Meya's Queen

By Samvritha Sudhakar

A familiar salty aroma filled her nostrils as the wind whispered into her ear. The sand between her toes was the gentlest hue of gold and the buoying waves danced with her skin. She clutched her legs close to her heart, allowing her cheeks to rest on her knees, and watched the birds fly across the tangerine sky. “Maddy? Mad — oh, there you are!” Madeline softly smiled at the sea. Conner was a dreamy fellow — lean, tall, messy hazel hair, chestnut eyes, and a smile that could light up a room — and he was hers. With a leap he placed himself next to her. She turned to look at his eyes which mirrored the flaming sun. His fingers crawled across her cheeks, tucked her jet-black hair behind her ear, and he placed a soft kiss on her nose. She rested her head on his shoulder as he put an arm around hers, and they watched the sun set on Meya for the last time.

A sharp horn tore across the evening sky and signaled the ocean liner’s readiness to start sail. Madeline had packed her things in two trunks, including her switched-off phone and laptop for there would be no signal or connection in the days to come. Memories clung to the furniture, and the walls of her home, begging her to stay. It was all so unfair — the horrid and inexplicable deaths at sea, this supposed evil curse that had befallen her beloved island, the evacuation — all of it. She wiped away her tears and stepped out, turning the key to lock the house. “Ready to go?” Conner asked. “Hmm.” “I know. I don’t want to leave either.” He paused and brushed her cheek. “But it’s going to be okay. You’ll see.” She smiled. They picked up their trunks and joined the islanders headed towards the port. In no time Meya’s Queen sailed into the horizon. 

***

The people of Meya clamored and roared, trying to adjust to the little space of the modest ballroom on deck. Conner grabbed Madeline’s hand and winked at her. She sighed. The pair of lovebird teenagers tore through the crowd who shot them looks of disbelief and annoyance, and sped across the two floors and passageways, until they reached the starboard side towards the stern. Madeline rolled her eyes when Conner grinned triumphantly and raised his hand for a high-five. “Seriously?” “You’re cute when you’re angry,” he laughed, lowering his hand. “Oh, hush!” She almost burst into laughter and lightly punched him in the gut. “Okay, okay! It’s true though,” he said and inched towards her. “Uh-huh.”

“Really,” he pulled her close, moved the hair from her face and kissed her on the lips. A faint orange bled into the sky as the sun prepared to rise. When an announcement interrupted them, he pulled away and smiled. They made their way back into the ballroom. “All aboard,” exclaimed a deep, grumpy voice. “I am Samuel, and I will be thy captain for the sail. I understand the pain of leaving thy homes, yet Meya has been hit by evil. For the death of thy loved ones, I grieve. But let us swear on their memory that we will find another land to call home, we will rebuild our lives!” He paused awkwardly. “CHEERS TO ALL!” An unenergetic cheer erupted from the crowd in response. “He could be a great motivational speaker someday,” whispered Madeline. Connor pursed his lip and stifled a laugh. “Couldn’t hold onto Mister Shakespeare until the end.” “Eh, I thought he missed a smidge of that Jack Sparrow.” This time Conner laughed. A couple of middle-aged ladies frowned at them. “Damn teenagers,” one of them muttered. They ignored the comment and went back to their little secluded spot by the rails. The sun had come up and seagulls squawked as they circled Meya’s Queen curiously. She sailed on. 

A low growl erupted from Madeline’s belly. She wondered if it showed on her face, making her look dull pale and ghastly when Conner said, “I’ll go look for food. Be right back,” and swiftly disappeared. She leaned on the rails hoping he was hungry too and didn’t just go exploring the ship for her benefit. The blueness of the ocean and the sky was overbearing. She fidgeted, paced around, stood still, and paced around again. A seasick woman added a sour taste to the blue. Just when Madeline thought of giving up and go looking for Conner, she spotted a man. Something about him stood out, but she couldn’t put her finger on it, and she didn’t recall him from the island. He stared at her for a few seconds and looked away. Madeline bit her lips and decided to stay put, her mind now occupied with the man’s unruly hair, wild beard, and shabby clothes. When she glanced at him again, he was approaching her. Palms cold and sweaty, her heart raced. She stepped back and realized she had nowhere to run. She wanted to scream out Conner’s name but her voice was dry. The man picked up his pace. She flopped down, hugged her knees, and shut her eyes. Please, no, she begged silently. A hollow but warm darkness engulfed her. Madeline heard footsteps and looked up. Conner was approaching with two trays. He raised his eyebrows at her, “Aww, you were that hungry?” She didn’t respond and looked at the man now knocked out on the floor. Conner looked at him too. “Ugh, another drunk! Here.” He handed her one tray and sat down beside her. Madeline smelt the faint butter and decided to put her mind off the man. They wiped every last morsel of scrambled egg and toast off their trays.  

