Apollo and the Water Stone
Apollo
By Kia Vang
2015
Book Summary
Apollo Sakana Smith is a sixteen year old boy living in San Francisco. He has pale skin, large purple eyes and the special ability to breathe under water. Using this to his advantage, he becomes Most Valuable Player of his school swim team. But when the suicide of his step father leaves him and his step mother in debt, loan sharks chase him. They beat him unconscious and throw him into the Pacific Ocean. Apollo awakes in a strange underwater village. The buildings are made of Jade, and the streets are paved with shells. Apollo notices other humanlike people there. They also have pale skin, large eyes, and can breathe under water. The realization of this pushes Apollo to explore the Water Kingdom home to many people and creatures. But as he learns more about the underwater utopia, the more complicated things turn out. There are men out to get him, and ancient sea creatures attacking at every turn. Will Apollo discover the truth behind his lineage and his father’s death? Join Apollo on his courageous journey through the curious World of MizuKosmos and its many wonders.
Chapter One: Victor’s Love
Apollo laid there, on the bottom of the bathtub. He did that whenever he felt down or frustrated. Instead of the cruel, harsh world above sea level, he imagined a utopian oasis at the bottom of the tub. In this dream land, there swam ancient frilled sharks, shining gems of the earth, and conch shells the size of buildings. His imagination ran free and wild underwater, but the realities of life always fished him back out. Besides the sound of his breath under water, the sound of Mary pleading could be heard downstairs.
“I'm giving ya two days Mary,” said the landowner, “This is the last warning.” He put up two fingers, meaning the days, and stomped out.
The landowner was a scary man. Anyone could mistake him as a mafia member because of his square jaw, stolid build, and scarred face. His presence alone scared the neighbors into paying rent on time. But Mary had no idea how much debt the mortgage had risen since Victor passed away.
Mary slumped down onto the wooden floor boards. Her long blonde hair shrouded her face as she wept in silence. After a couple of minutes, she wiped her bleeding mascara off and stared into the darkness of the living room.
The living room, a place once so bright and vibrant. Usually at this time of the year, Mary would be filling the house with fall décor while the smell of Victor’s cherry waffles whiffed through the windows. The sound of Apollo running down the stairs echoed.
“I’m late for school!” he would shout, and rush out the door.
But this year, was a different year.
Victor Smith was only twenty-three years old when he fell madly in love with Mary Jones. They met as fellow athletes. Victor on the university swim team and Mary on the rowing team. After they graduated together, they married and bought a house near the bay in San Francisco. With a nice house and stable jobs, Mary became pregnant. But after the first four months, she suffered a miscarriage and lost the child. Disappointed with herself, Mary suffered from deep depression and was unable to have any children. At the age of 25, they decided to adopt rather have their own. It was then, when they came across Apollo.
Apollo Sakana met Victor at the Japanese Children’s Freedom Orphanage. Victor had felt somewhat of a familiarity toward Apollo. Had they met before? Victor wondered. As if it were destined, Victor asked for the adoption papers. At age six, Apollo became Apollo Sakana Smith. He left that same day with Victor. To Mary’s surprise, Victor brought home a lost boy. Though Victor loved Apollo with all his heart, Mary could not do the same. Every time she saw that boy, she was reminded the disappointment she caused for her unborn child, Victor, and herself.
Like a true father son relationship, Apollo learned to swim. Victor could not have been any more proud. He often called Apollo, “Your Highness,” or “Good job, Prince.” Apollo was in fact so good, he became the star member of his high school swim team. After Apollo earned a gold medal in the freestyle 500 meter relay, he came home to Mary weeping on the sofa. She held a hand written letter from Victor. With smudged ink from Mary’s tears, Apollo read it.
To my dearest Mary and Apollo,
As the waves always brush against the beach sand, life will always be faced with hardships. But I, have tried to face these hardships alone and will face the consequences alone as well. It is difficult writing this to you two whom I love the most, as I cannot say precisely what is happening. I am terribly sorry and remorseful to say that, by the time you have found this letter, I will have passed onto the world under. My lovely Mary, you have not ceased to be any less beautiful since the day I met you. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for my actions, and to promise me that you’ll look after Apollo. Though he is growing, he needs your strength and guidance. Many strange events will begin to happen, and he needs you to pull through and support him. Thank you and Goodbye. Mary, I love you.
Apollo, my prince, stay safe.
Love, Victor Smith
Salt water ran down Apollo’s face. He rarely cried, but when he did, his tears stung. In frustration, Apollo ran upstairs to his room. On his bed, a blue box. Inside was a small blue orb attached to a necklace. A small slit of paper with the orb was inside.
“To Apollo, this was around your neck when I found you. Don’t lose it,” it read.
The handwriting was the same as the letter downstairs. More salt water welled up in Apollo’s eyes. He put the necklace around his collar and wiped his eyes. Then, Apollo went into the bathroom. He drew himself a bath, in which he sat at the bottom of the tub, thinking.
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