Shore Thing

"What's this island's challenge?" groaned Zyx.

"Don't get eaten!" the announcer was just as enthusiastic as ever.

"Again?" Pen was shocked; this was the third island in a row with that challenge. Then again, it couldn't be that much worse than zombies or the dreaded "robot-ninja-dinosaurs".

"So, what foul creatures are we to avoid this time?" Ace looked around to see if anything was moving in the jungle not too far from the shore.

"That's part of the fun of this one!" was the reply. "You have to figure out which creatures you can trust, and which ones you can't!" Then he threw down a smoke-bomb and disappeared.

"Let's get going..." Zyx led the way. Pen was close by him.

"Yay!" Ted squealed as Ace held him. Jet lagged behind the rest of them. He just plain didn't care anymore.

Zyx decided it would be safest to walk around the jungle area so they wouldn't be as likely to be surprised. Something glinted. Jet saw it out of the corner of his eye. It seemed to have come from the water, and when he turned around, he heard a splash. He stood there and stared at the ripples in awe.

Ace noticed that Jet's shadow was no longer following his. "Hey, guys, wait a 'sec," he ran over to him, "What is it?"

It took him a moment to respond, "...I..." he turned to face the others, "I think I just saw a mermaid." He blushed and, for once, his grayish skin actually had some color to it.

"Okay, then, let's get as far away from the shore as possible," Ace tugged on Jet's arm. He seemed scared.

"What for?" Pen asked, but walked to the jungle regardless.

"Most merfolk don't exactly play nice with land-dwellers, if you know what I mean." Ace replied.