In The Shadows

After a long day at work I came home and found the note.

-Don’t hold dinner for me, I’m pulling an all-nighter at work.

With a quick look out the window, I confirm the setting sun. Hmm. Father’s out for the night, so no one will miss me if I’m gone. I run a hand over my legs, which are prickly with scales. Time to do what I do best.

I drive to a ledge that overlooks Darrow’s Inlet, strip out of my jeans and tee. Standing at the edge I look grimly into the water. “Here goes nothing.” With the grace of someone well practiced, I jump.

There’s a great splash as my body plunges into the ocean. Adrenaline shoots through me as total submersion equals a temporary transformation, molding my legs into a tail, and soothing my shimmering scales. Saltwater courses through my veins and the waves call to me saying; Come. You belong here. I swim out into open ocean.

Perching on a rock I wait. Seagulls sqauwk above and in the murkiness below my fins, sharks eye me with suspicion. I wave my hand to shoo them off and a boat comes into view. I straighten up, attentive, ready to perform the Song with all the skill I posess. Precision is important if you want the enchantment to bind. You must pick the moment the ocean is at its strongest, which is right after sundown.

The sun dips below the horizon like a fire extinguished, and I begin.

"Ah ah ah. Ah ah ah. Ah lou la ah." The boat shifts its course, enticed by my Song.

"Ah na na la na. Lou la na ah na la."

I have lured it in. Now the ocean takes over. The waters rise up, engulfing the ship. I want to see it go down, I want to see terror on the crew's faces as they meet with their fate. But I can't endure it. Turning my gaze to the sky, I realize it is night. Father, on occasion, will tell me that it is easier to succumb to darkness during the night, because you think no one sees what is done in the shadows.

"Oceana!"

I whip around, and scream as I lock eyes with the man aboard the doomed ship.

"Father!"

A final tidal wave swallows the vessel whole. No. No he can't be-

"No!"

I dive down, swimming farther and farther until I reach the depth's. But its no use.

He is gone.