AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But then I recall the way that kids taunted birds in the resistance, tossing rocks or sticks at them. I wonder if people came to the aquarium and threw things at the sharks. Humans transform into mean bastards when we think we have a bit of an advantage.
We emerge at the top of this massive glass bowl, filing out into a giant, humid room in single file. We stand on a narrow platformthat can't be more than three feet wide, encircling the entire pool. From this vantage point, looking down at the water and the plants and sharks, everything resembles a bowl of blue soup left to settle, all the ingredients sinking to the bottom of the dish.
Above us, a few leaf-coated skylights let in solitary rays of light here and there, which dapple the water. The overall effect is not quite as enchanting as the forest stream I'd been hoping for, but it is pretty.
"How are the sharks still here after all these years?" I wonder.
"Oh, these guys are part of Em's menagerie," Creep informs me, and I glance over at Empty, who shrugs carelessly as he gazes out across the water.
"They're useful."
"Yup. He breeds them. Because this is his garbage bin when he's done with a body. He feeds them to his babies here."
"The fuck?!" That outburst comes from Chase's mouth, and all of our heads swivel to watch the human reaction burst out, when just a moment before, Empty clearly had the reins.
I'm assuming that Chase isn't too happy about this revelation.
"Look, that's not going to happen to you." It's strange how a tiny tilt of the head can tell me exactly who's talking.
"Damn straight it's not."
"Not until we're separated, at least," Empty mutters.
"Maybe I'll just take that fucking potion until I die."
Chase's face screws up into an expression of fury so intense it's comical—both beings are clearly battling for control. It makes me wonder if some sort of internal argument is occurring too. If they're in the same body, do they share thoughts?
Creep chuckles at the sight, his blue claws clutching at his belly. He only adds fuel to the fire when he teases, "Bet you want to punch that fucker right in the face, huh?"
The rest of us, even Dev, burst into laughter that echoes across the massive room, ricocheting from the metal walls and returning to us as tinny, musical notes.
The waves on the water seem to grow bigger in response to our amusement. Near Creep's place on the platform, the water begins frothing and churning. A second later, a huge gray shark surges to the surface and opens its mouth, displaying row after row of dagger-like teeth.
Adrenaline and fear shoot through me like bullets. Holes appear in my stomach, and all the amusement leaks out as if it’s blood.
Holy shit, that fucker has to be forty feet long.
I take a step back, but Creep turns toward me, a challenge in his eyes. "Scared?"
Of course I can't back down after he's asked me that. I may be a little intimidated by the size of that thing's teeth, but I just froze a fucking sandworm.
You can do this shit, Aliana.
Sharks are nothing.
Because you’re a goddamned monster.
It’s fucking strange to think that, but also slightly empowering.
I move forward on the cement platform and square off against my blue mate. "Not even a little. How are we doing this?"
"We dive in. We're going to play tag. If the sharks try to play, just hit them on the nose."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Chase's panic reverberates off the glassy room. "That thing can swallow us whole!"
Chase's body jerks, and his head tilts again, a creepy smile coming over his face. "Not whole. Two bites. Much messier. More fun."
Before they can fall into a long argument, Creep yells, "Dev, you're it!" and he swan dives off the platform next to me.
