As I plummeted through the air, I could hear Beck screaming, “NOOO!”
My heart pounded in my chest, my body throbbed, but my mind wasn’t racing. In fact, this was the calmest it had been in days. Between getting captured, running from Vlasov, then, finding my dad, this fall was almost turning into a sweet release.
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When I Plummeted Into The Waves
The sea air stung my skin like little needles as I plummeted to the choppy waves. I fell into their icy embrace not knowing which way was up. Soon after however, I heard another splash, then something began pulling me to the surface. I looked up from where I had come, and saw my father leaning over the edge with a look of pure hatred as he held Beck and Ivan back with a single outstretched hand.
From there I passed out, maybe from the exhaustion, maybe from the cold, but the next thing I knew, I was waking up with salt on my lips and sand in my hair. I rolled over on the gritty surface, and turned just enough to see who my savior was. Next to me, was an exhausted wet dog, half asleep yet still wagging his tail at the sight of me.
I had no words. When my dad held Beck and Ivan back by threats and fear, Steve pushed past him and came to my rescue. As I realized what had happened, I started shaking and grabbing fistfuls of sand. Why would he have jumped in after me? How does this pup keep saving me again and again? I could feel a soft tongue on my clenched fist. Steve had scooted over to me, and even though he was completely worn out, he was still trying to help me. He was still trying to make me better.
A crack of thunder then threatened our spot on the beach. Steve whimpered at the sound, and looked at me as if I had any idea what to do.
His confidence in me though, was enough to bring me just inches out of this mental hole I had found myself in. So, using all the strength I could muster, I pulled Steve off the beach and into the woods.
Gasping for air, I sat next to an Oak tree, and Steve shimmied himself over, curling up on my lap.
I Plummeted, Now What?
I plummeted once more off the cliff, and my nightmares jolted me awake. Sweating and trembling I felt around for Steve realizing I had fallen asleep in the woods. Thankfully, the storm had begun dying down.
“Steve?” I called as I stood.
I could then hear him barking in the distance, so I figured I’d just follow his sound.
“Steve? Steve?” I kept calling.
Eventually, I found him, but for some reason, he was drawn in one direction. I wrapped my arms around his neck but he kept pulling deeper into the woods.
“Is there something out there?” I asked.
He just kept pulling.
I sighed, then added, “Ok pup, if you know where to go, I’ll follow you.”
We weaved through the trees and my brain began to go on auto pilot. My thoughts were taking me captive and reality began fading away as I tried to make sense of everything I had just learned. Really though, I felt betrayed, not only by my father, but by myself. How could I have not known? What should I do now? Was I really destined to become like him? Not to mention, if he’s the chairman of the families, he was the one behind everything I’ve been through in the last few weeks. Does that mean I’m going to hurt people like he has?
Steve bolted forward barking excitedly, and I was finally brought back to the damp woods.
Ahead of me, was a little cottage covered in flowers, that were illuminated by fireplace light leaking out the windows. Steve stood barking by the door, and when it opened, a short Hispanic lady with long black hair stood in the light.
I stumbled back and muttered, “L-Lorita?”
She looked at me with wide eyes and in her soft Spanish accent she called, “Comet?”
I plummeted to my knees and began crying uncontrollably. Somehow, someway, Steve had led me to the house of Lorita Ante, or as I know her, my old nanny.
After I Plummeted I Found Her
She rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me as the rain sprinkled around us. I grabbed onto her shawl and laid my head on her shoulder.
“Comet! Miho what are you doing here?” she asked.
I couldn’t even control my tears enough to speak, so I just kept crying. I got away from the Russian family, I plummeted off a cliff, I even survived my dad for a little while, but the sight of Lorita just was like a knife to the chest.
She asked no more, and put her warm hand on my head assuring, “It’s alright. It’s alright Miho, you’re safe here.”
When my eyes started to dry, she helped me to my weak legs, and guided me into her little home.
“So. Was it your father again?” she asked as she set me down on her floral couch.
I looked at her with my burning eyes as I searched for the ability to speak.
“Look, you don’t need to defend him. I know he’s your father but he could have done so much better. He’s a terrible person,” she added. “It’s beyond me how I stayed with him for forty years.”
“Oh yeah,” I mumbled. “I forgot you were his nanny too.”
I looked to the ground and asked, “So I suppose you know then, that I’m a clone of my father?”
“Oh no! You two are very different,” she argued as she prepared a small bowl of meat sprinkled with different vegetables.
I don’t think she knew I meant that literally but she continued, “Your father was always a very crass and cold person. He was eight and his fish died. So, do you know what he said? “Oh well.” You on the other hand cried for days when your fish died. But what I always remember is when you’d be pulling a late night, and I’d come into your room, smack the top of you hand, telling you sleep was important too, you’d listen, and go to bed. Trust me, your father wouldn’t have had that reaction.”