***

Daylight faded and the crescent moon hid behind the gray clouds embedded into the night sky. The once smooth sail began to roughen, but everyone aboard was taken with Meya’s Queen who looked gorgeous, bejeweled with lights. 

“Ahoy! Lovely ladies and gentlemen, in honor of your first night aboard Meya’s Queen, we throw a feast and a party,” Captain Samuel exclaimed in the ballroom. A loud cheer egged him on. “Raise a toast and dance,” he beamed delightfully, raising a pint of beer to the inseparable duo, Meya’s favorite guitarists. Conner snaked an arm around Madeline’s waist as the strings warmed up the dance floor. Her arms found his shoulders. One foot in, one foot out, hips swaying, they flowed. Other couples, and friends, danced too. For the first time since the voyage, Meya’s Queen did not reek of pain and hopelessness. Little did they know this feeling was to be short-lived. A sudden lightning ripped the sky to shreds and raging thunder crashed the party. Strong waves hit the liner. The music stopped and panic rose in the air. Unable to stay steady, Meya’s Queen tossed around her people like playthings. Madeline managed to grab a short rail by one of the windows. She looked outside, her face pressed against the thick cold glass. In the throbbing light of the storms, she saw them — shadows in the water. They seemed to circle Meya’s Queen. What is that? One of the shadows started to rise. 

“Conner, look! Conner, CONNER!” Conner could see Madeline but he couldn’t make his way to her, clinging on for dear life at the other end of the ballroom. The lights flickered and the power went out. Captain Samuel, who had shot towards the bridge to try and maneuver the liner while still blaring into his microphone, urging people to calm down, was cut short. Fearful and tearful screams pierced the dark. Madeline was drawn into a vortex of quiet amidst the commotion, her mind blank and senses barely functioning. In the flashes of piercing purple light, she watched as the large black creature menacingly waved around its tentacle-like limbs. One tentacle landed on the bow side of the deck and another on the stern side. Meya’s Queen started to crack in two. Madeline heard their screams again as she fell on the floor. The creature picked up the islanders and flung them into utter darkness. She felt the chill of the creature on her spine and closed her eyes.

***

A serene quiet had overcome Madeline. She opened her eyes to bright white light everywhere around her. And a warm feeling, somewhat familiar but strange. She tried to sit up but couldn’t. Am I in heaven? She closed her eyes again and felt a grip on her wrist. Is that Conner? Is he dead? Am I alive? Her brain was suddenly foggy. She shook her head and opened her eyes again. The sun peeked from the horizon. Memories rushed back into her head. Her eyes adjusted and she looked at Conner, his wet chestnut eyes. But soon she realized many eyes were laid on her. She looked around confused. 

“Help me up,” she whispered. With Conner’s help Madeline stood up, her legs weak. She looked around again wondering why everyone was looking at her. 

“What’s happening, Conner?” 

“I am not quite sure. When that monster —” 

“The Kraken,” interrupted Captain Samuel in a quiet hoarse voice, startling Conner. “It is called the Kraken, it is, I’ve only heard —”

“Whatever. When it attacked, was attacking, we all saw a bright white light. It was bursting out of you. The monster... it dissolved. I think you saved us all.” 

“You did,” said a voice Madeline hadn’t heard in a very long time. She turned around to look at its source. “You channeled your magic,” the voice continued, “your intense desire to free your people from its clutches, to return to Meya, and to see me again.” 

“M-mom?” Madeline let go of Conner and ran towards her mother. Zara embraced her daughter before cupping her face in her hands and kissing her on the forehead. “Every day for the past 12 years I have been watching you. I am so proud of you, my darling, my love. Here I stand today, alive and well, per your wish.”

 “You look exactly as I remember you,” Madeline exclaimed as a tear of happiness rolled down her eye. She turned around and gasped. The Meyans were on their knees led by Conner. As she stared at them, each Meyan performed the Meyanese sign of gratitude — they touched their hearts with their right palm, their foreheads with their right fists and hands straightened towards the mother-daughter pair. Speechless, Madeline glanced at her mother for help.

“Meya’s angel,” smiled Zara before turning to the crowd. “As prophesied,” she bellowed, raising Madeline’s hand. Meyans stood up, cheered and clapped. “I’ll tell you all about it,” whispered Zara, and looked at Conner. “But before I do, tell me all about this lovely gentleman!” Conner turned deep red. Madeline laughed awkwardly. “Mom, this —” 

“Dearest crew,” began Captain Samuel. “We have had the scariest moment in all our lives. Many loved ones have been lost and I send my deepest condolences. Let us —” 

“Er, thank you, Captain,” said Madeline. She turned to the crowd and took a deep breath. “We have loved ones to say goodbye to. Meya awaits our return.” In an hour, Meya’s Queen, now devoid of cracks, started her sail back to the island. Despite the tragedy, there was euphoria aboard the liner. Madeline, Zara and Conner sat together as a family. There was a lot of catching up to do.

By Samvritha Sudhakar