# Chapter 34

“Naomi!?” Calypso cried. “I don’t believe it!” The two ran to each other and threw their arms around each other in an embrace, Naomi practically in tears.
“It’s a miracle! I thought you’d died in that hurricane!” Naomi laughed.
“Naomi, what the hell!?” Tori laughed in excitement. “You mean you know her?”
“Calypso, what’s going on?” Sarah asked curiously. The two broke apart and smiled back at everyone.
“Everyone, this is Naomi. She’s a special breed of merfolk called a Saugin, or a mershark. She was the leader of my school back before I met the club!” Calypso explained. Abraham, along with most of the other club, was at a loss for words. The last thing any of them had expected had been this. Naomi was Calypso’s friend from the past? Naomi put her hand on Calypso’s shoulders and turned her to face her.
“Calypso, what happened? When we were all separated, I searched the seas for weeks for you, but I never found you.” Naomi questioned. “I found the others…but most had perished in the storm.”
“I was picked up by a fishing boat, manned by a very kind doctor named Brandon. He treated me and taught me medicine! I was then found by Michelle after washing up on a beach.” Calypso turned and smiled in Michelle’s direction who had her arms crossed, but nodded all the same. Naomi finally took notice of the rest of the club and glanced around them. Her eyes looked upon them all curiously but also cautiously.
“Mato mentioned this club…” Her eyes then fell on Abraham and they narrowed a little. “And he also mentioned the human.”
“He’s with us.” Michelle spoke up defensively.
“I promise I’m not here to-” Abraham began to explain, but Naomi turned away from him and looked to Tori.
“You’re on look out tonight, Tori. Since we have guests, be on extra high alert…they might have been followed.”
“Yes ma’am!” Tori saluted and ran out the door, leaping out into the air and flying away. Naomi then turned to Mato.
“Set up some beds for our guests…they’re staying.”
“Even the hu-”
“I didn’t stutter, Mato…just do it.” Naomi snapped back. Abraham could tell just from listening to her commands that this was a woman of authority. He could easily believe she was the leader of Calypso’s school. Her voice was like a firm pounding of a hammer; strict and forceful. Mato nodded and turned to do as instructed. Naomi finally turned back to the club.

“I want to welcome you all to our home…and I’d like to apologize for Mato’s actions outside of the shopping center. You may remain with us for a while so you can get yourselves back on your feet. There is a stew here for you to eat if you’re hungry, and when you’re ready to sleep, you can collapse wherever there’s a bed.”
“We appreciate the hospitality.” Asher answered. Naomi nodded to him and then to Calypso.
“A friend of Calypso is a friend of mine.” She said kindly. Her eyes then turned to Abraham and for a split moment, that kindness melted to reveal a cautious and almost threatening glare. This sensation vanished quickly when her eyes returned to the rest of the club. “Anyway, come and dig in.”

