The Dragon Curse

Under the sea

I woke up, but I wasn't in the water anymore. I was lying on solid ground and it felt like it was stone so I sat up to look around more, just to find out that I was in a cave. I looked around to find an entrance, but I was surrounded by rock, and a little part led to the water by me. I looked into the clear blue water, but I couldn't see the bottom of it. This seems the only way out though. But how did I get here? All I remember is that I fell off of Jack's back and into the water. Then nothing. It was darkness around me, then I closed my eyes, from the fear. Looks like I fainted as well. All of a sudden I heard water splash and movement from behind one of the rocks.

"I heard that," I said as I went closer to a big rock that was standing out of the water, but no answer came. "I know you are there."

Still no answer, but I heard movement again and water splashing.

"Show yourself!" I demanded, but I became worried now, because what if it was a dangerous creature and was only here to eat me.

"I can't." said a mysterious female voice from behind the rock. "We are not allowed to see each other. I shouldn't be here talking with you either."

"Then why did you save me? If it was you... " I asked but another more important question hit me. "And most importantly, how?"

"I have to go." said the female voice and I heard movement again followed by water splashing.

"No, wait!" I said towards the rock. "Please, I need your help!"

"My help?" asked the mysterious voice.

"You brought me here, right? Then you are the only one who can get me out of here." I explained, but no answer came.

I heard the water splashing again and then silence filled the cave. The woman probably left. I sat down on a nearby rock when I heard as she came back, or at least I assumed it was her and not somebody else. I saw a female hand as my savior put a green plant-like thing on the sandy ground, but I couldn't see anything else aside from her hand, because she was still behind the rock.

"Eat this and you will be able to breathe underwater," she said pulling her hand back.

I had other plans though. I slowly crawled closer to the plant and sat down, leaning against the rock ready for action.

"You can take it back. I'm afraid of water, so I can't leave all by myself." I said and I smiled slightly.

I saw the female hand again and I was happy that my plan worked. As soon as she touched the green plant I quickly grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her out from behind the rock. What I saw mesmerized me. A young lady was in front of me, her blond hair was falling onto her shoulders and she had a red flower in her hair, which kind of pinned her hair, so it wouldn't fall into her beautiful brown eyes. I looked down and it was quite dark, but I still could see her yellow scaled fishtail ending in light yellowish fins.

"Are you a mermaid?" I asked as I looked back into her eyes.

"Let me go please," she said with fear and tried to free her wrist from my grip, but I didn't let her go.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you," I said calmly and looked deeper into her eyes, so she would believe me that I really don't mean harm.

She calmed down as she was looking into my eyes too, so I could slowly let go of her hand, making sure that she won't leave. She didn't. Instead, she swam closer to the rock. I kneeled on the rock and sat on my heels while looked at the woman in front of me.

"What's your name?" I asked with curiosity because I've never seen a creature like her before.

"Amy," she said shyly and I smiled at her. "What's yours?"

"I'm Mark," I answered and as a real knight, I grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. "So, you saved me."

"You were panicking and I saw as you fainted. I didn't want you to die," she explained which made me think. "What happened?"

"I was... " I started, then I remembered that Jack might still be in danger. "Jack... Amy, did you see another man, but with giant wings?"

"No, why?" she asked and I became really worried about him.

"He is my friend. I have to find him and help him. He is probably hurt as well." I said and stood up, but then I realized that to leave I have to go into the water.

"Are you okay?" asked Amy when she saw my scared expression.

"Yeah, I'm just I..."

"You are afraid of water," she stated as she remembered what I told her. "I thought you were only lying."

I didn't say anything. I just sat back down and was thinking. If I want to get out I have to get over my fear. Plus, Jack is in danger and I promised Robin that I'll look out for him.

"Why are you afraid of water, Mark?" asked Amy curiously, because she saw that I told her the truth.

"I'm not actually afraid of water." I started to explain as I looked at her. "I'm afraid of drowning and afraid of the creatures inside it. I don't know anything about the sea and it scares me. Not knowing what's waiting."

"But I'm part of the sea as well," she said while she was thinking, then she looked at me. "Are you afraid of me then?"

"Well, to be honest... I was until we met." I said and it made her sad, but I continued so she wouldn't misunderstand me. "We, humans have a lot of false pictures about mythical creatures in our minds. We think that they are all scary and want to kill us. But now that we met I'm not afraid anymore of mermaids."

It made her smile again. I smiled back at her, but I still didn't know how to get out of here. I have to face my fear even if I just wanted to get out of here. Amy leaned closer to grab my hand while she grabbed the green plant too. She handed it to me and kept smiling which made me calm and I felt I could trust her with my life.

"Eat it," she said. "I'll help you. You don't have to be scared, I'll protect you. And the seaweed will help to breathe underwater. You won't drown."

"Are you sure?" I asked and she nodded.

I looked at the plant and closed my eyes. I slowly put it into my mouth and chewed on it. I thought it would have a bad taste, but it was good. Sweet and salty at the same time. I swallowed all of it then looked back at Amy. She grabbed both of my hands and I slowly slid closer to the water. I was sitting on the edge of the rock then after a deep breath, I slid into the water. I closed my eyes and hold tightly onto Amy's hands, holding my breath as well.

"It's okay. Everything is okay," she said as she put her hand reassuringly on my cheek, so I slowly opened my eyes.

I saw her smile and it made me calm. I let go of my breath then took another one and I was relieved that her plan actually worked and I could breathe underwater. I loosened my grip on Amy's hand too, but she became excited when she saw that I'm calm, and she started swimming with me out of the cave.