My breathing slowed as I looked at my feet, then Lorita handed me the bowl of food, and grabbed my face.
“We are a mixture of our parent’s DNA and our own experiences through life. For a while, I blamed myself for your father’s heartlessness towards you, and I was a little worried you’d turn out like him. Now though, now I know you’re so much better.”
My eyes welled once more as I held Lorita’s hand and kissed it.
“Thank you,” I barely managed. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”
I Plummeted To Lorita
She smiled, then set down a smaller bowl for Steve which he gobbled up in five seconds’ flat.
“You know, dogs are a great judge of character. Where’d you find this pup?” she asked as she began cleaning her little kitchen.
“Steve found me actually. He’s saved me multiple times by now.”
Steve barked and hopped up on the couch laying his head on my lap.
“Steve?” she echoed. “Why always with the people names for animals?”
I chuckled, then added, “It looks like it might be Steve and I from here on out. Considering dad still has Ivan and Beck.”
I pulled Steve closer and added, “Maybe this is for the best. Maybe I should just disappear. They’d probably be better off without me.”
The next thing I knew a wooden spoon came crashing through my hair.
“Ow,” I moaned as I rubbed my head.
“Do not say such things,” she added with the threat of the spoon. “YOU, don’t trap people into becoming your friends. That means they chose you. Now, are you going to let those people be hurt by the same person who nearly broke you?!”
Sitting speechless, I let her words sink in. I knew she was right, I knew I couldn’t just leave them. But I was scared. Scared of facing my father again, but also, scared of facing Beck and Ivan now that they knew I was a clone. I mean really, could I even be considered human?
Before my fears ran off with me, Steve nuzzled my hand and I realized something that changed my life. Lorita said that dogs are a good judge of character, and my father said he had nothing to do with Steve finding me. So that meant I would have to at least be somewhat human for Steve to be here, not to mention the realization that Steve chose to be here. He chose to stay with me.
“So, what are you going to do?” Lorita added.
I finally looked at her, and said, “I’m going to save them. I plummeted off a cliff both literally and figuratively, and now I’m going to get them away from that monster.”
She smiled and held my cheek, “That’s my Comet.”
With that, I thanked her for the food, and she pushed me out the door telling me not to waste any time, and to follow the road to get back to the mansion.
Saving Beck and Ivan
I did as she said, and along the way, I tried to think of some sort of grand escape plan. The only thing that came to mind though, was something like how I freed Steve. I realized though, sneaking in might not actually be a bad idea.
When we got to the house, I wandered back to the servant’s entrance, and bolted across the courtyard. I then found the kitchen door, but when I got inside, I realized the head chef was making his way down to the room. Quickly I hid in the pantry, and listened as his heavy footsteps moved around the tile.
Finally, he left, and I bolted up the steps after him. Carefully watching for the workers, I weaved through Greek columns and priceless artwork, hitting all of the spare bedrooms. I thought my dad might have put them back somewhere close to where they had been before.
“LET US OUT!” Beck cried from down the hall.
I nearly jumped out of my skin at his shrill voice, but I continued on, and found his room. Taking one of the stone statues, I used it to break the handle off. As the door slid open, Beck and Ivan looked at me in astonishment.
Before I could say anything though, noises started echoing from down the hall. So, I jumped into the room and gently closed the door.
As I searched for the strength to turn around, I took a deep breath, and glanced back.
Without hesitation, Beck threw his arms around me, and squeezed me half to death.
“We were so worried about you! How did you survive that fall!? Did Steve save you!?” Beck rattled off.
I simply smiled, and started laughing. Beck looked at me confused, but I couldn’t find the words to tell him how relieved I was. He still treated me like I was his old friend.
Ivan then moved to the door and glanced out.
“Hurry. Leave,” he added.
“He’s right, we need to get going,” I agreed.
Beck nodded, and the four of us made our way through this museum like house. Like a choreographed dance, we weaved through the artwork, jumped down the steps, and finally found ourselves leaving the mansion.
The gate was in sight, and the wind from the storm was starting to kick up again when my dad’s cackles could be heard from behind.
Thank You!
Thank you for reading this installment of The Adventures Of Comet And Steve! If you missed the last chapter in this adventure, you can find it here. I post every other Tuesday so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! I also publish lifestyle posts on my adventures through adulthood on this very blog. This is one of my favorite posts!
P.S. What was your favorite part of the as I plummeted to the ocean post? Will Comet survive this new enemy? Leave a comment below to let me know what you think!