Mermaid myth

1

Mason
"You don't have to go. Stay here, my mom and I will let you have Liam's room." As nice as the offer was I just couldn't stay any longer. My now ex girlfriend Samantha had begged me not to leave but there was something stronger pulling me to the sea. There was a new world out there waiting for me to discover it.

Liam was her brother. He'd moved out years ago so the room was vacant. I'd been staying with Samantha and her mother for two years now. It wasn't as if I had not loved her in the two years that we'd been dating, my love for traveling the ocean was just a lot stronger. Samantha had confessed to me that she had been seeing a new guy as well once my plans to leave her for the sea had come back up a few months back. She had informed me that I could stay in the house but it was time for me to leave. My welcome was over stayed and I couldn't shake the thought that my girlfriend of two years had confessed to cheating on me but still wanted to be friends. In what world were we living in where that was ok? "I've already spent the last of my life savings on this boat. I can't pay the rent and if you don't remember correctly, you have a new guy. Just let me go." She didn't speak. I knew Samantha well enough to know that she knew I was right.

Although I had spent the last six months of our relationship preparing to leave her it still kind of hurt that she had moved on before we had officially broken up. "I'm sorry Mace, but all you talked about was traveling the ocean and you never paid any attention to me anymore." She had a point. "I'm sorry Sam but you knew from the beginning about my love for the water and I clearly remember you wanting to go with me at one point in time." She stopped speaking, knowing that I was right. "Exactly, now if you'll excuse me I have a boat to catch." Samantha didn't stop me as I walked the last of my things out of the small apartment she shared with her mom and the place I'd called home for two years of my life after my mom had gone crazy and kicked me out at 18.

She had never really explained why, only something about a curse from my nonexistent father.

My old friends had always joked that my love for the water meant that I was part fish and that any day I would grow a tail and swim away. Growing up with my absentminded mother made me wish that could be true. She'd forget my birthday, school, and nearly missed my high school graduation. I practically raised myself until Sam and her mom had taken me in. For the first time in my life I felt loved, but my heart still yearned for more. The ocean was calling and after Samantha's confession it was time to begin my journey and start over somewhere new. With a smile I packed the last of my things in my small car and headed to the shipyard.

"You remember what I told you about watching out for them sea creatures, especially those siren women that make a living sinking men's ships." Old Eddy told so many sea tales he could have been a myths and legends book for sea creatures that didn't exist. His favorite story to tell was about the half fish half human women that attacked boats. I didn't believe in mermaids, nor did I believe him when he continued to tell me he'd survived an encounter with one. "She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw." He would say. "If it weren't for her family and friends and my life back at the yard we would still be together today. Did I mention should could sprout legs to look like a full human?" This part I definitely didn't believe. There was no way a fish tail could realistically morph into human legs. "Got it, Eddy. Don't drink the seawater or I'll end up like you." I would say to tease him. "She was real I tell ya, when you're out there all alone and see a pretty fish lady in the water you'll come back to me and I'll just say I told you so." I rolled my eyes. "Whatever Eddy."

Now was the day. It was finally time to leave my home and start a new life in a place I loved more than any other. I had a map telling me where to stop for fuel and supplies every so often and the boat also had a state of the art gps and radar to help me along the way. It had cost me everything and it was worth every last penny. This boat would be my home for who knew how long and I was prepared to not stop until I found some uncharted island or something. "Mason, like I said, be careful out there, back in the day my lady fish told me the sea ain't no place for man. Come back and visit sometime so I can see that you're alright." Old Eddy gave me a man hug before tossing me the keys to my brand new boat home.