Mermaid Goddess: The Unthinkable

Some things, I can't confess to myself. Many things I wish I could. Somethings I wish I hadn't. And there's some things that I confess too freely.

I prowl at the top of the high ring of cliff faces that comdem El Patron's ancient ship to the deep lagoon. I think of a way to get down without having to jump. As hard as it is to admit, heights terrify me. A rustling sound fom behind me almost makes me lose balance and fall off the cliff. I turn around and sigh with relief. My friend, Vampire, is standing in a run postion behind me. "I could teach you to land on your feet," She says. I shake my head. She shrugs as she runs off the cliff.

Vampire lands on her feet in a way that would make a cat jealous. A gentle hand on my shoulder makes the outlines of a smile cross my face. "Hello, Will," I say. He turns me around. "How'd you know it was me?" he asks with mock disbelief. "Who else?"

"You two loverbirds coming or what?" Vampire calls up to us. I blush, looking down and the ground. Will dives down into the deep waters of the lagoon. He surfaces a few econds later, pulling himself into the ship by a rotting rope.

I sigh, trembling slightly. I take a dive of faith and land in the water. I see a smudge of green at the edge of my vision. I don't surface for a good several minutes while I look for the thing. I then surface, propelling myself up with my tail just high enough for Will to pull me ino the ship. As my tail disappears, Will gives me a towel to dry off. Vampire sits on the splintered railing, playing with a deck of cards. A smudge of green hovers above her head and she appears to absorb it. I see her eyes turn a deeper shade of green. She gets up,drawing her sword towards Will.

"Vampire, what are you doing?" I yell at her, rising to my feet. She raises her sword, about to strike Will. Just before the blade hits his flesh, his sword clashes with Vampire's, making a ringing sound through the air. Their swords clash again and again. Whenever I try to intervine Will pushes me back. So I watch heplessly.

After several minutes of clashing, Will shows fatigue. He lets his guard down for just a moment and the unthinkable happens. The next minutes seem to happen in slow motion. Vampire impaling Will's torso, Vampire pulling out the blade with a wicked smile, and Will dropping to the ground, hand on his wound.

I run to Will's side, heedless of the red stain growing around him. In the background I hear a clater and look to see Vampire lying unconcious on the deck. I turn back to Will, ripping several inches off my sleeve, applying it to Will's wound. I grab some herb outof my bag and put the under the cloth. I notice my clothes are stained wit the horrible crimson associated with death.

Will's breathing becomes rapid and pained. I know he is not long for the world. Salty tears stream down my cheeks. With very great effort Will pulls a small package with a note attached to it and puts it in my hands, and then he's gone, his heart gives way and his breathin stops. I stuff the package into my bag and cradle Will's corpse.

Vampire sits up groggily and looks around. When her eyes land on Will's corpse she looks at me for confirmation, and I nod. She looks down at the deck in guilt. I take ou the package and loosen the note, reading it.

Dear Mermaid,

If you are reading this, I'm either terribly ill, or dead.

You must know that I would have truely prefered to give you this package in person, though that is obviously not possible.

Open the package, and a simple yes or no in your heart wouldsuffice.

-William

I open the package, to find a ring with a sparkling jewel on top. I look at Will's body and whisper "Yes."

TO BE CONTINUED!

