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Arlo - Missing Journal 4

I’ve some entries for Arlo’s Journal from “Mermaid Rising” that set up “The Mermaid’s Apprentice.” Here’s the 4th entry following those from Section 2 of “Mermaid Rising.”

July 16th – The Isle of Syreni

The doctors on the island are surprisingly talented. They have a full modern facility that can handle more people than are currently staying at the facility. There seem to be wings dedicated for research into areas that I find interesting. There are rooms with full pools, but there is nothing going on in them when I take a casual view.

Oh well, it is just as well. I wouldn’t want them putting their fingers into my work. Not that I have top secret stuff I’m working on, but the university gets first dibs on anything I find.

As nice as the facility is, I’m looking to get out of here. The fantastic view of the ocean doesn’t compare to actually being out on it. It feels so much better to have a moving surface under you, to rock you to sleep and adventure in.

My broken leg prevents me from continuing my research. I’ve contacted DK (Dr. Killian) at the university. He suggested I ask my brother to help. What a great idea! DK says the university would pay for him and his daughter to come down. On the notion I could get Melanie to bring her best-friend Jill along with her, I float the idea to DK that Melanie bring a friend as it would be ‘boring’ for her while her dad did all the dives.

Little does my niece know her secret was out. Her friend Jill is the ‘mermaid’ that rescued me, and I would like to have a word with her and to get a DNA sample. That will be easily contrived when she is aboard The Lazy Cloud. It irks me that the girl is human, how simple it would be if she was ‘animal’ and I could just box her up and do whatever I’d like with the non-human. That is unless I can prove she isn’t human.

I don’t mention any of this to DK, right now it is all speculation. Without the girl on hand and the DNA sample in the bag. How Melanie will thank me for saving her from a monster disguising herself as her best friend. I get the approval for an additional guest. To keep it from being suspicious to my family, I couch the words so that Melanie brings her friend without her knowing it will be a trap.

I wish I could outright ask for her to bring Jill, but it is my own fault. I’ve not paid Melanie as much attention as I should have on my visits, and therefore I don’t know her friends well enough. Oh well, I send the email to Jeb:

Subject: Leg broken, need help – Bring Mel and friend
Jeb,
During a recent dive, I was pinned by some debris and barely made it back to The Lazy Cloud. My Femur (leg) is broken and I’m out of commission for several months, but the university desperately needs me to continue with my work.
Dr. Killian, who you have met, kindly suggested that I invite you for another trip. All expenses paid, since it is medical on my part. They’ve spent too much already on getting me down here and need the research to continue uninterrupted. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case as I’ve been laid up for several days. In my last email I mentioned the sickness, but I had hoped for better news on the leg.
So, the university has said it will pay for you, Melanie and if she’d like – to bring a friend along. In the past she has felt cooped up on the The Lazy Cloud, so if she were to bring a friend that might not be so bad anymore. Perhaps one of her swimming friends, since there will be plenty opportunity for that down here. She’s old enough now, she could perhaps help a little. Her and her friend, if they are inclined. I’ll do my best not to be boring. There is more than enough room for everyone.
Do let me know if you can help. I’m sure it would be a welcome relief from Colorado’s heat. It’s hot here sure, but it isn’t in the hundreds and there is an ocean out your window every day to cool off in. I don’t want to beg, but really I am. I’d owe you anything, except as you know, to settle down. I can’t be away from the ocean for long, but if you or Mel need anything ever, I will be there for you.

Note: This post was resurrected from my old site. It may not be the one that showed up on the site. The date of publication here is from when it was added to this site.

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