"This will be fun; you love the beach." A young teenager stood beside her father pouting. "Yeah, but grandma is crazy. She doesn't let me go near the beach." "Come on Ash, it's not that bad. You're older now so you'll have more freedom." Dan, the father had just recently lost his job he decided it would be best to move back into his childhood home for the time being. A small coastal town normally would be a great move; however, this town has hung onto century-old legends and most people fear getting too close to the water. "Listen, when Grandma says to stay away from the beach just agree. It's pointless to argue with someone her age. It'll make her happy she thinks you're listening, and you'll have freedom to actually go down to the water. Now, let's take our luggage inside." Dan grabbed a spare key under the welcome mat to open the door. "Mom? We're home." He called out. The house was a decent size beach house that smelled faintly of the ocean and had the scent most old people tended to have. "Ash, you've grown so much since I last saw you!" An older woman with short white hair pushed past Dan to wrap her arms around the young teenager. "It's so nice to see you, I'm so glad the two of you are going to stay with me awhile." She pulled away to turn to her son and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks for letting us stay mom." "Of course, as long as I'm alive my door will always be open for you." The woman grinned. "The same goes for you, once you're an adult if you ever feel like you have nowhere to go my door will always be open." She pulled her granddaughter into another hug as she spoke. "I love you both so much. Now go, unpack your things and dinner will be ready shortly." Ash grabbed her suitcase and walked down the short hall to the room at the end on the right. It looked just like she remembered, a large queen size bed on the left with plain light blue sheets and comforter. A closet across from the bed and small dresser to the left of the closet. The view from the window wasn't too impressive, her grandmother's small garden. Ash tossed the suitcase on the bed and opened it; she had only packed the basics. The moving truck that had everything else would be arriving in the next few days, though most would be going into storage. With a sigh she went ahead and dumped everything on the bed, then grabbed some hangers from the closet. Halfway through hanging everything grandma called for her. "Ash, it's time for dinner."

"I'm coming."

A few different dishes were laid out on the table. Ash sat at the end of the table; the same spot she'd take every year they visited her grandmother. Though this was the first time in three years she sat at the spot. Her family had started passing on the vacations at grandma's house to have proper vacations where they could actually go on the beach and not have anyone panicking about the monsters or whatever it was supposed to be that lurked in the water, kidnapping humans and taking them as their spouse. It was honestly ridiculous. Ash ate silently, listening to her father and grandmother talk about the town and things that had changed. She finished the dinner as they continued talking and stood quickly excusing herself.

"Where are you going?" Grandma questioned as Ash walked towards the door. "I just wanted to go for a walk before it gets too dark." Her grandmother quickly stood. "Wait, I want you to take something." She walked to her room and Ash followed, watching the woman take something from a jewelry box. "Here, take this. If you run into one of them toss this, they have a weakness for silver, and you can escape while they go after it." Ash stared at the chain her grandmother placed in her hand. "Grandma- "The woman quickly interrupted the girl. "Please take it. I know you will go to the beach, you're as stubborn as your mother was. I know you think it's silly, but they are real." It was best not to argue and just accept the chain. Her grandmother has believed these stories over seventy years now, it's pointless trying to use logic. It's the same for almost everyone in the small town, they all believe in the creatures. She had looked it up years ago from interest, the folklore wasn't even from the united states. How did this small town in the USA end up believing it so deeply? Whatever, it isn't like accepting the chain will harm me in any way. "Okay grandma, I'll keep it with me." She dropped the chain in her jacket pocket and hugged her grandmother. Ash left the bedroom and walked over to hug her father before heading for the door. "Be back by 10." Her father called and she was stepping out the door. "I will dad, bye love both of you." "Love you too sweetie, remember what the chain is for." "Love you Ash, stay safe."

It was chilly walking along the beach, though it smelled nice. The ocean air was always comforting to Ash, she missed it living in the city. It's a shame everyone here is scared to go near the ocean, this beach is so beautiful. But I guess it's nice to have it to myself. Ash thought to herself. She was heading towards a cave her father always took her to growing up. It was her favorite place to go when she was younger. She arrived at the cave as the sun was setting. It was such a beautiful place; she could stay there for hours. I should've brought a book she thought frowning. This would've been the perfect place to read a book and watch the sunset. I'll bring one tomorrow. Once the sun was set, she was planning to walk back towards town, however, as she stood to leave, she noticed an odd neon green floating in the ocean. Was it some type of glowing algae? It was only in one spot; curiosity got the best of her and she decided to move closer to the glowing object. She climbed on the edge of a rock and bent down to get a closer look at whatever it was. As she got closer to the water, Ash placed her hand on a spot with thicker algae. She slipped, falling headfirst into the cold water. The water burnt her throat and nose as she tried to get closer to the surface, keeping her head above the water was difficult with her clothes weighing her down. I'm going to drown. Ash thought to herself and she continued to struggle. As she fought to stay above the water, she felt something warm wrap around her waist, feeling similar to when someone wraps their arms around you in a hug. Is this the embrace of death? Ash wondered to herself, knowing there was no way somebody was actually holding her, there was nobody else around and people feared this beach because of the-

