Chapter 5

Consuela started at the pair, who were examining her with surprised faces. She was exhausted from trying to escape the young man, and now that she noticed he bought a companion, she was sure the mermaids had not sent them. They were never keen on sending female hunters to capture escapees like herself.

"If you are not the mermaid's hunters, who are you?" she questioned them. 

The young lady, who was strikingly beautiful, shifted her weight in an effort to respond.

"I am Diedre and if my weird brother hasn't introduced himself yet, he is DeAndre. We're twins; I'm the oldest and smartest by five minutes and DeAndre is, well, he's just my little brother, isn't he?" She turned towards her brother with a grin and gave him a gentle pat on the back.

"Well, don't just tell her all the best parts about me. Save some for later," he sarcastically replied.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I am sorry that I made you run so much earlier. I was just terrified."

The twins exchanged worried glances as they each extended a hand to help Consuela from the sand.

"You haven't told me your Diedre," said as she assisted Consuela.

"Oh, how rude of me! I am Consuela Creeker. You two are dressed very weird, why aren't you wearing proper clothing?"

"Are you sure that's the question you want to ask us? You washed up on the beach I was exercising on, talking out of your mind," DeAndre replied.

Consuela began slowly rotating clockwise, exploring her surroundings. The gentleman was right, there was something strange about everything. This was definitely Guaney Beach, but the tress which once lined it were gone. The boats with fishermen and crowds of women waiting to capture their haul were nowhere to be seen. She placed her hand above her eyes to look into the distance to see if she would recognize any landmarks.

"Yes! The clock tower is still there! I knew I wasn't mad!"

"That old clock tower has been around from the 19th century, according to our grandma! It's been ringing on the hour, 24/7 for the last 200 years really," Diedre informed her.

Consuela turned to face the twins with her head slightly tilted, "What do you mean last 200 years? It was only built last year in 1821."

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Diedre stood awestruck at Consuela's latest piece of information. This girl is insane, there's no way she's from 1821 and still alive. She seriously only looked their age really and not 200 years old!

"DeAndre, I think maybe we should take her to the hospital. She isn't well."

DeAndre considered his sister's suggestion for a while.

"Dee, look at her. She's frightened and confused, maybe it's not a good idea. What if she came over on one of the sloops? It could be dangerous to turn her into the hospital."

Diedre quietly contemplated her brother's ideas.

"I know where we can take her. She won't stand out, and maybe we can get some more information out of her."

"Are you thinking of taking her to Grammy?"

Diedre shook her head in confirmation.

"Consuela, we need to figure out what's happening here. For that to happen, we're going to take you somewhere safe. Is that fine with you?"

Consuela shifted her feet in the sand, drawing circles. "I think that will be a fine idea."

The trio began walking up the path back to the twins' house. Consuela turned to face the mystical waters from which she emerged and stretched her hands forward,

Water of tranquil turquoise

Beings from underneath

Shield this realm 

from creatures

which beseech thee.

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The path to Diedre and DeAndre's grandmother's house was quite far, so they elected to use the car their parents had bought for them as a graduation gift. It was a 2020, bright red, Kia Rio which led to many fights during the summer holiday of who could use it and when. Etched onto Consuela's face was a look of disbelief as she started amazed at the mechanical wonder before her.

"What kind of mystical machine is this?"

She walked towards the car and began to run her hands across the exterior of the car. Bending down, she arranged her clothing, so it formed a comfortable surface against the warm, hard tar which allowed her to study underneath the vehicle.

"This must be some sort of intricate sorcery! How does it move? What do you call it? What are these circular parts that look like wagon wheels?"

DeAndre extended his hand to Consuela in an offer to help her up from the ground; she accepted ad step backwards to allow him to open the car door.

"Why don't you sit inside for now and save the questions for the ride over to our grandmother's house?" She'll be able to help you figure out what's happening."

The warm leather seats of the car greeted Consuela as she sat. Diedre sat in the driver's seat and started the ignition as she patiently waited for her brother to get into the passenger seat. Consuela's eyes darted wildly around her new space as the air from the car's air conditioner cooled the car.

"Let's go!" DeAndre enthusiastically prompted as he fastened his seatbelt and indicated for Consuela to follow hm. 

As the magical engines of the car pushed it forward into driving mode, Consuela thought about home, and how far away she had ventured.