markdown-monster-club/chapters/chapter_04.md

# Chapter 4

“Well, of course I’m a mermaid, silly.” Calypso said with a laugh. She flicked her tail up and down playfully, showing him that there was no trickery or fooling around here…she was the genuine article. A real mermaid! Abraham could only stare in wonder at her. He had always thought them a myth…and he certainly never would have classified them as a monster.
“That’s amazing!” Abraham exclaimed. Calypso blushed.
“After all that you’ve seen today, is this really so surprising?” She asked. Abraham nodded.
“Well, you’re not like the others…I mean…mermaids aren’t monsters…they’re…” Calypso suddenly gave him a very cold look.
“They aren’t any more monsters than I am!” She shouted. “We aren’t monsters…none of us are. Not me, or anyone else in the club.” Abraham held up his hands defensively.
“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to sound rude.” He admitted. Calypso sighed and pulled herself back up on the rock, sunning herself. Abraham looked her over and blushed…she was gorgeous. “But how did you have legs earlier? I didn’t think mermaids could grow legs.” Calypso grinned and turned to face Abraham.

“Well, a long time ago, we mermaids went by another name.” Calypso explained. “Sailors would call us sirens. We couldn’t leave the ocean…so if we wanted supplies or cargo from the land, we sat upon rocks and waited for ships to come by. We would sing our hypnotic songs, to bring them crashing into the rocks….and then we took what we wanted. Those were darker times.” She then waved her fins a little to let them sparkle in the sunlight.
“However, as time went on…humans stopped relying on ships to go places and they started using planes, and stronger vessels. Our numbers dwindled and my kind began to die out. So, we had to learn to evolve or die. Soon, my kind became known as mermaids…and we were able to grow legs and walk like humans.” Abraham listened to her with complete attention, soaking in every word that she said. “However, our legs return to fins whenever we get wet.”
“Why?” Abraham asked.
“Why do you sweat?” Calypso countered. “It’s an automatic response that your body goes through when you feel too hot. To allow ourselves to more easily swim, our body automatically responds to getting wet.” Abraham gasped in understanding.
“That…actually makes a lot of sense.” Abraham said. Calypso smiled.
“You see? Once you understand something…and know the facts behind it, you can separate fact from fiction…and monster from being.” Abraham suddenly looked in his hand and realized he was still holding the red bracelet.

“Oh, this is yours right?” He held out the jewelry and Calypso suddenly blushed a deep shade of red. She took it quickly from his hands and cradled the item carefully.
“Yes….well no….not exactly…” She stammered. It seemed like she had suddenly become a lot more nervous and shy. “…it’s not for me…it’s um….oh…” Abraham laughed and walked closer.
“Is it for Asher?” Calypso let out a shriek and placed her hand over Abrahams mouth.
“Please, don’t tell anyone! I don’t want him to find out!” Abraham shook his head quickly, assuring her that he wouldn’t tell anyone. She let go of his mouth and looked down at the bracelet sadly. “He’s going back out tonight…and I don’t know how long it will be before I see him again…so.” Calypso pulled the bracelet to her chest and held it tight…as if she could somehow hug Asher through it. “I get so worried about him when he goes off.”
“Does he leave often?” Abraham asked. She nodded.
“He’s a vampire…every night he goes out to feed and keep watch for any sign of danger. That’s his job after all…to keep watch after dark.” Calypso then looked out over the lake, a look of sorrow etched across her lovely face. “But he’s never left for days at a time before…not since…since…”
“Since Katie was taken?”

