The Good Intentions of a Cyborg Werewolf

Waterlogged - XVII

The overnight situation hadn't been thought entirely through, as Erin had come to painfully realise. She had slept in the van's passenger seat while Mercer stayed up all night in the back working on something he refused to elaborate on. When she informed him about the likelihood of Mahi being a merman he was initially skeptical. He didn't believe merfolk would be so open to strangers, but Erin was confident given the name was uttered by the victim at the lab. Besides, she thought, it would be nice to see him again. He had an affability to him that made her want to get to know him, and not just because of what he was. Luke had already left for his new job before she woke up, and it gave Erin plenty of time to get ready before she headed out. She walked the beach, once again enjoying the warm breeze and the sun. It was even more busy than yesterday, especially in the water itself, and she looked out to the waves to see if she could spot him. There were plenty of swimmers, surfers, and even boats and jetskis. She even saw someone water skiing.

"Aloha," a familiar voice came from behind her. Erin turned to see Mahi, board in hand, smiling beneath his sunglasses. "Ready to earn your fins?"

"As I'll ever be," Erin said meekly. She hadn't exactly considered her proposition too deeply. She didn't necessarily want to learn how to surf, but now she was locked in.

"It's a breeze once you get the hang of it," he said, "it's all about feeling the waves and letting your body go with the flow."

"Sounds new age," Erin chuckled. "So do I get a training board or something?"

"Nah man, we practice with mine!" He held it aloft like it was the winning answer, "we double up, that way I can coach you on the fly."

"Oh, two people on one surfboard," Erin felt a bit flustered, but before she knew it Mahi was leading her out onto the water.

"You sit in front," he instructed, "then we both paddle out."

"Cool," she said, and hopped on to the board. It was a bit awkward to keep herself up, and it wasn't as buoyant as she expected. It actually took some balance to stop from tipping, and they both had to lean forward to paddle even as the receding waves helped carry them out.

"You're a natural so far," Mahi said next to her ear, "you sure you never surfed before?"

"Positive," Erin tried to hide her anxiety. She wasn't afraid of the water, certainly not to the same extent as Luke, but she usually never went in anything past waist-deep. Yet with Mahi at her back keeping her upright it didn't seem so daunting.

"Here comes a good one," he pointed past her at the oncoming wave, "you want to stand up nice and easy just as it catches. Use your arms to balance yourself."

"Balance myself..." Erin muttered back to herself. Sure enough the wave came, and Mahi turned them into it. She hesitantly tucked her legs onto the board, trying to get her feet under her, but with her hands still gripping the front it was awkward. She struggled to get even footing, but the instant her hands relaxed in their grip she went over. The wave hit, flopping her end over end, and then she felt an arm against her back and a hand on her own. She was only underwater for an instant before she was helped up above the waves, hurriedly paddling with her arms to keep herself afloat even as Mahi held on.

"You're first wipeout!" He laughed as he brought her over to the board, and Erin couldn't help but join him.

"I'm a natural, right?" She ran her hair back.

"Nobody gets it the first time," Mahi chuckled. "It's something you grow into, y'know? Repetition leads to refinement and all that."

"How many tries did it take you?" Erin asked.