Chapter 4

Scared

? Mermaid POV

I watched the lifeless sailor drift into deeper waters and I choked on my sob. I let myself drop along with him and when my body came into contact with the ocean floor, I buried my face in my hands. I sobbed into the sand and ignored the animals that had surrounded me. A small fish rubbed its head on me and made a faint buzzing noise. I shook my head and wiped my nose with the back of my hand as my tears collided with the ocean water. Only one difference between the two, mermaid tears are extremely powerful.

You could see the glistening drops apart from the actual water in the ocean. I looked to the fish and it rubbed its head on my cheek. I let it and my bottom lip trembled. I heard a purring coming from next to me and I extended my hand on impulse. A tiny starfish made its way onto my arm and I gave a small watery smile at the little guy when its movements tickled me. I lifted it up to my face and it purred as it wiggled its legs on my arm.

"Don't be sad, pretty Miss." I gave him another small smile and he asked, "Why so sad?"

I let the tears and sobs return as I stuttered out my mistake. "I d-didn't mean-n f-for him-m to die. I only w-w-want-ed a k-hiss. A-a-and I d-rowned him." I let my head fall in my hands and I began crying more. A soft smooth head bumped my arm and I lifted it, allowing the small dolphin to tuck itself underneath my arm. I bent and buried my head in its side as I sobbed loudly, trying to ease the guilt and loneliness I always felt as a mermaid.

About a half hour later, I took a deep breath and felt a little better since I got some of the tears out of my system. I sat up and kissed the dolphin along with all the other fishes around me. I played with the starfish a little and then said my thanks before leaving. I slowly swam through the water, trying to control the way I felt towards my being a mermaid. Sure, it was magical, fun, beautiful, breathtaking, but there is a very evil side of me that takes over sometimes. It's really scary.

I swam away slowly, trying to clear my thoughts of the murder I just committed. I became a little distant and unintentionally swam towards another ship. I didn't realize until I was hanging on the railing, my slippery tail resting along the side of the ship. I only realized because the water was lifting me up so I could rest on the railing and peer at the humans on board. Half of me was concerned for the people on the ship and the other half already gave in to my desire. I had no control over my actions. I just hope I don't drown any more humans in the process of getting a kiss or making contact with someone.

I stayed below the ship but followed it easily and slowly. I decided I should go because I didn't want to kill another human. I turned my back and swam through the waves. I stilled when I heard a little girl's voice coming from the ship.

"Underneath the moon, underneath the stars

Here's a little heart for you

Up above the world up above it all here's a hand to hold on to

But If I should break if I should fall away

What am I to do?

I need someone to take a little of the weight or I'll fall through.

You're just the one that I've been waiting for

I'll give you all that I have to give and more

But don't let me fall."

My head snapped above the water and I stared at the little girl singing to the water. I blinked a few times and a huge smile spread across my face. I pushed my tail and I was a few feet away from her within a few seconds. She didn't notice me because I was still hiding beneath the waves. I cautiously and slowly lifted my head above the water.

She caught sight of me and I ducked completely underwater, extremely shy all of a sudden. I heard her gasp above me and I easily caught up with the ship that was a few feet away. I poked my head above the water again and gave her a shy smile and a small wave. She waved back enthusiastically and I ducked back into the water.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," the little girl murmured, her tone extremely apologetic. I came above the water again and smiled at her before jumping out of the water and diving back in so she'd see my tail. She gasped and then I noticed her jump on the railing.

I curiously glanced around the girl and she was the only one around, so I decided I could get a little closer. I swam to the very edge of the ship and moved my hand. A patch of water easily lifted me up and I grasped the railing, my nails a deep green, nearly black, like my tail.

I smiled at her and her mouth fell open a little. She took a step forward and outstretched her hand. I bit my bottom lip and tried to slip back into the waves, but she grabbed my wrist. I easily grasped the railing and pulled myself up again.

"You're very pretty." I nearly blushed and waved my hand in the hair at the compliment, a huge smile breaking across my face.

"Do you talk?" she asked and I gave her another smile.

"You have a lovely voice. Do you like to sing?" Her mouth fell open and she nodded enthusiastically while reaching her hand out to touch my tail. I glanced around the deck of the ship and when I didn't see anyone, I flipped myself so I was lying on the railing, my tail twisting around one of the poles.

She smiled and politely asked, "May I touch your tail, Miss?"

I smiled brightly at her and nodded, "You certainly may."

Her face lit up and she slowly ran her fingers along my tail before squealing and flicking her hand out, "It's very slimy." She stroked it again and then giggled, making me laugh.

"I would hope so. I wouldn't want a dry tail, now would I?"

She jumped up and down while clapping her hands loudly. "I can't believe I'm talking to a mermaid!"