The club sat down for the stew and, while it was nothing incredibly mouth watering, it was good enough to eat and the club was very grateful for the meal. Asher touched little though as his eyes kept shifting back to Mato. While he hadn’t made a move to attack Abraham, there was no question to Asher that there was animosity. When the stew was all finished, Naomi took Calypso’s hand and lead her away to a far part of the warehouse to talk to her.
“We should bed down.” Michelle whispered to Abraham.
“Okay…but what about Calypso?”
“I’m sure she has catching up to do.” Michelle assured him. She then looked to Asher.
“I know Tori is on guard tonight…but I want you on alert to. She may be Calypso’s friend, but I’m sure you and I both noticed the looks she was giving Abraham.”
“Yeah…I noticed.” Asher growled. “I’ll keep watch.” Asher stood up and it was as if he had melted into the shadows themselves. He quickly vanished from view, leaving the club to their business.
“You’ll sleep with me.” Michelle whispered, tapping Abraham’s shoulder.
“Wait, WHAT!?” Abraham gasped, blushing heavily. Michelle reached over and taped her knuckles against his head as if to bonk his head softly.
“Not like that, you dummy.” She snapped. “It’s for your protection. I’m a light sleeper and will wake up if there’s a problem.”
“That and Michelle like cuddling.” Tamil spoke up. Michelle squeaked and spun around, a blush evident on her stern face.
“WERE YOU EVES DROPPING!?”
“My sight is poor…my hearing very good.” Tamil pointed out. Michelle growled under her breath about never being able to keep secrets around Tamil.
“Michelle, it’s okay…I really don’t think there will be a problem. I mean with Asher keeping watch, Satan himself wouldn’t try to take me.”
“You overestimate Asher, Abraham.” Michelle pointed. “He’s strong…but he also holds back for safety sake. And besides, it never hurts to be too cautious.”
“Well why not Katie then?” I asked. “Or Tamil? They’d wake up if there was a problem.”
“Tamil would, but he’s not a fighter…it’d be like if a teddy bear were protecting you.”
“Am not a teddy bear!”
“Shut it, Tamil!” Michelle snapped. “And as for Katie…well she coils in her sleep to keep warm…and she might suffocate you. I’d rather not see you dead in the morning with all your bones broken.”
“Er…yeah that’d be for the best.” Abraham agreed.
“Don’t worry, I don’t bite…well…unless it’s a full moon.” Michelle muttered sheepishly. “Sorry, I guess that is a bad word of confidence.”
“No it’s okay.” Michelle grabbed herself a makeshift mattress and crawled into it. Abraham looked around to the others. Sarah had sewed together blankets out of her silk, Tamil was relaxing next to Sarah and Katie on either side of him, and of course the other mattress was for Calypso when she returned. Annie was already crawling into that bed as well. Since Asher didn’t need to sleep that night, he would be fine without a mattress.
“You coming?” Michelle asked. Abraham gulped and climbed in too. He was surprised by how warm the blanket was, despite it being made of spider silk. Michelle’s body was warm as well, which made Abraham feel all the sleepier. “You can relax you know…are you that uncomfortable sleeping with a werewolf?”
“No, that’s not the problem…” Abraham confessed. “It’s…you’re a girl…and I’ve never slept in a bed with a girl before.” Michelle stifled a laugh and glanced at Abraham with an understanding yet teasing gaze.
“You really are a different breed, aren’t you?” She laughed. “Most guys would love to be in bed with a girl.”
“Well yeah, and I’m certainly one of them…but it’s just…well I’m kind of nervous about…you know…”
“Abraham, you’re a genuinely good person, aren’t you?” Michelle asked. “Then don’t worry about it.” She gave out a long yawn and cuddled up next to Abraham. “Now hold still, I need to cuddle so I can get warm.” Despite that, Abraham suspected she was only doing this to tease him.
“Michelle…can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“A personal question?”
“…Yes? What is it?” Michelle pressed. Abraham sighed and almost stopped himself. It was a hard question to ask and even harder for Michelle to answer…but she was the only member of the club he had yet to fully understand.
“Michelle…why did you start the club? And how did you do it?” Michelle shrugged.
“That’s not much of a personal question. I started it alongside Solomon when I came to his house accidentally.”
“That’s not what I mean…” Abraham groaned. “You’re very protective of me now, but back then when we first met you didn’t trust me and wanted to throw me out…much like Naomi and Mato do. You hated me once too, didn’t you?”
“Abraham, hate is a very strong wo-”
“Didn’t you?” Abraham snapped, wanting some answers. He had to know what had changed between him and Michelle…he had to know the reason for this hatred that Mato and Naomi held for him and the secret to getting past it.
“…Abraham, I didn’t hate you. I never did.” Michelle muttered. Her grip on him tightened slightly. “I was scared of you.”
“Scared of me?”
“Humans are what tore everyone in this family apart. Our seclusion and our differences make us monsters to them. I thought you had come to divide us again, and I didn’t want that. That’s why I tried to throw you out. But after I saw how willing you were to become part of our family, I let down my guard.”
“So if you don’t hate me…what do you think of me.” Abraham asked. Michelle blushed and sighed, looking away.
“That’s a bit too personal, Abraham.” She whispered.
“Wait…do you mean y-”
“I’m really tired, Abraham.” Michelle cut him off and closed her eyes.
“Right, sorry…” Abraham replied sheepishly. There was a long moment of pause before he heard a faint breath from Michelle:
“You remind me a lot of my dad…” Michelle whispered. Abraham smiled at that and leaned back, satisified with the answer, even if it didn’t solve his problem. He wanted to know how to reach Mato, Naomi, and Tori…to show them that he wasn’t a killer. It seemed that Michelle’s feelings towards him were not on the same level as theirs…could it even be possible to reach them?

