Our Fated Tail

Anilena

The clothes I wore were comfortable. My legs felt nice in the ripped skinny jeans and it felt good to wear and actual shirt. The boat had all of the necessary clothing I needed and in the right size. I was surprised. After towel drying my hair so it looked like a wind swept mess, I went to leave the boat. But as I approached the door, I saw Eren through the window. He was smiling and gazing out at the water we had just come out of. I knew he only wanted to help. My reactions were very theatrical and uncalled for. But you should try facing two different people's feeling at once. I was okay with going back. I understood why I shouldn't but I knew that Vene was right when she said that I wasn't ready for it yet. 

'Told you', she sneered in my head. 

I rolled my eyes and ignored her. With a deep breath, I stepped out of the boat. Eren's head snapped to me when he heard the door opening and gave me a brief glance. The cautious look on his face made me smile. He didn't want to upset me. I was so happy that I was on land again. I missed walking on land. Looking around, there were several boats in the water and the place was pretty secluded. I saw the warehouses and froze. I knew those symbols spray painted on the sides. I knew this area and I knew we had to leave before someone saw us. Well...me.  

Without a word, I grabbed Eren's arm and began walking quickly. The only way out of the area was to go past the warehouses and I knew there were people stationed by the windows and entries. Eren was trying to get out of my grip and finally just grabbed my arm and stopped me.  

"What is your problem, Anilena?" He growled. 

I slapped a hand over his mouth. "Do you want to get shot, you moron? Keep quiet!" 

He ripped off my hand. "What are you talking about?" 

"Remember the mafia my fiance was in? This is their territory. If I get caught, I'm pretty much dead! Like I was supposed to be!" 

Grabbing his arm again, we walked towards the gate. As we passed the biggest warehouse, I switched sides with Eren to try and hide. Eren stiffened but kept walking. When we got to the gates in front of the warehouse and the exit of the area, I looked back. I saw Him in the top floor window. Just staring at me with a glowering hatred. My heart stopped and I squeezed Eren's arm tightly. My legs gave out from under me. Eren immediately kneeled next to me and smoothed my hair away. I was shaking so hard and tears rolled down my cheeks. I was still looking at Him as Eren hugged me close and I felt safer. I buried my head into his shoulder, still looking at the man in the window. I blinked and He was gone. 

Getting up, I leaned against Eren as he helped me walk down the sidewalk. Once I calmed down, I directed him to my parents' house and we walked in silence. There was no way that was him. He was gone. I killed him. Granted, no one knew. When my mom asked about it, I told her he left me. There were no police reports or anything so I assumed that his goons had taken care of it. But what would happen now? My eyes were probably messed up from the salt water. He was always in that window during the day. It was his "office" of sorts. I was probably just having memories. Hallucination from all of the salt water. Who was I kidding? I'm a mermaid now. Now I don't get the side effects from salt water consumption.  

Eren shook me gently. "Anilena, we're here." 

I looked at him and then towards the house. The white siding was trimmed with a creamy yellow and there was a small patch of roses by the front porch. The windows were dark except for my room. The light was shining and the baby blue curtains were pulled together, blocking the view of my room. Eren led me up the walkway slowly and I smiled as I knocked on the door. When it opened, my brother was looking like he saw a ghost. I bit back a snigger as he gaped and his mouth flopped open, then shut. Like a fish.  

"Hey Andrew," I whispered. 

"MOM! DAD!" 

My parents both ran to the door, looking for that danger. Then they saw me sagging against Eren and smiling like a freak. My mother was a very petite woman with her thin waist and elven shaped face. While I had my long dark hair, she had pixie cut blonde hair with her brown eyes. Standing next to my beast of a father, it was hilarious. My father used to be in the marines until I was born. He never grew out of the style though. His dark hair was buzzed and we had the same green eyes. I looked just like him. Andrew... Andrew was a mixture. He had the dark hair that was slightly shaggy now and brown eyes. He was toned and fit from his years of being on the football and track teams. He was still in his senior year of high school. Only eighteen. 

"Hey guys," I said cheerfully. 

Mom reached for my face crying, "Oh my poor baby! Where have you been?" 

Andrew glared at Eren and went back inside. Dad gave Eren a grateful smile before taking me from him, scooping me up into his arms. While I was being carried into the living room, Mom was asking Eren all kinds of questions. I saw Andrew sitting on the couch, tossing a football into the air before catching it as it came down. Dad sat me next to him and I layed my head on his shoulder, giving him pouty eyes. 

"Ugh," he sighed. "What do you want Ray?" 

"Where's my hug? I have been missing for almost a whole week and all you can do is glare at my friend? What's wrong Andy?" 

Those brown eyes softened slightly as he looked down at me. "Who is he?" 

"A friend. He saved my life." 

"What do you mean he..." 