I rested my head on my arms and gave her another small smile. "Do you sing a lot?"

She thought about it and then gave a nod. I smiled wider if possible as I asked, "Would you sing for me?"

She nodded and then cleared her throat before she began.

"Look at this stuff
isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
the girl who has everything?
Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Lookin' around here you'd think
(Sure) she's got everything."

I raised my eyebrows and she stopped singing. "It's from The Little Mermaid movie."

I dropped my jaw in surprise and nodded for her to continue while I lifted myself a little so I could listen to the lyrics clearly.

I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
(You want thingamabobs?
I got twenty)
But who cares?
No big deal
I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see
Wanna see 'em dancin'
Walkin' around on those
(Whad'ya call 'em?) oh - feet
Flippin' your fins you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'
Strollin' along down a
(What's that word again?) street.

Up where they walk
Up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free
Wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give
If I could live
Outta these waters?
What would I pay
To spend a day
Warm on the sand?
Betcha on land
They understand
Bet they don't reprimand their daughters
Bright young women
Sick o' swimmin'
Ready to stand

I'm ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions
And get some answers
What's a fire and why does it
(What's the word?) burn?

When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love
Love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world."

I smiled again and she got a little shy, staring at her feet as she kicked at the deck. I lifted her chin and said, "That was lovely."

"Do you want to walk on land?" I quickly shook my head and then paused. Did I?

"I honestly don't know. I could if I wanted to…" I trailed off and she stared at me curiously.

"I can't believe this. I have to tell my mom when I get home." My eyes widened and I shook my head, not wanting to wipe the little girl's memory. She stared at me and I heard someone coming, so I dropped my tail and let go of the railing. I landed in the water and heard the little girl call out for me.

I stayed below the waves because I saw a man behind her, waiting for her to get up. I waited until he turned his back. I pushed myself up and put a finger to my lips when she caught sight of me. I gave her another warm smile and blew her a kiss before I plopped back into the water. I allowed myself to swim away and refrained from looking back.

I glanced back to the boat once I was several hundred feet away and felt a shiver run through my body as I caught sight of a man onboard. I hissed and scrambled back into the water. I watched in fright as the ship got smaller in the distance. I knew that man. I'd know him anywhere.

Flashback

"Marina, unlock this door RIGHT NOW!" I cowered in fear in the far corner of my room as I watched my locked bedroom door shake every time his fist connected with the wood.

End of Flashback

My lip trembled and I decided it was the perfect time to watch my human as he stared out at the ocean. I swam away to the spot where he usually stayed and pulled myself up on a rock. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to swim with him. I watched him a few miles away and thought it was safe to get closer. I simply stared at him as I allowed myself to be completely revealed to this human. He continued to stare at his paper that he was scribbling on with his drawing pencil.

He glanced up and then looked down to continue his drawing. He saw me, and his head snapped back up. I momentarily panicked, and I made a move to leave, but he reached his hand out as if to stop me.

I tilted my head to the side and cautiously pulled myself up on a flat rock near him to see the way he'd react to me. I wondered if he'd run like so many others or if he would try to capture me. His eyes widened, and he didn't look away as he flipped to a new piece of paper in his notebook and began running his pencil along it quickly and lightly. He chanced a glance down at his paper and then whipped his head back up to make sure I didn't leave.

I shyly smiled at him and shifted so I was in a more comfortable position. I settled myself so I was lying on my stomach on the flat rock. I rested my weight on my forearms and let my tail slide out along the rock until it dipped in the water at an angle, only partially covering my tail. My fin peeked out from the somewhat shallow waters, and I tilted my head as I smiled at him.

I was perfectly comfortable and I could easily watch him as he drew me. I flashed him a smile and he gave me a timid one in return. He likes to be alone and wants to stay in his comfort zone. I surprisingly didn't get the urge to drown him much to my relief. I don't know how I'd cope if I killed him. He meant a lot to me even though I barely knew him. This is actually the first time he's ever seen me.

He stilled and looked at me when I heard a noise a few feet away. He looked behind him and then dropped his notebook, surprising me. Of all the times I've watched him, he tried his very best to keep his drawing book in absolutely perfect condition. He turned back to me and frantically said, "Hide!"

I instantly dove in the water and hid behind the rock I was lying on. I peeked to the shore and my heart hammered against my chest as I saw a red eyed man stalking towards my human with a frightening smirk on his face.

Okay so thank you for bearing with me you guys! The next chapter is where the ? mermaid becomes an important character! I hope you guys liked it!

Review and tell me what you think in nice words please(:

Also! Please read and REVIEW Shadows of a Star by SelinaShadow(:

It's freaking hilarious and a really good story so far! Please and thank you!(: