The Mermaid's Daughter

Chapter Two: Bob, George and Barry

CHAPTER TWO

Today's a Saturday so I woke up later than usual. As I walk around the aquarium my dad and his co-workers are already set to work, feeding the animals and getting some of them ready for shows. I'm allowed to go near and look at all the exhibits, except for one.

The shark tank.

I'm not really sure why, cause yeah, they are dangerous creatures, but there are plenty of other dangerous animals in the aquarium that I'm permitted to go near. Dad has just always been so uneasy about me if I go anywhere near the sharks, so I always stay far from them. I don't want him to be anymore stressed than he already is.

But today things change.

As I start walking over in the direction of the dolphins, Dad starts walking towards me, from the office area. I stop walking and turn to face him.

"Ah Melody, I was wondering if today you would, ah, like to help me feed, ah, the sharks?" he says quietly. It doesn't sound like he is completely sure of what he is asking.

"Really!? Awesome!! Sure! Wait... I thought I wasn't supposed to go anywhere near the sharks?" I answer, extremely confused.

"I've been thinking and... I think that I'm being over-protective and that you should be fine being around the shark tank. It's just that after your... Err... I mean after all, you are 15 now and you know all the dangers associated with different animals so yeah," he explains. He still doesn't sound 100% sure of what he is saying.

"Oh, ok. Let's go then!" I shout as I run off towards the shark tank at top speed. I can't believe that finally after all this time he is finally letting me go to the sharks! Of course I love all sea creatures but I especially love huge underwater ones like whales, dolphins, and sharks. I really don't understand why he is so weary about the sharks. It's like there is something strange that happened with him and sharks and he's not letting on.

***

I walk up the three steps to stand on the platform at the opening of the tank, next to Dad. Chris, who is one of Dad's co-workers, one of Dad's best friends and my kind-of second Dad, hands Dad a bucket of fish and pats him on the back in a kind of 'good luck' way. I feel kinda awkward because everyone seems to be making a big deal about me being able to feed the sharks, but I just see it as, simply, feeding the sharks.

Dad starts by throwing a few of the smallest fish into the tank. The 3 sharks: Bob, George and Barry (don't ask) swiftly swim over to grab the fish. They finish their food in an instant and look back up at Dad, expecting more.

"Your turn now," Dad says as he turns to me, half-smiling. I pick up two slimy fish out of the bucket. I feel them in my hands. To think that these were once living things is such a strange thought. I wonder if fish have feelings or thoughts. I wonder if underwater creatures have best friends and not-so best friends. I suddenly realise that I'm being stupid and that Dad and Chris are waiting for me to throw the fish. I blush and throw them, one at a time, into the shark tank. The three sharks race to grab them. George ends up getting both the fish while Bob and Barry miss out. I smile sympathetically and pick up two more fish and throw them over to the opposite end of the tank to George. This time Bob and Barry beat George to the food and gobble up a fish each. George swims back over to where Dad and I are standing on the edge of the pool and looks up at us, expectantly. I chuckle and hand a fish over to Dad.

We continue throwing fish into the tank until there is just one left. Dad turns around and starts chatting to Chris so I decide to throw the last fish in. I pick up the slippery fish from the bucket and pull my arm back, ready to aim. But, as I swing my arm forward and throw the fish, I slip. I fall forwards over into the tank and down into the water below. I feel the currents against my body as the sharks' dark shadows come towards me, rapidly. I keep falling, deeper, and deeper until I can't breathe anymore. I close my eyes and feel my world collapse around me.

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Dedicated to @extravagances (@MintyExtravagance) for writing the story that I got my inspiration from. (Sinking) ^-^

I still haven't added a description, sorry :P

Hush, I know the chapters are really short, but they are getting longer! :)

Thanks for reading, I know at the moment it doesn't seem that exciting but please have faith in it! ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ MrTeddy believes in you!

~ Ellie Potato ❤