The Merqueen

Kate looked up to the sky, thinking of her late mother whom she lost when she was very little. She signed deeply, lost in her own thoughts. Her thoughts were interrupted by her sister who shouted her name. Startled , she hurried into the house.She met her father looking worried on the couch. The eighteen years old crept up to her father placing her hands gently on his shoulder, she smiled weekly at him. "Everything is going to be alright" she said. Her father was a delivery man who could barely feed himself,he has two kids, Katherine and Elizabeth. Elizabeth being the oldest daughter was seeking for a better life working her ass off to assist her father. He smiled back trying to lightened the mood but it came out fake. He patted her hand assuring her he was okay Katherine went into her room ,she saw her sister smiling on the bed. The anxious girl sat closer to her sister waiting to hear her speak. "I have some good news" Eliza said finally looking at her sister. She grinned arranging her clothes. "Do you remember Deborah?" She asked smiling as she waited for reply. Kate tried to remember but gave up when she can't. "No", wondering where their conversation was heading. "What about her?" She asked. "She told me to come live with her ", staring at Kate ,she patiently waited for reply fidgeting a little. Kate was speechless,her frown deepened. After a long pause, she finally replied. "Are you going with her? Leaving me here with father?" ,She knew the answer but she still wanted to. She was scared of the reply she will get. Eliza signed . She was determined to leave,she can't keep up living like this . Turning to her sister, her eyes said it all. She held Kate's hand rubbing it lightly. She knew leaving her would be overwhelming but she had to. "I want to go" she paused. " I can't continue to live like this, I am old enough to be alone". Katherine withdraw her hands turning to face the wall . Staring at the pictures they took together,she realized how distant they already are. Everywhere was silent as the only sound heard was the sound of the running tap in the bathroom. Standing up to turn it off,Kate turned her head slightly at her sister's direction. "I guess you were right,I just......" She pursed not knowing what to say. Inhaling deeply,she continued "I wish everything could go back to the way it was before". "Me too" Eliza murmured. Seeing her sister asleep, Katherine signed moving quietly toward her sister. She lay on the bed,closing her eyes tightly hoping for a good night sleep. ........ " Uhmmm" Kate groaned. She slowly opened her eyes staring at her sister,she thought of their conversation. She shook her head rubbing it slightly, standing up to open the windows. "Good morning" Eliza said yawning ,her voice stained with sleep. "Are you still mad at me?" She asked. "Leave me alone" kate replied gruffly. Going to the kitchen to grab some toast, kate poured herself a glass of milk,heading to the sitting room with the tv remote in her hand , she paused,she shouldn't have said that. Sitting quietly,her hair gleamed blonde against the couch as she ate her breakfast. Glancing at the wall clock,she was late. She ate her breakfast quickly,heading towards the bathroom to shower . She walked into her room neglecting the water dripping from her body ,she slipped. Struggling to get up,she wobbled slightly . She was very late to class, rushing out of the house with her uniform unbuttoned. ...... Eliza lazily stood up,checking the time on her phone, she started preparing to leave.She sat down waiting for her sister to return,scanning the house one last time ,she signed deeply, she would miss everyone. Glancing at the clock,she picked up her luggage and was about to leave when her sister came in. Katherine dropped her bag on the floor, she slumped on the chair. "We will be fine, I will take care of him so you don't have to worry" she said dryly. "Was that what you were meant to say?" Eliza asked. "What do you want to hear?" She replied. After a long pause, she croaked. "I will miss you okay" she choked "I just........" She cried silently burying her head in her hands. Eliza crouched in front of her, raising her chin . "I love you and I will so much miss you okay?" She assured her. Kate could only nod feeling her body numb from pain. "Goodbye Katherine"she said drying her eyes. Turning as fast as she could, she left. Feeling how quite the house is, she sobbed harder realizing she was alone. Thinking of their time together, she fell asleep. ..... Groaning at her awkward position,she turned feeling stiff . Turning her head slightly,it was eight o'clock on a Saturday