SECRET TAIL

CHAPTER NINE

           I turned around and saw the sharks heading for me fast, looking around I tried to search for a way to save myself but there was nothing for me to do. As the panic set in my heart started beating very fast and at the same time it was like it was in slow motion, I could hear the sound of each beat loud and clear in my ears and it felt like it would pop right out of my chest. This is it, so this is how I am going to die and nobody would even find my body or know what happened to me, mom and dad will be so sad. Just as I was about to give up and close my eyes to wait for death to get me, the faces of the people I loved flashed before my eyes, mom, dad, Katie, Jane and suddenly I saw red. It's not fair, why should I die like this, no that's not possible, I can't die like this, I won't die like this, I have to fight and get back home. A strong resolve came over me and I just refused to give up.
           As the sharks drew closer and I let out an inhuman shriek from my mouth and the next thing I know, fangs grew out from my mouth, my nails grew longer, the end of my tail grew out and was very sharp like there were knives attached to it. At the back of my tail an extra fin grew out that was so sharp I felt it could cut through iron, the scales on my arm and tail hardened to feel more like steel armor that could block anything and shield me from harm.
         The red haze was still clouding my mind and I had no time to be surprised about the latest development, the only thing I could think of was ending the incoming danger. I attacked the sharks before they could get to me, using my teeth and nails to bite and tear the first one to pieces. The other one tried to catch me by surprise as I was attacking his partner, don't ask me how I knew it was male because I have no idea but that was the thought that came to my head. His surprise attack failed though, it was as if this new form could feel the vibrations in the water, the moment he started moving I felt it and knew exactly when he would get close to me.
          After I took care of the immediate threat in the vicinity, I took the time to look at my self, I could taste the blood of the shark in my mouth and instead of feeling repulsed it actually tasted sweet, the blood in my veins was pumping very fast from excitement and it felt intoxicating to be this strong and the adrenaline flooded me as if I was high on drugs. The nails and tail along with the fangs made me look ferocious but I could bet that the expression on my face at this moment would make even the joker run for his life.
        After this encounter I realized that the ocean may be very beautiful but it was a very dangerous place filled with large and dangerous predators, mermaids had to protect themselves somehow. A Disney definition of mermaids would probably die before they swim anywhere. I realized I knew too little about my new self, when I get home I will try to learn as much about mermaids as I could.
          Using my new found power to see through the water I found the direction of land and headed home. Halfway there when the adrenaline faded from my system, the claws and fangs retracted and I returned to looking like a normal mermaid Princess. With the disappearance of the nails and armor came exhaustion and weakness, the stress of the previous encounter finally caught up with me. I swam lazily to our cove and got in through the underwater entrance, dragging myself home I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

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        The next morning, I went to the bookshop and got as many books about mythology and mermaids as I could find. When the store keeper saw the names of the books I selected, he looked at me in a funny way, he probably thought I was some crazy chick.
         At home, I read the books thoroughly and took out a journal to note those that had instances similar to what I had experienced to try to separate the fact from mythology. I did find some interesting things though like about ninety percent of the books always talk about mermaids having powers but so far I had not experienced anything like that. One of the most common powers was to control water, pretty much all the books mentioned in one way or another that mermaids could control water and the weather. Some even claimed we could talk to sea creatures, it intrigued me and I fetched a glass of water to see if I could control it.
        I massaged my hands before I stretched them out towards the glass to try and control the water. After waiting for a while and nothing seemed to be happening, I dropped my hands in disappointment, 'I can't believe I thought what they wrote in those books was correct, I am so foolish and boy am I glad nobody saw me embarrass myself just now.'
       Raising my hand to massage my forehead as I could feel a headache coming. I should probably go and lie down, all these changes are finally getting to me. As soon as I dropped my hands back down, the glass on the counter flew and hit the wall on the other side of the room and shattered into pieces with water running down the wall. In my head I could hear a pop sound like the ones a balloon or bubble gum made when they popped and I looked at the pieces of glass on the floor before I slumped down and passed out.

____________AUTHORS NOTE______
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