The Prison of Deviants

Chapter 4: The Merpeople's Party

The lights are shimmering in the dark. The deviants are dancing around a large coral stage, where a DJ merman is managing some deep-sea instruments I've never seen before, letting them emit the wildest sounds. The pool is behind the stage, in the centre of the hall. Different mermaids and mermen jumping in and out of it. Their tails glimmer in the rainbow lights. Their fins sparkle with water-drops, creating a great contrast of colours.

Annabelle and I have already been separated in this large crowd. She's having fun with Rachel, Justina (the other mermaid from the dining hall), and many other merpeople.

The wild music of the seas is banging in my ears. In the human world, I had never attended techno parties. Night clubs and bars weren't my thing, but this one is a whole other level. You'd think nature is singing, and yet it's techno-style! I feel like dancing and begin shaking my hips. Music can really turn you on... or is this what they call siren charm?

"You've got some moves, darling!" A deep voice calls out to me.

I start in fright. Someone's seen my dancing? – How embarrassing! I turn back, seeing the deep blue eyes gazing at me intensely, as they did in the dining hall. It's Derek. His long black hair is dropping down his wet chest. He's just come out of the pool. His legs are covered in thin blue garments.

They say a merman in the water is the best sight, but I can assure you – one just come out of the water, with water-drops sprinkling down his muscles and the sapphire eyes shimmering under the lights, is no less of a view.

"Derek?" I mumble. I don't know what to do. I continue staring at him.

"Why did you stop? Come on, let's dance!" He grabs my hand.

"No, I... I don't think I can dance," I say. "I've never done it before."

"Just follow the music!" He chuckles. "You were doing it just now, weren't you?"

He winks at me. He begins following the rhythm as if to encourage me, but his moves are so good that they only make me feel more hopeless. Still, with that intense look piercing my eyes, I can't help but follow his lead. I shake my hips again, then move my feet, my hands... In a short while, I'm already dancing with him, my hands placed on his shoulders and his hands around my waist. Music bangs in my ears, as if a trance, a dream... Those eyes...

In the shimmer of the lights, I see Annabelle in the crowd, smirking as she's caught my sight. She must be happy that I've "hooked a big fish". In truth, I think I'm the one who's been hooked, by Derek's deep blue eyes.

As we dance, some mermaids on the stage begin singing in their siren voices. The song fits the techno music of the deep seas. My blood boils, my moves intensify. I see only Derek's shimmering eyes now, fixed on me.

Closer... Closer... Let me feel those lips!

He grins. He's guessed my intention. In a second, our lips press against each other. I feel his tongue swirling in my mouth. So sweet... Such bliss!

Music continues banging in my ears and the song fills my heart with emotions as deep as the ocean. Derek begins taking his steps back, but his lips stay on mine. I follow him. Wherever he goes, I'm right there, after him... Farther, farther, and ever so close! Those arms, that chest, that sweet kiss... All mine.

I feel his hands grabbing my waist and taking me into the water, diving into the pool. Only at the splash of water, do I awake from the trance and stare at him in a stupor, seeing his two feet morphing into a deep blue fish-tail... no, a shark one!

"You're a shark?!" I exclaim.

I regain my senses. I try to reach the edge of the pool and get out as fast as I can. Sharks are man-eaters, and I'm far from a completely-turned vampire! The fin on Derek's back certifies my assumption – he's a shark merman.

"So, what of it?" He laughs. "What do you have against sharks?"

He plunges at me but I grab onto the edge of the pool, trying to pull myself out. My hand slips and I receive a tiny cut on my palm.

"Ah!" I wince.

Blood is dripping off my fingers. Blood... I put my fingers in my mouth, feeling the sweet taste of my own blood.

"Darling?" Derek calls me from behind my back.

He swims up to me, but in a second, the fragrance of the fresh blood reaches his nostrils too. His eyes sparkle like those of a hungry shark. His fangs show up in his mouth. He dashes at me. I scream and grab onto the edge of the pool again. I can feel Derek's claws clutching my shoulders. I hit him with my clawed hands, struggling against his grip. If I'm not fast enough, he'll bite!

A strong hand grabs mine and pulls me out of the pool away from the savage shark. Derek wants to jump out of the pool after me, but the mermaids and mermen, who've noticed the commotion, block his way. The sturdy hands that have pulled me out drag me away from that place. I follow without a thought. They bring me to Annabelle, who appears concerned.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she shouts.

I stare at her blankly, unable to gather my thoughts from the trance and shock I've experienced. As the lights shimmer, I notice my saviour's hands are those of Shon – the chubby guy back in the dining hall.

"Quick, get her out of here!" Rachel advises Annabelle. "We'll need some time to stop Derek's rampage!"

"Thank you, Rachel!" Annabelle nods and grabs my hand.

"I'll help you!" Shon offers.

"Thank you!" Annabelle says. "She seems out of her mind_ Wait, what are you doing?" she shouts at me. "Get those fingers off your mouth!"

She pulls my hand out of my mouth. She can see it's bleeding.

"You've been drinking your own damn blood?" She gasps.

Apparently, I've done something terrible, although I don't know what. My mind is blank. I don't know what's going on. I only know that I can see shimmering lights, Annabelle's worried face, and Shon's eyes full of pity. His yellow eyes are very beautiful, now that I see them up close...

It all goes black.