Damon sits in his grandfather's study. Dust particles dance in the beams of sunlight streaming through the small window.
He hasn't spent much time sorting through his grandfather's belongings yet, but a stack of journals catches his eye. Each one is meticulously dated, spanning decades of his grandfather's life.
He picks up a journal from the 1990s, its leather cover worn and soft. As Damon flips through the pages, he stumbles upon an entry that makes him pause. The handwriting is neat, yet there is excitement in the words.
June 15, 1993
Today, I met the most extraordinary creature. Her name is Elena, and she is a mermaid. I was hurrying back to the house to escape the storm when I heard a soft singing rise above the thunder. Following the sound, I found her perched on a rock, her tail shimmering despite the storm. She looked at me with curiosity, and I felt an instant connection. We talked for hours, sharing stories of the sea and the land. She told me about her world beneath the waves, a place of beauty and mystery. I promised to return tomorrow and can't wait to see her again.
Damon's eyes widen in disbelief. A mermaid? But how can he deny their existence when he's certain he's seen one, too? His grandfather never mentioned anything about her. Intrigued, he continues reading, eager to learn more about their fantastical friendship.
August 3, 1993
Elena and I have become the best of friends. Every evening, I walk to the shore, and she is always there, waiting for me. We've shared so many adventures. She showed me a hidden cove where the water glows with bioluminescent light, and I taught her about the stars and constellations. She is fascinated by the human world, just as hers enchants me. Our bond is something I never imagined possible. She is a true friend, and I cherish every moment we spend together.
October 29, 1993
Elena saved my life today. I was caught in a strong current while swimming, and she appeared out of nowhere, guiding me back to safety. Her touch was gentle, yet powerful. We sat on the shore afterward, and she sang a hauntingly beautiful song that seemed to heal my soul. I don't know what I would do without her. She is more than a friend; she is a guardian.
Damon's breath catches as he reads the entries. His grandfather had always been a storyteller, but this seems different. There is sincerity in the words that make him believe. He continues reading, eager to uncover more about this mysterious friendship.
As he turns the pages, he finds more entries about Elena. Each paints a vivid picture of their encounters, growing bond, and shared adventures.
Damon closes the journal, his mind racing. Could it be the same mermaid he saw? The realization washes over him like a wave. He wasn't imagining it. Elena is real, and she has been a part of his grandfather's life. He feels a strange sense of connection and wonder, knowing that the magical world his grandfather wrote about might still be there waiting for him.
The bustling terminal of Portland International Airport is filled with the usual mix of hurried travelers and emotional reunions.
Damon stands near the arrivals gate, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. His heart skips when he finally spots her—Bonnie, his best friend since childhood, weaving through the horde of people with a bright smile.
"Damon!" She calls out, her voice cutting through the noise.
"Bon-Bon," he responds, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's so good to see you!"
They make their way to the parking garage, chatting animatedly about her flight and the latest happenings in Mystic Falls. Damon loads her luggage into the trunk of his sleek black SUV, and soon they are heading west toward Astoria.
The scenic drive from Portland to Astoria is filled with the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest providing a stunning backdrop. The Columbia River glistens in the afternoon sun, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine.
"Wow, this drive is beautiful," Bonnie remarks, gazing out the window.
"Yeah, it's one of my favorite parts about living here," Damon replies, glancing at her with a smile. "Wait until you see the estate. It's even more breathtaking."
They continue to chat, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they catch up on everything from work to family. The miles melt away as they drive through quaint towns and past picturesque landscapes.
They finally arrive at Damon's estate. It's a sprawling property, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Bonnie's eyes widen in awe as she takes in the view. "This place is incredible, Damon. Don't ever sell it," she says, stepping out of the car.
"I'm leaning toward moving here. If you want to join me, there's plenty of room." He winks and grabs her bags. "Come on, let's get you settled in."
They walk toward the house, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks below providing a soothing soundtrack.
Once inside, Damon shows Bonnie to her room, and after she freshens up, she finds him on the back patio.
Bonnie is awed by the panoramic view of the ocean, and they sit in comfortable chairs, sipping on glasses of wine.
The sky is painted in hues of pink and orange as the sun sets, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the nearby trees.
"You know," Damon begins, his tone suddenly more serious, "there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
Bonnie looks at him curiously. "What is it?"
