Mini Brain Dumps

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Trigger Warning: This novel contains references to sexual assault and mental health disorders. Reader discretion is advised.

Chapter 17:

Quentin stirred from his slumber, the gentle sway of the ocean lulling him back into consciousness. As he sat up, his gaze fell upon Cate, who was already awake and sitting by the window, her hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head. She turned to him, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

“Morning Mr. Hayes,” Cate greeted.

“Good morning, Miss Sinclair,” Quentin replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “What are you doing in my room?”

Cate glanced around the room, taking in their surroundings. “I think we’re in a castle,” she said.

“Even dying and being reborn as a mermaid doesn’t stop you from getting up at the crack of dawn…” Quentin muttered.

Cate rolled her eyes at him. “We need to figure out where we are. Get our bearings.”

Quentin sighed. “Who needs sleep anyways?” he said sarcastically.

Cate grinned.

“So, any ideas on how we’re going to find our way around this place?” Quentin asked.
Cate shrugged. “Well, we could start by exploring the corridors and see where they lead,” she suggested, her tone casual yet determined.

Quentin nodded in agreement. “Sounds like a plan. Lead the way, Miss Sinclair,” he said, gesturing towards the door with a playful flourish.

Cate grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Gladly, Mr. Hayes,” she replied, taking the lead as they ventured out into the unknown depths of the underwater castle.

As they slipped out of Quentin’s room, the corridor stretched before them, illuminated by the soft glow of underwater lanterns. Elysia had told him yesterday that they were made from bioluminescent algae. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of marine life and ancient legends. Quentin couldn’t help but marvel at the craftsmanship, his curiosity piqued by the stories hidden within the artwork.
Cate led the way, purposeful and confident, as if she had already explored every nook and cranny of the castle. Quentin followed closely behind, taking in the details of their surroundings as they walked. The corridors twisted and turned, revealing new passages and doorways at every corner.

As they continued their exploration, Quentin’s mind buzzed with questions. What had happened to the Sovereign and the rest of the crew? Was Cate an Aquamorph like him? He resisted the urge to bombard her with inquiries, knowing that now was not the time.
As Quentin trailed behind Cate, he couldn’t help but notice the varied reactions of the other merfolk around him. Some regarded him with curiosity, their eyes alight with interest as they observed the unfamiliar stranger who wandered the halls. They offered warm smiles and nods of acknowledgment, their welcoming gestures easing Quentin’s nerves.

However, amidst the welcoming faces, Quentin also encountered less hospitable reactions. He couldn’t ignore the occasional sideways glances, accompanied by whispered comments or subtle shifts away as he passed by. Some merfolk seemed taken aback by his presence, their expressions betraying a mixture of surprise and suspicion. Quentin couldn’t entirely blame them for being weary of strangers.
As they continued their exploration, Quentin and Cate found themselves drawn towards a set of grand double doors at the end of a corridor. Without exchanging a word, they both knew that their next destination lay beyond those doors.

Pushing them open, they stepped out onto a vast terrace overlooking the castle grounds. The sight that greeted them took their breath away.

Stretching out before them was a sprawling landscape of underwater gardens, shimmering with an array of colors. Vibrant coral formations dotted the seabed, interspersed with swaying sea grass and clusters of exotic marine flora.

In the distance, Quentin could see towering structures rising from the ocean floor, their spires reaching towards the surface above. They looked like ancient ruins, remnants of a bygone era preserved beneath the waves.

Cate swam forward, her eyes alight with wonder as she took in the beauty of their surroundings. “It’s like a whole other world down here,” she said, her voice filled with awe.

Quentin nodded in agreement, unable to tear his gaze away from the breathtaking vista before them. “I never imagined that such a place could exist,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Together, they wandered through the gardens, marveling at the diversity of marine life that called this place home. Schools of colorful fish darted and weaved through the coral formations, their scales glinting in the dappled sunlight.

As they rounded a particularly dense cluster of coral, they came upon another mermaid, her graceful form weaving effortlessly through the water. She had a delicate beauty, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders in gentle waves, framing a face adorned with soft features and eyes the color of seafoam. Her scales shimmered with mesmerizing hues of pink, casting a radiant glow that caught the light filtering through the water.

“Hello, I’m Lyra,” the mermaid said.

Quentin and Cate exchanged glances, their eyes widening as they connected the dots. This must be the Lyra that Elysia had told them about. The one who had found them.

“You’re the one who saved Cate and me!” Quentin exclaimed.

Lyra smiled, raising her hands in the air. “Guilty,” she replied with a playful wink.

“I guess we owe you one,” he said.

“Don’t mention it,” Lyra responded with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Helping people out is what we do here.”

“Still, I’m grateful. Without you, I’d probably be floating in the middle of nowhere trying to figure out what way is up and down.”

Cate made a face.