morning. Yawning loudly,she stood up feeling sleepy. She couldn't believe she passed the night on the couch, Leaning against the window, she smiled weakly. Sinking quietly into the couch,feeling useless, she decided to make herself breakfast. Going through her phone for part time jobs,her eyes drifted to the ocean outside her house. Her father usually warned her about .she had always wanted to see the ocean . It won't be bad to try it now right She stood up heading to the ocean when her phone rang.... Alexander "Alex" Morgan called. He swam towards him with his long powerful tail that shone in the depth of the ocean. Alexander turned , he knew he was worried,he could feel something going on but he decided not to ask. Turning back ,he stared at the beach house. Morgan has been his friend since childhood,he knew him all his life. Frowning as Morgan stared at him saying nothing. He sat on the rock, his powerful tail curling around it . A tail, so beautiful,it reflected in the water making it glow. Morgan signed sitting next to him. Alexander , the heir to the throne and the only son of the Atlantis king Ariel. They broke the rule of coming to the shore to prevent been seen by the humans. They were known mythological to humans. As a result of that,the king set a barrier guarding his kingdom and preventing them from been seen. Morgan wondered why he couldn't leave his friend, he knew they would be in trouble if caught by the guards but he still followed him. Their lower body was a glimmering tail while their upper body was that of a human. Morgan scratched his hair not sure if he made the right decision. "Why do you like coming to the shore?" He asked. Alex said nothing,he continue staring laying on the rock. "I asked a question" he said with a raised brow. "Nothing" Alex replied after what feels like eternity. "Why do you ask?". "I love to feel the breeze and the morning sun" he said curtly, knowing Morgan won't let him be. "Liar" Morgan huffed "Calling your prince a liar?" Alex teased. "Quick, let's go back before we get caught" Morgan said. He swam as quick as he could. "Alex" he hollered when he realized his friend was not with him. "Coming" Alex replied staring one more time before swimming towards Morgan. They dive deep in the ocean. Merfolk could see the kingdom but it is invisible to the humans . On their arrival, they saw the king furiously swimming towards them. " Where were you boys coming from?" He yelled "You were not in the kingdom, the guards search everywhere for you" slamming his fist against the wall. He roared "I demand an answer" . "We were with Ava" Alex lied keeping a straight face. " Yes ......yes, we went for a walk " Morgan stammered, he cursed silently realizing what he just said . " I mean swim " he mumbled. The king swam with curiosity. "Walk?" He repeated. Face slapping himself mentally, he went rigid, his mouth opening and closing like that of a fish. His eyes widened with fear. "We don't walk, we swim. Did you guys break the rule? Did you go to the shore?" He asked. "No" Alex said " We were in the library with Ava practicing the human words" he explained. "okay," the king said, not fully convinced. "you have a royal tour to prepare for" he dismissed them. " Ouch!" Morgan cried feeling his nape sting "what was that for?" he asked rubbing the nape of his neck where Alex hit him. " for been dumb" Alex shrugged. ....... Ready for his royal tour,Alexander and Morgan went into town to visit many places. Many mermaids admired them for their handsomeness. "My prince" one of the mermaid said as she bowed gracefully. "I am..." she was interrupted by the high priestess,Ava. The white haired woman swam closer to the prince, circling him. Been watched by the mermaids, she crossed her arms raising her chin. "What are you waiting for ?" She demanded. Watching the mermaids scurrying away, Alex chuckled. "Still the same old lady " he said "It never get old" she laughed. "Follow me" she swam towards her home. The journey was quite. She took them to a cave. "What is this place?" Morgan asked swimming towards the cave but was drawn back by Ava. "Careful!" She exclaimed. "This is not a place you can swim into. It is the transformation pond, for humans to be turned to merfolk. It hasn't been used for ages" she explained. "I don't understand" Alex said. "Has the pond been used before?" He asked. "And how is there a pond in the ocean?" Morgan looked puzzled, trying to assimilate what he just heard. Patting his shoulder to gain his attention,she began to explain. "Like I said it is a transformation pond. It has been used by your great great father James." She paused making sure they