Damon hesitates for a moment. "Have you ever heard the legends about mermaids in these waters?"
Bonnie's eyes widen in surprise. "Mermaids? Are you serious?"
Damon nod. "Yeah. There's a lot of folklore around here about them. Some people even claim to have seen them."
Bonnie leans forward, intrigued. "Have you?"
Damon smirks mysteriously. "Maybe..."
Damon and Bonnie stroll along the beach, their laughter mingling with the sound of the ocean.
As they stroll, Damon tells her about spending time at this place with his grandfather and how his father grew estranged and wasn't permitted to visit after that.
Bonnie listens intently, her eyes sparkling with amusement and concern.
Damon spots a familiar figure in the distance – his neighbor jogging with his golden retriever, Max.
"That's Enzo," Damon says, a hint of warmth in his voice. "He lives down the coast. He helped me a few days ago when I had a nasty fall courtesy of Max."
Bonnie's curiosity is piqued. "What happened?"
"I was walking down the path and Max, the dog, came bounding toward me. He jumped at me, and I fell over that cliff." Damon points to it. "Fortunately, it isn't a big drop-off."
"Damon! You could have been hurt badly."
"Yeah, but I wasn't. Enzo took me inside and made sure I was okay."
As they approach, Enzo waves, his face lighting up with a friendly smile. Max bounds over, tail wagging enthusiastically.
"Good to see you, Damon. And you must be the best friend," Enzo greets them warmly
"Bonnie this is Enzo."
Bonnie extends her hand.
Enzo takes it, raises it to his mouth, and kisses it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bonnie."
Bonnie quickly shakes off the shiver she feels. "Thank you for taking care of him. I don't know what I'd do without this guy." She tips her head toward Damon.
"It was nothing. It's the least I could do after Max sent him flying."
Max tugs impatiently at his leash, his eyes darting toward the seagulls flying overhead. He let out a small whine, his tail wagging furiously.
"Looks like Max is ready to go," Enzo chuckles, glancing at the restless dog.
Damon reaches out to give Max a quick scratch behind the ears. "Take care, buddy."
Max responded with a happy bark, pulling Enzo a few steps forward.
"Alright, alright, we're going," he laughs, waving at Damon and Bonnie. "See you later."
"Bye," Damon calls out.
"Enzo seems like a nice guy..." Bonnie watches them walk away, Max leading with boundless enthusiasm. "He's cute."
"Enzo or Max?"
"Haha!" Bonnie swats him playfully.
"I know virtually nothing about Enzo, but I saw how he looked at you," Damon smirks.
"Maybe you can invite him for a meal while I'm here. Just saying..."
"I can do that... Speaking of food, let's go back. I'll make us dinner."
"Sounds good," Bonnie says, linking her arm with Damon's.
"I'm glad you're here, Bonnie Bennet," Damon tells her as they walk toward his place.
The sky is painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun begins to set. The sound of waves crashing against the shore fills the air.
Damon stands on the deck, his gaze fixed on the horizon, lost in thought.
Bonnie steps out onto the deck, her footsteps are light, but enough to catch his attention. "Hey, what are you doing out here all alone?"
Damon turns to face her, his expression serious "I was reading my grandfather's journal. He wrote about seeing a mermaid..."
Bonnie raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice "A mermaid? Really?"
Damn nods earnestly "Yeah. And… I swear I saw one too. The other day after I tumbled over the cliff courtesy of Max."
Bonnie laughs softly. "Come on, you're not serious, are you? Mermaids aren't real."
Damon pleading eyes are filled with conviction "I know it sounds crazy, but I saw something. It was real, I swear."
She shakes her head, still smiling. "You've been reading too many fairy tales. Maybe it was just a trick of the light or a dolphin."
Damon sighs, turning back to the ocean "Maybe. But I can't shake the feeling that there's something more out there."
Bonnie steps closer, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Well, whatever it was, I'm sure it was beautiful. But let's not get carried away with mermaid stories, okay?"
Damon smiles faintly "Yeah, maybe you're right."
They stand in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves filling the space between them.
Bonnie nudges him gently "Come on, it's late. We should get some rest."
Damon nods reluctantly "Yeah, you're right."
They walk back into the house, each lost in their thoughts.
"Goodnight, Damon," Bonnie calls over her shoulder as she climbs the stairs to her room.
