Love & Fear | Book Two

Six

The loud crash of the rising waves filled the darkness as I tried to figure out what happened. I couldn’t tell if I was laying down but all I knew was that the ocean was nearby. What was I doing? Where was I? Why can’t I see anything? A million questions filled my mid as I forced my eyelids open, immediately regretting it when a searing light shown through them. Shutting them quickly, I tried to make sense of my surroundings as my senses came back.

“Loretta, wake up!” Someone exclaimed, panic filling their tone, “Please wake up.”

I moved my arm, feeling for anything familiar, my hand clumped a handful of a gritty substance, what I could only guess was sand. That would explain the sounds of the ocean. Opening my eyes one more time, they began to adjust as I looked for the owner who was pleading for me to wake up. And I found him: Michael was crouched next to me, his green eyes filled with worry.

“Hi Michael,” I laughed, “I had the most insane dream.”

“It wasn’t a dream.” He stated, helping me up off of the ground.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m sorry I made you faint after I told you what I was. I should have thought it out more but, I thought it would be best if I got it out of the way before you found out later.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose, “You’re telling me that that wasn’t a dream? You’re really a mythological creature and my ‘soulmate’?”

“Yes.”

“That’s insane. No, this is insane. I can’t do this. I can’t believe this.” Shaking my head, I began to back away from him, not taking my eyes off him for a second. Everything in me wanted to go over there and embrace him but why? I barely know him! What was happening to me? “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“Lottie, wait!” Michael called but I was already running past the sand dunes and into town.

*

My heart ached as I ran away from him, as if I hated to not be near him. What was going on with me? My emotions were everywhere. They were intense and wild and all I wanted to do was trust Michael and be there for him. I wanted to know him, I wanted to know about his world, where he came from. Who he was. I wanted to be near him. I wanted to feel his soft lips on mine as his arms wrap themselves around my waist.

Good God! Cut it out Loretta! You don’t know him. He's insane. He isn't a mythical merman. You can’t fall in love with someone you only know for two days and you definitely can’t kiss him again!

But I wanted to. It was an insane desire. I wanted to run back, towards the water that terrified me and jump into the arms of a man I barely knew. But what harm would it be if I got to know him?

I stopped, midstep as I made my way passed The Breakfast Club, which was a popular breakfast restaurant when my mother and father were my age but now was no longer in business. Taking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes and tried to think of any rational explanation as to why I was feeling what I was feeling. He was telling the truth, but it was too bazaar to believe.

And what if I was his soulmate or whatever? What does that mean? Is that why I have this insane desire to be near him? If we were to get married and have children would they be like him? If I wanted to make this relationship work, we were going to have to work on our trust and communication.

Turning around, I found my feet making their way back the way they came. Towards the sea and towards Michael who was no longer in his merman form but standing facing the sea. And I could feel his emotions: worry and guilt. As I walked towards him, I said nothing as I forced myself to watch the waves rise and fall.

Standing next to him, I swallowed the lump in my throat, resisting the urge to hold his hand, “I want to make this work.”

“Really?” He asked, his tone completely filled with joy and disbelief.

“Yes, but I think we need to work on our relationship and getting to know each other before taking the next steps in a relationship.”

“Okay, I'd like that.” He paused, “I’m sorry about the kiss, my instincts just took over and-“ He stopped as I turned to look at him, his eyes back to their whimsical green color.

“It's okay. We'll take it one day at a time. But for now, can we start my lessons on how to get over my fear of the water?”

“You’re standing near the water.” He pointed out.

I was about to respond before I realized that we was right. I've been able to look at the water without having as huge panic attack and stand near it without much fuss at all. Maybe I was healing.

I smiled, “You’re right I am. Maybe I should have brought a swimsuit then.”

“You didn’t bring a swimsuit?” He asked.

“No, I didn’t think I would be swimming.”

“Do you think you will be now?” He inquired, his eyes never leaving my own.

I thought it over for a second, trying to figure out if I actually wanted to wear a swimsuit

If I would be swimming. Maybe not by myself but with Michael, maybe. I kind of wanted to see him in his merman form underwater but knew that wasn’t a good idea because the last time I went swimming was nearly seven years ago. And I'm a terrible swimmer.

“Sure,” I finally said, “If you teach me to swim and about your world.” 

He grinned, “Deal!”

And with that, he held my hand in his and we made our way towards the first seaside shop we saw.