were listening. "It is not exactly a pond. As you can see,the rocks surrounding it made it look different, it is a magical water,it can't be mixed with the ocean" she explained not sure about what she said either, it was a tale told to her when she was younger. "James fell in love with a human girl, we and humans were never meant to be but he did anyways. He fell in love with Alicia " she continued. "Impossible"Alex protested. "Alicia was a mermaid,she.. ". "Would you let me finish the story?" Ava said with a pierced look. "So she met him when she went for a boat ride and got knocked off the boat accidentally,she was saved by James . They fell in love with each other but her parents found out and tried to kill him." "She couldn't flee with him because she won't survive it. So, when he was about to be shot by humans, she got in the way and was shot instead of him". "He took her body deep in the ocean grieving in pain,he came across the pond. Enchanted by its beauty, he decided to lay her there, immediately,the pond burbled and transformed her into a mermaid." Dipping her hand in the pond, she continued. "Many merfolk tried it but no changes on them" . Alex looked in awe staring at the pond, the closer you look, the deeper it became.. His eyes widen in shock. "Impossible"he whispered. "What is the matter my prince?" Ava asked moving closer to him. "How is this possible?" He asked . Ava chuckled at his reaction. "It's a mystery my prince,I am afraid I can't give you the answer" "Come on, you have a tour to finish".she said swimming away. Katherine "Hello?"she answered. "Is this Miss Kate?" The caller asked . "Yes" "Mr John..." the caller paused. "Who are you to him?" He asked. Her father hasn't returned home yet,she was already worried waiting for him. She got a job at the Biggie cafe. She knew he would be mad at her but she needed to assist him. "His is my father" she said. "What about him!" She swallowed. "He was involved in an accident and had been taken to the hospital,I will send the address,you should come and identify his body" he ended the call. "No... It can't be, he can't be dead"she clutch her shirt tightly ,her hands shaking as she tried to process what just happened. She doesn't want to believe it but the caller called with her father's phone. She dashed out of the house. When she got to the hospital, she saw her Father lifeless body on the stretcher. Screaming,she covered her mouth,she move closer to the body. It was him, it was really him. Her shaky legs gave up falling on the ground, she cried. Her body was numb,her chest constricting in pain. Her only hope was gone, she was alone. She couldn't hold back the tears, she was empty inside as the background faded, she collapsed. ..... "Urggh" she groaned trying to sit up. Her body was in pain. She struggled to sit up rubbing her hooded eyes,she grunt. Flinching at her surrounding, she rubbed her blurry eyes continuously, she was in hospital. The nurse came in with tray in her hands followed by a doctor. "Good morning lady" he smiled. "How are you feeling?" He asked moving to examine her pulse. " Good morning" her voice raspy "I need water " she said, her throat dried like a sand paper,she coughed. "How long have I been here?where is my dad?" She panicked. "Calm down. I have to examine you first" he smiled. Kate signed looking pale,her blue eyes glimmering with tears. "Nurse Leena will get you something to wear and some food to eat as well" he signalled to the nurse,leaving to get the clothes. "You have been unconscious for three days and about your father, he was buried". "What!" She exclaimed regretting it as she felt her head pounding. "How could you do that without his family?"she yelled. " You were unconscious Miss, and the government provided space for those involved in the accident. We had to bury him. I am sorry for your loss" he sympathized with her. "I want to be alone" she requested. "Take your time Miss,you have been discharged, your bill has been settled" he walked out gently closing the door behind him. .... Kate freshened up, feeling strong enough to start her day. She tried not to remember her past,it hurt. She laid back on the bed covering her face with her arm. A knock interrupted her thought, she sat back leaning against the wall. "Hello beauty" Nurse Leena said. "Ready to visit your late Father?" She asked smiling. "Yeah" Kate wasn't ready to meet him yet,she stood up slowly trying to gain her balance,she wobbled towards the door. "Ouch" she fell, rubbing her sore butt,the nurse looked at her amused. Kate gave a sheepish grin rubbing the nape of her neck. Stepping into the cemetery,she touched the