Awaiting Destiny Page 2

  “I am absolutely positive!” she said with her best eye roll. “Look, Daddy, I would have more fun doing English quizzes then I would looking at big pieces of concrete and Styrofoam. This is Enchanted Cove…nothing even remotely interesting ever happens here. Stop worrying! I will be the same ordinary girl when you get back.”

  As they reached his red Jeep he leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead. “All right, then,” he said, pulling her cap down over her eyes. She shook her head and pulled it back up.

  “Don’t forget your suitcase,” she said, pointing at it in an attempt to hurry him along. At this rate, she would never get her vacation started! She had a lot of lying around to do. She knew her Dad meant well, but had a tendency to be a little overprotective.

  He gave her a bear hug that left her ribs feeling cracked.

  As he drove off she could see him shaking a warning finger in his rear view mirror at her as she waved goodbye. She smiled and plastered an innocent look on her face until he was out of sight. Finally! With an elated sigh of relief, she started back along the dock to the Seadancer, noticing what an amazing day it turned out to be.

  The sun was warm on her skin, sparkling brightly across the waves like they were covered with twinkling diamonds. The fresh breeze caused excited tingles to dance down her spine. It almost felt like something magical was brewing out at sea. Maybe she was just excited to have a few days to herself for the first time. It made her feel…free.

  Lost in the moment, she whisked off her baseball cap. It was like pulling a cork on a bottle of confetti. A wild mass of pale ringlets sprung out in every direction bouncing in the breeze and tickling the backs of her knees as she skipped along the dock. She knew she was getting too old to skip, but it was still fun for special occasions.

  Destiny rarely found it safe to leave her mass of hair out in the open, as it seemed to compel motherly ladies into torturing her with an impossible and yet ever so painful brushing. Sometimes she would even see her dad eyeing it ominously, usually while he was trimming the bushes around the front gate of the marina with hedge clippers.

  As she climbed onto the deck of the Seadancer, she thought about all the things she could do. She would miss her dad, but it seemed so exciting to be alone! Her stomach felt like it was filled with tiny fish, swimming around, tickling her…or maybe she was hungry?

  She flipped on the radio and danced down the hall to her stateroom to an old Bob Marley song, to change into her shorts. A huge bowl of vanilla ice cream topped off with sardines sounded like a wonderful start to her vacation. Even though her dad hated to watch her “ruin a perfectly good bowl of ice cream” as far as she was concerned, there was nothing more delicious.

  She opened the door to her room and smiled lazily at the mess. No chores for her this week! Her sheets and comforter were mounded at the foot of her bed and her dresser was piled high with clothes she hadn’t gotten around to putting away. She shuffled them around, looking for her favorite flowered shorts. As she reached for the next heap her hand hit something hard underneath the pile of clothes. She pulled it out and was lost for a moment in the old, framed picture of her mother and dad. It had been on her dresser for as long as she could remember. When she was sad or lonely, she pulled it out to stare at the beautiful face of the mother she never knew. Sometimes she would have long imaginary conversations with her and wondered what it would be like to know her, to laugh with her. Her heart ached at the thought, and she took a deep breath to push away the heaviness in her chest. She wished she knew what happened, wished she knew why she had disappeared so long ago.

  In the picture, her mother, Shelleen, was in front of her dad, engulfed in his huge arms, her long reddish hair draped all around them like a soft blanket. In the background, the “Welcome to Enchanted Cove” looked crisp and new, unlike the sun-faded, cracked state it was in now. They both had dreamy smiles on their faces, blissful and happy. Her dad looked much younger then. She wished she could see that look on her dad’s face again someday. Now he seemed to have a look more like the sign, somehow faded and cracked. She knew his heart had been completely broken when her mother mysteriously disappeared. He had obviously loved her very much and though he acted like everything was fine he had not really recovered from his loss.

  She suddenly saw something out of the corner of her eye, on the windowsill. She put the picture on her dresser and smiling excitedly; she plopped down on her bed and picked up the package. Surprises are so much fun! She turned it from side to side to get a good look at it. It was wrapped strangely, different than any wrapping paper she had ever seen. It felt smooth except for the edges where it looked as if the odd paper had dried out. There in fancy black letters was her name: Destiny Mariner-Enchanted Cove-Seadancer.

