City Mermaid

It was a beautiful morning as the singing voices of the birds could be heard on the tree in front of a bungalow.

But then they got scared off by the voice from the loud voice.

"Kapella!".

That was Mrs. Elijah's raging again as she moved out of the kitchen with a pan in her hand.

"Almost up, Mom". A feminine voice replied from the floor above.

"Do I have to remind you that you've missed school for one week already?".

"I know Mom but just drop the pan before you're tempted to use it on me". Kapella replied while she walked down the stairs full of smiles.

She was of an average height and her straight hair was tightly fit into the Panama hat she had on.

Her blue T-shirt and trouser also matched with those enticing blue eyes of hers.

Mrs. Elijah sigh and retreated the pan slowly.

"You're beautiful beyond imagining each passing day, what could be the secret?". She inquired returning to the kitchen.

"I eat seafood a lot and I don't yell at people". She replied and followed from behind.

"What!".

"Ops! My bad, you should try seafood every day, Mom". Kapella whispered and pecked Mrs. Elijah.

"Fish gives protein, not beauty". She replied dropping the pan.

"But I love to eat fish and fish alone, every other thing gets to taste gross and annoying ".

"You're 18, We shouldn't be talking about this anymore, you enjoy seafood over others and so we provide it in abundance".

"Why am I different? From everyone, what's special or strange about me?".

"You should get going, you're gonna be late". Mrs. Elijah mumbled while trying to get herself busy to avoid more questions.

"Are you gonna keep ignoring me, I know I'm different from others, a big difference, you all get to eat a normal meal, I try to eat much of it and I puke out".

Mrs. Elijah inhaled and turned to her.

"Because you're special, don't complain now and just move on with life as usual".

"The fact that you always warn me not to tell anyone means there's a secret".

"You're special, that's it, there are kids like you out there".

"Really?".

"Yes..So don't be hard on yourself". She said placing her hands on Kapella's shoulder.

"I guess I'm ready now". She announced and squat to adjust her shoe.

"Mom, Where's Dad?". A ten-year-old boy asked as he entered the Kitchen in his uniform and a backpack hung behind.

"Steve, I'll be with you in a minute". Mrs. Elijah replied when he took off Kapella's hat and wore it with a big smirk.

"Give that to me". She cursed.

"Mom, Do I look like Kapella?."

Mrs. Elijah couldn't help but scoff while Kapella wasted no time in taking it back.

"You can never be me". She grinned and he frowned.

"Don't be harsh on your brother, he's just a kid".

"One who doesn't know his place". She snapped.

"Give it to me". He whispered.

"No". She fired.

"I'll tell Mom". He whispered.

"She can hear you already, so don't threaten me, you little bottle". She mocked gripping his nose.

"Mom, Kapella didn't make her hair!". He announced like a commentator on a football pitch.

She quickly covered his mouth and taking off the hat, wore it for him.

"You look charming". She stammered trying to find her voice.

"Too late". He whispered.

"Thanks". He added and marched out with the oversized hat.

"Tell me it's a lie, Daughter". Mrs. Elijah yelled and Kapella looked away slowly.

Mrs. Elijah grabbed the Barrette on her hair and removed it thereby unclasping Kapella's hair.

Her long hair fell freely past her waist and reflected the light above.

Mrs. Elijah couldn't help but scoff as she leaned against the kitchen table.

"The Stylist was here yesterday, wasn't she?".

"No. She called back to inform me that she was too busy to come".

"And you decided to have it your way, take a look at your hair, it ain't normal, it....".

"It looks like that of Disney Character, Rapunzel, although mine is barely touching the floor, it looks cute".

"Cute or not, you know people mustn't see this".

"C'mon Mom, I get to cut my hair every week for the past...... I guess it since when I was born, you should take a break".

"It's for a reason and you have to trust me on that".

"Alright Mom, Just this week, I'll make sure I clasp it well into a bud style like the one I had before you ruin it". She frowned.

"I'll call the Stylist".

"Mom, I'm late already".

"Fine, Go and have your seat, I'll do it".

Kapella dragged her feet to the living room with her long straight hair trailing from behind.

There was Steve seated with legged crossed and Kapella's oversized Panama Hat on his head.

"It's time to hand it over, Steve". She said standing at akimbo.

"Have some respect for Sherlock Holmes". He whispered.

"Seriously?".

"Oh, How about I tell Mom that you took her car yesterday, Rapunzel?". He asked.

....

.....

Phoenix High School

....

....

Students could be seen trooping into the gigantic buildings in their numbers after alighting from their various transit.