“Pssst…” Abraham opened one eye and looked to Michelle.
“Did you say something?”
“mmmgo back to sleep…” Michelle groaned sleepily.
“Psssssssst!” Abraham sat up and looked around, curious as to who was trying to reach his attention. “Pssssssssssssst! I’m outside!” The voice called. Abraham silently slid out of the bed with Michelle and hurried to the door, sliding it open slightly as the dark night was beginning to give way to day light. There was the faintest sight of the light of the sun peeking over the edge. However, there was no sign of anyone who might have beckoned to him or called. Had he imagined it the whole time?
“Up here!” Abraham looked up and gasped to see Tori, flapping her wings and flying overhead happily. She landed next to the very surprised Abraham and winked. “Hi!”
“Um…hi?” Abraham replied confused. “What is it?”
“I wanted to show you something awesome!” She said excitedly. “I think you’ll really like it!”
“Tori, I’m really tired…I’d rather just sleep.”
“Oh c’mon!” Tori pleaded. “Mato and Naomi never wanna come see it anymore, but it’s the most awesomest thing in the world!”
“Awesomest isn’t a word.”
“What are you, a dictionary?” Tori scowled. “Will you just come with me or not?” Abraham groaned and shook his head.
“Fine, fine…where are we going?” Tori ran forward and leaped up, landing on his shoulders, each of her talons digging into Abraham’s arms tightly. “OW!”
“We’re going up!” She beat her wings hard and lifted him off the ground as if he were no more than a twig. She flew up and over the warehouse, but then just as easily dropped him off on the roof, so that the horizon was easily visible. Abraham looked up as she descended and landed next to him, folding her wings behind her.
“What’re we doing here?” Abraham asked.
“This is the spot! Now wait here, I wanna ask your other friends to co-”
“FOUND YOU!” I spun around to see Michelle climbing up onto the roof, clinging to her back was little Annie, who was yawning sleepily.
“See, I told you I heard noises.” Annie yawned. Michelle’s hair was a mess but her eyes vicious.
“What’re you doing kidnapping Abraham for birdbrain!?” Michelle shouted
“WHO ARE YOU CALLING BIRDBRAIN!?” Tori shouted defensively. “I was gonna come get you too!”
“What for!?” Michelle demanded.
“No time! Go get the rest of your friends, quick quick!” Tori pleaded. “It’s gonna happen any moment and I want them all to see it!” Michelle did not comply but simply set Annie down who ran over to Abraham and hugged his neck.
“You’re not hurt are you?” Annie asked.
“I’m fine kid.” Abraham laughed. “But I’m still curious…Tori WHAT is going to happ-”
“TOO LATE! It’s started!” Tori squealed, running to the edge of the roof and looking out to the East.

At that moment the sun broke the horizon and beams of light shone for miles, cutting through the dark blue sky and illuminating the world. Trees basked in its splendor and left nothing but shadows behind them. The golden light swallowed up the landscape and Abraham was forced to shield his eyes slightly to protect his vision. It was like Heaven itself was opening its gates allowing glory to shine through the Earth. Michelle grunted in shock as the light blinded her. Tori shielded her face with her wings, but her smile only grew wider.
“It’s so beautiful!” She cried. And indeed it was. The world seemed to practically glow. Abraham glanced back at Michelle and found that she too was smiling…and tears rolled down her face gently at the sight. Annie gasped in awe and dropped into Abraham’s lap to watch it with him.
“It’s gorgeous…I’d forgotten how wonderful a sunrise could be…” Michelle whispered.
“People just don’t appreciate it anymore.” Tori giggled. “I wish I could get more people up here to watch it with me! I want to share this sunset with everyone!”
“We all see it, Tori.” Abraham pointed out, rubbing Annie’s head.
“Yes, but not everyone appreciates it.” Michelle pointed out. “We may all see the same sunrise, but it’s how we look at it and how we appreciate it that makes it more glorious.”
“Abraham…it’s like you and this club.” Annie pointed out.
“It is?” Abraham asked. Michelle nodded.
“She’s right.” She agreed. Abraham was a little confused by that statement, but let it slide as his gaze was drawn back to the rising sun. He could practically hear the choir in the distance as this sight called for the most beautiful of notes.
“Tori, are you afraid of humans?” I asked her. Tori shook her head.
“Naomi and Mato don’t like them…but I don’t really dislike them.” She admitted. “Besides, you seem okay. That’s why I wanted you to see the sunrise too.”
“Really?” Michelle asked.
“Well when I found you guys…you all seemed really sad and down about stuff. Well when I feel upset, I watch the sunrise!” Tori beamed. “Then I feel all better! Do you guys feel better?” Tori asked hopefully. Michelle and Abraham exchanged a glance and smiled.
“Yeah…we really do.”
“Great!” Tori squealed. “Whenever you’re sad again…just look to the East.”