupted and Mom turned on him, her face full of rage.
“I won’t let my baby die, Tammer! If Morgandy wasn’t The Link, Naira would be just fine!”
Tammer’s mouth fell open. “Elan!”
Thayde’s grip on my hand tightened.
“It’s true!” She cried. “Why is this happening to us? We’re good merpeople! It’s not as if we broke laws or signed up for this. First we have to deal with the effects Morgandy had to go through and now we have to deal with Naira possibly…” Her voice broke and she collapsed into Tammer’s arms.
I knew she was saying this because she was desperate for answers, but it still hurt. Mom and I never had a fantastic relationship to begin with and this wasn’t making me feel any better.
Thayde tried to offer support. “I think a lot has been thrown at you these past few days. I know Morgan will find a way to help Naira. If anyone can do it, it’s her.”
“I’m sorry Morgan,” Tammer said over Mom’s shoulder.
“It’s okay,” I lied, “I know she’s upset.”
“Upset doesn’t even begin to describe it!” She mumbled into Tammer’s neck.