Don’t change me.
I’ve seen the destruction, felt the icebergs. I know what I have to do, even though I don’t like it.
I watch as my clouds and thunderstorms organize, signaling the spin I’ve been waiting for. That didn’t take long. I’ll be a hurricane before I know it.
I follow the counterclockwise movement of my clouds and find myself at the edge, morning sunshine shimmering on the water before me. There’s also something else, and it looks like I’m heading toward it.
The Royal Princess cruise ship is eighteen decks high, and she pops over the choppy water and waves as my 35-mile-per-hour winds approach. We may not be able to sink her—I’m still weak—but we can give the humans a warning sign. I’ll start by drenching them with rain, and then I’ll pick out one or two to electrocute. At least, that’s what Mom would do.
Nevertheless, on my way to the Princess, my mind returns to the turtles. I hadn’t seen them in so long, and then… they were right there. It’s as if… No, that’s ridiculous.
My clouds envelop the Princess, and rain pounds down on her pool deck. Look at those humans, climbing out of the pool and their chairs, only to take refuge in the bar. Look at them with their fruity drinks, ignoring all the destruction they’ve caused. Yeah, this will feel great, but if what I’m thinking about the turtles is true…
Stop, Erin! You can’t be tamed. If you want to be like Mom, you need to do this.
I hear crying, and my eye catches a small, brown-haired girl wandering the deck alone. At a thunderclap, she ducks under one of the pool chairs.
For a moment, I think I’ve found my first victim, but then a tall, slender man—the captain?—approaches the girl and kneels to her, extending his hand. “Hey, little one. Where are your parents?” he asks, but his tone isn’t forceful. It sounds concerning. I may be an Elemental Spirit, but I recognize emotions.
Still crying, the little girl faces the man and shakes her head.
With a gentle gesture, he adds, “Why don’t we find them? Get you out of this rain?”
The little girl nods and takes his hand, and he pulls her out from under the chair. She offers him her arms, and he picks her up, smiling.
They leave the deck, pass the bar, and disappear inside the Princess, leaving me with that same ping of guilt I felt after Helene. That little girl was scared, and that man helped her.
Oh, gosh, what am I doing?
Luckily, it’s not too late, and I move away from the cruise ship, heading back out to sea. I’m safe now; I can reflect on what I just saw: kindness in a world humans destroyed. Did they help the turtles, too, or am I just having a meltdown?
No, Erin—one goal, and one goal only.
Show the humans no mercy.
ns216.73.216.20da2
and then Add to home screen.