Beyond the Surface: Feralla's Story

Chapter Two: Masley

I kept the wine bottle of notes as it gave me specific directions and hidden clues to find along the way. Suddenly, I see from my peripheral vision, a merman? I quickly put on my dark blue cloak to hide my identity, and swim a little closer. I see, yes, a merman freaking out about something.

        "H-Hello?" I startle him. "W-Wha- Who are you?!" "I'm Feralla." "Why are you here? And why did you sneak up on me like that?" "I'm sorry I didn't mean to. I'm looking for a lost city maybe you can direct me?" He just looks at me like I've spoken another language. "Or maybe not.." As I turn to be on my way I hear him babbling to himself about helping me and he yells after me, "Wait! I can help. I mean I'm not entirely sure of this city but I have heard of legends. Maybe we can work together to find it?" He smiles nervously. Like he's hiding something. "How do I know I can trust you?" He just laughs. "Me?? I have nothing to hide milady. I'm just a penniless ol boy." "Okay whatever let's go."

        We begin our journey through the waters, he's close behind me writing something on a small notepad. "Is that your diary?" I say jokingly. "Uh- Um no! It's just notes." I laugh. "So, a diary?" He huffs at me. "Whatever you say Feralla." "I'm just joking with you. What did you say your name was?" "Masley." I smile "That's a King's name as my father would say." "Do you miss him?" He asks seeing my longing face. "Yes. For he has no idea I'm even gone..I feel terrible for having broken his heart. I just hope he can forgive me when I return home." He grabs my hand and we stop, "Feralla, I know your father will love you and forgive you no matter what. And your mother. Because well they're your family and family never stops loving one another no matter what the actions or mistakes are. That's just the truth. At least you have parents. I lost mine.. In.. In a fire." He looked at me like there was so much more he'd want to confide in me but didn't. Something was eating him alive and I felt horrible because I couldn't save him. "It's okay Masley.. To talk to me I'm your friend now."

        The first ray of sun pierces through the sea like that of a knife. We see in the far distance what looks to be like a sunken ship of some sort. "Oh no we're not Feralla!" "Why? It may have some clues." "Ugh can't we just got by the message in a bottle?" "It says to look for clues along the way Masley don't be such a guppy." He pokes out his bottom lip. "I'm not a guppy, I'm a merMAN!." He murmurs. We slowly creep up on the side of the ship and hear faint whispers. "I told you this doesn't seem like a good idea.." He whispers. "Shh!" I hushed him before whoever is here can hear us. "WHO'S THERE?!" Well at least that's what I thought. "Uh-Uh we're peddlers! We're just coming to see if there'd be any finds for us to add to our collection back home!" Good lie I thought better than what my cut throat tongue would've said I laughed to myself. "NAMES?" A big, strong muscled merman came from the shadows.