Chapter 486

The morning is cool and damp, with a low, heavy marine layer that’s becoming more and more like fog the closer we get to the beach. It’s barely eight o’clock—we could wait a few hours and all this would almost certainly melt away, but everyone is too anxious to see the mermaids and hear what they have to say to wait that long.

We’re all wearing sweatshirts or windbreakers against the chill, with loose pants that can be rolled up above our knees. Radar and I told everyone we’d have to wade at least a little ways out into the water, so be prepared. Sneak and Rerun have done us one better and are wearing shorts. They don’t seem cold, so I guess their sweatshirts are keeping them warm enough.

My dad has eschewed his uniform and is dressed in a worn brown leather bomber jacket and khaki pants. I guess he doesn’t want to look too official or scary for this meeting. He still looks like a warrior, though—it’s in his c