An Old Friend. Part 3

Help!

I started to panic because I wanted to go home. I leaned Jasper against a tree and looked around.

“There has to be someone who knows the way,” I said. There were trees and a beach in sight. I searched the beach with my gaze. Yes! Five water creatures were playing with the waves and laughing. “Ugh, I should’ve scared them away!” Jasper groaned. “You’re coming with me!” I said, dragging the girl to the seaside.

When we were there, I asked the creatures, “Excuse me, do you know the way out of here?” At first, the things shrieked and dived into the water, but after a moment they poked their heads out of the sea. “Maybe. You’re… human, right?” one of them squeaked. I nodded and added, “Don’t worry, I won’t harm you. Do you have a secure prison or cage?” “Well, fine. What do you need it for?”

I pointed at Jasper. “I’d, anyway, never come back to the human realm! Whether I’m imprisoned or not, I’m still powerful!” the girl laughed. “You see, she’s dangerous and kind of bonkers,” I whispered to the creatures. Then, the things walked out of the water and grabbed Jasper. One of them poured a green fluid over her head and in seconds, gills grew on Jasper’s neck. “Now, she can breathe on land and underwater,” the creatures explained. Then, they pulled the girl into the water, while the fifth one blew a bubble over my face.

“Come,” it said and jumped after the others. I jumped deep into the sea and gasped, for not only could I see and breathe underwater, but also a magnificent castle lay a distance away from me. “ We’ll put her in the cellar. Don’t worry, it’s safe and we’ll bring her food,” the creature explained, pointing at the castle. “I trust you,” I said. “I just don’t want her to hurt anyone else”. “ We’re so bored, we dream of watching after someone,” it confessed. I climbed out of the water and popped the bubble.

“So, do you know the way out?” I asked when a water creature joined me by the sea. I was getting sick of that place because everything was suspicious. Even the fact that those things agreed to help me, people don’t do that when they’re bored! “Yes, but we’ll tell you, in exchange for something,” it said, watching me. “In exchange for the key”. “You mean, this?” I asked and showed the frozen key from my pocket. The creature nodded excitedly. I agreed, and right after that, two more water creatures appeared, with a similar chest as before.

I opened it with the key and lifted the lid. Like earlier, a force was sucking me inside of the chest. But, before I was completely in it, I tossed the key to the fifth creature and called, “Oh, and by the way, her name is Jasper !” And then, that was it. Once again, I fell, but before I landed, everything turned black.

Then, I woke up in my bed. My face was covered in a cold sweat and breathed heavily. “Was it all a dream?” I whispered. Suddenly, I heard mom’s voice calling me. “Jasper’s here! She says she’s got big plans. Huh, it must be something important, if she came so early!” my mom called. My eyes grew wider. “Big… plans?” I whispered nervously.