Internet 24

THROUGH MANNY'S EYES

The thunderstorm is still going, and now I'm stuck with a demon and a stranger. I blame myself, to be honest. Lou and I never hung out by ourselves as it was always something Kate planned, but I've been around him enough times to have realized that he is a demon, er, I mean Sea Witch. What does that even mean?

Luckily, I'm not the only one with questions.

ADAM

Are you from the Ocean?

Lou and I lean over the counter, trying to order our food. Adam is too enamored with his question to care. Lou gives him a nod. Okay, so he is a fish. Wait, can I call him that, or is it offensive. He can't get too mad at me. He never mentioned he was an all-powerful contract-making fish all this time.

ADAM

Which part, the Atlantic or the Pacific?

LOU

The Caribbean Sea. Let me order my food.

Adam reaches below the counter and pulls out a bottle of water with a few missing sips. He jostles it as if we can't see it. Lou rolls his eyes at it. On the other hand, I have my eyes bouncing back and forth as Adam is brave enough to ask all the questions rattling in my head.

ADAM

Is this bottle like a bottle of air to you?

Do you need to drink it or pour it over your gills?

BAM! A tip jar, the iPad register, and the muffins in the case fly a few inches into the air as a series of cracks spread from where Lou slams his fist on the counter. Both Adam and I jump back as Lou's eyes glow red. His knuckles have the grey and turquoise snakes growing from them.

I tap the counter, trying not to get anyone's attention. It's hard, maybe made of granite or some hard rock. I'm not a geologist. I just know i would break my hand imitating what he did.

LOU

Can we skip the questions

and get to my order?!?

Adam's fear is painted on his face. He's not alone there as Lou's eyes are focused on the man, like watching a tiger about to mutilate a turkey. I don't know how they would meet in the wild, but thats all I can see.

Sweat beats down Adam's face before he responds.

ADAM

You grant wishes?

Lou gives in.

LOU

No, I make deals with people

and can't give this out for free.

Adam's stare moves from Lou to me. His eyes scan me from head to toe. I tense up as i go from leaning on the counter to standing straight and looking up. I can feel Lou's eyes shift to me. I don't have it in me to look down at either one, but I can tell when Adam is done.

ADAM

What's your deal? Are you a

Demogorgon or something?

MANNY

No, no, no, no. I'm human.

This weird magic fish thing is new to me.

CRAP! I said fish

MANNY

Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to offend.

Lou leans on the counter while rubbing his head. I get it. He's been getting grilled about this since he got here.

LOU

It's all good. We don't really talk much.

Our girls know each other.

Though, i thought Kate would mention

this to you. She's known since day one.

MANNY

She...didn't mention this to me.

LOU

That's weird because she knows.

She's always asking me questions

and even borrows my books.

MANNY

Is that where she keeps getting those creepy things?

Lou leans forward. His eyes stare into the distance at something we all can't see. The image is made clear as he speaks, as it is a feeling I am all too familiar with.

LOU

I don't know why she wants them,

but she's important to Marcy,

and that's all that matters.

ADAM

Your girl might be satanic.

Worshiping fish people

MANNY

Hey man!

I lean forward and join Lou. My mind drifted. It doesn't focus on a single thought. No particular moment in my life, no specific spot. The only thing they share is that I share these memories with Kate as she is beside me every single one. We've been together for five years.

We aren't engaged as there is no rush for use. We both know we are a constant in each other's lives. Equals tackling the harsh world together. From meeting in class to graduating hand in hand. So what if she is learning fish magic? People are allowed to have hobbies.