#wishfish

The sky had deepened to a dark blue, as if all the colours had been drained up, like a bath. The first stars now dotted the sky and shimmered above. Brynn held the sides of the canoe as she gazed to the shoreline. She could not make out any shape in the dim lighting. The crickets had taken up a much louder melody and it rung out into the night. Brynn let go of her canoe and leant over the side. She started to trace her pointer finger in the water to create symbols of encouragement. They glowed gold faintly for a few seconds before fading.

“Please, please come,” she whispered into the watery depths. Brynn ran a hand through her brown, wavy hair. She then started to nibble at her nails. 

Come on, she thought desperately. Time is running out. 

She glanced towards the shoreline again. Nothing. She hated this; she was a sitting duck. For when a black blanket had been thrown over the sky, and the stars hid, creatures out of nightmares would appear. Hungry for flesh and thirsty for blood. She let out a breath. She had time.

A howl sounded in the distance. It echoed throughout the night, and the crickets paused. A cold breeze whispered across the lake and licked her face. A chill crept up her spine, and it wasn’t from the wind. She had run out of time. Screw this, Brynn thought. She needed to leave, now. Just as she picked up the ores, there was a golden glow from the water. Brynn halted and gently, quietly, put the ores down. She peered over the side, and there the most beautiful creature peered up at her. Its scales radiated a golden light, and its eyes were azure blue. Its long, orange tail trailed in the water as it peered up at her.

“Hello,” she whispered to the wish fish. Its tail swished to the sides as it floated.

“Good evening,” it replied, its voice like silk. “I see you are in a rush,” it paused as another howl sounded, closer this time. “Perhaps you might want to leave, before the amarok arrives.”

“No, I have a favour to ask of you.” she hated the words that she choked out next. She absolutely despised begging. “I need you.”

“Then I am of service. Tell me, Brynn,” how it knew her name, she did not want to know. “What is it you seek?”

“A wish.” There was a long pause. The wish fish narrowed its eyes.

“Then I cannot be of service,” it said, before turning away.

“No! Please! Wait,” she winced at the words. Every bone in her body seemed to scream at her to stop and leave. “I… I have something I can trade.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she continued. “I have… Magic. Magic I can give to you, in exchange for one of your wishes. Please. I am desperate.” The wish fish blinked at her. Not in a million years would someone offer their magic. It didn’t matter if it was not powerful. It was something to be treasured, until the grave.

“Oh? And might I ask, what sort of magic do you have?” the wish fish asked curiously as it turned back around.

Little devil, Brynn thought. That amarok had gone awfully quiet she realised. As if the wish fish sensed that too it smirked and said “You might wanted to make this quick.”

Little devil indeed.

“I have… Symbol magic,” its eyes widened. She hated this, but…

“What, pray tell, would this be for?” Beautiful as the fish was, she wanted to squish it. 

“My sister… She passed away a few years ago. Her name is-” silver lined her eyes “was Deja Argyros.” Pity shone in its eyes. “I was wondering if… I might see her?” It winced and looked as if it was contemplating something. She whispered, “She sacrificed herself so that I would live.” Too much life had been stolen from her. She shook her head.