“Just happy to lend a fin, or a tail, I suppose,” she joked, her laughter a beautiful melody on the currents.

Quentin chuckled. Cate crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Elysia sent me here to find both of you,” Lyra said with a sigh, her expression growing serious. “She wanted me to come get you so that you can start your lessons or whatever. But…” she glanced around, her eyes lighting up with mischief, “how about we make the most of your time here? There’s a whole city waiting to be explored.”

Cate hesitated. Her gaze flickered to Quentin. But Quentin, ever eager for adventure, was captivated by Lyra’s words.

Cate forced a smile. “That would be… nice,” she said, her tone lacking enthusiasm.
Lyra’s smile faltered briefly, her seafoam eyes scanning them with an intensity that made Quentin pause. There was something behind her warm expression, a fleeting shadow that vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. ‘If you’d rather not, I understand,’ she said, but the way her gaze lingered on them.

Quentin nodded eagerly, “Lead the way Lyra.”

Lyra smile widened, and a glint danced in her eyes.

Quentin and Cate followed Lyra through the grand halls of the underwater castle, their curiosity piqued by the enticing aromas wafting from the dining chamber ahead. As they entered, they were greeted by a mesmerizing sight: a long, intricately carved table adorned with an array of colorful dishes, surrounded by mermaids chatting and laughing joyfully.

Both of their stomach’s growled at the sight and scent of the delicious fare spread out before them. When was the last time they had eaten?

Lyra, noticing their excitement, gestured toward the dishes with a welcoming smile. “Please, help yourselves,” she said.

Quentin and Cate exchanged a glance before taking a seat and tentatively reaching for the nearest dish—a platter of grilled shellfish. They picked up the tender morsels, their fingers tingling with anticipation as they brought the food to their lips.

The first bite was a revelation. The flavors exploded on their tongues—succulent and savory, with a hint of brininess that spoke of the ocean depths. Quentin closed his eyes, savoring the taste, while Cate let out a delighted sigh, her eyes lighting up with pleasure.

“How is this grilled?” Quentin asked between bites.

Lyra giggled, dropping the chain of her necklace that she had been fiddling with, “We use volcanic rock to heat up our food down here.”

They sampled each dish their initial apprehension melted away, replaced by sheer delight. Each bite was a culinary adventure, a celebration of the ocean’s bounty and the mermaids’ culinary prowess.

By the end of the meal, Quentin and Cate were thoroughly enchanted. They had tasted flavors they never knew existed, experienced textures that danced on their palates.
“Come on, there’s more to see!” Lyra said excitedly.

As they followed Lyra through the castle grounds, she guided them through narrow passageways. Her eyes sparkled as she led them deeper into the castle grounds, but every so often, Quentin caught her glancing at them – studying them, almost as if weighing something. When they emerged, they found themselves in a secluded alcove tucked away from the main area of the castle, hidden behind a curtain of swaying seaweed. The sound of the bustling corridors faded into the background and was replaced by the gentle sway of sea plants and the soft murmur of the ocean currents.

“This is one of my favorite spots,” Lyra explained, her voice filled with reverence as she gazed around. “It’s a place where you can find peace in the chaos.”

“Legend says that it has been here for centuries, even before the castle was built. They say that merfolk would come and bathe in it and the water held the power to heal wounds.”

Quentin’s eyes widened in awe as he took in the serene beauty. A natural underwater spring bubble from the ocean floor, its crystal-clear waters shimmering in the soft glow of bioluminescent algae. Sunlight filtered down from above, casting dancing patterns of light across the sandy seabed.

“It’s beautiful,” Quentin breathed.

Lyra smiled warmly. “I knew you’d appreciate it. Not many people come here anymore, so it’s a great place to be by yourself.”

“Guess the healing waters most not work that great, huh?” Cate muttered under her breath.

He glanced over at Cate, noticing her standing off to the side with her arms tightly crossed over her chest. Her posture seemed guarded, her expression a mixture of reluctance and discomfort. Despite the beauty of their surroundings, she appeared to be distant, her eyes scanning the area with a hint of apprehension. Quentin couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern, wondering what thoughts were swirling in her mind.

Her gaze flicked to the spring, and a smile spread across her face, though Quentin could see that it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Race you to the bottom?” she challenged, but her voice lacked its usual confidence.

Without waiting for his answer, she dove into the water, her movements graceful, yet lacking the energy Quentin remembered.

Quentin chuckled, but the sound felt hollow, even to his own ears. He dove in after her, the cool water wrapping around him like a second skin. As he descended into the depths, a thought nagged at him: was this truly home now? He couldn’t shake the image of his mother or the feeling of grass beneath his boots. The sea called to him, but a part of him still longed for the weight of solid ground, the life he’d been ripped from.

“Wait for me!” Lyra squeaked.

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