The cold air tasted salty and bitter in my mouth. Beside me, the sea crashed in a rhythmic slap, the familiar sound music in my ears. The sun hung lazily in the sky, slowly falling into the blinding darkness of night. I approached the pier, inhaling the scent of the sea. My nose crinkled, slowly burning with the force of the icy wind. I pushed my hands deeper into the pockets of my coat, desperately trying to warm them. I jogged down the long walkway leading to the arcade that sat at the end of the pier. The man who ran the arcade walked out and turned to lock up. When he noticed me, he smiled warmly. I tried to return it, but my cheeks were numb with cold and my face wouldn't co-operate. Instead i quickly turned away and continued to walk to the end of the pier. Once i reached the small fence that kept people from falling of the end i pulled up short. I squinted against the remaining light from the falling sun, taking in the natural beauty of the sea. The bluey green surface drew me in, the powerful waves falling along the coast line. With a final glance, i turned away and unzipped my coat. As soon as i shrugged it off the cold hit me like a truck, crawling along my skin. I gasped, goosebumps appearing along my arms. I then proceeded to remove my hat and shirt. Beneath it i was in my Navy blue swimsuit. By now i was practically frozen in place, but i took off my shoes and trousers with shaking hands. I gripped the top of my arms, trying to warm myself. I pulled back my dirty blonde hair and tied it in a bun at the back of my head. After this, i slipped through the small gap between the bottom and top bars of the fence. I gripped the fence and balanced my self on the edge. The lapping waves beckoned me, almost seeming to call my name. With a last gulp of air, i pushed my body into the open space. For a moment i felt weightless, then my heart flew into my throat as i plunged towards the sea. I entered the water feet first, and as the coldness drew the air from my lungs, i felt my legs begin to tingle. The feeling of a thousand pins stabbing my legs begin to take over. I let the change take over as i drifted further down into the murky darkness. The tingles subsided, and i could no longer feel my legs. I felt the skin on my neck part, giving me the ability to breathe under the waves. I drew in a deep breath, examining the long purple scaly tail that replaced my legs. The purple scales gave off a sparkling light as i turned it. Now in my mermaid form, i pushed myself forward, swimming off into the dark waters. I am home.