  Perplexed, she instantly knew her dad couldn’t have left it because his wrapping usually looked more like a mound of tape with some colored paper sticking out.

  The odd ribbon was hard, like wire, as she untied it and set it on the bed. She carefully unfolded the green wrap. Inside was a beautiful diamond shaped box with a flat-bottom. It had the unmistakable color swirls of abalone shells. As she moved it around the multifaceted surface reflected little beams of light around the room like a disco ball. Her name and birthday were inscribed on the lid, which was closed with a gold clasp shaped like a dolphin. She hesitated a moment before opening it, tracing her name with her finger. What could such an amazing box hold? Maybe a genie?

  She slowly lifted the lid, giddy with excitement. Inside was a folded, leaf -like note covering a silky blue leaf that seemed to be holding something. She pulled out the paper and carefully unfolded it.

  It read in scroll letters: Your presence is requested immediately at the following location: Longitude 49; Latitude 129. Tell no one of your trip. Use caution with the stone. You will learn the truth about your mother.

  The rosy color in her cheeks drained so quickly that her big toes turned bright red. Who could know the truth about her mother? She stared at the paper reading it over and over as if she had missed something. Could this be a joke? What stone? She put the note on her lap and reached into the beautiful box and pulled out the silky leaf. It was soft and slippery, and was hiding something. Something… small and heavy. She cautiously unwrapped the luxurious folds to reveal it’s hidden treasure.

  No. It can’t be. Her eyes had to be lying. Her heart felt like it climbed up in her throat, pounding like a jackhammer. This was not just any necklace. She had seen it before.

  She leaped up from her bed, rushed to the dresser and grabbed the picture of her parents, knocking off most of the clothes. She focused closely on her mother’s neck. Could it be? Her red hair covered most of it but there was no mistaking the stone in the necklace. It was hers. She could feel it in every fiber of her body.

  She carefully lifted out the aqua-blue stone necklace. It was brilliant in color, almost glowing. It was set in a gold chain, thicker than her finger and shaped like little dolphins in a parade, nose to tail. She softly ran her shaking fingers over it. Could she really be holding the very same necklace that was once around her mother’s neck? Over and over she turned it looking at its intricate beauty for a clue to opening it. Oddly, there didn’t seem to be a clasp and it was much too small to slide over her head. She placed it on her head like a crown and pulled her long ringlets up through the chain, letting the stone rest on her forehead. She sauntered to her dresser mirror, using her most regal walk and tried to imagine what her mother looked like wearing such an exquisite necklace. Where did it come from? Why is it here?

  She stared intently at her image, hoping to morph into someone more sophisticated or, at the very least, older. Only her normal self stared back. She knew she looked even sillier than usual. Disheartened, she stuck out her tongue and made a cross-eyed face, shriveling up her features.

  What was that? Something in the stone caught her eye. It looked somehow different from a moment ago. She blinked it off with a dismissive head shake. The light is playin
g tricks on me.

  Suddenly the stone flashed a brilliant blue, and then faded to a soft glow. That was no trick. The strangest feeling that the stone was actually alive crept over her. She felt it calling to her not with words but something deeper…It knew her. She couldn’t tear her eyes away. She stared motionless, entranced by its aqua beauty. Suddenly the little gold dolphins in the chain burst to life and started to move. The sound of jingling metal filled the small room. The tiny dolphins wiggled their tails and stretched their noses as if they were trying to swim.

  This isn’t right! She wanted to reach up and rip them off, but she couldn’t move! She was completely frozen, unable to even blink. In shocked horror, she had no choice but to watch the tiny gold dolphins as they began to elongate, slipping lower and lower over her face. They crept over her eyes, their little beating tails tickling her eyelashes. It slowly slid over her nose and reached her mouth. She wanted to scream, but her voice was paralyzed.

