Into the Mystic

By GARRY HICKS

What if there were a story that had the magic of E.T., the action of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, the tension of ‘JAWS’, the humor of ‘The Hangover’ plus romance, twists, a man coming of age and a jolting end?

Do you believe in Mermaids? People may laugh if you say yes but, deep down, you either do, or want, to believe. You may have even seen one in your past. You weren't sure what it was but you know it had a tail and a woman's face. Mermaids sightings have been reported for centuries and why not?

Four lifelong friends from diverse backgrounds set sail on a long planned adventure cruise. Once on the open sea, they don’t heed the warnings after their boat is jarred from underneath.
The next morning they encounter a school of dolphins that surround a woman. They follow the dolphins into a fog bank which spawns an instant storm and one of them is washed overboard.
As the fog clears, they look upon two uncharted islands. From one comes the singing of the sirens, so mesmerizing the remaining three jump into the water to swim to it. As they slowly sink, they are rescued by mermaids and are taken to Atargatis Island.
It is here they learn the wonders of the island and make plans to rescue their friend from the Sirens on the other island.

They still face a battle with dead pirate spirits and trying to free their friend from the Island of the Sirens. They are helped by the evil Siren Queen's daughter, Chiron.
But it all comes down to an underwater battle between the Mermaids and their dolphins, the Sirens and their sharks.
The final battle they face is falling in love. Can a Mermaid and a human be together?

Part II begins the story of survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GARRY HICKS
• Release date: Jan 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370117567

Book preview

Adapted from the screenplay:

'Into the Mystic' and 'Into the Mystic II'

INTO THE MYSTIC

by

Garry Hicks

Copyright 2016

WGAw registered

Approximately 67,700 words

PROLOGUE

What if there were a story that had the magic of E.T., the action of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, the tension of ‘JAWS’, the humor of ‘The Hangover’ plus romance, twists, a man coming of age and a jolting end?

Do you believe in Mermaids? People may laugh if you say yes but, deep down, you either do, or want, to believe. You may have even seen one in your past. You weren't sure what it was, but you know it had a tail and a woman's face. Mermaids sightings have been reported for centuries and why not?

In ancient Syrian (~ 1000 BC), there was a goddess who went by the name of Atargatis. She was a fertility goddess whose cult eventually spread to Greece and Rome and was associated with water (especially lakes) and fish. Often depicted in mermaid form, Atargatis is perhaps the original mermaid. Legend has it that she dove into a lake to become a fish, but only her bottom half was transformed.

In Old English language, mer means sea, and maid means woman. Mermaids become "women of the sea. Following the same line of logic, a mer man (merman) would be a man of the sea." Both names make perfect sense and describe their natural habitat quite simply. Mermaids and mermen are half human, half fish creatures.

Sirens conjure images of lovely mermaids sitting on rocky shores, singing out a mesmerizing song to draw sailors to the rocks and cliffs. Folk lore as well as ancient myths support this notion, but the sirens of Ancient Greece were actually bird-women (half woman, half bird). Eventually these bird women, known as harpy's, were transformed into mermaids in some of the later stories, but they kept their beautiful, bird-like voices, in order to draw the mariners to their doom.

Many famous people, including Christopher Columbus and Henry Hudson, have reported mermaid sightings. Further, if you consider three quarters of the Earth is covered by water and ninety five percent of our oceans remain unexplored, it's not that difficult to believe there could be mermaids lurking in the deep.

Further consider this: The most-watched telecast in Animal Planet’s history is: Mermaids: The New Evidence. It delivered 3.6 million viewers, shattering the network’s ratings record. Yes, it turned out to be a hoax, but the point was made with the huge rating.

So, open your mind and let your imagination 'imagine'. People have reported seeing spaceships, aliens, Big Foot, aka 'Sasquatch', Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, ghosts, demons and ghouls. Add mermaids to that list and you're going to love this book.

Come and join the guys as they as they deal with mermaids, sirens and the beauty of an exotic island that holds more surprises, twists and turns than even they ever imagined.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

PART II

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

CHAPTER FORTY

PART I

CHAPTER ONE

1988 GULF COAST OF FLORIDA

An empty thirty-foot boat rolls on the waves of the open sea. Underwater, Brandon, a semi-chubby, short hair, nerdy looking twelve-year old, scuba dives with his father in a clouded sea, his dad swims only three feet away. The murky sea clouds their vision from anything more than fifteen feet in front of them. His father taps him on the shoulder and points to the surface. Brandon nods his head as his father swims upward. Brandon starts to swim but jerks as a large fish shoots toward him from the side. Brandon stops as the fish quickly disappears.

