Chapter 4.

As Esperanza continued to nap, the garments began to shine like a bright light, and Esperanza started floating in mid-air. Unphased, Esperanza continued to snooze, until the windows started banging very loudly. The ship began aggressively, shaking back and forth and the sunken remnants in the boat began floating. Esperanza was startled. He eyes opened and widened. Fearful, Simon attempted to get cess into the ship, but the banging windows would not let him inside.

Esperanza was confused and afraid. As she sat up on top of the floating garments, a hideous and monstrous figure arose from underground. She had skin that was a muddy green color and purple evil eyes. Electric snakes flung from her back like wings. Her fingers clenched like the sharp, long claws they were.

Simon screamed for Esperanza as he banged on the windows, but inside the ship, noise to the outside was muffled and unrecognizable. Esperanza could not hear Simon.

The monster stared into Esperanza's sparkling and awakened eyes, “Hello, Esperanza!”

“Hey,” Esperanza replied. “Who are you? How do you know my name?

“I am Ahlecco, the queen of the underground dark seas. This is not your first time visiting my ship or my sanctuary.”

“I can leave. I didn't mean to trespass onto your home.”

“Don't worry about it, pretty face. You're obviously here for a reason… Right?”

“Yes. I ran away. I felt ashamed, and embarrassed after being humiliated during my performance.”

“You did? Who are bastards that did that to you?”

“A group of clown fish.”

“Those clown fish don't have anything of substance in their brains. Don't let them make your sweet self feel bad.”

“I know, but they're on a mission to mess up my life, just not as bad as my mother is. She can't stand me. I'm always doing something to make her feel frustrated or angry with me.”

Ahlecco swam closer to Esperanza and cuddled her with her hissing snake-like wings. “Then, why are you really here? What do you really want, Esperanza?” Ahlecco spoke in a gentle and calm voice, as she caressed Esperanza’s forehead.

“I am tired of being bound to this boring life, of the same thing over and over again. I never asked to be a goddess of the sea. I never asked to be a guarding ruler. I just want to travel, adventure, and have fun… You know, do all the good stuff and not have to worry about the bad stuff… and not have to worry about anyone or anything.”

“Is that what you're asking for, my loving daughter,” Ahlecco said.

“What? I don't know. I guess.”

Ahlecco shouted, “You guess!”

Esperanza’s eyes widened in fear.

Ahlecco calmed her voice, and said, “I mean, you are upset with your Mother. You are upset with your terrible life.”

“Yes, it could be a lot better.”

“Just say yes to your better life, and I will give it to you,” Ahlecco said as her snakes pulled out a contract and writing quill, magically from thin air. They held the contract in front of Esperanza's face. Ahlecco repeated herself, “Just say yes to your better life, and I will give it to you.”

Still shouting Esperanza's name and banging on the windows, Simon shouted over and over again, “NO ESPERANZA! DON'T SIGN IT!... NO ESPERANZA! DON'T SIGN IT!... NO ESPERANZA! DON'T SIGN IT!” His screaming seemed useless, since Esperanza could not hear him.

Ahlecco's words of

“...Your better life…” rang in Esperanza's ears. 

Waiting diligently and patiently, Ahlecco relaxed her arms behind her head, comfortably laid back in her throne, crossed her legs, and grinned at Esperanza.”

Esperanza intensely thought things through as she bit her lip and patted her chin. 

Ahlecco said, “Anything? It's a simple yes or no. I've been underground for ages, so you're not wasting my time, but I would like to give an honest suggestion.”

“What.”

“Quit being timid, and make a decision for yourself… or, continue having fear, and living a life you don't want. Whatever type of royal you are, you're still a living and breathing thing. That means your lifetime will only be lived once. Big decisions and big opportunities usually only come around once in a lifetime. So…?”

“I understand.”

Ahlecco snatched the contract from her snakes, and placed it closer to Esperanza’s face. “Yes! I am saying yes to my better life.” Esperanza took the quill and wrote her name on the contract, with the bold, black ink. The agreement has been finalized. 

“Wonderful, my beautiful daughter Esperanza. Your new Mommy, Ahlecco is not only proud of you, but will now give you the better life you always wanted.”

“NO!” Simon shouted with the last breath of hope he had left. 

The once worn and torn pink ball gown had magically fitted itself to Esperanza's tailless body, now suited with human legs. The once aged, crumbling, and moldy ship began to magically transform into a smooth, gold lined, and brand new 5-star cruise ship. The water of the sea disappeared, and Esperanza was standing in a grand ballroom. A variety of passengers boarded the ship, including children with toys, elders with knick knacks, wealthy families showing off their golden coins, and painters with their portfolios. Simon swam to the tip of the surface and shouted Esperanza's name multiple times, but it was too late. The doors of the ship had closed, and Esperanza was nowhere in sight.