markdown-monster-club/chapters/chapter_18.md

# Chapter 18

The beach was gorgeous and, as the afternoon dragged on into evening, things only became lovelier. Ashley had been confined to the umbrella all day, but as the sun began to set, she anxiously kept looking out, waiting for it to fully set. Her strength was returning to her. Tamil had enjoyed the feel of the water, but he seemed more interested in playing in the sand. He and Sarah had started building a giant sand castle together. Katie had gone out with Calypso into the surf and were swimming together around the rocks. Abraham was sitting with Ashley and Michelle. The moon was coming out now, and things were starting to cool down. The chill of the air mixed with the sea spray and made everyone feel soaked, even Ashley, who hadn’t touched the water all day.
“We staying out over night?” Abraham asked.
“Yeah, we’ll pitch a camp and stay a night or two.” Michelle said. “But if we’re gonna do that, we may need firewood. I’ll bet there are a few trees not far away we could use.”
“Let’s not worry about that right now.” Ashley spoke up. “The sun isn’t quite down yet, we have some time before it becomes an issue.” Agreeing silently, Michelle stood up.
“Then I’m getting back in the water one more time before it gets too cold to.”
“I’ll join you.” Abraham said, standing up. He shot a look back at Ashley. “Will you be okay by yourself?”
“Abraham, I look like a little girl…I’m not one. I can take care of myself. Get going.” Ashley gave Abraham a kick wich proved to be quite powerful for one so small. Abraham stumbled and bumped into Michelle, who laughed as he tried to steady himself. Tamil’s head came up as he heard them coming.

“Michelle, may we set off fireworks?”
“Tonight, yes.” Michelle said kindly. “But why do you wanna do that so bad? You won’t even be able to see them.” Tamil shrugged.
“Can still feel them…and hear them. Is enough for me.” He went back to building a sand castle as Sarah gazed up and winked at Abraham.
“He just likes to hear explosions.” She giggled.
“They sound cool.” Tamil admitted. Michelle and Abraham laughed as they walked down to the water. When Abraham got to the water, Michelle paused briefly.
“Something wrong?” Abraham asked.
“Just wait a moment.” Michelle said, smiling. As she stood there, the surf began to climb up the sandy shore until it rushed onto Michelle’s toes. She let a loud squeal and giggled uncontrollably, doubling over. She seemed like a happy puppy. “OH GOSH THAT FEELS SO GOOD!” She took off running into the water, splashing around and laughing. She seemed so carefree…so happy. Abraham quickly followed after her. The water eventually reached up to his chest and Abraham could feel it washing on his bare body.
“Michelle?” Abraham called. “Don’t go too deep, it’s not safe.”
“Abraham, you worry too much. Who do you think I am, Ashley?”
“I HEARD THAT, YOU MUTT!” Ashley shouted.
“Bite me!” Michelle laughed.
“Haha, you’re a regular comedian!” Ashley responded. Michelle smirked and swam out a little further. She grabbed hold of a nearby rock sticking up from the water and climbed onto it.

“Abraham, I wanna show you something. Come up here.” Michelle held out her hand for Abraham. Reaching up, he took her hand and allowed her to pull him up onto the rock. He sat down next to her and Michelle pointed to the beach.
“What is it?”
“Just look, Abraham.” Michelle whispered. Abraham looked and saw the club. Sarah burying Tamil in the sand, laughing and carrying on. Ashley sitting under the umbrella reading her book. Calypso was swimming and splashing around in the water not far away.
“I see the club…” Abraham said stiffly.
“You see our family. You see them all happy.” Michelle corrected. “For the first time in a long time…everyone is so happy and carefree. There is no fear in their hearts, and no worry. This is what I want for my family.” Abraham smiled but then paused for a moment and looked back over the sight before him. There was something wrong…something missing.
“Where is Katie?” Abraham asked. Michelle glanced over the club and suddenly frowned as well.
“I don’t see her…we need to find her quickly.” Michelle quickly leaped into the water and swam toward the beach. Abraham looked around and saw an odd shape in the water. It was long…snake like…and unmoving. It was slowly drifting out to sea, further away from the shore. As Abraham stared at it, he could make out a face…with closed eyes.

“KATIE!” Abraham leaped into the water and swam to her. He dove down and wrapped his arms around her middle and tried to swim toward the shore. He grunted as he felt the weight of her long body fight against him, and the pull of the tide was starting to pull him further away. He wasn’t strong enough to pull her alone. “Hold on, Katie!” Abraham reached out and grabbed the side of the rock and held on, keeping his other arm wrapped around Katie’s body.
Suddenly, the tension fell off as he saw another figure swimming up to meet him. Calypso was on Katie’s other side. She had her arms around her too, kicking her tail as hard as she could. “I’m so sorry! I left her out of my sight for only a moment!”
“It’s alright! Just help me get her to the shore!” Abraham called as he began to kick his feet. Calypso and him worked and kicked hard, slowly fighting the tide and bringing Katie towards the shallows. Calypso was tired…and Abraham could barely kick anymore. They were so close…and yet the shore seemed so far away. Abraham reached out his hand as if to grab at the sandy beach, but his strength was failing him.