Calypso choked a little bit and turned away from Abraham…trying not to look at him. She looked so upset…and somewhat scared. What had spooked her?
“Katie was taken about a week ago, right? So Asher has been gone for a week?” Abraham asked. Calypso didn’t respond at first…but slowly she nodded.
“We were…beginning to think he had…been taken too.” Calypso whispered tearfully. “Then he showed up…and I was so happy.” This whole business was starting to really interest Abraham. What was it that had everyone so nervous? What was keeping them all so quiet and so fearful? What could have taken a monster away…and then avoided a vampire for a whole week? It was something that he just needed to know.
“Calyspo…what do you think took Katie?” Calypso shivered and shook her head.
“I don’t know…” She muttered. “Anyway, I should get back to work.” She leaped into the water and started to swim off.
“WAIT!” Abraham called. Calypso stopped, her head still out of the water. She turned to look up at Abraham. Abraham fell to his knees and folded his hands pleadingly. “Please, I swear I’ll never ask again…but I just have to know…what do you think took her? What’s got everyone so afraid?!” Calypso paused and gave a very scared and very upset stare…but then she sighed and looked down into the murky depths of the lake.

“Humans…are hypocritical creatures.” Calypso muttered darkly.
“What do you mean?” Abraham asked.
“They long to be rid of that which is inhuman and supernatural…but they aren’t afraid to employ such tactics themselves.” Calypso hissed. She then looked up, a tear rolling down her face. “I have to go, Abraham…I’m sorry.” She then turned and dove back under the water, without looking back.

“Damn…” Abraham muttered. “This is driving me nuts.” Abraham turned back towards the yard and looked around. There was little to do or see out here, and his own curiosity was killing him. “What now?”
Suddenly there was a crash up the yard! It sounded like something had fallen. Abraham jumped to his feet and ran to the sound of the crash as fast as he could. He darted up the yard as fast as his legs could carry him. As he got further up the hill, he saw a figure leaning over a pile of dirt and clay. It was small and covered in bandages!
“Tamil?” Abraham called out. The mummy looked up from where he was kneeling and looked up in Abrahams direction.
“Who is there?” He called back. Abraham stopped in his tracks and gave a confused look.
“Tamil…it’s me.” Tamil’s face contorted with lack of understanding. Could he really not figure it out? “It’s Abraham!” Tamil suddenly beamed.
“Oh! I am sorry.” Tamil cried. “I did not recognize your voice, my friend.” Abraham kneeled down next to Tamil and waved his hand in front of his face.
“Come on man, you saw me this morning.” Suddenly Tamil’s face fell and he looked away.
“Actually…I did not. I am blind.” Abraham suddenly gasped and blushed. How had he not realized it before? That was the reason for his pale eyes…and why he never looked him in the eyes! It’s because he wasn’t able to see.

“Tamil…I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Abraham said apologetically. Tamil smiled and waved it aside.
“No, it is fine.” Tamil said slowly. “I…am used to it now.” He leaned back over the pile of dirt and got back to digging it up. Abraham looked down at the dirt curiously.
“What are you doing?” Abraham asked.
“I am fertilizing ground.” Tamil explained. Tamil grinned and then stuck his arm into the hole he had dug in the dirt. Abraham watched to see what would happen….but nothing seemed to be going on. Tamil grinned gain and used his free hand to brush his hair back.
“How are you….”
“My body is fertilizing ground.” Tamil explained further. Abraham jumped back in shock and in mortification.
“That’s nasty!” Tamil chuckled and continued what he was doing.
“If you think aboot it…I am nothing more than walking fertilizer. My job is to care for garden.” Tamil laughed. “So what are you doing?” Abraham looked away from the hole and tried to focus on anything else other than what Tamil was doing.
“I’m looking for something to do…you know…like a job of some kind?” Abraham answered.
“I see,” Tamil said, “well, you can pull up some weeds for me.” Abraham nodded his reply and walked over to the other side of the flowerbed. He knelt down and began grabbing hold of small green weeds, yanking them up carefully from the ground.
“You have not asked me, by the way.” Tamil said mysteriously. Abraham looked up at Tamil questioningly.
“Asked you what?” Tamil looked up at Abraham, and Abraham was genuinely spooked by his ghostly pale eyes.