In front of him, a bit blurred, he spots a large, dolphin like tail. Intrigued, he swims toward the tail, but it stays far enough in front of him that he can only see it flap. He kicks his feet harder, tries to catch up to see more of the tail but, it again disappears.

Brandon tires and slows down to rest. Suddenly, the hazy, murky type water starts to clear, somewhat like the fog lifting to expose San Francisco. As he watches, he sees the tail gently sway with the current.

Slow, as the water clears more, he sees a pair of hands, then flowing blond hair, and, as the water completely clears, it reveals a horrendous looking merman. His lower torso from his waist down is a dirty green, scaly covered fish tail. From the waist up he's a man, not quite a normal man, but with a man's features. From his forehead to near the back of his head, he is bald, but that area is covered with round, shell like spots scattered around his scalp to his ears. His thick, blond hair starts near the back of his head and is shoulder length. His ears are large and pointed, his nose wide and flat. His webbed hands have long, thin fingers with razor sharp claws.

As they stare at each other, the merman, with no movement, appears instantly, floating in front of Brandon.

He yanks Brandon's mask and breathing device off his face, throws it through the water. Brandon just stares at him, doesn't move. He has no trouble holding his breath or seeing clearly. He inspects the sea around him, shoots a slight grin as he realizes he can see and hold his breath so well.

The merman snaps his full mouth of razor sharp teeth at Brandon in a threatening manner. Brandon remains motionless, unafraid. The merman roars and shoots waves of water which toss and jerk Brandon around, but he regains his composure instead of being gripped by fear. He again stays in one spot, eye to eye with the merman.

The merman inspects Brandon, head to toe, with his coal black eyes.

He moves his head close to Brandon, sniffs his chest area, swims to his back, sniffs more. He swims around to the front of Brandon, stops, curls his lips so his teeth are exposed. He snarls, then shoots through the water like a torpedo and disappears.

Brandon, slow, swims to the surface. His head emerges from the water, scans the area.

Brandon, over here. He sees his father on the boat, about twenty yards away, and swims toward it. Once he reaches the back, his father extends his hand and helps pull him onto the back-landing area.

What happened to you son, I was ready to come down and hunt for you. Where's your mask and mouthpiece? he asks as he inspects Brandon's equipment.

Brandon, short of breath, blurts out, A mermaid dad, I saw a mermaid, only it was a man. He had long blond hair and teeth, a mouth full of razor sharp teeth...he scared the crap out of...

His father cuts him off. Easy son, it was murky down there, a lot of weird looking fish could have looked...

No dad, the water cleared, he was all fish tail below his waist. He was a man from the waist up, only ten feet in front of me. He tore my mask and mouthpiece off.

Then I'm curious, how did you breathe...and see?

I, I don't know dad, it was weird. I held my breath and could see fine, like...like, I didn't need any of that gear.

Son, look at the water, it's still cloudy. How can you say it cleared?

Brandon glances into a still murky sea, nods his head sideways. I, I don't know, it was clear down there. But I sensed something. I sensed he waited for me, almost like he was hunting me.

I think you're letting your imagination get the better of your common sense. Let's get you changed and get some food into that empty belly.

Whatever dad, I know what I saw.

CHAPTER TWO

1991

Brandon and his three buddies, Derek, Sean and Kyle, walk together down a residential street. All but Brandon are over five foot seven, tall and lean. Brandon is still shorter and overweight with a short Marine haircut. He's the same geeky type boy he's been all his life.

How'd you do in old man Van Vuren's final Sean?

asks Brandon.

Probably not too well, I'm not good in science. You?

I aced it. Had to study some but I made it through. Ya know, you might have passed if you ever opened a book instead of spending all your time chasing skirts.

I suppose if I gave a crap then I would open a book...but I don't give a crap.

Derek counters, You're gonna give a crap when we all pass to eleventh grade and you're still with the sophomoric sophomores.

No, I won't, I'll quit school. Start my adult life early.

Sweet, Sean. counters Kyle. You can be married at eighteen and have two kids by the time you're twenty-one. Sounds like a pretty exciting career path.

Bite me Kyle. I'll be retired by the time I'm forty. Retired with more money than I can ever spend. Mark my words.

Yeah, and exactly how are you going to do that? asks Kyle.

