"Disgraced Captain Cedric has been searching for the fabled treasure of Avalor for what feels like most of his life. Imagine his surprise when after being sent overboard his ship during a treacherous storm he finds it around the lovely neck of the mermaid who just saved his life." -AngelQueen13
Cedric knew he wasn't dead. Being dead wouldn't hurt so much. No, somehow he was alive and aware of every ache and pain in his body. He never thought his slender form could ever feel heavy, yet here he was, feeling like gravity had increased and mushed him into the ground.
The last thing he could remember was falling overboard, his belts and boots not helping his buoyancy, not that it would have made a difference. Any decent swimmer would be swept away by those currents and while not a swimmer per say, he knew enough to prevent drowning under calmer circumstances. He recalled his hands grasping toward the surface as if seeking some invisible ladder and the fear of sinking deeper into the depths despite all his efforts to resurface. It looked like the end, it should have been the end. There was no way he should have survived. He recalled a flash of light in the moment just before his lost consciousness, assuming it was related to that tunnel people talked about, though he couldn't remember one – just the light.
At last his eyes found the strength to open, revealing blue skies above him. The sound of breaking waves filtered into his ears and his hands once again clutched, this time grasping damp sand. Well, that explained why he felt he was sinking into the ground. So he somehow washed up somewhere. Perfect. Now he'd have the pleasure of starving to death unless he'd miraculously found himself hundreds of miles back near the mainland.
He took a big inhale of breath, oxygen never tasting so good. He never wanted to experience that burning in his lungs again, that desperation of both mind and body fighting for life in a helpless situation. He closed his eyes, still too weak to move and mind still half aware, taking deep, measured breaths. Yes, starvation was probably preferable despite its drawn out process.
Author's Note: So instead of finishing a story, I've started yet another. Been on a mermaid kick. Let's have some fun with it.