Have you ever wondered what really happened to Atlantis? Did it really exist or is it just another myth within the human mind? Everything from now on will be based on what your mind believes, to believe you just have to have an open mind and let th...
Leaving my house, I thought we were going to go to the cinema or to the art gallery Jordan loves, but no, instead we went to the most crowded place in this small town, which Jordan and his friends know I can't tolerate.
—I know you're not going to the party —Jordan says, looking sideways at me, getting in line at the temporary museum that the government brought in a few days ago, I don't know what the theme is, but judging by the people there, it must be something very interesting. The boys and I decided to come to the alameda and since you love the beach, they've opened this new museum about the legends that are told. A beaming smile appears on his face, I half-heartedly try to return it.
—I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. —Nick says, stretching out comfortably on the bars that separate the rows, in an attempt to break the tension that has settled into the atmosphere.
—Aha, this morning when we were training, you weren't hungry. I warned you to eat something. —Josh, the black-haired boy who thinks he's the mother of the group, but who is the most impartial about me, says reproachfully.
—Come on, guys. You must admit that museums are boring, we're just in time to get out of this huge line and go for a real walk. —He winks at me, I'm sure a beautiful grimace of displeasure is not what he was expecting from me, as he just resigns himself and rolls his eyes.
—It's not that boring. It's about myths and legends of mermaids, sea monsters and ghosts. —Jordan shrugs, handing me the booklet he was given when we paid for our tickets to get us into the exhibit.
—Okay, we're in, there's no turning back now, but remember, Jordan, you promised me that your friend will go on a date with me. —I look at Jordan in surprise and he gives me an innocent smile. How could he promise that?
—Jordan, come here for a moment —I grab his arm forcibly and drag him a few steps away from his friends— What were you thinking? —Altered, I watch as he scratches the back of his head in sorrow.
—I'm sorry, okay? I know I should have told you about this outing.
—I'm not talking about this —I open my arms to point at the place and then just wave a hand at Nick— I'm talking about him. You can't promise a date that I don't want. —My voice comes out squeaky at the end and that just makes him burst out laughing, making the guys who until a moment ago were focused on a fossil, turn to look at us.
—I know, I know, but I know you, and it's one thing what I promised her and quite another what you do. Don't worry, he'll have forgotten by tomorrow —I sigh and walk back to the group. On the one hand, I believe in what Jordan says because he has a very good sense of intuition and what he says always happens.
—Look. They say they found a real mermaid. —Josh says, pointing to an illustrative image of the creature with information about its mythology.
—Things they say to get attention. —Jordan says, but he's caught the boys' attention in a triumphant gesture when he sees that I'm mesmerised by the poster, specifically the mermaid's features.
—Are you all right? —Josh taps my shoulder to wake me from my reverie, I nod—. Then let's go with the boys, they're one room ahead of us.
We don't get a good look at what's in this first room as it's only introductory, we enter through a corridor where people are piling up, but Josh sees a way to get us out of there quickly, earning complaints from some. As we exit, the projection of sea life is left behind, leading us into a completely dark room, lit only by dim neon lights. Looking around for the boys, I see Jordan in a corner out of the way of the crowd arguing with Nick in front of the museum map.
—It's three areas. I'm telling you we're in "Beach Spirits and Unexplained Disappearances" —Nick takes a closer look at the sketch and neither of us has noticed that we're already with them.
—No, we're about to go through the "Mermaid Tunnel". See, when you go through the tunnel, on the other side are the wards.
—I think Nick's right, Jordan —Josh says, and the two boys who were arguing look back at us.
—When did they get here? —Nick sees us and gives us a pass to look at the map.
—A moment ago, when they were arguing about where we were in the museum. —I answer and walk away from the group to continue walking with the people, judging by the steps we are about to descend, this part of the exhibition is underwater. The guys catch up with me and we reach an arched doorway, which leads to a transparent tunnel connected to some part of the ocean. A guy who works there stops us to check our tickets and give us a few directions.
—Good morning. Welcome to "The Atlantean Museum", you are about to enter our first section, it is important that you do not stop to avoid the crowds, the mermaid show has just finished, the next one will be in an hour, but due to the depth, you will be able to see the native flora and fauna of the place. Have fun.
When the worker says that, he removes the tape blocking the way and we get about ten people into the tunnel, all of us holding on to the metal bars as the inside of this thing is completely transparent. I give way to the others and stop with my group, Nick is taking pictures with his mobile phone, meanwhile, Josh looks like he's about to have a cardiac arrest.
—Why the fuck don't they warn us that the only view is the fucking ocean? —he says a little too pale.
—Are you scared, Josh? —Jordan sees his friend sneering. I go over to the poor guy and help him up as the worker says to keep moving.
—You know I can't swim. Besides, this part of the ocean is not very busy, it's a navy area.
—It used to be a Navy area, now it's part of the museum, the Navy occupies the jetty. —I go ahead and let the guys talk, it seems to distract them from the beautiful scenery. I hear people say that the mermaid is a girl trained to breathe for long periods underwater, I'm a little disappointed, but I'll be crazy if I was really expecting to see a mythical being.
Disappointed, I slow my pace and only pay attention to the fish that walk around the place, not even bothering to follow this silly path full of farces, I am so immersed that I don't hear the screams of the people and the workers on duty, until I feel the tunnel move under my feet. I open my eyes wide in surprise, I never thought I would die in a museum, but the screams are not so much about that, at first, I think people see me, but they don't, they see beyond, where a creature with the body of a fish and a human stares at me. It's not like in the movies, it's not a beautiful creature, but I won't say it's horrible either, it's just something fantastic. We stare at each other, its eyes are two wells full of darkness that transmit a thousand incomprehensible emotions, I freeze in my seat.
—"At last we meet, Nereida" —the creature says, but no one else seems to hear it. At that moment, a camera click is heard in the background causing her to flee.
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🌊🧜🏻♀️ I hope you like this new version of chapter two, giving you more insight into the nature of the characters. As well as this one that changed almost completely, more will come, in order to give more sense to the story. I love you🌊🧜🏻♀️