  In panic she realized they were stuck on her protruding tongue! Fighting their entrapment, they flailed their tiny tails, splattering droplets of saliva onto her cheeks. She wanted to be sick! Or pass out. She would welcome either. Oh! How she wanted to chomp their squirming little bodies into gold dust. This was a stretch considering she firmly believed in eating dolphin-friendly tuna fish.

  The gold dolphins finally squirmed past her tongue blockade and the chain glided over her chin, leaving a shiny wet trail until it draped loosely around her neck. Then the process started to reverse and their little bodies hunched suddenly they hunched, wiggling madly until the chain started to constrict. Still she couldn’t move! Fear welled up inside her.

  It is going to choke me to death. She would never hear the end of it then. She thought back to the note. It said USE Caution…Not choking hazard for girls dumb enough to put it on their head. That would have been a much more useful warning!

  Then as quickly as it started the glow receded back into the stone and the necklace was left draped perfectly around her neck, lying there innocently, like nothing strange had happened at all. She felt faint.

  Was it over? She tried to wiggle her tongue. It moved! She snapped it back in her mouth and shut it so fast her teeth clanked together with the sound of a mini tambourine.

  She looked in the mirror. Who am I? She barely recognized the reflection staring back. She looked like a cartoon character that had just seen a ghost. The kind where their eyes bug out of their sockets and their hair stands on end. Hysterical laughter bubbled up that she couldn’t control. I don’t believe that just happened..I am suffering from some kind of Sea-nillity.

  She couldn’t exactly explain this to Mrs. Dilts. She would never believe what just happened. I barely believe it. She suddenly wished her dad was here. Her eyes were drawn to the picture. My Mom….she would understand. I wish my mom were here.

  Destiny reached up and tentatively touched the stone. Strangely a feeling of calmness washed over her like a warm wave until all the panic was replaced with a sense of belonging she couldn’t explain. It was as if her mom was with her for a brief second. I can feel her presence calling to me from the sea. How can that be?

  In that instant, she knew there was much more to the mysterious disappearance of her mother. I have to find the truth…for my dad and for me.

  She would follow the directions on the note and leave immediately.

  Chapter 2

  Dream or Nightmare?

  The Enchanted Cove marina was completely quiet as Destiny quietly rushed up the stairs to the shiny deck and carelessly dropped her pack and life jacket in front of the dinghy. She ripped off the canvas covering the little, wooden boat and threw it in a big heap on top of her gear. Using the hoist, she swung the dinghy over the side of the Seadancer, and quickly lowered it into the water. She was trying to appear casual in case anyone saw her. She didn’t want to be answering any questions or draw any attention to herself. She felt a twinge of guilt over leaving the canvas in such a mess, but there was simply no time to waste! The note said immediately. She didn’t want to be late.

  She lowered the dinghy motor into the water and ran off her mental checklist, as she had learned from her dad. He taught her that a person must be prepared for anything at sea. She hoped he wouldn’t be too angry when he found out what she had done. She had no choice but to go… she needed the truth and so did he.

  She reached up and lovingly rubbed her beautiful necklace as if it would disappear. It felt almost familiar on her skin once the shock wore off.

  Gas? Check. Oars? Check. Pack? Check. Boat untied? Check. Ready to go?

  “YES!!” she yelled out loud, unable to contain her excitement. She glanced around to make sure nobody heard her accidental outburst.

  So much for stealth mode. The letter’s warning “tell no one” echoed in her mind.

  The sky was equally mixed with white and blue as she glided away. She fixed her lucky hat on her head, to block the sun from her eyes. It was a perfect day to start an adventure.

  Destiny checked her compass heading and pointed the bow of her boat due south as she left the marina entrance. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure she hadn’t been seen. The water was smooth as she headed out into the cove; the skiff gently dipped and rose in the soft waves.

  The freedom of being out on the water whisked away the last shred of guilt on the salty breeze. I am doing the right thing. She would face whatever punishment her dad gave her when she got back, but right now the sea seemed to call to the depths of her soul and she couldn’t deny it.