“About Katie.” Tamil said darkly. Abraham dropped his handful of weeds on the ground and stared at Tamil.
“How did you…”
“Been listening.” Tamil answered. “Know you have asked the others.” Abraham turned to face Tamil and placed his knee into the ground…waiting for Tamil to continue.
“And?” Abraham pressed. Tamil shook his head.
“I answer one question about Katie…if you answer one question of mine.” Tamil said. Abraham shrugged and nodded his head. Tamil leaned back and stared at off into space…a serious look on his face.
“What do you remember…about family?” Tamil asked. Abraham stared for a moment, a little confused by the question.
“Well…I can’t remember very much…I know that my mom was very pretty…and I’m pretty sure that my dad was a lawyer or something.”
“They love you?” Tamil urged. Abraham couldn’t help but notice there was a hint of sadness in his voice. Abraham nodded.
“Of course they loved me.”
“What does that feel like, Abraham?

Abraham just stared at Tamil with a questioning glance. What was this? Where was Tamil coming from? At first Tamil thought that he was joking or trying to sound clever…or maybe his English was still bad and he was just misspeaking…but there was a look of such sadness and urgency in his tired face that Abraham somehow knew there was no mistake…Tamil had meant what he said.
“Well…I’m not sure how to describe it.” Abraham said. “It’s a very…warm feeling I guess. When you love someone…you miss that person when they aren’t around…and you think about them all the time. You’d do anything for them.” Abraham paused and watched…Tamil was shaking. His body was bent over and he was trembling. “Tamil, are you okay?” Tamil nodded and looked up, forcing a smile.
“Yes, my friend…I fine.” Tamil went back to fertilizing and planting herbs and flowers…but his face still shown an aura of disappointment and sadness. “Was distracted.” Abraham leaned back and looked at Tamil carefully.
“Why did you ask?” Abraham inquired cautiously. Tamil froze up a little but never turned his head.
“My family….they…” Tamil trembled a little and then shook it off quickly. “Did have a question about Katie?” Tamil asked quickly, clearly trying to change the subject. Abraham was still concerned about Tamil…but his curiosity for the mystery of Katie was a little more pressing. He knew that the house was hiding something about her…and Tamil was just about to open up about it! However, he was limited to one question…he had to make it count!

“What took Katie and where did they take her?” Abraham finally asked. He knew it was two questions in one…but he had to hope that Tamil would answer at least one. Tamil frowned and pulled himself up from the dirt. He stood up, prompting Abraham to stand as well. Abraham looked into Tamil’s pale eyes which never met his.
“Katie taken…” Tamil muttered, “by weapon of man.” Tamil explained. “Where she is, we not know. That is why Asher search for her.” Abraham leaned closer, desperate for more.
“What sort of weapon? You mean like a gun? And why does Asher search for her and not you, or Michelle?” Tamil smirk and look away.
“I only promise you…one question.” Tamil said, holding up his finger to indicate that Abraham had already used up his question. I groaned, feeling no closer to the truth than before.
“Well…thanks anyway, Tamil.” Abraham said kindly, starting to walk away.
“Asher hunts,” Tamil called, causing Abraham to turn, “…because Asher only one who can save her from it.”
“Save her from what?” Abraham asked. Tamil shook his head.
“From weapon.” Tamil said. “Not a gun…but something worse. That is all I can say.” Abraham grinned and nodded.
“Thanks Tamil…I appreciate it. I hope you don’t get in trouble for telling me.” Abraham called back. Tamil threw back his head and laughed out loud.
“What can they do to me?!” He laughed. “Have nothing to lose!” Abraham wasn’t sure whether to laugh at his statement…or feel tremendously bad for poor Tamil. Regardless, Tamil had held up his promise and told Abraham what he knew. That was good enough for him. He turned and started heading back up toward the house. Fatigue had started to set in and he needed rest.