necklace her mother left for her, feeling safe with it. Seeing her father's name carved on the gravestone,she believed he was truly dead. She was alone, her sister was unreachable. Where would she go to. Alexander Alex peeped through the palace window scanning for guards. "Clear" he signalled . Swimming as fast as they could,they successfully left the palace without been seen. Taking deep breath, they both laughed. "Seriously,I can't believe we did this, you were really fast" Morgan said. They chatted happily. Suddenly, they saw a girl running towards their direction. "Quick , hide" Alex said looking back to see Morgan already gone. "Coward". He was about to go when he felt a pull, a pull so strong, he has never felt this way before. Curiously, he hid himself watching the human intensely.he studied the girl carefully moving closer to take a look. She is a Lady,his heart skipped a bit,he felt some strange emotion running through him. This wasn't his. He felt pain ,loneliness. His heart ached. Was she the girl living on the Beach? Was he attracted her?" She was crying why?. Seeing the small petite girl with beautiful curls going deeper into the water, she closed her eyes as she began to sink. Death, he could smell death, the girl. He have to stop her. "Stop" he hollered. Moving so fast, he drew her out of the ocean into his arms. She pushed him making her fall back into the water. She coughed trying to balance herself Watching her inhale the seawater, he held her again. "Foolish human" he murmured carrying an unconscious body out of the ocean . He placed her carefully on the rock, he studied her. Smiling at her innocent face He placed his hand under her chin,she slowly opened her eyes staring at him. He tilted his head staring at her. She screamed. "Geez,woman" he said covering his ear. "Who..... Who are you ?" She stammered. Her eyes filled with fear. Noticing some movements in the water,she shouted. "Don't move" she pointed at him shakily. "Shark,there is a shark in the water". He turned to see but he saw nothing. It took him seconds to realize what she was telling him. "Ohh, you mean this" he moved his tail. Yelling, she fell into the water swimming away from him. "This is a dream right? This can't be real" she panicked. "Calm down, I am not going to hurt you" he said. "Why are you in the water?" He questioned. "Can I touch it?"she asked pointing at this tail. She wanted to be sure even though that was a silly question,he knew she was in doubt but he needed to know why she was in the ocean. "You are avoiding my question" he said. He couldn't help but stare at her,he felt something towards her. A merman could only feel this when he meet his mate. Mate, he found himself saying. He moved closer to her inhaling her scent. Katherine "Mate" he said. Katherine stared at the guy, she was supposed to be scared of him but she wasn't. Merfolk, so they really exist. She moved closer touching his tail, he flinched. "Can I ?" She asked. Seeing him nod,she touched it. It was like a normal fish tail but stronger and thicker. Watching it glow as she rubbed it. She withdraw her hand quickly as it began to glow. "What is happening?"she panicked. "My hands are glowing, why?" . "This was never meant to happen.", He said. Suddenly, the ocean current changes, There in the water, a shadow was approaching them. As it grew closer, Kate realized it wasn't another one of him but a sea monster . "We have to get out of here",Katherine yelled swimming as fast as she could . She hid behind a rock shaking, her father was right,she shouldn't have come. "cetus" Alex said. He held her,swimming so fast that Kate couldn't see anything. Placing her on the beach sand,he turned to leave when she said. "What about you?"she asked concerned. She just knew him but she couldn't help but feel concerned. The monster was a very big whale like creature. she has never seen something like it. He was about to say something when he was dragged by the monster. Sinking his teeth deep into his tail, Alex screamed in pain. Clutching her chest,she felt it."how?". She needed to help him. Jumping into the water,she search for a weapon but found none but eventually settled for a small rock,she threw it at the monster distracting him. "That should do " she thought. Alex grunt, swimming towards her "what are you doing? I told you to stay on the beach" he shouted. "You were in pain so I decided to help,I can't leave you alone" she defended. The cetus roared heading towards them, Alex released balls of fire blasting the monster. Kate was amused. He has superpowers. The cetus mewled in pain rubbing its burned face,it bared his fangs not