A Tale of Skeptical Sailors and Mischievous Mermaids

Part 2

An eerie quiet had fallen over the crew of the H.M.S. Liberty. Admiral Washington had put an official end to all talk of mermaids and mermen but below deck in the cramped quarters of the aft cabin, rumors and whispers of the mythical sirens were spreading. While under the watchful eye of their commander all anyone could do was cast furtive glances overboard, hoping for a glimpse at one of the magical creatures. A week after the initial sightings though, and no hint of the beasts came again.

Laurens had become highly sought after amongst the crew, basking in the attention he received with every retelling of his story for eager ears. Even Jefferson had joined in, when his duties allowed; always willing to spin a yarn for an admiring audience.

"It looked exactly like you?" A sailor asked.

"Right down to the freckles." Laurens grinned.

"Well, except for the tail." Thomas smirked and the rapt audience laughed.

Madison wouldn't speak of it. If anyone did ask about it, one stormy glance from Washington put any thoughts of sharing his story far from his mind.

After one such afternoon of sharing his encounter, John stumbled upon Alex seeming to search the vast sea. "What are you doing?"

"Scanning for enemy vessels."

"With no spyglass?"

"I'm just looking over the horizon for any sign of a ship."

"Really?" John leaned against the railing with his arms crossed on his chest.

"Of course."

"Because it looked like you were looking *into* the water, not over it."

Alex turned to him, visibly peeved. "And why would I do that?"

"Scanning for sea creatures?" Laurens guessed. "Perhaps hoping to see your aquatic doppelganger?"

"What? No. Don't be ridiculous."

"Ok Hamilton." John smiled.

"I don't even care about what you and Thomas think you saw." Alex scoffed.

"Sure Alex."

"But I mean, why you?" His voice broke and was suddenly filled with emotion. "Or Jefferson? Or Madison? Why would they show themselves to you? Why would they look like you?"

"You mean, why didn't they appear to you?"

"It's not about me." He grumbled.

"Jealous?" John chuckled.

Alex huffed and walked away as John shook his head. He leaned against the rail and stared off at the sky and the setting sun.

He heard a splash off the starboard side of the ship and looked over. The water seemed to churn and bubble and he narrowed his eyes until the shadow that swirled in the waves surfaced. It was his water-breathing double. John's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to speak but before he could, the creature pointed to the north. John looked in that direction and it took a moment, but he eventually saw the gathering of dark clouds and the flashes of lightning in the distance. He looked back at the mercreature. "Are you telling me there is storm headed our way?" The half-man smiled and nodded then dove back down into the waves. He resurfaced on the other side of the ship and John crossed the deck. "If that storm is headed toward us, there is naught we can do. We are nearly a thousand miles from the mainland. We couldn't outrun a storm that powerful." The creature swam a little farther south and gestured over the water. John couldn't figure out what he was trying to communicate until the siren seemed to get frustrated and swam closer. He peered up at John and Laurens found he was powerless to do anything but stare back into the twin gaze of his other until he understood.