Rushing down from the school is, some parents get to drop their kids, and the Rich flaunt their flashy cars while driving into the VIP garage.

A Dodge Viper GTS halt in front of the gate and its window slides down revealing Kapella and her Mom.

"And here we are, after trying to rip your little brother apart".

"Don't start again Mom, He took what was mine, threaten or try to blackmail me, and then drew sponge Bob on my hat, that was my favorite".

"You still watch Sponge Bob, that kids show? ".

"Um..Maybe". Kapella replied and hurried out.

"What do I get to tell the Principal, that I puked for days after I stubbornly eat a lot of pancakes? ".

"I spoke with him already, Just go to school and be a good girl". Mrs. Elijah said and she turned to leave.

"And?".

Kapella turned back with a smirk and stood at ease.

"Don't take off your bracelet, never take it off".

"Seriously Mom, I've been wearing this since I was born, why would I take it off now?". She asked.

"Good".

"But Mom, is it some sort of protection object?, was our ancestors Magicians? what does it do?".

"Good day, Kapella". Mrs. Elijah said and wore her dark shades.

She hit the accelerator with her foot and the vehicle shot off.

"hush!". She cursed and turned to the gate.

"Welcome back to Phoenix High, Kap..... I meant Faceless". She whispered and marched into the compound while tilting her black hat.

Kapella was walking through the hallway when she almost bumped into another student.

"Sorry". She apologized raising her head while their eyes met.

"Kapella!". She screamed and they hugged tightly attracting the attention of everyone in the hallway.

She was light-skinned and with wavy hair laid on her spotless face.

"Cindy". Kapella whispered.

"It's been so long friend, you didn't bother to call, I didn't know your place and then you delayed a week before returning from summer break". Cindy said and frowned.

"I lost my phone during summer break, Good thing you don't know where I live and I resumed late because I was sick for good one week".

"Sick?, Were you pregnant?".She asked and Kapella punched her arm.

"Ouch!".

"Yeah. Pregnant with stomach disorder".

"That's bad but I know you're fine now, babe, it will take more than a disorder to put Faceless down".

"Shhh, someone is coming". Kapella warned after noticing a teen boy who was approaching them.

"Kapella meet my little brother, Francis".

"I'm not little". He snapped.

"Francis, meet my best friend, Kapella".

"Oh she is..., nice meeting you, my sister talked a lot about you and she was right, you're beautiful, As she said, I'm Francis". She smiled stretching his hand for a shake but Cindy slapped it down.

"That will be all, Find your level, let's go, babe". Cindy curses and held Kapella's hand.

"Welcome back, Ella!". Voices sang from different corners of the hallway as they walked toward their classroom.

"Hi!". She replied waving at them with a big smile.

To the Students, Kapella Elijah was just a high school hottie that's admired by everyone, friendly as she never looks down on anyone.

They believed she was just an innocent teen girl but behind the curtain, Kapella was the popular masked hacker who the school authority have been trying to apprehend for months.

One known as Faceless and commits series of crimes, drugging guards on duty to gain access, destroying cameras but to mention for a few and most especially, altering the school's transaction database to make it look like every student had paid their levies.

"So cool to be popular right?".Cindy asked.

"No, I'm not".

"Yes you are, Such a beauty, pretty good voice that melts people's soul, you should go into pop singing". Cindy explained and she gasped.

"You're always good at making jokes". She said and they laughed.

"But I meant that". She announced and they entered the classroom.

She waved back at the students who welcomed her from the summer break.

"It's so good to be back".

"I can't believe it, Camping fee become ten thousand dollars, seriously?!". A student cursed.

"You speak like you can't afford it". Another student replied sharply.

"Of course my parent can but it's just too high and seems Faceless has retired".

"That's right, I was planning to spend my fees when my parents credit it into my account but since Faceless isn't showing up, I'll have to reconsider ". A Chubby boy announced and the entire class erupted into laughter.

"Every advantage has a disadvantage". Cindy whispered.

"That's just right, hacking into school database making it look like everyone paid for the sake of the poor but the rich take it as an opportunity to lavish more".Kapella whispered.

"This is a school for the Rich, Ella, why do people come when they know they can't cope with the fees? ".

"Everyone wants to be in the best school but the reality is sometimes unfair". Kapella said with a sorry look.

"I just don't understand why you chose to take this on yourself".

"Cos I chose to and we're going in tonight".

"What!". Cindy said in a low tone.

"We're going in to do what we always do".

"I thought you would return as a new Kapella, how long will you keep as The Faceless Hacker and for your info our school has upgraded in security aspect".

"That isn't stopping us, Cindy, that fee is too high even if it's to pay part for them with fake transactions".