giving up. Alex held it by the tail,hitting it on a rock. The Cetus retreated disappearing into the ocean. "I don't think you are safe here" Alex wheezed. Blood oozing from his injury. He laid weak on a rock "you have to leave here" he continued placing his hands on his bruised stomach. "I can't,I have no where to go" she said helping him lay better. "And where do you want her to go?" A voice said "Show yourself" Kate said trying to control her fear. Ava approached them. Smiling as she saw Kate trying to protect Alex. Earning an eye roll from Alex,he knew she loves making an entrance "I see you found yourself mate, human mate" she said. Alex groaned trying to keep himself conscious,he was losing lots of blood. Too tired to reply her. He shut his eyes,his chest heaving with so much difficulty. Moving closer to him,Ava placed her hands on his tail, glowing light coming from it, her eyes turned white as she began chanting words. Removing her hands, she saw the wounds was nearly healed. Kate was shocked, looking at the woman in front of her,she couldn't help but admire her. "I am the sea witch, healing and seeing the future is my power"she smiled. "She is not safe here Alex,they are going to find her"she said. "Who are the people? And what do they want from me?" She asked. "I don't know but..."Ava pursed looking at her neck. "Where did you get this?" She asked. "It was my mother's" she said confused. "This is the Neryana tribe symbol" she said. "your mother was from the Neryana tribe" she explained. "They are the ones controlling the portal as they can teleport merfolk to other kingdoms". "They have the power to freeze time but that can be done by the oldest Neryana" "We have something interesting here which is you" she pointed to Kate. "Why me?" Kate asked still trying to process what she just heard. "I don't know,but I know it is the reason your mother kept you away from the water"Ava said. "You are coming with us". They both stare at her waiting for a reply. Kate smile wryly, she had to if she wanted to survive. " How?" Alex spoke. "I know how" Ava smiled. Casting a spell on her creating an air bubble around her. Alex carried her gently diving deep into the ocean. Dodging the guards, she was taken to the transformation pond. "Wow! This place is beautiful" Kate said. Looking around she touched the entrance to the cave feeling how smooth the rocks are "What is this place?" She asked peeping into the cave. "This is the place you get transformed into mermaid. So you have to go inside it all by yourself" she explained. Kate curiously move towards the pond. Is she making the right decision trusting them. She hesitated, after pondering on her decision,she slowly stepped into the pond. Turning around to their direction, she exhaled deeply waiting for what is to come but nothing came "Nothing is happening, how deep should I go before......." She was unable to finish her words as she felt sharp pain on her legs. Her legs began itching, she screamed in pain as she could feel her legs merging together,scales began to grow on her skin. The water swallowed her as she screamed. She felt it, her head was on fire. When she couldn't scream anymore, she squeezed her eyes,gritting her teeth wishing for the pain to go away. Finally,she submerged. Ava She has never seen something like this in her entire life. The pond has been used by human as an experiment but it was kept a secret but this transformation...... Seeing the girl float on the water,her once black hair is now amber colour, her tail is that of a goldfish,but the most shocking transformation was her eyes. It was translucent She couldn't believe it. She has seen this transformation in her visions. The girl has finally returned but for what?, She wasn't shown. She helped the girl balance herself looking into her eyes,she found her own reflection on a battle ground covered in blood. Startled, she stumbled. This can't be. War,there will be war. She has to prepare for it. When? She must alert the king but she wasn't sure how. "Are you okay Ava?" Alex asked. She shook her head regaining her posture. " Yes, it's just that it wasn't meant to be like this" she replied They both stared at the girl. Ava kept wondering whether the prophecy has began. Katherine 'What's that memory?'