(Legend of the Mermaid)
*June 14th, 1941*
*3:15pm*
*Baker Beach, San Fransico, California*
It was a rather warm yet chill day as Anya's family were relaxing at Baker Beach while Anya, Alexander, and Linda did some exploring.
"I hate that mother forced me to do this dumb exploring thing with you guys. It's just not gonna make me have a good time" Linda complained to herself as continued to walk with her brother and cousin.
"Lighten up! It's always always a good time to have fun with family and who knows! You might discover something that you'll end up bragging to your friends at school" Alexander had spoken out in hopes of lifting Linda's spirits however he was met with a rather annoyed look from her.
"I don't have any friends for your information so better luck nice time" Linda clapped back as this prompted Alexander to let out a sigh.
"Hey, Summer is not gonna be enjoyable if you are just moping like Eeyore so please just have fun for me and Anya's sake, okay?" Alexander had spoken back in a more stern tone of voice as his request was met with silence from Linda while Anya watched everything unfold.
"I think we shouldn't press Linda any further so it's best not to make her feel even more grouchy than how she already is" Anya had advised to her cousin while Alexander nodded his head in agreement as the trio continued to walk across the beach as Linda was captured by the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge.
"Whoa, I've never seen the Golden Gate Bridge this close before so this is a rather nice surprise" Linda had spoken out in a more surprised tone of voice as she saw Anya taking out her Kodac 35 as she raised an eyebrow.
"Beautiful, Isn't it? Do you want me to take a picture of you or are you good?" Anya had asked her cousin as her question was met with Linda looking to her side.
"No, I just said that the bridge looked nice, That's all. No need to make a big deal out of it so don't ask me again" Linda answered back in her usual tone of voice as she walked past Anya and Alexander.
"Okay, I'll respect your wishes but don't be afraid to reach out if you need that picture" Anya had spoken back as she and Alexander followed Linda while they continued to walk across the beach until they came across a rather old man who appeared to be around eighty years old.
"Hello Kids! Do you guys know about the Legend of the Mermaid right here on this very beach!" The Old Man asked everyone as his question was met with everyone shaking their heads in denial.
"Um, No? Care to tell us about the Legend?" Anya had responded back in a tone of curiosity as this annoyed Linda.
"Cousin Anya, Are you really gonna believe what this crazy man has to say? He could be a filthy pervert for all we know so It's best to ignore him" Linda advised her cousin while Alexander nodded his head in agreement.
"Oh no! No! I'm not anything of the sort! I'm just a lonely old man who just wants to see his precious mermaid bride before she passes away but I should tell you my name right? Well, You can call me Tom." Tom had spoken out in a defensive tone of voice while Anya and the others simply stared back at him.
"Mermaid Bride? You really are crazy for believing in nonsense like that and you must be a shameless pervert as well! I know your type all too well" Linda had spoken out in annoyance while Tom put his hands up in defense.
"Oh no, I met her when I was a young lad of roughly the same age as that gentleman here…" Tom had spoken out in defense once more as he pointed at Alexander.
"So, You want us to help you find the mermaid, right? I don't know if you're crazy or being genuine but this could spice up our little adventure so I'm up for the challenge" Alexander responded back to Tom while Anya nodded her head in agreement.
"If Cousin Alexander trusts him then maybe he's being genuine but we must keep our guard up" Anya had chimed in while Linda sighed in annoyance as she was forced to partake in these pointless tasks from her point of view.
"Fine, fine, I'll go but if you try anything funny then I'll send you flying, okay?" Linda warned Tom in a stern tone of voice while the old man nodded his head in agreement as the gang started to search for the mermaid.
"So, how do we find this mermaid exactly? Do we just stand here or do we have to do some task or something?" Anya asked Tom nodded his head in confirmation as he began to speak.
"Nope, We just stand here. Nearly seventy years ago, the mermaid promised me that she'll marry me. However, she told me that I won't be able to fulfill that promise since this year is her final year of being alive since Mermaids can only live up to three hundred years and to make matters worse. She's the last Mermaid EVER…" Tom explained to Anya and the others as this prompted Linda to ask more questions.
"What do you mean by that? You mean to tell me that most Mermaids were killed off? I thought they're so hidden away that it's difficult…" Linda asked Tom with a hint of curiosity as she waited for her answer.
"That's what I've thought as well however she told me that her people were either enslaved and eventually killed by Humans which were kept top secret throughout the years while others died due to the industrial revolution since pollution and other bad stuff covered the oceans so now she's the last mermaid in existence…" Tom explained to Linda and everyone else as the gang was shocked at his story.
"I'm sorry to hear that, She must have been through alot. I hope she can find peace once she passes away.." Anya had spoken out as she felt sad about the story while Alexander and Linda nodded their heads in agreement.
"I can hope for the same as well. Not just that but I just hope that us Humans could take better care of our planet so that we could leave a better and wonderful place for the future generations…" Tom had spoken once more as he and everyone else heard a soft voice as this caught Tom's attention.
"I-Is that what I think it is?!" Alexander called out in confusion as he and everyone else had seen the mermaid jumping out of the water as this surprised everyone.
"W-Wow, She's so beautiful…" Linda uttered out in awestruck as she had seen the red haired mermaid descending back into the sea before she eventually rose up once again.
"S-Sirena! It's been so many years! I'm so glad you've survived all of this time!" Tom cried out as he had tears in his eyes as he was happy to be finally reunited with his longtime lover.
"Sir Tom, It is a pleasure in reuniting with you after all of these years however I'm afraid that my time of death is quickly approaching.." Sirena had spoken out to her lover as this angered Linda who had tears in her eyes.
"Wait a minute?! Why are you just now coming out to see him after SEVENTY years! You know how long Tom has waited for you?! I know that he knew of your upcoming passing however WHY DID YOU WAIT SO LONG!" Linda cried out in sadness as she was met with Sirena raising her hands so she could speak.
"It was on Sir Tom's behalf, It was no longer safe for my people to co-exist with Humans since they've discovered that they can use us for their selfish gains. If Humans were to discover me than I would had became either a slave or apart of their freak shows. I understand your pain…." Sirena had spoken back to Linda as her body suddenly illuminated in a golden yet beautiful glow indicating that her death was near.
"Don't worry, I'm sure that we'll be together in Heaven or whatever comes after. I'm good at the waiting game so I don't mind waiting ten extra years or so…" Tom had spoken to Linda as well as he let out a smile on his face.
"I'm terribly sorry that our reunion was short, however, I've enjoyed all the times we had seventy years ago, I truly do…" Sirena had spoken back to Tom as the mermaid started to cry as her tears fell down forming small pearls in the process while one landed on Tom's hand as the old man started to sob.
"Goodbye, Please don't forget all the good times we've had. I love you…" Sirena had spoken to her lover for the final time as her body eventually disappeared becoming one with the ocean as Tom continued to sob quietly to himself as Alexander gave him comfort while Linda was shedding tears as well as she felt Anya's hand giving her a rub of comfort.
"I'm not crying by the way so you can knock it off…" Linda lied while tears were flowing down her face as Anya continued to give her comfort which she eventually ignored.
"Sirena's people have been through alot, I just hope that she's able to find peace wherever her soul travels to next…" Anya thought to herself as she and everyone else continued to watch the beautiful ocean sea with the Golden Gate Bridge towering over the oceans as Anya knew the age of Mermaids had came to an end however Mermaids would continue to exist in the hearts of many whatever if it's in the past, present or even future.
