Mermaids of Aphrodite

Ocean

'My name is Ocean. I don't remember much about my life except that my parents had found me on the beach tangled in seaweed when I was a baby. I was given my name because my eyes were as blue as the deepest ocean. I never knew that my future would involve Ocean blue hair and fins. I never thought once in my life, I would be able to breathe water as I had been accustomed to breathing air. I am a Mermaid, and this is my story. Whenever I couldn't sleep, I'd walk along the moonlit beach. The night before my 17th birthday, I was drawn to the water by the sound of the most beautiful voice I ever heard. I had to find the person who possessed it.'

JUNE 27; SIXTEEN YEARS LATER

"Hey, Ocean. Have you talked to Dad about what we're doing for your birthday tomorrow?"

"I didn't think about it. I was so wrapped up in my training for the upcoming swim meet that I completely forgot."

'My sister, Kaia, my best friend. She was with me on the swim team and had reminded me of my 17th birthday. I don't know what I would do without her.'

"I know. You've had a lot on your plate. Don't worry about it. I'll tell Dad you need more time." Kaia said

"You're a life saver, Kaia. We better suit up. We have training to do." I said, looking at the reminder on my phone

"Right.."

'Just as I was about to enter the water. I stop, nearly falling into the pool. That was the first time I heard that beautiful melodious voice. I turn to the tempered glass window. The sun glistening off the water. Kaia's voice had pulled me out of my trance-like state.'

"Ocean, are you okay?"

"You didn't hear that singing?" I asked

"No one was singing, Ocean." Kaia said

"I could swear I heard.. Are you sure you didn't hear that singing?" I asked

"I think you need to get in the pool and cool off." Kaia said

'I had jumped into the water, the water cool against my slightly warm skin. I was under the water almost forty-five minutes. I feel rigid edges in my neck. My long red hair had turned a deep ocean blue. I see that my fingers were now webbed and my legs had somehow formed into a large tail. I shake my head, going up for air as my hair and hands had returned to normal.'

"Ocean, you were down there nearly forty-five minutes. You've got a crazy lung span."

"What the hell is happening to me?" I quietly asked myself, looking down to see that the tail had turned back into legs

'I take a breath, and hop out of the pool. As soon as I change, I dry my dampened hair with a towel, I hear the singing again.'

"Hello..?"

'I follow the voice out toward the docks outside the recreation center. Flinging my bag over my shoulder, I reach the end of the dock where the salty sea mist sprays my ankles. The singing grows louder as I see a man's face in the water..'

"Who are you?" I asked myself extending my arm out in the water

"Ocean! What are you doing? I thought you were at the car. Dad's waiting for us. He sent me to find you." Kaia said

"I heard it again." I said

"Heard what?" Kaia asked

"The singing. It lead me out here. And just now, I saw a man's face in the water." I said

"You've been out in the sun too long. We have to get home." Kaia said, pulling my arm

'As soon as we got in the car and drove off, a man with fins and webbed fingers had waved to me when I look out at the water on my side of the car. My jaw dropped in shock to what I had just seen. Kaia looks over to me tapping my shoulder.'

"Kaia, please tell me you saw that too." I said, breathing lightly

"Saw what? There's nothing but water out there."

"So, you couldn't see him, or hear the singing?" I asked

"I don't know what you're talking about, Ocean. You've been acting really weird all day. First at the swim meet, then out at the docks, and now in the car?" Kaia asked

"Am I the only one who can see and hear it?" I quietly thought to myself

"Ocean, have you been getting enough rest?"

"I haven't had any time, Dad. With the swim meet coming up. I've been training day and night."

"Maybe you just need some quiet time to yourself for a while."

"No, I'm fine, Dad. But, thanks."

'My dad, Kai. He could be overprotective of us, but he's been trying to give Kaia and I a bit more leash. He's been scared of us going down by the water alone since Mom disappeared by the beach last year. And I could see why.'

"I don't know.. maybe a little rest would be good." Kaia said

"I'm fine."

"Okay, we won't force you."

'We had gotten into the house and I had gone to my room across the hall. Flinging my bag onto the bed, I see a package addressed to me on my bedside table. I carefully tear the paper of the package, seeing a small music box inside with a strange looking keyhole. I then see a thin gold chain with a seashell shaped key on the end of it. I gently insert and turn the key, opening the box and that familiar song starts playing with a tiny mermaid moving around in the box. I pick up the wrapping to see who the package was from, but there was no writing other than my name. A note smelling like the cool ocean breeze next to the box.'

"You must remember who you truly are, Ocean. I'll be waiting for you." I read, while turning my head toward the box

"Ocean. Dinner." Kaia called

'I had put the chain around my neck, and down the hall toward the dining room. About to be ambushed by my dad and younger sister about my day, with no way to explain myself without sounding insane.'

~END OF CHAPTER ONE~