THE MERMAID AND THE SEA MONSTER
THE PRICE
"I know you're here, there's nowhere to hide." I heard a deep voice say.
"I wasn't trying to, I'm actually looking for you. I need to ask a favor of you."
"A favor, well, I'm always available for that," the voice said. I tried looking for the source but it was too dark.
"Can you help me?"
"Well, that depends on the favor and what you are willing to give."
"I didn't bring anything with me, I don't know how I can..."
"Fortune is not all I seek for, my child, there are many other different ways of payment." I gulped.
"Well, go ahead and tell me about that favor you so eagerly came here for," it said.
"I want to have legs, I want to be a human."
"A human? We're aspiring for much, aren't we?"
"Well, can you make it happen?"
"Of course I can." I saw something move from the shadows and that's when I saw who I had been talking to and it wasn't anything like I expected.
It wasn't an octopus like everyone had been saying, or a woman like everyone had told me. It was a merman and he was...beautiful. I felt wrong thinking that.
This creature was supposed to be evil and scary but he didn't look anything like I'd pictured it in my mind.
"So this little mermaid wants to be human. Why would you want to leave this wonderful ocean for plain land?"
He smiled and looked at me from head to fin. I had never felt so uncomfortable in my life but even then I couldn't help but feel a little bit of excitement at his intense gaze on me.
"Well...I want to see the world and I can't do that if I'm trapped...here, and maybe find true love." I smiled at the thought.
"Well, if that is what you want, I shall give it to you. At a price of course," he said and I tried to keep my focus on the situation and not his alluring voice.
"Like I said I didn't bring anything..."
"That's alright my dear. My ways of payment are more...unique than most. In this particular case, all I would need is your voice."
"My voice...but without my voice..."
"What would you need it for? To see the world?"
"How would I...?"
"Speak? What for? You will have your looks and pretty human legs, all you would need to find a man."
I kept twisting my hands, I didn't know what to do. I didn't expect I'd have to give up my voice, the only thing which made me special.
"I don't have all day mermaid. So to hurry this along, I'll make you a proposition. Instead of three days which is how long my deals usually last, I shall give you one week. One whole week with human legs, enough time to explore land and maybe even find this true love you speak of."
"I..."
"I'm not done yet, if by the end of the week you find your true love, you will have your voice back and you will be able to stay human. If you do not find it I will be kind enough to give your voice back to you but you'll become a mermaid again and you shall belong to me."
"What? Belong to you?"
"Yes, that is correct. Or did you expect to get a deal offering nothing? I am being more than kind to you." He swam towards me and held my arms from behind.
"I'm giving you all you want, human legs and even more time than I give most merpeople. You should consider yourself lucky. You'll have enough time to find true love and get out of the deal. I think it's completely fair. All I ask for is your voice, not much really."
I placed my hand against my throat. I knew there was no other way I could become human, this was my only shot.
"A whole week with human legs, right?"
"Yes, my dear." He swam in front of me and presented me with the contract.
"You know this is your only chance." His voice sounded seductive once again, making the situation even more confusing.
I took the pen from his hand and signed the contract quickly while looking away.
"Done." He smiled and darkness surrounded me.