Atlantis: The Rebirth of the Empire (I)©

Chapter 5: First Date...

Mina

 We have arrived at Rose's flat, I forgot that in the city life is more hectic, thousands of cars can be heard as if they were in the living room with us, Rose takes off her beige coat hanging it on the back of a chair in her dining room and goes to the kitchen, I take a seat in the armchair in front of the living room table.

  —Water or fruit juice? —she says, coming out with both drinks, raising one and then the other in my direction.

  —Water —she hands me the glass as she reaches me, sitting down next to me— Thank you —I take a sip, but she looks down at the contents of hers, leaning her elbows on her knees.

 I ask and she seems to snap out of her reverie, taking a sip of juice, leaning back on the couch placidly.

  —I guess I got lost in thought for a moment. It's not often you want to surprise your best friend by arriving in the country where you met, and the first thing her mother tells you is that she was almost swept out to sea —my body tenses and I unconsciously press down on the glass of water. An uncomfortable silence forms, a silence that after a few minutes I decide to break.

  —I was reckless. I decided to go to the beach because of a stupid thing that happened in the morning with the boys —I tell Rose what happened at the museum in detail, she remains serious throughout. Only at a few moments does she startle or grimace, regaining her composure in an instant.

  —We both know there's no such thing as mermaids, Mina —is her response to everything I've told her, leaving me in shock, I thought she would understand me of all people. Confusion at what she told me passes and is replaced by anger, how can she not believe me, the person I wouldn't lie to for the world.

  —Are you serious? I'm not joking, Rose. Guys can tell you, if it's not Jordan, it could be Nick or Josh. It was even in the local paper.

  —Mina, there are actresses, I read about the museum and was thinking of joining you, but they shut it down on the spur of the moment. Surely it was a more professional actress who really got into her role, it might even have influenced the subject matter and people's suggestion of what they might find there.

  —What about the damage, was it the actress as well? —I say, getting up from the couch, going to the kitchen to put the glass down and go upstairs, I know which room I'm in.

 I hear Rose calling me from downstairs, but I just decide to ignore her and lock the door, I know she has a key, but she won't bother me. She walks up the stairs, moments later, she knocks on the door.

  —Mina, I'm sorry. I know you've just been through a very, VERY heavy day, I believe in you, but —keep quiet, I've already sat down with my back pressed against the door to hear better— I don't know. I just... good night, if in the morning you want to talk with a clearer mind, we'll do it.

 I hear footsteps walking away, I stand up and go to get the pyjamas I have here. Once I'm bathed and changed, I unroll the bed and lie down on it. I feel an emptiness expanding throughout my chest, as if something is missing and I'm barely aware of it. I take the necklace charm between my fingers, rubbing it with my fingertips, closing my eyes as if that simple gesture lulls me to sleep. Before I fall into a deep sleep, I hear a voice.

  —"Nereida, time is running out. We need you."

***

 It's been a week since the incident on the beach, since then, nothing out of place has happened in my life, only the fact that I notice Rose and Jordan more distant than usual, it's like they're avoiding me. As I listen to history class, I devise a plan in my mind to go to the beach, constant voices are present in my dreams since I was "transformed". Besides, I need the mermaid to answer a few questions.