Twisted Tail

It was only when I sat next to him on the beach, the knife hidden under my belt, that I wondered if I had made the right choice. I knew from the very beginning that this was how it would end, that he had to die. I just didn't expect myself to get so attached.

He was too naïve. Meeting a strange girl on the beach who could barely walk and who knew close to nothing about the surrounding land, should have raised some red flags. Instead he believed everything; how I said I had been in a shipwreck, how I was from a foreign country, how I wanted to travel the world, starting with wherever I was. It was a wonder he survived this long.

Why did he have to believe everything I said? It should have made things easier, but each time he looked at me, smiling at me with those innocent blue eyes, the harder the task ahead seemed.

But it wasn't like I could back out now. I made a deal, didn't I? Madame Marsula would be pissed for sure. I've heard stories about people that broke her contracts. None of those people lived for very long and those who did wished otherwise.

It shouldn't have been that hard. Kill him, bring his heart to the witch, and live the rest of my life as a human. I'd only known him for three days. It should've been easy.

"I've always loved the sea, you know." His soft voice broke me out of my trance.

"I suppose." It was true. It was beautiful. Or, it would have been, had it not held all my years of pain and misery, my grief and sorrow. The years spent trapped in the palace hidden deep beneath the waves, among people who sought to do nothing but hurt and drag me down.

"Ever since I was little I'd always come here to think. It's funny that I found you here, of all places. Almost like fate." He turned to look at me. "I really have to thank you for the past couple of days. It's been a while since I've seen the city. Showing you around gave me the opportunity to do it again. Being in your company didn't hurt either."

Guilt pooled in my stomach. He shouldn't be thanking me! If he knew why I did it, what I meant to do...

I couldn't deny that the three days I've spent seeing the surface world were the best of my life. The colourful markets, fresh hot food (humans ate food hot!), wonderful street performers, stunning architecture, this city had it all. I would spend eternity wondering those streets with this boy if I could.

Ugh, why did he have to make this so difficult!

"I... I know we've only known each other for three days, and you plan on leaving soon, and I have my duty and everything but... I wish... I hope we can stay friends."

I stared out into the sea. Even if Madame Marsula didn't kill me for breaking the contract, there would be no way for me to avoid the people I've been trying to escape my whole life.

No.

I couldn't go back. I wouldn't go back. Not after all this.

"I wish we could."

.

.

.

The sun set, and the sea washed away the bloodied sand. His heart was still warm in my hands as I waited. The witch would have known I completed my part of the deal. Soon she would come to claim her payment, and I would be free to live my life

And yet, for some reason, I could not stop the tears from falling.