Swim Away (Mermaid)

Chapter Forty-Seven

I felt the warm water against my skin. Finally able to enjoy myself without something or someone coming after me. I could only pretend everything was okay in this moment. Even though my tail wasn't the way I wanted it to be. This was close enough.

The sharp pain that the ice caused me subsided, but it was still latched onto my skin, which meant the suffering wasn't over. As long as it was there and Selena on my tail, it wasn't going to end.

I sighed, running my finger over the star as gently as possible. I wondered why Noah's touch activated it. Could it be that two dark energies trying to connect made it react that way? After all, my magic was residing in Noah. Light and dark.

Or could it be something else?

"Lara!" Asher called. "We gotta be on the move soon!"

I sunk deeper in the water, creating bubbles from my mouth as I huffed. I couldn't relax as much as I would have liked. I still had to talk to Noah, and I really didn't want to.

Since I felt better, it was fair that I told him, now that Asher agreed. I wished that he would be the one to tell him. He already told him half of it.

I let the water run out, so I could get my legs back. I wanted to stay in here longer, but I knew I couldn't. I started the chant that would split my tail in two.

My magic was much weaker, thanks to the ice on my chest, but I was able to sustain enough power to change back.

I stood up and leaned against the sink, getting a good look at my chest. The imperfectly shaped star still had its claws near my chest. I couldn't stop staring. I couldn't stop thinking about it. The stupid thing wanted all of me, but it was missing its commander.

I threw on one of Asher's hoodies, 'cause I was too ignorant to bring my own clothes. Luckily it was long enough. I would buy something on the way. There was no way I was staying in this.

I shouldn't complain, the outfit the mermaid leader's gave me was worse.

I opened the door and walked by one of the beds. I sat on it, looking over at Noah, who was plopped comfortably on the other one. He caught me staring, and I looked down. I played with my hands, nervously.

"Okay, I- I really want to tell you. I really do. But I..." I pressed my lips together, hearing my heart thump louder. The negative thoughts filled my mind. What would he think once I spilled the truth? Did he even deserve the truth? He did lie to me as a protector.

But I wouldn't be any better, if I lied to him. Even without his memories, he deserved to know the truth, just like me. But no one wanted me to know. They tried to hide it, thinking I would be safe, that it was the right thing for me, and I wouldn't be the monster that I was now.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm a mermaid, and you were my protector. You were trying to save me from myself. But everything went wrong and...and your memories are gone. And-" My words seemed to jumble together. I felt like I couldn't speak as tears started welling up. I was such a baby.

"Whoa, slow down." He sat up. I wished he would pull me close and tell me that he remembered me. And that everything would be okay. And- I didn't even know anymore.

"I'm a mermaid," I said, slowly.

"No, I got that."

"And you were my protector."

He blinked, "keep going."

"You were trying to-" I sniffed. "save me from myself. But everything went wrong." He stayed quiet, waiting for me to continue, now that I was speaking normally. "And you lost your memories. Since you lost your memories, things haven't been the same. I used magic that was forbidden and got the attention of the mermaid leaders. They are the ones who took me." I looked away, "they gave me that hideous sea outfit."