Ꭿզմαɾίմς: Ꮗℋℰℕ ᎽᎾU ᏇℐЅℋ UℙᎾℕ Ꭿ ЅᏆᎯℛ

Prolouge

Prologue

22 July, 2007

Nerina Winters bounced up and down with excitement. Her long pale blonde hair, pulled back in a ponytail, swung back and forth with every move she made. She had lived in San Diego her whole life, but this was the first time she had ever been to SeaWorld.

"Meet us back at this sign in an hour." Her dad, Andrew Winters, pointed to the 'Dolphin Point' sign next to them.

As they stood there, families walked by and stared at her, whispering to each other. Something she had grown accustomed to over the years but it still caused butterflies in her stomach.

She knew she was different. Not only did her pale blonde hair stand out, but so did her skin which made her look like a much alive ghost. The only thing that stopped people from thinking she was an albino was her eyes. They were beautiful. Sometimes they were as green as grass after being watered so they shined in the sunlight making them stand out. If anyone looked closer, they'd see realistic drops of clear spring water rolling around her pupils. Most times, her eyes were like a kaleidoscope; one minute they were blue, the next purple and brown. It was impossible to tell what color they were. Her long thick lashes added the finishing touch to her eyes, making them look like gems.

"Got it. Thanks Dad!" She tiptoed to give him a kiss on the cheek before skipping towards the dolphin tank. It took forever for her to convince her parents to come to the park. They never really let her go anywhere, let alone disappear off by herself. It was only because it was her thirteenth birthday that they relented and agreed to come. They were too darn protective of her and it drove her insane.

The ocean and it's sea life were the only thing that made her feel alive. It calmed her. Something about it made her body sing and fill with excitement like nothing else could. She belonged here. She could feel it, the way adrenaline shot through her body, the way her blood rushed around.

People crowded around the dolphin tank making it impossible to see the dolphins. Thankfully, there was an empty spot on the side by the gate leading to the trainer's area. She walked up to the wall of the tank. The dolphins, which were on the other side of the tank, flipped in the air and started swimming her way.

When they reached her side, she expected them to keep on swimming, but they stopped. They peered up at her with their gorgeous eyes and started singing, slapping at the water with their fins. One kept flicking his head, as if telling her to join them. Her palms itched to reach out and touch them, yet she was afraid she would get in trouble.

She ducked down behind the concrete wall and jumped back up. The dolphins seemed to get a kick out of it. They ducked under the water and jumped up when she did. Soon, she was running around the tank, ducking and leaping, the dolphins followed her, mirroring her actions perfectly.  People near the tank moved away, clearing a path, as she ran by laughing.

Time flew by, and before she knew it, it was time to go back to the sign. She reluctantly began to walk back the way she came, her feet blistered in her sandals from running.

The dolphins cries of excitement turned into a heart wrenching sound of anguish. They followed her as she walked around the tank. It broke her heart but she had to go. If she didn't, her parents would never let her come back again.

"They seem to be quite enameled by you," A male voice said from behind her.
She spun and to her surprise, saw a odd looking young man leaning on an ice cream van. He looked very similar to her with pale hair and skin. His eyes bore into hers, gold to green. Although he was dressed in a blue employee uniform, her instincts told her he wasn't an employee of the park. Nonetheless, she ignored it and lifted her head stubbornly and kept her eyes fixed on him as he started to walk to her.

"Why are they crying like that?" She asked.

"Looks like they don't want you to go. I've never seen them act like that before." The man glanced at Nerina curiously. A tug in her gut told her he was dangerous but she ignored it again.

"Really?" Her voice was laced with confusion and excitement. She was a nobody. Nothing special, just an odd looking teenager that everyone stayed away from and ignored. The only people that noticed her were her bullies. She was just an outcast, a freak.

"People come and go all the time. They are usually so playful and would give everyone a show, but with you, it's like they forgot that there was anyone else around."

    "They're so beautiful." She said wistfully.

    "And super intelligent. They must sense something special about you. How about you come with me, I'll let you feed them. After all, you are quite unusual."

Usually when someone called her unusual it was meant as an insult but she knew that when the man said it, he meant it as a compliment. Nerina looked down at her watch and shook her head sadly. "I'd love too but I'm afraid I have to go. My family is waiting for me."

If she wasn't back at the sign in two minutes, her parents would never bring her back. With one last glance at the dolphin tank, she whispered, "sorry." A lone tear slid down her cheek and she made a promise to herself. She would come back. And nothing would keep her away.

"Thanks for everything..." When Nerina looked for the employee, he was nowhere in sight. It was almost like he disappeared into the air. Then like magic, she heard his voice reply in the wind: "Anytime, Nerina Winters."

By the time she walked back to the sign, her family was already waiting for her. When her mother, Daphnë, saw her, her hand flew up to her chest and she let out a long breath. "Thank the gods! We were so worried!"

"Geez, Mom. It's not like I'm late or anything. I'm actually twenty seconds early." Nerina sighed. They never gave her a chance to breathe, much less speak. That's why coming to Seaworld was such an amazing surprise. She was so thankful that they agreed to come because it made her realise what she wanted to do with her life. It sounded crazy and weird but she wanted it. Even though it was probably way out of her age group, Nerina knew that it was it. Out of the blue, she opened her mouth. "I know what I want to be."

Her parents fixed their eyes on her. "And what is that?" Her dad asked.

She looked them both in the eye. "A mermaid."

Her mom, who had just taken a sip of coffee, choked; spewing the hot brown liquid everywhere. "What! W-what...Did...You...Just S...Say?" she asked between coughs.

Rolling her eyes, Nerina repeated herself, breaking each syllable up. "I. Want. To. Be. A. Mer... Maid."

Her parents exchanged a look and she wondered what silent thought passed between them. Their gaze held a secret and they appeared to be lost for words.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. Let's just go home." Andrew said, patting his wife on the back, who couldn't seem to stop coughing. He took Nerina's hand and they quickly left SeaWorld. No one said a word in the car ride back home.

Whatever. She knew what she wanted to be and nothing would stand in her way.