Heart of the Sea

C4: YOU'RE LIKE GRANDPA

HC's POV:

Xie Lian swam off with a splash and I got to work looking around on the island. This wasn't what I signed up for when becoming a lifeguard but I can't really complain. Though I still haven't wrapped my head around the whole merman thing. He has a beautiful tail. And gorgeous hair. He's almost ethereal. Then again, it's to be expected. He's a folktale creature. He's bashful. Sweet. And I'm already falling for him.The question is, how would that work? I honestly don't want to know right now. At the moment, I want food, water, and shade. I just hope comes back soon.

I'm walking around and I realize how small the Island actually is. I'm back where I started. So far the only way I'm going to get shade is under an awkward ledge. There's coconuts but those can act as laxatives and I really don't want to be shitting my pants. Then there's a few crabs on the beach. But they're super small. I'd rather starve... I sat under the ledge close to the beach I started at and played with the sand. It slowly got darker and my eyes got heavier.

I was asleep for what felt like forever until I heard a splash in the water and dragging along the sand. I was startled awake only to see the merman. "I didn't mean to wake you. Let alone be gone for so long. I came back earlier to see you pinkish so I went to get kelp..." He kept rambling and I smiled before cutting him off. "It's fine. I'll come to you.." He nodded, face flushed in embarrassment. "Do you know how far out we are?" He looked up before answering, while putting kelp on my burns. "We're definitely far. But I found caves with air pockets that we could camp out in until I get you back. There's fresh water in those caves. So we should leave tonight for your safety." I nodded, accepting what he's said so far. "Get on my back. Hold tight, but don't cover my gills. If you need air just tap three times." I climbed on and he started our journey to the first of four caves.

We only needed to resurface maybe three times? When we got there the cave was lit by algae and there was a small fresh water pull. I say small. It went up to my waist. Xie Lian had made sure there were no fish or whatever in there before I drank from it. "So, will this be comfortable for you? I know humans don't sleep on rocks and sand so I found what I could to make the area softer." He looked so proud of himself. It made my heart sing. What he found was various scraps of cloth. Anything from old dresses to a giant scrap of a sail. It seems to be newer and brighter though. I feel bad for whomever lost this during a storm... "This is great, thank you." My stomach growled, his did the same soon after. He giggled and announced that he'll find a fish or anything edible really. He got back not long after with kelp and random things like urchins, small fish, and shellfish. I ate the kelp, not wanting to run the risk of illness and death.

"Hey, how old do humans live?" The question caught me off guard. "Hm. If we're lucky, 100 years. But most here in China live till they're 78 years old. That's as of 2020. It's been three years so that number could've wavered a bit.." His eyes widened as if that's not the norm. "Only 78? So then how old are you?" He sounded almost worried. "Me? I'm 19 years old." He looks even more worried now. "You'll die soon?? Oh..." Is my age really that concerning? "Well, how old do merpeople live? How old are you?" I just sat there curiously. "We live for thousands of years. The oldest died at 6,000 years. But there's one currently out living that number. Possibly. I'm only 1,000." I see why he'd be worried now. But then it occurred to me. And a devilish smirk grew on my face. "Well since you're older than me, I guess I should be calling you Gege and not by your name.." His face grew red again. "San Lang?!"

"Yes, Gege?"

Word Count: 734

3809 Characters

3072 Characters not including spaces

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