Siesta Beach (Page 31)

~~~(POV: Eloise Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Mayer Ranch, Umatilla County, Oregon)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 27th, 11:00 AM PST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 38 Years)~~~

It's been a little over twenty minutes since Dannon left, and he hasn't wasted any of that time, either. CNN shows videos and live streams of Dannon carrying the cruise liner in the air, moving toward Florida. The panel on today's broadcast is in stunned silence, seeing him.

My heart races with concern and anticipation as the current video CNN is showing shifts to a live feed from a rescue helicopter. It shows passengers sitting down or holding onto parts of the deck to stay secure.

The pilot has the nerve to get even lower. The person holding the camera shows the out-of-place figure of Dannon holding the ship in midair.

I couldn't tell you how fast he's moving the ship. When you're ignoring physics, it's a tough challenge to see the risks from my perspective. A breath I didn't know I was holding exhales from my lips. Seeing him now tells me he's got this handled.

The livestream of Dannon shrinks to the corner of the screen. People are still able to see it, but now the panel members reactions are shown. No one has seen what Dannon is truly capable of yet. Not with a feat like this.

There is silence from the three panel members. Each with a shocked and scared expression. One woman has her fingers stuck in her hair. One of the men is leaning forward with his elbows proping him up on the desk. One of his hands covering his mouth, eyebrows raised.

The final member gets out of his stupor, and clears his throat. Eyes focusing on what I assume to be the teleprompter. He takes a moment to compose himself, and seeing him, his other panel members do the same.

"Ummmm, I'm sorry folks. Forgive the stretch of silence there... We just weren't..."

Before he can finish, I watch his eyes widen. He shifts uncomfortable in his seat. Dannon has done anything to warrent that reaction. For a second, I almost get mad. Then, he starts to talk about where the cruise liner is being taken. That's when I realize he was a little shocked.

"We're getting reports that Mr. Mayer is on a direct course for Siesta Beach. Military and local law enforcement are already clearing the beach out for the arrival of the cruise liner. We have someone waiting on the line who works on the staff."

Before I know, I'm the one leaning forward. Wondering what this person has to say. The worries of a Mother flood me, even thought Dannon is an adult now, I worry about him. More his reputation than anything.

"Hello, is this Chef Gregori?"

There is a moment of silence and rough static, but a voice eventually comes through.

"Yeah! My name is Anthoni Gregori. I'm a cook. Everyone's phones have been blowing up, most of them are family."

I have to think for an extra second as I understand the meaning of his words. He doesn't have anyone to call, so he's decided to call CNN.

"It's good to hear from you, Mr. Gregori. Mind telling us what's going on over there?"

A very broad and basic question. I thought the news was supposed to be specific and focused. But considering the situation, I can't say I blame them for it.

"Well... We hit an iceberg almost 30 minutes ago. We were sinking faster than anyone could've helped us. But I guess a younger girl posted a video or live streamed calling for Dannon's help. No more than a minute later, he was here."

I can appreciate him giving my son the credit he's due. I push my kid to do these things. It was my constant reminding that caused him to reveal himself to the world. Instead of the constant critisim from the government, it's nice to hear someone say something good about him for a change.

"Did Dannon say anything that stood out to you? Maybe he said something or did something? Other than the obvious, of course."

I don't like the feeling I'm getting from hearing that question. It's almost like he's fishing for something dirty to say about my kid.

"Only the Captain spoke to him!"

There is a second of heavy interference and static. Causing the man to raise his voice. For a second, I don't think he's gonna continue, but that's when his voice comes through again.

"Everyone was terrified. People had already fallen off the boat or started fights. But when Dannon showed up, everyone calmed down and just listened to him. He said no one else was gonna die."

Tears instantly form in my eyes as I hear the words my son said to those people. You can't teach someone to be a good person. They either are or aren't. Dannon, for all the good I did raising him, he is just a good and kind soul.

Even if it wasn't me who raised him, I doubt that he would've been a bad person. Some people just have to good a heart to do anything terrible to another person.

"After that, he went under the shi- Chrzzzzzzz!"

The line cuts out and there is silence. Everyones eyes unconciously turn in the direction of what I assume is an off screen viewing. My eyes turn to the one on the corner, and there is nothing out of place.

The man clears his throat and prepares for whatever is next. All I can do is wait on the edge of my seat. Hoping that whatever is up isn't anything serious. If anything is up. I don't know what's going on over there.

As much as I love and trust Dannon, I can't help thinking about everything that'll go wrong.

~~~(POV: Dannon Mayer)~~~

~~~(Location: Off the Coast of Siesta Beach, Florida)~~~

~~~(Date, Time, Year: May 27th, 2:22 PM EST, 2022)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 years)~~~

The sands and buildings are now in view. Only a few more minutes, and I'll be done with the lifting part. Lifting a cruise liner is something I didn't think I'd be doing today, but here I am anyway.

The minutes pass, and as I'm nearing the beach, I can see lines and lines of reporters. Even regular people are here with camera's and phones out. A small breath does leave me. I got a feeling this is gonna take longer than I want it too.

Seeing that my drop off point is almost under me, I slow down until I'm just floating in the air with the cruise liner above me. The clicking of camera's and shouts from below would've defeaned me if not for my control over my hearing.

"Time for the hard part..."

I slowly descend toward the sandy beach. Turning the cruise liner until his lined up parallel to the shore. As I land on the ground, the cruise liner groans and there is a wave of silence. My eyes turn toward a group of photograpers unconsciously.

The second I do, realization and greed flash on their face. Instantly lifting their cameras and taking as many photos as I assume their cards can handle.

I focus on the situation, and manuevre my body and shift the weight of the ship to give it a gently landing. People cheer as I'm no longer under the cruise liner, and it's now on the beach. However, my work isn't over.

It starts to tip over, and I calmly lift off the ground and balance it out. Seeing as how this could be a problem, I float to the top-center of the ship. Landing there, and pushing down. Forcing the cruise liner in the sand.

Making it balanced and safe as I do. Once I'm done with that, and I feel no more movement from the ship. I lift my eyes from the wooden floor, and look around me. There, people of the ship are surrounding me.

Each of them, looking at me with gratitude, and most of them have phones out as well. No one says anything, and a short few seconds later. The Captain makes her way through the crowd.

She stands in front of me, holding out her hand. As I'm about to reach out and take it, something interrupts us.

"DANNON MAYER! THIS IS THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD! YOU'VE INTERFERED WITH A MILITARY OPERATION! YOU'RE HEREBY UNDER ARREST!"

Everyone's eyes widen as the voice from what I assume is a loud megaphone breaks through the silence.

All I can do is sigh. Taking a second to look up at the sky.

It'd be so easy to leave.

But I don't want any superbad repercussions from this. So, I might as well cooperate while people are still accepting of me.

I look at the crowd one last time, and instead of saying anything, I give a single nod. I easily lift off the ground and go over the side of ship toward the direction of the megaphone. As I do, I see the man in question.

Along with a line of armed soldiers and heavy weaponry. People from behind the line held by the police and some of the military, there are screams and shouts. All for different reasons.

Time to see what this is about.