What happened? Ash blinked in confusion. Why was she laying in the cave? Wait, wasn't I just drowning? How am I still alive? She slowly sat up wincing in pain as she did. Glancing down at where the pain was coming from there was a horrible deep looking gash on her hand. "You cut it on a rock when you slipped in the water." A confident sounding voice said. "What?" She looked around the cave trying to spot who the voice belonged to. "Over here." It spoke again. Ash froze, the voice was coming from behind her. It was coming from the water. Slowly she turned, the first thing she noticed was the bright green hair. That's what she was trying to get closer to before she fell in, she was sure. It was a man? He was a shade of dark blue and had green eyes that glowed like his hair. She could only see from his shoulders up, but there was something glowing under the water too. His ears looked like fins and his teeth glowed? "What are you?" She whispered. He raised his brow surprised by her question. "You don't know?" Her eyes widened. "Wait, are you a finman?" He nodded. She quickly reached for the chain in her pocket but froze. If he's a finman why hadn't he kidnapped her? "Wait, if you're a finman, why aren't you trying to kidnap me?" She questioned. "Kidnap you?" "Yeah, the stories are finfolk kidnap humans and makes them their spouses." She mumbled awkwardly. "Who said I want you as my wife?" Her mouth dropped open at his comment. It was ridiculous to be offended that he didn't want her as a wife, she knew this. But still, hearing all the stories it was hard not to be offended. They're suppose to snatch any human they can and unless he travels, she doubts he comes across other humans often. Well, he probably does travel. He laughed at her expression. "Do you want me to take you as my wife?" No. No she did not. She quickly shook her head. "I'm too young to take a spouse." He spoke honestly. She moved closer to the water. "How old are you?" He tilted his head to the side, what a weird human. She was the first human he's met but he was fairly sure this wasn't a normal response. Maybe she's lost too much blood? He frowned at the thought. "Eighteen." "Oh, you're a year older than me." She mumbled. "What age do finfolk usually take a spouse?" "You're shivering, and you're still bleeding." He nodded towards her hand. She paused, reality coming back to her and it hit her how cold she actually is and how much pain she is in. She winched bringing her hand to get a better look at it. Yeah, she really needed to get it bandaged now. She glanced once more at the odd finman. Would it be a bad idea if I asked him? Probably, maybe I've lost too much blood and I'm going crazy. But still. "What's your name?" He stared at her a moment debating whether or not he should answer her. "I'll tell you tomorrow." "Well then, I guess I'll wait to tell you my name tomorrow too." She stood up slowly on shaky legs. "Tomorrow at sunset?" Though when she looked back at the water expecting a response he was already gone.

"What happened to you?!" Dan cried out horrified at the sight of his daughter. She flinched from the loud sound. "I uh fell." She mumbled awkwardly. "How? Wait, are you bleeding? Oh my god, Ash. That's too deep. How did this happen? Do you need to go to the hospital?" The yelling alerted the older woman. "Oh sweetheart. Come here." She dragged the girl into the bathroom as soon as she saw her hand and pulled out a first aid kit. "It's not too bad, you won't need stitches." She mumbled as she poured some alcohol on it wound. "Dan, what are you doing? Get in here and run a bath for her while I clean the cut." The older lady called for her son. "Oh, right. Of course." The bathroom wasn't meant for three people to stand in comfortably. Ash groaned as her grandmother dabbed at the cut with a cotton ball. After making sure it was clean and the bath was full both adults left the room to give her some privacy. She struggled a moment to take off her clothes, taking off wet jeans was the worst. Once she had managed to strip, she slipped into the warm water and sighed in content. It felt so nice. Was today even real? She wondered to herself. Did she actually meet one of the finfolk the whole town fears, or was it her imagination? A hallucination? She probably hit her head when she slipped into the water too. My head hurts too much to think right now. She sighed once again and grabbed a washcloth beside her. Wanting to quickly wash and get out, fearing she might fall asleep in the tub if she stayed too long.

I'm so tired. She stood in front of the mirror wrapped in a towel. She looked horrible. Guess that's why he didn't want to take me as his wife. She laughed aloud at her own stupid joke.

The next day she just relaxed in her room after sleeping 'til noon, watching movies and reading on her phone the whole day. Her father nor grandmother bothered her much, only calling her out to eat some lunch. She spent the last six hours convincing herself that it was a lucid dream or something. That she didn't meet a finman. She obviously hit her head when she fell, and it wasn't real. However, not long after dinner she stood awkwardly in the hallway. She should just go to her room, there's no point going out. He isn't real and she still didn't feel great. Why waste her time? Yet, there was that small 'what if' in the back of her mind. Oh whatever, it won't kill her and once she goes and sees he's not there she won't have the annoying 'what if' always in the back of her mind. She grabbed her coat and walked to the door. "I'm going for a walk." She called as she opened it. "Do you have the necklace?" Ash almost laughed at the question. "Yes grandma." She replied and closed the door.

Okay, let's see. Actually, did we even set a time? More proof it was just a lucid dream, if it were real, we would've set a time. Who makes plans to meet up without a time set? I think I said sunset in my dream, but he was gone when I turned around. So, even more reason it's just a dream. She tensed standing in the mouth of the cave. Why was she so nervous? He's not real. Ash glanced at the setting sun and sat down. "I forgot to bring a book." She leaned against the cave wall frowning. It's now been about twenty minutes since the sun set and still no finman. I'll give it ten more minutes, if nothing shows up I'll just go home and it was just my imagination. She glanced at her clock, just five more seconds.

Five

Four

Three

Two

One.

She stood up and sighed, feeling much less tense. It wasn't real, I must've hit my head and I've got an overactive imagination. As she was finally leaving the cave a voice called out.

"Where are you going?"