My mother sat Eren on my other side before plopping onto my father's lap, crossing her legs and leaning on his chest. The living room was small. With it's lavender walls and black trim, the room felt safe to me. I cringed at the funny pictures hung all over the walls. We didn't believe in putting the good pictures on the walls apparently. The couches and chairs were sleek black and there were cashmere blankets on the couch. My father was glancing between me and Eren in curiousity. 

"Family, this is Eren. Eren, this is my family. Mr. and Mrs. Connors, and my brother Andrew," I said smiling. Dad shook his hand and my mother gave it a squeeze. Andrew just nodded his head and wrapped an arm around my shoulder possessively. I scowled at him. After our little talk, he's still going to be a jerk? 

"So how did you guys meet?" Mom asked. 

Eren's eyes widened and I placed a hand on his knee. "I was in a bind and he found me before anything bad happened. He offered me a place to live so now I work for his father in his business. After I , erm, left... I didn't feel that coming home was a good idea. So Eren has been helping me with learning about the family business." 

Dad's eyebrows raised. "Business? What kind of business?" 

I bit back the frustrated sigh. "Marketing and Management. Daddy, it's a small business in a small area. I'm doing good. That's all that should matter." 

"No," he said sharply. "You disappear for almost a week and no one knows where you are. Now you show up on the doorstep, leaning on some man we don't know! This is not who you are, Anilena-Ray Connors!" 

I sat up straight, Eren's hand on my knee was the only thing keeping me from standing up and walking out that front door. He had no right, my father. He was always on business trips across the country or out with friends when I was a child. Yes, he was a loving and caring man. He was there when I needed him the most. But he didn't know who I was. Not after he came into my life. He ruined me. My friends and my mother could see it. They talked to me about it all the time. But my dad, he was too blinded by the image of who I used to be to notice. My fists were clenched and Andrew put a hand on my shoulder. Mom stood from my father's lap and walked out of the room. She always did this when my father got in a fight with me or Andrew. I watched as my little brother got up and followed her. I gave Eren a tentative smile and nodded for him to go with them. He shook his head and mouthed, "Venenifer." Oh. 

'Please. I wouldn't come out when you're daddy is yelling at you. It's not like he hits you or anything,' I heard Vene hiss. 

'Oh. Now you come back in my head,' I thought. 'How lovely.' 

'Shut up. We shouldn't even be here. You're going to get someone hurt.' 

I shoved Vene's voice from my head and looked back at my father. During my whole argument I had been staring at Eren. Wonderful. "Daddy, I'm twenty three. I have changed a lot. Especially since the breakup..." 

He frowned and scratched the back of his head. "I know baby girl. I just... I worry for you. I don't want you to do something you'll regret." 

I opened my mouth to speak but the doorbell rang. Mom shouted that she was busy making dinner and Andrew said he was helping her. Sighing, I hoisted myself off the couch with Eren in tow and headed to the door. I stumbled on my feet slightly and Eren held me up by my waist. It felt nice being in his arms. Shaking those thoughts from my head, I opened the front door. Only to wish I hadn't even came onto land. It was Him. He gave me a heartbreaker smile and stepped forward. Eren noticed how I tensed up and pulled me tighter against his side. My eyes widened and I let out a loud gasp. 

"You... you can't be here. I... the knife... you were dead," I said in a hushed voice. Dad came up to the door, glaring at the man. "Daddy!" I squeaked. 

My father was a very reasonable man. Usually, if he disagreed with something, he would sit you down and discuss it. But as he looked at the person in front of us, all of his mannerisms flew out the open door. This man tested his patience. Ever since we had started out. With his unruly black hair and dark brown eyes that were slightly bloodshot. I glanced at the tattoos splattered across his collar and arms. I could see my name printed over his heart through his white t-shirt. His light wash denim jeans hung from his hips and his feet were covered by tan work boots. This man was the devil in disguise. His name was Kasey Gideon Branson. 

"Son, you better have a good excuse for being here." 

"Daddy," I warned. "Go help in the kitchen. We'll be there in a few minutes. We'll be right on the porch." 

We watched him leave and Eren grabbed my hand as i shut the door behind us. Kasey looked at our hands and glared. "So this is what you have been up to? Moved on so quickly?" 

"No, Kasey. First of all, you should be dead!" I hissed. "I left you there with a knife in your chest." 

He glared. "Yes, Lee. I remember. That wasn't very nice of you." 

"It was an accident." 

"Where have you been?" 

"None of your concern. You shouldn't even be here. Leave Kasey. Before I do something I might regret." 

I flinched away as he touched my cheek. I saw the way his eyes glimmered with curiosity and wonder. "How did you manage to escape those chains at the bottom of the ocean, Lee? I told the men to make sure they were unbreakable." 

I pushed on his chest, creating a good distance between us before I answered. "You should've known better than that Kasey. I was trained for anything. Remember?" He glared at me and I felt my knees shake under his terrifying gaze. "Eren, help me inside?"