"Goodnight," he calls back as he turns out the lights and follows her up the stairs.
The first light of dawn filters through the thin curtains, casting an ethereal glow over the room. Damon stirs, blinking away the remnants of sleep. He sits up, stretching his arms above his head, and glances at the clock. It is early, but he feels a restless energy coursing through him.
Quietly, he slips out of bed and pads down the hallway. He pauses at the guest room door and gently pushes it open. Bonnie is still asleep, her breathing steady and peaceful. A small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. He closes the door softly, not wanting to disturb her.
Damon dresses quickly and goes outside to the small shed by the beach where his grandpa's old boat is stored. It's a modest vessel, weathered by years of use but still sturdy. He unties and pushes it into the gentle surf, hopping in and rowing into the open ocean.
The morning is calm, the water smooth as glass. Damon feels a sense of freedom as he rows further from shore, the rhythmic splash of the oars soothing his restless mind. But as the sun climbs higher, dark clouds gather on the horizon. The wind picks up, whipping the waves into frothy peaks.
The storm hit with a sudden, violent fury. The sky darkens, and rain lashes down in sheets. The boat is tossed about like a toy, waves crashing over the sides. Damon clings to the oars, his knuckles white, but it's futile.
A massive wave engulfs the boat, and Damon is thrown into the churning sea. The cold water closes over his head, and he struggles to the surface, gasping for air. The storm rages around him, and he feels himself being pulled under again and again.
Suddenly, through the chaos, Damon feels a strong, gentle hand grasp his arm. He opens his eyes to see her. Her eyes are a deep, shimmering brown, and her hair flows around her like a halo. She holds him securely, her tail flicking powerfully beneath the water.
The storm seems to part around them, the waves calming in her presence. She guides him to a small, sheltered cove, where the water is calm and the storm's fury is a distant roar. Elena helps him onto the shore, her eyes filled with concern and kindness.
"You're safe now," Elena says, her voice melodic and calming.
"Thank you," Damon manages to gasp, his voice hoarse from the saltwater.
"Are you… Elena?"
She smiles warmly, "Yes, I am Elena. And you're Damon, Joseph's grandson."
"Yes, that's right. How do you know?" Damon asks incredulously.
"We have met before..." Elena tells him.
"No!" He shakes his head. "I would've remembered."
"You were just a child, Damon...I saved you from drowning."
He looks at her intently. "I have no memory of that..." Damon exhales heavily. "I found his journal and…He wrote so much about you."
Elena sighs softly. "Your grandfather was a remarkable man. We shared many adventures."
"Can you tell me about him? About your friendship?"
Elena swims closer, her tail shimmering in the light. "Joseph was kind and curious, like you. He stumbled upon me one stormy night, much like this one. He was fascinated by the ocean and all its mysteries. We spent countless nights discussing the world above and below the waves."
"Grandpa always had a way of making everything sound magical."
"He did. He taught me about the stars, and I showed him the wonders of the deep. We were an unlikely pair, but our bond was strong. He had a heart full of wonder and a spirit that never wavered."
Damon looks down briefly. "I wish I could have known him better. He and my father grew distant...I rarely saw him after that."
"He was always here, Damon. In his heart, he carried the ocean and all its secrets. And now, you have the chance to discover them too."
Damon looks up, determination burning in his eyes. "I want to know you, Elena. Since I caught a glimpse of you, I haven't thought of anyone else."
"I can't stay away, either" she admits, gliding closer to him. "There's something about you… something that calls to me."
They talk for what feels like hours, sharing stories of their worlds, laughing, and finding a connection that transcends their differences. But as the sky darkens, a distant voice begins to echo through the cove.
Elena's eyes widen with alarm. "I have to go," she whispers urgently.
"Wait!" Damon calls out, panic rising in his chest. "How do I find you?"
Elena pauses, her gaze locking with his. "I'll find you," she promises, her voice filled with determination and hope.
With a final, lingering look, she dives beneath the waves, disappearing into the depths.
Staring at the spot where she disappeared, Damon's heart aches with a strange mix of longing and anticipation. He knows, deep down, that this is not the end.
She will find him.
Thank you, everyone.
I did start a Halloween story. DE have a paranormal YouTube channel and are investigating "Blackwood Manor."
Have a lovely weekend.