"Do you have something against humans?" Elena asked as she walked with Kaylinani on her shoulder. The little plush-turtle still looked adorable even if it was just a disguise for the immortal turtle goddess.
"Only the propaganda that your kind represents," the turtle replied telepathically as to not break character on the crowded beach.
"Propaganda?" Elena walked as quickly as possible back to the hotel, trying to draw as little attention as possible. Soaking wet, in only her t-shirt and underwear, Elena assumed she looked like a crazy homeless person.
"Yes, your writers and artists telling of a perfect world that lies beyond the ocean."
They made it to the hotel. Luckily it was late enough in the morning for the elevators to be empty; everyone was either at breakfast or already on the beach.
Kaylinani continued her rant. "My brother grew up with images of the humans, their music, their art, their culture. To him, you were heroes or even Gods. So when mother asked if he wanted to go live among your kind, as your friend, he jumped at the chance."
"I'm sorry," Elena muttered. They reached the door but Elena already knew Isaiah would not be in the room.
"What's wrong? Where is my brother?"
There was a trail of water leading from the bed to an open patio. Elena released the turtle to go investigate. But as she did, Elena felt a painful blow to the back of her head.
Kaylinani was flying, her cutesy-fairy wings surprisingly strong.
Elena paid her no mind. "Isaiah?"
In his human form, Isaiah's body lay on the floor, blanketed by palm leaves from trees that had no business growing anywhere near the fifth level balcony. "Hey Lena, I see you've met Kay."
The palm trees pulled away, allowing Kaylinani to land on his tan, muscular chest. "Isa! What have those awful humans done to you?"
"Nothing, Kay," he said, running his fingers through his long dark brown hair. "I'm just a little tired."
Elena had to admit he looked healthier than when she left him. Perhaps he was telling the truth.
"You can't stay here, their world is killing you. Please, brother, return to the ocean with me. I'll care for you the way I always have."
"No," his eyes closed as he bathed in the warmth of the sun. "I can't go back." he reached his hand to Elena beckoning her to lay beside him.
She rested her head on his shoulder. She could see Isaiah had one hand on Kay's shell stroking her wings.
His other hand reached out to Elena. "Do you want to know what my life was like before I became human? Hold my hand, close your eyes."
Elena closed her eyes and was transported to an underwater scene. It was like something out of a movie; the world was illuminated by glowing plants but this society also appeared to have access to modern technology. There was what appeared to be wi-fi coursing through certain plants, allowing for images to be broadcasted. And there were sounds everywhere; music, languages, it was all most too much to take in.
Kaylinani, in her larger stone-turtle form, came into view. "Come on Isa, let's get out of here."
Elena now realized she was looking through Isaiah's eyes. Swimming towards the surface Elena watched as her eyes passed the windshield of what used to be a car. She saw a baby turtle with big brown eyes; Isaiah's eyes. His shell was blue the color of Isaiah's denim jeans. And his pure white wings sparked like the most precious of jewels. "Wait for me, Kay," squeaked Isa's little voice. "I want to show you my new painting!"
"Fine, where is it this time?"
"In the cove, by the tide pool." Isa started to dart off in a different direction.
"Did you say the tide pool?" Kay shouted after him.
In the blink of an eye, Elena was inside a tide pool, looking up at dozens of children's hands. Some were picking up painted stones. She could hear laughter and giggles.
"They like my paintings," Isa said happily.
Kay grabbed her brother pulling him behind a rock. "They'll see you!"
