FAGE: Sweet 16.

Title: The mermaid and the carnie

Written for: MarieCarro/ Marie Carro Vanadesse

Written by: DeJean Smith

Rating: M

Summary/prompt used: Over 50 years after The Great Circus Massacre, Michael and Jessica Newton visit the home of his hero, Edward A. Masen, only to learn sometimes the hero is a justified villain, and not all family secrets can be kept. A FAGE 16 for MarieCarro.

"I don't think we are supposed to be up here, Michael."

"The paperwork didn't say anything about not going to the attic, Jess. Besides, this is the former home of one of my all-time heroes. I want to see what made him tick!"

Jessica sighed as she took the last step up the rickety stairs. She huffed an errant lock of freshly frizzed brown hair out of her eyes and pulled at her blouse to attempt to catch some cooler, less humid air. The stifling, stagnant air was heavy with dust, and Jessica instantly felt it stick to her perspiration-covered skin.

What had been promised as a weekend at the shore in a four-star Airbnb was quickly looking like it was going to be a weekend stuck inside while her husband poked and prodded around the childhood home of one Dr. Edward Anthony Masen, discoverer of the biofuel that ended the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

Seaweed. Who knew?

"…and look, here's the window Dr. Masen looked out as a lad to watch for his father's return from a rough day at the office!" Michael announced, vibrating excitedly as he pointed to the window.

Jessica rolled her eyes. Her dear husband may have read the good veterinarian's autobiography a few hundred times—this year.

And those of his son, the great ship designer who created aerodynamic wonders of the seven seas, his daughter who designed the costumes for several decades of collegiate and Olympic swim teams, his grandson, the imagineer who invented a means to communicate with dolphins, his granddaughter who developed a truly biodegradable diaper and baby wipe, as well as the aforementioned biofuel creator.

Must suck to have no talent, Jessica groused internally.

Not that she harbored any ill will. No, she had experienced a moderately successful modeling career after high school that paid her way through undergraduate and eventually law school, debt-free thank you very much. And her success in the courtroom was earning the attention of many.

Siren of the courtroom, according to her biographical snippet in the latest 40 lawyers under 40 articles. It was a subtle nod to the mythological creatures who lured sailors to their deaths much like her arguments changed the minds of even the most ardent defense lawyers.

But she yearned to write. To create the next great American novel filled with intrigue, a touch of romance, and a healthy dose of gore. A tale of page-turning action that hinted at a potential sequel but so far, not a single word made it from her brain to paper or keyboard. The frustration was great, but her courtroom success placated her for now.

Michael Newton was no slouch, either. About ten years before, he had inherited a family chain of outdoor equipment stores when his parents decided the cold and wet of the Pacific Northwest were not for their aging bones and packed up for warmer climes. Using his advertising and business acumen, the stores had flourished under his leadership, and now Michael was entertaining calls from a couple of bigger dealerships that wished to pull Newton's Outfitters into their portfolios.

It just seemed the Masen clan had more than their fair share of the pie, though they ardently avoided the spotlight. Sure, they wrote riveting autobiographies, but 100% of the proceeds from each one went to worthy charities, assisting man, beast, and the environment. There were very few in the moment interviews or face-to-face reports available.

Welcome to The Mermaid and the Carnie! This is a slightly different Edward/Bella story, but when the characters speak—you have to go with it! MarieCarro provided some wonderful prompts and I went with A captured mermaid/siren who enchants a young man to come to her aid and Searching through the attic through generational family home to find deep dark/horror secrets.

There are 10 chapters of varying lengths if you want to wait until all are posted to start reading.

I hope you enjoy!

DeJean