A Big Mermaid #Wattys2014

Chapter 22-hope is near in the form of a spear

Sore and sorrowful, Ariel sank deeper into the damp sand gloopy from being sprayed by waves. Grief-struck, she clutched her weeping, bleeding heart to make the torment and torture stop. It didn't help. She was being replaced by someone he thought was her! Discarded carelessly.

Heartbreak robbed her of breath with it's vulgar fists as it gripped her heart like an anchor. Her hair, which usually flowed down her pale back like ruby red silk, stuck to her tear-streaked cheeks and plastered onto her body. It hung in titian, knotted rat tails.

Instantly, bobbing out of the churning waves thrashing together, was her family! Ariel squinted, considering whether she was hallucinating. However, as their delighted smiles zoomed closer towards her, she forgot all her doubts. Surprised and overwhelmed to see them again, she rushed towards their swimming figures. Although it hadn't been that long since she'd seen them, it felt like ages. After all she had been through, put herself through, all she wanted was their support. The support of her home, the sea. A glowing, radiant grin lit up her face as she crashed into their arms. Her 6 sisters and father scooped her up with affection, comforting her like a blanket.

She longed to gush how much she missed them, and shower them with warm words. "Ariel," her father spoke first, wrapping his sturdy arms tightly around her waist to cradle her. Relieved, Ariel let out a joyous sigh and rested her head against his chest.

The merry atmosphere didn't last long, the reunion couldn't wipe away all the troubles. The prince. Her voice. Her missing tail. The negative gloomy clouds draining the happiness out of her intensified when they explained to her what had happened. She then realised the little differences she had chosen not to consider before. How Alana had no hair, Aquata's scraggly charcoal tail, the way Attina hid shyly behind her father rather than boasting with confidence, how Andrina focused on twiddling her thumbs rather than making a jab at Ariel's stupidity, how Adella had chosen to wrap layers of seaweed around her waist rather than showing off her feminine features and how father didn't have his wedding ring.

They had all made sacrifices because of her stupidity. Yet, as she gnawed her lip, she realised she wouldn't change any of her actions if she could. Had it all been worth it for those surreal moments with her true love? Appalled, she found herself nodding inwardly.

"Kill him," Aquata instructed, taking the roll of her now-cowardly sister Attina. "Do it."

Regretfully, Ariel snatched the dagger, cringing at the tough feel of death in her hands. The razor-sharp, piercing tip glinted. He was a heartbreaker, so she would break his she reasoned as the increasingly hefty handle of the dagger etched lines into her palms. It wasn't the actual dagger that felt heavy as a boulder, it was the responsibility carried with it. Everyone knew Ariel didn't handle responsibility well. She had to spill blood or her family would pay more than they already had.

Ariel trudged away regretfully, body drooping.

***

He slept soundly, tucked peacefully under the comfortable covers draped over his body. His feeble, weak breaths ruffled his shaggy hair hanging over his forehead. This was a body totally at peace, at rest, at one with itself, rejuvenating the mind and muscles before the onset of yet another day of turmoil. Someone was about to put an end to it.

Cautious, Ariel slinked away from the shadows like a cat awaiting his prey. The moment she set eyes on him, the emotionless walls she had guarded herself with crumbled like dust. Trembling, she yearned to feel his angelic, alabaster cheeks. Unable to control herself, she lightly stroked his strong jaw drizzled with a teasing stubble. Could she really kill him? All the conflicting thoughts inside her separated themselves into two clashing people.

You can't live with the guilt of killing another...

Yes, but you can't live with the fact that he betrayed you either. Why do you care if he doesn't care about you?

You love him, sacrificed so much for him, do you want to ruin all those efforts by-

Stop being selfish! Think about all your family sacrificed for you!

But he only loves her because he thinks she's you...

That night, innocent blood was spilled. But who's?