A Tale of Skeptical Sailors and Mischievous Mermaids

Part 7

"Sir."

Washington sighed. "What is it Burr?"

"The island. I don't think we should go."

"Afraid everyone will see a mermaid but you?"

"No, sir. That's just it. I did have a vision. One I'd like to talk to you about in private if you don't mind."

The admiral rolled his eyes. "I'm not going down to the officers' quarters just so I can hear some sordid tale of a voluptuous maiden who tempted you out of your bed or some simple-minded half-fish version of yourself that you have become questionably attached to."

"I—" Aaron stuttered for a moment. "It wasn't any of those things. It wasn't lovely or comforting or thrilling at all. Quite the opposite, actually. It filled me with dread. It felt like... like it was a warning of sorts."

George's expression grew serious. "What do you mean? Did you finally see one of these creatures? Or was it more a dream?"

"No. No. It wasn't in my mind. It was last night. Hamilton was pacing again, and I figured if I couldn't sleep, I may as well get some fresh air. As I strolled up and down the deck, I thought I heard someone crying. Not sobbing, more like soft weeping. I followed the sound and that's when I saw her from the stern, bobbing in the waves left by our rudder."

"A mermaid?"

"No. It wasn't a mermaid, that I know for sure. I could see her feet. She was desperately treading water underneath the surface and reaching up like she needed me to help her."

"She wanted you to jump in and save her?"

"I felt like I had to, sir. She wasn't just any human, sir, and she didn't call my name like the others have said. She looked like my daughter. And she was asking for her father."

George paused, holding up his hand signaling that he wanted a moment to think. "Why didn't you jump?"

"It was that damned drunk, Rodgers. Now that you reinstated the usual grog portion for the sailors, he's been trading coin and trinkets for the other sailors' share. Apparently his stomach had had enough and as I grabbed the rail, about to climb over and throw myself into the ocean in an attempt to rescue her and perhaps join her, his... aggressive gagging brought me back to reality."

"Join her?"

Aaron looked up and met George's gaze. "Yes sir. It wasn't anything she said or even a conscious thought of my own. I just knew. I had to be with her. It was the only way for me to be happy. To feel complete."

Washington sighed. "Yes. Like it was time to take that next, final step."

Aaron swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes. I knew it would be the end. But what was waiting for me on the other side was worth it."

George closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes. That was my experience as well. But I can't turn back now. I have my entire crew eagerly awaiting our sojourn. To deny them this, would surely invite a mutiny."

"So what do we do?"

"We give them their day but not without a warning. Let them enjoy what they so eagerly desire, if they choose. We will collect them at dusk. But I would recommend staying on board and I will entreat them to do the same."

"Sir, if we are on the same page then you are allowing them to walk freely into the arms of—"

He was cut off as a group of sailors rushed past. Some of them realized they had run by the admiral and turned to give a quick salute but most hurried away in their ignorance, shouting with excitement as the islands came into view. A few even leapt overboard, swimming or wading through the water to get to shore.