The Cut On Her Neck

o n e

My thick, long, sun-kissed light black hair floated around in the water beside me. The cold pool water stung my face as I propelled myself through the water. Even though it was spring break, and it was still as little chilly, I couldn't stop myself from swimming. Ever since I was a kid I've loved the beach and the pool.

"Aquaria! It's time to go home! You have school tomorrow!"

My mom's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Coming Mom!" I yelled back.
I gathered up my sisters, Pearl and Coral, and brought them to the car. Pearl was 14 and Coral was 12. They were both very playful and sometimes naughty. But nonetheless, I still loved them.

The car ride home, I couldn't stop thinking about the translucent blue water. I mean, I have always loved swimming but now, I was getting addicted to the water. For some reason, in the past year I've only become more fond of the ocean and pool. I suddenly loved saltwater to drink and I stopped eating fish. The strange thing is that I used to love fish, but I didn't know why I stopped eating them. I love collecting seashell as well, but again, I don't know why. Maybe it's just in my head and I'm crazy.

When I tell my sister's about my obsession with ocean, they say it's because
I'm a mermaid. I mean, I used to believe in mermaids when I was younger, but now? I didn't think I believed in mermaids, but they insisted I was transforming into one. No one in our town of SeaStar City has ever seen a mermaid before. I don't plan on seeing one, but something always drives me to the water. Whether it's the ocean or the pool, water is satisfying, and comforts me. I need it, and I rely on it every day.

When I got home, I immediately went to bed, only to have a weird dream.

I swam fast and free. Nothing could catch me.

As I swam through the ocean, something at the bottom of the Sea floor caught my eye.

It was a shiny shell necklace!

As I swam down to get it, I picked it up and as placing it around my neck.

Suddenly, it began glowing and the sharp point of the shell collided with my neck.

"Oww," I yelped in pain.

Touching my neck, I swam away, not looking back.

Then I woke up to a sharp stinging sensation on the side of my neck. My clock said 12:00 am. The stinging wasn't stopping, so I touched the side of my neck. That's weird, why do I have a cut like in my dream? I thought. But soon my thoughts and wonders were being consumed by my fatigue. I slowly slipped into a slumber.