Chapter 27

“My name is Marco,” the tall guard said. He offered his hand to each of the kids to shake. Julie noticed that he had long, skinny fingers, like a piano player’s. She looked up into his eyes, and she could see that there was kindness in their chocolate-brown abyss. This guard is so much nicer than the other one we talked to earlier, Julie thought.

“It’s time for your trial,” Marco said, his white teeth glinting as he spoke. “As a formality, we’re going to have to cuff you for the swim over to the court,” he said as one of the other guards took out three pairs of handcuffs. He cuffed each of the kids, in turn, holding their hands behind their backs. None of them resisted. They wanted to make a good impression. They didn’t want to give the merfolk any reason to sentence them to prison.

Marco flipped his shaggy blonde hair over his tanned shoulder and led the kids and the other t