I ain't worried about it, I got plenty of time.

No, seriously Sean. Derek quizzes. Tell us how you're going to do it so maybe, we can all be retired by then.

Brandon nudges Derek. Yeah, let's hear it Sean...I can't wait.

Sean sighs. You boys have got to learn to be creative. Once those juices start to juice, then they start to create ideas. The more ideas they create, the more your mind expands to consider ideas you never would have before. By then, you know the direction you're going, it's just a matter of which idea you think is best.

Yeah, just like my old man. Kyle adds. "He told me he said the same thing when he was twenty. He said, 'If I'm not retired at fifty', now, that's fifty, not forty, 'then I really didn't plan my life very good.'

So, what's your dad do? asks Sean.

Kyle, cynical, answers, He's a janitor at an office building.

Well, responds Sean. if that happens to me then I'm checking out. I'm not living like that.

Damn man, it's not that bad. I mean, he provides us with a house and food on the table. Obviously, your dad has a great job that you're proud of. What's your dad do Sean?

I don't want to talk about it.

Why? retorts Derek. You're the one that brought this up...what's your dad do for work?

Sean is painfully silent.

Brandon nudges his shoulder. C'mon big money, what's your dad do?

Sean glares at the guys. You guys are dicks. He drives a taxi, okay, he drives a freakin' taxi. And, he had to compete with guys from Nigeria, Turkey, Iran, every freakin' country on Earth just to get that. But, he speaks good English, so, he was hired. he pauses. You happy now?

Derek's attitude changes to a bit sympathetic. That's not that bad Sean, at least he's bringing in money.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There's never enough left to buy clothes, extras, nothin'. My mom tries to make it up by selling at the flea market on weekends. Sometimes, she makes almost as much as him.

Sorry Sean, we didn't know. consoles Derek. I see why you want to be retired at forty.

Brandon pats him on the back. Hey, you got us, we'll always be here for you. In fact, if you need a place to stay, I'll see if my dad will let you clear a corner in the garage and sleep there.

Bite me Brandon. Sean fires back. I can live off the land whether it be here, or I'm stranded on an island in the middle of the ocean. Give me a good woman and a way to provide food for us, that's all I need. I can be happy.

Just kidding buddy...hey guys stop.

They all stop, turn to Brandon. There's the van again. he points to a van with 'Budweiser' on the side.

How many times have we talked about grabbing beer from that? Besides, this street is empty. Look at all those cases in there...you wanna do it?

Plus, they're bottles. grins Kyle.

Derek warns, Guys, if we get caught we're screwed. And, what if the door is locked?

Then we move on. answers Sean. Look, it's almost dark, no one will see us. Besides, we've talked about this so many times...let's do it. You guys ready?

They all nod yes.

You all know the plan. Let's hit it. Sean orders.

Sean leads them to the street side of the van, slides the door open. He pumps his fist. Yes!

He grabs four cases, hands them to Brandon who runs off down the sidewalk. He repeats with Derek and Kyle, then grabs four cases himself and bolts off after the guys.

All four laugh as they gallop and bounce down the street. They turn into a large bunch of bushes near a park and drop the cases on the ground. They breathe hard as they glance and giggle at each other.

Sean declares, See, nothin' to it, piece of cake.

Brandon leans down, opens a box, pulls a bottle out, stares at it. Geez, I'd offer you guys a beer except they're empty.

No way! declares a skeptical Sean. He opens his box, pulls out an empty bottle.

Kyle and Derek do the same. They stand there, still, staring at their empty bottles.

We risked life in prison for empty beer bottles? Whose bright idea was this? rattles Brandon.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but, it was your idea. retorts Derek.

Oh yeah...I forgot. mumbles Brandon. But hey guys, we're the baddest thieves of empty beer cases...anywhere!

What a bunch of dummasses. I shudda known, those cases were too light. grumbles Kyle.

But, adds Derek, we so much wanted to believe.

I know, just like Santa Claus. Brandon adds. But instead, we just...ha ha ha ha haaa haaa, have a good laugh.

The guys all follow Brandon and crack up laughing.

Okay, okay, says Kyle. I'm thirsty, let have a drink of ice cold beer.

Great idea. adds Sean.

They each drink the bottle as if it were full.

Derek says, Ahhh, that's good.

I'll say. Sean says as he belts out a thunderous Buurrrrpp!

Derek responds. Nice, you pig. A toast guys, to drink bottles filled with real beer in them!

