Writer's Recipe vol. 3 (2018)

THE MERMAID

Written by : Nur Atikah Sharulnizam

Riiiiing! The last bell rang. All students stood up, bowed and bade farewell to the teacher. The girls went into the changing room for the thing everyone was looking forward to the most-swimming lesson. Chatters filled the room. The girls were always excited for swimming lesson, especially on humid days like this. Various stories were shared in the changing room, but one in particular caught my interest.

"Have you heard of the urban legend about our pool?" the girl with braided hair began. My ears perked up. "There are mermaids in our pool and they capture beautiful girls and take them to their mermaid land," she continued. "Mermaid land?" I smirked and rolled my eyes. What a load of nonsense! At that very moment, she came into the room – Miku, the new girl. Her gorgeous face, wavy hazel hair and to top it off, her bright twinkling eyes and her natural pink lips had made every boy in school fell completely head over heels for her. Even the girls were awestruck by her beauty as she stepped in. They started to gather around Miku to greet her.

Something dark took over my heart. That girl had taken away my popularity ever since she stepped foot into my school! Annoyed by her presence, I stormed out of the changing room in anger. Ugh! How could anyone be more mesmerizing than me? I gritted my teeth and my blood boiled. I muttered curses furiously under my breath as a wave of rage swept over me. I tried to cool myself down by sitting in the corner of the pool and dipping my legs into the cold water. I was staring blankly when something glittery in the water suddenly caught my attention. I blinked my long-lashed eyes in disbelief, extremely puzzled and agitated by the strange shadow that suddenly appeared under the surface of the water. Merely moments later, it was gone. I knitted my eyebrows and a wave of emotions flooded over me. Was it really what I think it was? I shook my head and let the question hang. There was something more important that I need to concentrate on now.

The piercing sound of whistle echoed. The race had begun. Both Miku and I, among a few other swimmers dived into the water and swam as fast we could. The winner of today's practice would be chosen to represent the school for the national competition. I do not intend to lose, especially to the new girl. However, something unexpected was about to happen.

As I was struggling to finish the race, loud gasping and cheering filled my ears. My heart was pounding. I literally had to use every single muscle in my body to maintain my speed. Finally, I could see it in front of me - the golden mosaic indicating the finish line. As I touched the golden mosaic wall with my fingertips, a hand grabbed mine and pulled me out of water forcibly. "What on earth?!" I gasped, trying to control my anger but then I saw everybody's terror-a stricken face. "Where's Miku? I heard them asking but nobody had an answer.

"It's the mermaid!" the braided girl from before screamed. "They've taken Miku to the Mermaid Land!" the girl was now yelling like a maniac. The girl's words seeped into everyone's heart and a haze of emotion filled the room. Puzzled. Terrified. Madam Yui, the swimming instructor broke the silence and forcefully dispelled everyone from the pool. She urged us to go home as soon as possible.

It had been a whole day since Miku went mysteriously missing from the pool, which was now closed while the police was conduction a thorough investigation. So far, they had found no traces of her. I sat alone in class during recess, trying to analyse the situation. Could Miku have been taken by the mermaids? If that's the case, it meant that she had been taken to the mermaid land. Which meant... she was prettier than me?! Wham!!! I drove my palm onto the table in anger. I am the prettier than she was! Why did they chose her? Why not me? They're wrong. I'll show them!

I silently sneaked into the swimming hall and moved purposefully along the pool side. The water was calm but I was the exact opposite. Fuming with rage, I took off my sling bag and threw it into the pool. "I am the prettiest girl! Me! You hear me mermaids? Take me!" I plunged into the water like a person who had lost her mind. In the water, I caught the whisper of a voice. "Misaki...Misaki..." the soft voice was gradually becoming louder. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be? Finally!

There was a feverish silence. Suddenly I felt a hand grabbing my feet and pulled me deeper into the water. At that moment, the reality started sinking in and fear immediately gripped me. I struggled to break myself free but it was useless. Its sharp nails had tightly buried into my flesh. Slowly something emerged from the water. That was when I finally saw it - the mermaid. Its face was covered in wavy, jet black hair. Its fingers were long, bony and terrifying. It's body, freakishly long.

As its head drew closer to mine, I could see what its face looked like and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Her face... it's... Miku?? I tried to scream but my voice was stuck in my throat. I was completely helpless as the mermaid sank its razor sharp teeth into my neck. The light gradually vanished from my vision. Slowly, I felt myself sinking into the darkness of the pool.