Jellyfish

two

ົཽ⁎⁺˳✧༚𓆉 ົཽ⁎⁺˳✧༚𓆉 ົཽ⁎⁺˳✧༚𓆉

In the dimly lit alleyways of a coastal neighborhood, the girl cautiously made her way through the shadows, having left the comfort of the old wooden shack. Her muscles ached from the strain of her recent transformation, but determination fueled her steps. With each passing moment, she felt a fraction of her strength returning, allowing her to walk a little more confidently.

The sounds of the sea echoed in her ears, a reminder of her true home beneath the waves. Yet, driven by determination, she presses on, navigating the labyrinthine streets. As the night wears on, she moves with increasing fluidity, her movements becoming more natural with each passing hour.

As the young girl wandered through the quiet neighborhood, her bare skin exposed to the cool night air, she felt a sense of urgency to cover herself. She knew nudity was no longer the norm for humans, not since so long ago when they first emerged from the mud.

Spotting a clothesline in someone's backyard, she hurried over and plucked a large flannel from the line, relieved to finally have something to wear. As she slipped into the garment, memories flooded her mind, memories that spanned lifetimes, reminiscing the times where she walked amongst humans. Clothes were vastly different now, she noted, compared to the simple garments of centuries past.

When was the last time I wore clothes? The girl thought. Thirteen, maybe fifteen years ago?

I remember a young man coming to my rescue at that time as well. He lent me warm clothes as I sat helplessly in the middle of a snow-covered field, dazed and on the verge of passing out. He was very handsome. The girl smiled to herself as she reminisced. I wonder what he's up to nowadays.

It was very rare for a mermaid to be swayed by the actions of a human, let alone a man, but this young man from her past was different. He was kind, gentle, and despite the circumstances in which they met, he held no judgement or pity, only hospitality.

I hope he is doing well....

The sun began its ascent, casting whispers of bright orange over rooftops, signaling the dawn of a new day. Humans would soon roam the streets.

The girl felt unready for any interaction, especially in her current state. It would strike others odd to encounter a seemingly young girl clad in an old flannel, with her long hair unkempt, and her feet bare and dirty.

"Oi!" Too late.... "What the hell are you doing out here young lady?"

The voice emanated from an elderly man, his hair tinged with gray and his eyes sharp. He emerged from the backyard of a neighboring house the girl had just passed.

With cautious steps, the old man drew nearer to her, wary of the possibility that this young girl could run away. To him, she bore the appearance of a hermit, perhaps a runaway.

"Look, I've dealt with plenty of young ones like you, probably been in your shoes once or twice. So, whatever mess you think you're in, just head back home, okay?"

Straight to the point it seems.

The girl kept her composure, absorbing every word the man said, the gears in her mind working to decipher his message.

Even mermaids experienced the challenges of a language barrier.

The elderly man watched intently, anticipation rippling through him as he awaited the girl's reply. He studied her closely, taking note of the subtle cues her body language offered.

There were peculiarities that caught his attention: the stubborn flecks of sand clinging to her skin, her awkward stance suggesting an unfamiliarity with standing upright, and the calculating focus in her eyes, far from the gaze of a frightened runaway.