. She steady herself trying to swim towards them. Alex helped her holding her tightly as she learned to use her tail. " Wow!" Alex said breathlessly, "you look different" he scratched the back of his neck suddenly feeling nervous. "Thank you"she said playing with her hair strand when she realized this was not the colour of her hair. "What happened to me?" She asked "My hair" she exclaimed with a bewildered look on her face. "Look at your reflection" Ava jutted her chin. "Turn " Ava commanded. She turned around,her eyes widened. "This is....." She touched her face. "unbelievable". She touched her tail turning it slightly. Twirling around,she laughed. "I look different Alex" she smiled. "Yes,yes you do". He grin at her childish behavior. She touched her necklace, it beamed on her neck. The necklace glowed. "Your mother is alive",said Ava. She moved to touched it but was scorched by it. "I know the reason you were here" Ava said. "Find your mother, she will be able to explain better" she continued. "How?" Kate asked. "I don't know her,so how will I find her?" She whispered suddenly feeling sad. "You can, the necklace will glow when you see her and ...." Ava signed. " This is your fate,this was what you were born for" she explained. Alexander Beautiful! His mate looked beautiful with her transformation. He watched as she looked confused. It was kinda cute. Now they have a mission,her mother. The woman who started all these. He needed to tell Morgan about this. He could be a great help. Leading her to the kingdom, he watched as people stare at them shockingly probably because he was with a woman. His woman, thinking about them ending up together made him smile. Holding her hands, he led her to the secret passage not yet sure whether he should introduce her yet on not,he knew he had to give explanations but he wasn't ready. Leading her to his chamber,he called his most trusted guard to get him Morgan. He knew Morgan would be mad at him but he needed to do what was right. Morgan rushed into his room breathing heavily. "What in the name of Neptune did you do" he asked crossing his hands on his bare chest. "Nice to meet you too " Alex rolled his eyes. Explaining all that happened to him. With his mouth agape,and his hands clenched,Morgan, incapable of speech made an effort to nod his head but his head was stiffed. He was trying to process it. He turned to look at the lady smiling sheepishly beside him. Alex smiled,Morgan can be slow witted sometimes. "We should start preparing to leave" Alex said moving to pack things needed for the journey. "Where are we going to find her?"puzzled, she asked. "I don't know, but we can check the Neryana" he replied. "The Neryana? I have always wanted to go there "Morgan said happily but his mood changed when he realized the king. "Oh my God! The king,what are we going to say?" He asked chewing his lower lips. "Relax,we are going on a trip" Alex said. "Okay,that should do" Morgan signed. Katherine This is strange, she felt so safe here with him. She looked into his eyes holding his hand. They were leaving for Neryana,but a portal was needed. Waiting for the portal guardian, she realized they had no plan. She looked up signing. Her life has been a drama before she realized who she was and now also a drama after realizing who she was. What would be the outcome of the journey. Lost in her own thoughts, a vision appeared. She saw herself smiling with blood dripping from a Trident she was holding,looking down at tons of dead merfolk, her own people. She screamed covering her mouth,that can't be her. She can't be evil, she needed the truth so she could understand her visions better. "Are you alright"Alex asked looking worried. "I am fine,I just need a break" she said moving away from him. She swam towards a rock. Sitting on it, she signed. What on earth was that. Rubbing her face, she looked at Alex smiling happily with Morgan. Will she betray them. Feeling been watched, she turned,she saw something staring at her in the darkness. She stared back feeling uneasy,it was trying to communicate with her. She tried moving closer to it. "Kate" Alex called. "Coming"she replied turning to see darkness,the shadow was gone. She swam back to them. Seeing Ava with a long haired merman. "This is the guardian" Alex whispered to which she nod her head. They entered the portal,she held on to Alex feeling nauseated as they disappeared. Their vision became clear,looking at the place,everything was different and empty. ....... "Is this Neryana?" Morgan asked. "No, a way to Neryana"the guardian said. "Good luck "he said varnishing . "What next?" Morgan asked. " Can't believe you have no plan " he complained. "And you know what to do?" Alex asked. Katherine smiled watching them argue. "Okay guys, let's go this way"she pointed. "I have a map" Alex said waving it to them. Checking the map, they found the direction they were heading to. Kate knew the journey won't be an easy one but she has to find her mother. Alex leading the way with map in his hands.