The Littlest Mermaid

The Only Chapter

Shane had been told stories of the ocean all his life having lived on an island full of superstitious elders. Stories varied from believable tales of sunken ships and deadly storms to purely fantastical tales of storm kelpies and magical sheep. He didn't necessarily believe all of them or follow the wisdom passed on by the sea swept elders.

When he first told his family, and in turn the town, of his plans to become a lighthouse keeper, the whispered words carried on a salty breeze that warned of the dangers of working at the lighthouse followed him. He didn't care for the superstitions surrounding the island which hosted the lighthouse. He did care for the dangerous waters but it wasn't enough to deter him.

When, just a year after the construction of the lighthouse, the three keepers that had been manning it disappeared, Shane became more determined than ever to be one of the next keepers. A month later, he received a letter informing him he would be on the next rotation of the keepers. His family celebrated his accomplishment but there were unshed tears behind their congratulations.

The boat arrived to take him and two other men to the island a week later. Their families gathered at the dock to wish them all luck and farewell. The bright sun and blue skies eased some of the tension of having to travel the rough seas.

The journey was made without much hassle. He and the two other men took turns rowing and getting used to each other. Shane learned their names were Steven and Andrew. Steven did most of the talking, friendly and open. Andrew was reserved but by the time the ship hit rocky shore, he was grinning and bantering as well.

The three keepers greeted them upon their arrival. They weren't much older than Shane but lines were worn into their faces and their hair was grey. They were friendly enough but certainly eager to leave the island, rushing over introductions and instructions. The whole ordeal was over quicker than Shane would've liked and soon enough it was just the three men and some sheep.

"I'm going to go claim a bed," Steven spoke up suddenly and took off with his bag in hand.

"No, you're going to get the best one," Andrew shouted and took off after him. Shane laughed, he didn't mind having last dibs. He slung his bag over his shoulder and went the opposite way, towards the shoreline.

He walked to almost the other side of the island when something caught his eye in the waves. It was a body. A body of a floating man specifically.

"Hey! Are you okay?" Shane called out. The body didn't respond. "Fuck, okay. First day and I already have to do lifeguarding."

Shane shed his bag and shoes then, after some deliberation, his jacket as well. He hurried as much as he could on slippery rocks in socks to the edge of the water, cursing all the way.

"Are you alive?" Shane asked when the cold sea began to lap at his socks. He scrunched his face in disgust at having to deal with wet socks but it was too late. The body still made no indication of life. Now that Shane was closer though, he thought that the man had a blue tint to his skin.

Hoping he hadn't happened upon a dead man, Shane went into the water. Once he could no longer touch the bottom, he swam towards the man. He was almost close enough to reach him now. He stretched out his arm as far as the lanky limb would go and grabbed the man's wrist.

Shane would have begun to bring the man back to shore if the man didn't jump away from him and kick him in the chest.

"What the fuck?" The man yelled. "You don't just grab people when they're sleeping!"

"I thought you were rotting!" Shane shouted back.

"And you go around grabbing every dead body spotted?" The man asked, his voice was still loud but just a bit less angry.