“You idiot!” A hand reached out and grabbed his wrist. He looked up to see a familiar figure over him. Standing over him was Asher…not Ashley anymore. He was gripping Abraham’s hand and with a mighty tug, he yanked all three, Abraham, Katie, and Calypso free of the water, sending them sprawling on the beach. Abraham rolled over and looked at Asher.
“Thanks Ash…” He suddenly stopped and saw Asher wince and fall to his knees. The sun had not yet set…and his skin was burning.
“Asher, get back under the umbrella!” Michelle cried as she and Sarah ran to his sides and held him up, dragging him over to the umbrella again. “Thanks for helping, but we got this.” Asher didn’t bother to resist as he lay down under the umbrella, trying to cool off.
“Sorry.” Asher muttered, as he lay on the towel beneath him.
“Don’t worry Asher, in little bit, sun will lower ‘nough for you to come out.” Tamil said encouragingly. Asher smiled but then looked to Katie.
“What happened?”

“She wanted to go swimming,” Calypso explained, “She seemed to be doing okay…but I think a wave caught her and she bumped her head on a rock!” Abraham looked and saw a small bump on Katie’s head hidden by her hair. “This is all my fault.”
“No, Calypso,” Sarah said kindly, putting a hand on Calypso’s shoulder, “Katie was being reckless. Just give her some time to wake up and she’ll be back to her old self in no time.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Asher offered.
“No, the sun is about to go down and you need some time to play too.” Michelle retorted.
“I’ll stay with her.” Abraham spoke up. The entire group stopped and looked at Abraham for a moment. “Well…I’m kinda tired and I wouldn’t mind just staying put for a while.”
“Well, as long as you’re sure…I have no objections.” Michelle muttered. “Just let us all know if something goes wrong.” She then turned to Sarah. “You and I are going to go grab some firewood. We’re building a bonfire tonight and I need your silk to hold all the wood together. The rest of you, do what you want until we get back.” Michelle and Sarah walked up the beach toward the trees and nearby forests. Shortly after they left, the sun finally began to lower over the horizon and Asher dared to step out from his hiding spot.

“It feels so good now…like a whole new chill in the air.” Asher commented. The moon was out and Abraham couldn’t help but note how bright it was…and how close to full it was.
“Asher, I’m a bit concerned.” Abraham said. Abraham lay back on the towel and looked up at the moon. “We planned on staying out here for two days I think…but the moon is so close to full…what if something happens to Michelle?”
“Michelle won’t change unless it’s a complete full moon, and it’s not time yet…but rest assured, I will deal with any problems that may come. You’re on vacation, kid…try to relax.” Asher reassured him. Abraham started to respond when suddenly he let out a gasp of shock.
“Wha!?” Katie, who was sleeping soundly next to him, had suddenly rolled over in her sleep and was now cuddling up against Abraham, her long tail looping itself around his leg and her hands clutching his shirt.
“Hahahaha! It looks like Katie’s managing to stay relaxed.” Asher laughed.
“What do I do?!” Abraham hissed fearfully.
“Settle down and go with it, Abraham.” Asher winked. “Most boys would die to be in your position.”
“Yeah! I’m sure she’s the one who killed them for it!” Abraham shouted back. Asher laughed and walked down toward the water. He looked a little tanner than normal…possibly from the sun. His gazed seemed fixed on the ocean…at a certain mermaid who was reclining on a rock, looking out at the moon. Abraham turned his head to look at Katie.
She had snuggled into him and was clinging to his body. She looked so peaceful, and admittedly lovely in the light of the moon. Her scales were a lovely emerald and her wet hair cascaded over her body. If it were anyone else, Abraham would have been very excited about being in such a predicament. However, the fact that it was Katie made him that much more nervous. Katie could be very dangerous and he had no idea how she would react when she woke up and found out that she’d been snuggling into Abraham’s chest. Part of him wanted to get her off of him…and another part of him didn’t mind this at all.

After a while the sun had fully disappeared from view and the only source of light was coming from the gorgeous moon overhead. The salty sea air made everything feel damp and Abraham was feeling himself calming down considerably. Though it felt odd having Katie on him, he couldn’t deny the fact that he was glad to have the company. His gaze turned next to the beach where he could see two figures on a rock in the water…one was Calypso…and the other was Asher. They were sitting together, but what they were doing was a mystery, Abraham couldn’t quite make it out. He tried to adjust himself to get a better look, but as he did, Katie made a soft groaning noise and he knew that stirring her would only upset her. He settled down again and allowed her to cling to him still.
“She must think you are pillow or something.” Tamil chuckled. How had he known what Katie was doing without being able to see it? Could he hear her? Could he sense her sleeping?
“What makes you say that?”
“She cling to you like child does to parent.” Tamil laughed. “I can feel her.” Tamil continued to work on his sandcastle quietly. Abraham stared at him for a moment…and then decided it was time to ask.
“Tamil, how did you join the club? Michelle said that you were the first one here…” Abraham asked. Tamil stopped his work and leaned back a little. His sightless eyes gazing off into the void. There was a frown upon his face.

“I once was able to see…” He muttered. “Long time ago…I was just normal boy. But being locked in crypt for centuries…make me lose sight.”
“How?” Abraham asked, dreading the answer.
“You not know what it like…” Tamil whispered, “locked in darkness…with only images in memories past…these images…all I have left.” Tamil curled up and wrapped his arms around his knees. Abraham quickly dreaded that he’d ever brought up the question.
“I’m sorry, Tamil…I didn’t know.”
“No,” Tamil answered, “best you do know…I tell you my past…how I come to this place.”