A merman's tear (dreamnotfound)

Chapter Ten

George had never experienced a storm before.

At least, not over the water.

Of course, his pod had told him of storms. Huge booming thunder, lightning striking through the sky, wind with the force of all his ancestors, waves churning and deadly!

But that was only on top. On the surface. 

Every time a storm happened when he was with his pod, they'd swim into even deeper waters, where they weren't affected by the gods raining hellfire (or hell water, he guessed) (If that was even a thing).

A few times since being alone, he'd caught himself close enough to the surface to feel the uncomfortable waves and the loud noises, but he'd always managed to steer clear from it since then.

Even underwater, where it was muffled, the sounds scared him shitless.

So, of course, he would start to panic when a raging storm took over the skies.

George slept peacefully before a large clap echoed through the sky. He shot up, blearily rubbing his eyes as the sky started to bang its drums.

It shook the ship so hard that it swayed back and forth, and as George whipped around behind him, he could see harsh rain splattering against the closed window with tremendous force.

Fear shot up his spine as lightning flashed through the sky. The sound of shoes being put on quickly made him turn, his grip deadly strong on the glass, so much he'd be worried that it would shatter if he wasn't already preoccupied. 

Dream was hopping on one foot, shoving his shoes on as he threw on a coat. His mask still covered his face, but George could tell the man was worried.

He shot past George, who opened his mouth to call out something, but was interrupted by Dream yelling "I'll be back! Have to help the crew and secure our stuff!"

Despite there being a hallway before the door, he could still see the raging winds and rain before the door slammed shut.

George's heart was beating fast, so much that he felt like he might throw it up any minute now.

He whimpered as thunder boomed through the sky, another flash of light accompanying it. He curled into himself as tight as he could and pushed his hands over his ears.

They did not do much to rid of the sound, but it was better than nothing.

George's breath came out in short and sharp gasps as the storm continued on. He hadn't even noticed he was crying until the salty taste of his tears threatened his mouth.

He clenched his teeth as thunder boomed again, the ship croaking an ominous sound as it tipped back and forth, his eyes screwed shut as the water around him sloshed back and forth.

He tried to put his mind on something else, in an attempt to block out everything going on around him, but it was fruitless.

He sat there shivering, eyes clenched shut, as he tried to drown everything out.

"Oh my sweetness..." a soft voice called out, somehow overpowering the storm.

George blinked his eyes open slightly.

"Mum?"

His mother sat in front of him, tail curled beneath her, long brown locks of hair glinting as lightning flashed.

She had a gentle smile on her face, her familiar eyes twinkling with love.

She moved her hand over to George's face, stroking it softly. It felt cold to the touch. Like ice.