A Merman’s Place

Chapter 9

The first thing I felt was something soft beneath me. It was soft and wet. Then there was a cold sensation from something that repeatedly kept coming on to me and then leaving. And my face was feeling warm — a little too warm.

The smell of the salty air reminded me of the sea. Was I at the beach and fell asleep? I don't remember being at the beach.

I opened my eyes slowly, but I hissed at the harsh light that made me immediately close them. Turning my head away from the light I tried opening them again. This time I was able to open them halfway as my eyelids felt heavy, like when waking up too early and you just want to go back to sleep.

What I saw was the white ground; there was no grass or dirt. I curled my fingers to feel the ground and was easily able to grab a handful of it. It was wet and muddy feeling. Oh wait, this is sand. I did assume I was lying on the beach, so this had to be sand.

My assumption was correct as I felt that cool sensation come over me again and the clear blue water entered my vision. When did I take a trip to the beach? And besides the soft crashing of the waves, why was it quiet? I should be hearing the voices of beachgoers. As a matter of fact, where are the people?

I turned my head to the other side, and there was no one at all.

I pushed my body up slightly before I felt a stinging pain on my arms and shoulders. I looked over to see that they were covered in blood from scratches and puncture wounds. How'd that happen?

The pain was now getting to me as the salt water and air were touching the wounds. Not only that, but I'm getting the same feeling of pain everywhere on my body. No doubt they got the same treatment as my arms. And not only that but the back of my head felt tender like I hit my head against a rock. I guess that's why I got a splitting headache, too.

Ignoring the pain and soreness of my body, I gently sat up and right in front of me was an empty and vast sea. There really wasn't anyone around, no swimmers and no boats.

I gently shifted my aching body to look behind me; nothing either except the trees. And taking a better look, through the trees I could see more water. It was everywhere looking like I'm surrounded by it.

An island? I thought. Yes, this was an island, and from the looks of it not a very big one. The whole area seems to have the square feet of an average house including the back and front yard.

I slowly got to my feet and walked towards the shady trees to get out of the blazing sun. Once there I sat leaning against one of the trees and did nothing; even my mind was blank.

After a while it now hit me of my current predicament. I'm alone. I'm alone, hurt, and stranded on a small patch of land in the middle of nowhere. There was an accident that I recall, but can't remember exactly what, that brought me here.

My body started to tremble and my breathing turning heavy. I couldn't breathe. I know I'm taking in air, but I still feel like I'm suffocating and it's making me feel lightheaded. Later my eyes began to sting. Something wet is running down my face. Am I crying now, too?

Before I knew it, the tension in my body overwhelmed me and I began to scream. I screamed over and over loudly that I'd hoped that someone was able to hear it. My throat started to feel raw with a burning and stinging sensation that I began coughing. It was difficult to stop without anything to use to put out the fire in my throat. It was tempting to just gulp down the water surrounding me, but I knew that would be a bad idea as it'll make it worse.

Finally able to stop coughing, my body became limp against the tree as I wore myself out from the panic that possessed me.

What do I do? What can I do? I got nothing with me but the clothes on my back and no knowledge on survival. I'd be dead in a week if not sooner.

Pulling my legs against my chest, I wrapped my arms around them and laid my forehead on top of my knees. I closed my eyes and pretended that I wasn't here. I was safe at home with Kirk and Marvin welcoming me back home from my time abroad. We're at home sitting in the living room and they listened to me telling them my experiences. Then I'm showing off all the photos and videos I took that Marvin insisted I take hundreds of. They have the faces of amazement and joy; they are happy that I was able to experience a small sample of the world.

A loud rumble that I felt coming from my stomach interrupted my daydreaming and brought me back to the serious matter at hand. I needed food and a fresh drink to quench my thirst after my screaming episode. At the moment, I had no desire to get up from my spot. I still felt weak and fatigued to even look around to see if the trees here hold anything to eat.

Another rumble sounded along with an uncomfortable feeling telling me I need to eat now.

Slowly and somewhat wobbly I managed to get up to my feet. I had to hold on to the tree to keep my balance. Looking above me I checked to see if any trees had any fruit hanging, but alas, I couldn't see anything, at least from where I was standing. So, I went ahead to another spot of the small island.

And to my dismay, there was nothing there either.

I let out a groan of despair and laid on the ground. No food and no drinkable water. I might as well just parish right now. It might very well happen with the heat of the sun sweating out the moisture from my body. In fact, whatever accident I can't clearly recall that put me in this situation should have just killed me and spare me the suffering.

My head was getting light headed from my stomach feeling so empty and my eyelids getting heavier and heavier that I just surrendered to them. And to think I had just woken up not that long ago; a sign that I survived.

Maybe now I'll get some mercy and not wake up this time, I thought before my mind escaped this world.

~~~~~

Bright white light.

The colors red and orange dancing in the rain.

I fall faster and faster.

Piecing screams and cries.

A harsh stop.

It's cold and wet.

Pain. Sharp pain.

I woke abruptly and was panting in a way like I was having a panic attack. The wounds all over my body ached so badly, almost like something was agitating them.

I forced myself to calm down, telling myself that whatever I dreamt up was over now. I couldn't remember much, just vague scenes. Then it shouldn't be freaking me out so much, I thought.

Slowly coming to my senses again, reality started to make its presence known.

If it was possible my throat was even more on fire now. I was desperate for a drink right now. I needed water. Looking to my side straight at the ocean, it felt like it was calling to me. It must be mocking me since there is no way I can drink sea water.

I was biting my lip so hard that it started bleeding; I had to resist. I closed my eyes, but I could still hear the water still calling. And along with that I smell the saltiness in the air that I'm finding more irresistible than usual. This is starting to feel like having a bad itch that you're not supposed to scratch.

I press my hands to my ears so tight I can't hear a single muffle of sound and I started breathing through my mouth to avoid smelling the air. Although, breathing through my mouth is now bringing more attention to my burning throat.

"Damn it!" I shouted with a raspy voice and practically crawled towards the sea. I wouldn't survive on this island much longer without food and proper water, so why not quicken my death?

I dunked my head in the water, sucked in the water, and gulped it down. Normally when I accidently drank sea water when swimming I end up coughing from the saltiness. Or when I had to gargle salt water when I get a sore throat I had the urge to spit it out immediately. But now I'm not feeling any of it. The water felt so refreshing and soothing as it goes down my throat like normal water. I may just be imagining the taste and feeling to block out what it really is to keep on drinking.

I pulled my face from out of the water when I began to lose air, but as soon as I got my breath back I went back under. No sure how long I spent chugging down water; what I did know was that I didn't want to stop. The fire had already gone down surprisingly, but the water was just too good to stop drinking. Eventually though I had to stop as I couldn't fit anymore in my body.

When I surfaced I headed for shore and laid there satisfied. For the first time since I woke up again I noticed that the sky was darkening and only the colors of orange and pink remained. After drinking all that water, it made me feel sleepy. Maybe this is it this time, and I don't mind it. I got to see a beautiful sunset one last time.

I let my eyelids shut again.