  The time passed quickly as she sat watching the white clouds pass by and listening to the purring of the motor. Except for the occasional passing bird and pesky breeze, the sea was unusually quiet. Every so often the breeze tried to blow away her chart as she studied it, lying across her lap.

  It wasn’t until the wind was so strong that it tried to steal her cap away that she realized the sky had suddenly darkened. She had been so lost in her own thoughts and watching her course that she missed the subtle signs of a summer squall coming on like a flash. Oh no…I forgot to check the weather advisory.

  It was like a switch went off. As the sky darkened the water instantly turned choppy, and her tiny boat took turns raising high on the swells then plunging straight down. Destiny felt like she was riding on a giant roller coaster. It is too late to turn back.

  There was no land in sight, only treacherous waves and black clouds as far as she could see.

  This is bad. Think…Need life jacket. Want to live.

  She fumbled through the pile of gear for her life jacket.

  It’s not here! Terror bubbled in the pit of her stomach as she realized her fatal mistake. Oh…no…I left it on the deck of the Seadancer. So much for that stupid Captain’s check list.

  She struggled to steer the bow into the waves at an angle trying to keep her boat from filling with water. She knew it was her only chance.

  Suddenly her motor started to sputter and spit as if fighting for air…then with one last gasp, it stopped completely. Even in the midst of the storm the silence of the motor was deafening.

  She stared at it, fighting the urge to cry, as the sea batted her around like a kitten with a toy ball. I will not give up! Determined, she grabbed an oar, and plunged it in the water. Straining with all her might, she steered her boat over the waves to keep it from capsizing.

  Then the rain started. It pelted her in a downpour that had twice the strength of her shower. A strong wind stole her hat and her long mane of hair started whipping wetly around her like the arms of a wild octopus. Her arms burned with strain and she could barely see.

  I am going to lose the boat…

  Suddenly, the oar was ripped from her hand sending her tiny boat flailing helplessly. She lay on her back and scooted under the wooden bench seat until she was halfway under it. Wrapping her legs around the seat, she held on with every ounce of strength. She knew it was her only chance.

  Salt spray stung her legs like littl
e snakebites. She closed her eyes. She really couldn’t see much anyway. She didn’t want to know what was coming. With every wallop of a wave, the wood in her tiny boat shrieked in futile defense until it gave up and splintered like toothpicks. Too bad. I always liked this boat.

  Then it was as if the sea suddenly became bored and just swallowed her whole, boat and all.

  The boat sank slowly into the sea, along with her heart. She was hopelessly trapped. This isn’t how it is supposed to be. Her dad would never know what happened and she would never find the truth about her mother. She would be just another mystery. Hot tears mingled with the water as she held her breath. Her lungs burned like fire and her body screamed for air as she slowly faded into darkness, spiraling deeper and deeper into the salty depths. She clenched her fingers around the stone in her necklace trying to cling to her fading dreams.

  Destiny slowly started to drift out of the blackness that had engulfed her. She felt like she was weightless, floating halfway between awareness and a nightmare. She took a deep breath, her lungs felt sluggish and strange and her ears felt full. She broke from the hazy cloud of confusion and all that had happened came flooding back.

  She felt sick and her heart beat so hard it seemed as if it would burst from her chest. Heart? Pound? Did I just die? She was so confused. But…It can’t pound if I’m…if I’m… dead.

  She struggled to open her eyes. She felt as if her eyelids had been glued together. Concentrating, she slowly opened them a crack. This is all just a bad dream! On the count of three I will open my eyes and be in my own bed, and everything will be normal.

  She knew this was silly but stalling seemed to be the best plan she could come up with. Her dad always said she was an expert at stalling, especially when it came to doing chores.

  “One”…She took a deep breath. “Two”.. she gritted her teeth…”Two and a half…THREE!”

  She forced her eye lids open. In shock, she stared at the world unveiled before her. Seaweed with a reddish hue reached up from the depths below, swaying on the current like a flag on a windy day. A myriad of brightly colored fish rushed in front of her, each speeding up to pass the next like they were late for something very important. Huge pink tube corals jutted mysteriously from the deep- so large you could park a car in them. It was a Dr. Seuss story come to life