“Quite the little investigator, aren’t you?” Abraham nearly jumped out of his skin as he looked up the path to see Michelle, leaning against the wall of the house, watching him through her ice blue eyes.
“Michelle?!” Abraham cried out. “I…didn’t see you there!” Michelle grinned.
“Perhaps you’re so busy looking in places that you shouldn’t that you aren’t looking in the places that you should…like what’s right in front of you.” Abraham nodded at her insult and decided to ignore her. It was obvious that Michelle didn’t trust him…and he wasn’t going to indulge her.
“Fine…I’ll take better care next time.” Abraham walked past her.
“I just gave you a clue you knuckle head!” Michelle shouted. Abraham stopped and turned to face her. She had a serious look on her face and then looked away from him.

“Look,” she said finally, “we got off on the wrong foot. I’m sorry for being so…distrusting when you first arrived.” Abraham placed his hands in his pockets and watched her…it looked like Michelle was having trouble admitting her mistake.
“No, I understand.” Abraham said. “There’s no need to apologize.” Michelle shook her head forcefully.
“No…Asher was right earlier.” Michelle said. “We can’t turn away someone in need just because of what they are…it makes us no different than your kind.”
“My kind aren’t all bad.” Abraham defended.
“I know…I know because…I was once like you.” Abrahams eyes widened in shock.
“What?!” Michelle reached to her jacket and lifted up the side, revealing a long scar along her waist.

“I was bitten when I was a little girl.” Michelle said darkly. “I thought I could get on with my normal life….but it wasn’t easy. Soon, the prejudice…the fear…and the humans forced me to flee. My dad had to let me go.” Abraham suddenly felt nothing but remorse for her. He should have known that Michelle hadn’t always been a werewolf. Did that maybe Asher…and possibly Katie could have been normal too?
“I’m very sorry.” Abraham whispered.
“Don’t give me pity.” Michelle barked. “Give me your word.”
“My word?” Abraham asked. Michelle took a dangerous step forward.
“It was humans that drove me away from my father and from my life…and when I founded the Monster Club, I thought that I could start over. Then you showed up. I’m trusting you because you know what we’ve gone through…you know what it’s like to live on the run and not have anything to call your own. But you have to give me your word that you will not rip this family apart.” Michelle warned. Abraham nodded quickly.
“I swear it!” Abraham shouted. “I’ll write it in blood if I have to!” Michelle giggled.
“There’s no need for that, Abraham.” Michelle said, trying to sound kind. “Why don’t you go get some rest? You’ve had a long day of snooping.” She turned and started walking back down toward the yard. Abraham suddenly remembered what she had said earlier and called after her.
“Michelle, what did you mean when you said you had given me a clue?!” Michelle never looked back as she laughed.
“And here I thought you humans were smarter than this…at least I was. Listen up, Holmes, you might learn something: You’re looking in the wrong places. If you want answers…try looking at when the problem begins!” Abraham didn’t answer…but rather watched her walk further and further away.

“It’s a riddle.” Abraham grumbled. Normally, Abraham enjoyed puzzles and riddles…but he had been trying all day to get to the bottom of this, and he couldn’t think of anything! What was he missing? What did the riddle mean? “Gosh I’m tired…” Abraham groaned. “Maybe a nap will help me think this through.” Abraham walked back to the cabin and made his way up the steps and into the house. His mind was filled with questions…and it was mulling everything over. What could be missing? What was the last piece?

“So how did it go?” Abraham spun to look and see Solomon sitting in the armchair. He had a book in his hand and he was looking up at Abraham with a grin on his face.
“I couldn’t really find a job to do…so I’m going to bed.”
“I wasn’t talking about finding a job, boy.” Solomon laughed. He put down his book and leaned toward Abraham. “I’m talking about your little investigation…on Katie.” Abraham’s eyes widened and he tried to act innocent. Solomon laughed. “Oh don’t think I’m so dense, kid…I knew what you would do the minute I sent you out there. I wanted you to try and find out…to see what you could learn.” Abraham sighed with relief that Solomon wasn’t mad at him.
“I didn’t find out much…just pieces of information and riddles.” Solomon smiled.
“Really, well I happen to have a fondness for riddles. Let’s hear about it…maybe I can fill in the blanks for you."