Background
In the first chapter, we meet Seana and her three friends. They call themselves the Three Musketeers. +1 (3MT+1) In the second chapter, we learn more about the girls at the homecoming football game. N
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The girls lived near the beach, with Seana living the closest. They enjoyed the sandy beach from May to September. From October to April, the water was too cold. Besides the beach, there was a cliff called the Whale. All whales have a blowhole that spouts water. The cliff whale hole spouted twice daily at high tide near the cliff's edge. Water jetted out of the hole like a whale spouting water out of his blow hole.
The police department put up barriers to keep people out. They posted signs, Keep Out. The Town Council had the cliff evaluated by a geologist. Because of the erosion under the cliff, they recommended that people not venture on the ridge. They reinforced this message in the schools, Girl and Boy Scout meetings, Sunday School classes, and parents and teachers.
Do Not Go to the Whale!
The cliff consisted of coal-black rock without any vegetation. The saltwater that blows out of the whale twice daily kills any seedlings that fall on this cliff. The water on the cliff makes the black stone sparkle like someone threw a handful of silver glitter on the cliff.
A fall chill was in the air as Seana and her mom walked hand in hand and squeezed between the barriers.
"Mom, I am scared there is a reason those barriers are there."
Lucy faced her daughter, "Don't worry, you will understand everything. Lucy put her hands on Seana's shoulders and looked her in the eyes. I love you, and all will be well."
As Seana and Lucy talked and hugged, the whale spouted higher and higher.
"When the water is higher than you are tall, jump in with your hands above your head."
Lucy placed her hand lightly on Seana's back.
GO!
Jumping, Seana began twirling like a top. Many young girls have a pink jewelry box, and when opened, a tiny pink-clad ballerina twirled on her ballet-slippered toe to music. Besides twirling, there is an up-and-down movement like the agitation in a washing machine. Seana feels tickled by tiny bubbles that surround her.
Seana floated out of the whale in a cloud of bubbles. With saucer-sized eyes, she looked frantically around. She heard a voice saying, " Come, come, " and she looked around in a panic.
"Welcome! To our world."
"I will be your sea-sister. Ocean 401. First, we communicate by our thoughts. Learning to block the thoughts you want to keep private may take some time. You will be Sea N132. They give every merperson a sea name. Informally, I am 01, and you will be 32.
Seana looked at herself and the other mermaid. They both had blue-green iridescent scales which covered their body up to a sweetheart neckline. The back sloped down like the back of a one-piece bathing suit. And went down to their tails.
"Tail, I have a tail! What happened to my feet?
"They will come back when you need them. This will happen for a year until you decide on this date next year. Will you be a mermaid or a landmaid?
"Next year, what about right now? I have a tail!"
01 messaged, "I heard that loud and clear. Let's take it one step at a time.
You are a swimmer, right? So you know the butterfly stroke. Move your tail, starting at your stomach and down through your tail. It is an up-and-down movement. Try it.
(Seana), 32, tried moving the lower part of her body. Gliding through the silky water, she was pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly she glided.
"I hear you have many questions. Let's start at the top. Merpeople's eyes have a transparent covering to prevent irritation and damage. It is like an interior eyelid.
Have you noticed that you are getting enough oxygen? Remember the birthmarks under your arms. They have turned into gills to allow you to breathe underwater. Seana lifted her arms and looked under each arm. Seana could see the gills opening and closing.
"I am curious if I will get used to being a number, not a name Number 32. That's me."
"The second thing, Ocean 401, pointed at the dolphin that suddenly appeared beside her. This is your dolphin. His name is Ko Ko Mo. Say hi to your new merperson.
"Hi, Sea N132. Hop aboard." Sea N132 heard. It surprised her that she could hear her dolphin's voice. People on land hear the different squeaking noises and underestimate the dolphin's intelligence.
The dolphin keepers have trained him for a rider. Dolphins are fast, strong swimmers who must learn to slow down to carry a merperson. Lay down, put on the shoulder harness, and hold on. It will be quite a ride.
