Ariana (Feels no pain)The abandoned warehouse had seemed like such a good idea three hours ago.
But now, wandering through unfamiliar suburban streets under the scorching afternoon sun, the adventure had taken a concerning turn. Her powder-blue skin had gone from its usual dewy sheen to something alarmingly matte. Her gills, usually perky and pink, drooped like wilted flowers.
Dry. Too dry. Even my eyeballs feel crunchy, she thought, blinking rapidly. When did eyeballs start making that scratchy sound?
She was mid-dial when she saw it—a flash of blue through the gap between two houses. Water. Blessed, life-saving water. Without conscious thought, her feet were already moving, drawn like a dizzy moth to an extremely wet flame.
The side gate was locked, but that had never stopped her before. She climbed it with the determination of someone whose cells were literally beginning to desiccate, only falling twice and regenerating one scraped knee in the process.
And there it was: a pristine above-ground pool, chlorinated perfection just sitting there in Hour's backyard like a gift from the hydration gods.
She didn't bother with the ladder. Ariana simply walked directly into the pool's side, bounced off the inflatable wall, then tried again with more momentum. The third attempt sent her tumbling over the edge with a splash that drenched half the deck and one unfortunate potted plant.
The relief was instantaneous. Her gills fluttered back to life, her skin regained its healthy sheen, and she let out a contented sigh that came out as bubbles. She kicked off her water-logged sandals (when had she lost the left one?) and floated on her back, humming off-key.
This is nice, she thought, accidentally swallowing some pool water. Tastes like summer and chemicals! I should thank whoever lives here. Maybe I'll make them cookies! The kind where I only lose two fingers maximum.
She was in the middle of attempting an underwater handstand when she heard the back door open. Through the watery blur, she could see a figure—Hour—standing on the deck with an expression she couldn't quite make out but had seen many times before on many different faces.
DANGER: ASBESTOS - DO NOT ENTERthe signs had declared in authoritative red letters, which Ariana had interpreted as an invitation to adventure. She'd squeezed through a gap in the fence, tearing her pink shorts only slightly, and spent the morning exploring rusted machinery and taking selfies with tetanus-inducing metal sculptures.
But now, wandering through unfamiliar suburban streets under the scorching afternoon sun, the adventure had taken a concerning turn. Her powder-blue skin had gone from its usual dewy sheen to something alarmingly matte. Her gills, usually perky and pink, drooped like wilted flowers.
Dry. Too dry. Even my eyeballs feel crunchy, she thought, blinking rapidly. When did eyeballs start making that scratchy sound?
Okay, Ariana,she said aloud to herself, pulling out her phone.
Time to call Mom and Dad for a ride.The screen showed seventeen missed calls from 'MAMA đź’•' and twenty-three from 'PAPA (DON'T IGNORE)'.
Hmm. They seem stressed. Again.
She was mid-dial when she saw it—a flash of blue through the gap between two houses. Water. Blessed, life-saving water. Without conscious thought, her feet were already moving, drawn like a dizzy moth to an extremely wet flame.
The side gate was locked, but that had never stopped her before. She climbed it with the determination of someone whose cells were literally beginning to desiccate, only falling twice and regenerating one scraped knee in the process.
And there it was: a pristine above-ground pool, chlorinated perfection just sitting there in Hour's backyard like a gift from the hydration gods.
They won't mind, right?she asked the garden gnome, who offered no objection.
It's a medical emergency! Kind of! Probably!
She didn't bother with the ladder. Ariana simply walked directly into the pool's side, bounced off the inflatable wall, then tried again with more momentum. The third attempt sent her tumbling over the edge with a splash that drenched half the deck and one unfortunate potted plant.
The relief was instantaneous. Her gills fluttered back to life, her skin regained its healthy sheen, and she let out a contented sigh that came out as bubbles. She kicked off her water-logged sandals (when had she lost the left one?) and floated on her back, humming off-key.
This is nice, she thought, accidentally swallowing some pool water. Tastes like summer and chemicals! I should thank whoever lives here. Maybe I'll make them cookies! The kind where I only lose two fingers maximum.
She was in the middle of attempting an underwater handstand when she heard the back door open. Through the watery blur, she could see a figure—Hour—standing on the deck with an expression she couldn't quite make out but had seen many times before on many different faces.
Oh! Hi!She popped up, sending another wave over the pool's edge.
I'm not drowning! That's probably what it looked like but I'm actually an aquatic species so drowning is really hard for me! Actually, fun fact, I almost drowned once as a lifeguard which is super ironic and—oh, you look stressed. Are you okay?