Sean, Kyle and Brandon shout out, Here, here!

They hold the bottles out, clink them together.

CHAPTER THREE

2017 MIAMI AREA

Four arms hold out a bottle of beer each, clink them together in a toast.

Brandon and his buddies, Derek, Sean and Kyle, sit in Derek's crowded, tiny apartment at the kitchen table. After the toast, they each swallow a big slug of beer.

Sean belches out a thunderous, Buurrrrppp!

Derek responds with, Nice, you pig. Does that toast remind you guys of anything?

Brandon smiles. Can you say, empty beer bottles?

Oh man, I forgot about that. grins Kyle. Stealing empty cases of beer. I guess that's something desperate fifteen-year old's would do.

Can we get on with the game? asks Sean.

They're playing the game 'Risk'. They are now all in their late thirties.

Derek is six-foot, slicked back black hair, drop dead GQ.

Brandon is still a bit short and his belly a bit too big. His short hair and average to below average looks would give the first impression that he's a nerd.

Kyle is six-foot, thin, average looks. His hair is too long for his face and with his untrimmed beard you could easily mistake him for homeless.

Sean is ruggedly handsome, a melting smile with matching eyes. The women go for him, he just doesn't go for them.

Sean declares forcefully, I attack Kamchatka. Derek, prepare to defend yourself. They roll the dice, Sean grabs two of Derek's armies.

Derek whines Butthead.

Sean orders Again. They roll the dice. Sean takes off two more of Derek's armies.

Keep that up and I'm going to pummel your face. Derek warns.

Thees ees not a game of friendship. Sean fires back.

Brandon interrupts. Guys, our trip is only a few weeks away. Are we all ready for the adventure of a lifetime? They pause, lean back in their chairs.

Sean glances at the guys. It's just a cruise into the open seas Brandon, what do you think we're going to find?

The fact we don't know what we're going to find is what makes it exciting. Unexplored areas, sunken pirate ships and... maybe even mermaids.

Kyle grins. Yeah, and maybe we'll fight long dead, come back to life pirates.

Derek smiles And once we kill them, we can take all of their gold booty. Yeah, that's it, we'll come back as very wealthy men. What would you do with all your money Brandon?

That's easy, I've already designed it in my head. I'd buy a big house on the water, put in the best game room ever and then decide which of the women chasing me I was going to take. Hell, I might choose three or four. You Kyle?

I'd have a gigantic house, isolated from everyone else's place. I'd build a wall around it with electric wire so if anyone tried to get in they'd get fried. Then I'd build a moat around the entire wall, not on the outside, but on the inside. That way, if they didn't get fried they'd get eaten by all the alligators I'd fill the moat with.

That's drastic Kyle, I didn't realize you were such an isolationist...and a masochist. Derek shoots back.

I'm not like you Derek, women have never chased me. I just want to keep out all the money grubber's.

You must have me mixed up with Sean. Derek responds.

Women don't chase me, I just don't chase them.

Brandon challenges, God will punish you for lying Sean.

Brandon, just because they don't chase you doesn't mean they do me.

Derek chuckles. You guys are hilarious. You're spending money you don't have, in fact building mansions with it, and have women chasing you. Maybe you should put this conversation off until we find the buried treasure.

And you all accuse me of living in a fantasy world.

Sean grins at Brandon. The difference is, video boy, the difference is, we just talk about it, you live in that world all the time.

Brandon retorts, Y'all are so narrow minded that...

C'mon guys, Derek interrupts. let's get back to our trip, only two weeks to go. We're gettin' away from it all.

Brandon smiles. Yep, I can't wait to see all the dolphins, mermaids and pirates.

You just can't let it go, can you Brandon.

Bite me Sean.

I'm sure you have a game for that.

Yeah, it's called chase the butthead.

Derek sits at the kitchen table with his dad, Lou, and his girlfriend, Jessa. Lou is mid to late fifties, a good looking, in shape man. Jessa appears to be mid-forties, long flowing dark hair and considered by most to be beautiful. They eat sandwiches and salad, sip on wine.

Dad, how long have you and Jessa been together now?

Lou stares at Jessa. How longs it been honey, two, maybe three years?

Jessa sighs. Your memory Lou, it's challenging. It's been over three years since you plucked me off that beach on the cruise.

In the Bahama's, right?

Yeah, we were on a cruise and stopped for the day when we met.

She stares at Lou. Good memory Derek.

"I thought so. Then maybe you can tell me why, in over three years,