"Do I have to remember you that to do that you must gain access into the School Control System, that means going to the Control Base, everywhere in the school is fitted with cameras and there are a lot of guards now, stationed at the Control Base for 24 hours".

"Good thing you made your observations, We'll find a way out as always".

Kapella opened her bag and revealing several devices, Walkie-talkie, PDA, and others unknown.

"Your parent can afford any fee Kapella, Why? ".

"Are you in or out Cindy?".

"Stop asking the stupid question, you know I'm your partner in crime, even when you choose to embark on risky adventures". She replied.

"That's why you'll always be my bestie".

"I hope you understand the Rich also get favored by this".

"That's right, I have to pay for everyone so the authorities can't tell who paid and who didn't, work on the time also so that the transactions doesn't go in at same, at least 20 students per day, paying per hour, but I came prepared to start from Joe, I'll clear every single transaction from the school database, Access his mail and delete every payment receipt he's received, I bet he's too rich to check them out, talk less of downloading them, I'll make it look like, he never paid a dime since he began High School ".

....

...

Elsewhere

...

....

The entire building was filled with busy men and women who moved from one Computer System to another.

There was no idle hand except Mrs. Elijah who walked in dressed in a red ball gown.

She moved to the secretary's desk and she recognized her immediately.

"I want to see Elijah".

"A moment please". The Secretary replied and took the landline.

She punched some certain numbers and placed the phone in her ear.

"Your wife is here".

"Alright". She added and dropped the phone.

"You can go".

Mrs. Elijah took her bag and marched to the office.

She was approaching the door when she saw the guard nodding after he touched the telecom device in his ear.

"Welcome to Phoenix Consolidated ma'am". He announced and pull open the door for her.

She entered and he closed the door behind.

"You should know I'm very busy every Monday, Honey". Mr. Elijah said and rose from his chair full of smiles.

"I knew that pretty well when I choose to marry a Cryptographer". She replied and he kissed her.

"Perhaps you could spare some time". She whispered.

"Sure. Come over". He said leading her to the Grand Sofa where they then sat.

"Let me guess, Kapella".

That's right, I'll be brief, She's eighteen now, we might not be able to control her like before ".

" Yeah. I thought of that ".

" She's different from other humans and it's only a matter of time before she tells someone ".

" She kept the secrets for years ".

" I know what I'm saying, she won't keep them soon, she forces herself to adapt to human meals even though she ends up puking. Ask various questions about why she's different from others and today for the first time, she asked about the bracelet, she's curious ".

" Are you saying we should tell her?". L

" I don't know, she's fragile but she also deserves the truth ".

" Then we do, I think ".

" Seriously?, I also want to but should I remember you the event that took place 18 years ago, I wanted us to have our honeymoon in Valencia, I wanted us to take a ship instead, I preferred sea transport because I loved sea wind but that was a mistake, the ship cruising on the Atlantic Ocean into the fog, do you remember ". She asked and he nodded.

....

...

Flashback

...

....

A ship swerved past a sea rock as it cruise the mighty ocean.

Passengers on the deck yelled gulping in the content of the Soda bottle that they held.

The Ship's speed slowly reduced while approached the fog ahead.

"Here you go". A man announced while leading Mr. and Mrs. Elijah to an enclosed room in the shop.

"Thanks, Marshal".

"Have a good night's rest, Elijah". He replied and left while they entered.

"Miss sea traveler, I hope you're enjoying this". He asked and she chuckled.

"It's Mrs. Elijah now and yes, I always love Sea travel". She said and kissed him passionately.

He responded and held her face with his hand.

She tried to unbutton his shirt but he held her hand quickly.

"I thought honeymoon was at Valencia". He whispered.

"And who says location can't be swapped to the Atlantic Ocean". She yelled expecting him to laugh but he didn't.

"You're damn not romantic".

"Don't you hear it?".

"Hear what?".

"The voice, the song". He cursed and hurried to the transparent window.

"C'mon Elijah, must it be Valencia".

She grabbed his arm to pull him but paused hearing the feminine voice all around the ship.

Up Where They Walk

Up Where They Run

Up Where They Stay All Day In The Sun

Wanderin' Free - Wish I Could Be Part Of That World

Heave-Yo

Charming Sailors

Come Down To Us

"Do you hear that?". She asked.

"I do".

She put her face against the glass and looked narrowly into the fog.

She caught the slight reflection of a woman leaning against a sea rock and gasped.

She made to speak but was interrupted by a heavy wind that pushed the ship dangerously to the left causing them to fall alongside every object in the room.