Merlicious 3

by Cara Preston, Cheryl Bonner, Laura Kitchell

  Naked, he slipped into the pond.

  * * * *

  Sarah came around the corner just in time to see Mika slip into the small saltwater pond. As she stalked toward the pond, she smacked her forehead in frustration. Was he completely mad or just partially? “Mika!” she bit out.

  No answer. She didn't want to scream his name and attract any unwanted attention, but she had to get him out of the pond as quickly as possible. “Mika!"

  He popped his head up over the edge of the pond. His eyes rounded at the sight of her. “What are you doing here?"

  "Trying to stop you.” She came to the edge where he rested. “If anyone saw you..."

  "We'd both have a lot to explain. Please, go into the alcove so no one will see you.” He dipped back down below the lip and disappeared from sight.

  "What are you doing?” she said. “You have to come out now."

  "I can't. I need about ten minutes, and I'll be fine."

  A splash flew up in the air and rained down on the walk close to Sarah, making her jump back into the alcove. “We don't have a few minutes."

  A couple passed nearby, making her duck deeper into the alcove and remain silent. The moment they were out of earshot, she started right back up. “You have to come out now."

  "Sarah.” His voice was deep and seductive. “There is something you should know."

  She couldn't see him below the lip of the pond. “We don't have time for this."

  "Then we need to make time.” He came up to the alcove where she could see him.

  There was something wrong about the way he floated in the water. She couldn't see his legs, but the pond couldn't be more than two or three feet deep. He should be sitting on the bottom. Naked. “Where are your legs?"

  "I need you to listen to me.” He floated closer. “There's something about me you need to know.” He sounded so serious.

  "Fine. We'll talk, but once you're out of the water and fully clothed."

  "Hey, Sarah.” She jerked her head in the direction of the voice. It was the dippy blonde from their table. “Hi, Phoebe."

  "Where's your handsome man?” She looked about.

  "He'll be along in a minute.” Sarah wondered why Phoebe didn't notice Mika in the pond.

  Phoebe looked disappointed. “Okay. Um, the dancing has started. And I've been sent out to collect you."

  "I'll be right there.” Sarah knew Mr. Milici had sent Phoebe. The veiled threat had been hard to miss. She was expected to be inside and socializing. “Mika, please come out of there."

  "I can't."

  "You have to,” she begged.

  "Sarah, look at me."

  "What?” She pushed her hair out of her face and stared down at the biggest fin she had ever seen. Blood rushed from her face when she realized it was attached to Mika. “What the hell?"

  She stumbled backward, trying to get away from the nightmare she saw in front of her. He can't be half fish. What is he? A mermaid? This was too much to comprehend. Sarah staggered back into the ballroom and hoped she could function long enough to make her boss happy.

  People spoke to her, but she didn't know what they said, her mind was still wrapped around what she saw. It had to be the trick of the light because mermaids didn't exist. They were myth, legend, figments of the imagination.

  Yet, she had seen it, or him. Her mind tried to dismiss it. Until Mika walked back into the ballroom and straight to her.

  "I can't talk to you.” She tried to sidestep him.

  "Sarah.” He touched her arm gently, like he didn't want to frighten her.

  "Nope. Not now.” She was able to scoot around him and headed straight to Mr. Milici. Why she expected her boss to protect her was beyond her, but she followed her instincts.

  Mika was right behind her. She could feel him. Sarah was so focused on avoiding Mika she didn't see the president of the company in front of her.

  Bam!

  "Oh no.” She hit him so hard she was sure she heard the clonking of their heads. Her chest hurt from crushing the glass the president had been holding. Now they both wore a deep red burgundy all over the front of their outfits. Sarah fared better since she wore black. The president didn't. His white shirt now showed pink.

  "I'm so sorry!” Sarah backed up and tripped over Mika's feet. “I'm sorry."

  "It's okay, things like this happen."

  Sarah nodded, but she couldn't forgive herself. She had been doing so well. She hadn't stuck a sleeve in her meal. Dropped a drink or silverware. Tripped over anything. Until now.

  Mr. Milici headed toward them. She knew what was going to happen next. She got to her feet as quickly as she could. If her boss was going to fire her here in front of everyone, she was going to be face to face with him.

  "Sir, I'm so sorry."

  He turned to Sarah. “You, young lady, knew what the consequences were if something like this happened."

  Words failed her, so she nodded for the second time. She brushed by Mika and headed to the doors. Nothing mattered anymore.

  * * * *

  Sarah raced away from him, blindly heading out the main doors. He dashed after her, hoping to calm her down enough to explain things better. She had paused to get her car, but when she turned and found him following her, she took off running again. His quickness stopped her.

  "I need some time to myself. To think.” Fear etched her eyes. He knew she couldn't wrap her mind around his true nature. As much as his father tried to warn him about how humans reacted to their reality, it hurt to see her afraid of him.

  Mika spotted the car flying up the road just seconds before it hit Sarah. She flew in the air and landed with an awful thud. He was at her side in seconds.

  The driver bolted out his car. “Oh God, is she okay?” The driver whipped out a small phone and placed a call. He talked into it for a moment and then snapped it shut. “The police and an ambulance are on the way."

  People poured out of the hotel to gawk at the accident. A loud scream filled the air as cars with flashing lights came closer. They screeched to a halt, and more people surrounded him. Someone pulled him to his feet and moved him out of the way while they worked on her.

  Focusing, he listened to the conversations. The men who came out of the cars with the flashing lights wanted to know what had happened while they spoke to the driver. The woman who came out of the big box on wheels shouted orders to the man who rode with her, asking for different items inside the box.

  They became more frantic in their work. Mika watched as they strapped Sarah down in a small portable bed. He saw people pointing at him. The woman came to his side.

  "She's your date? What's her name?"

  "Sarah. What is wrong?” He could see worry in her eyes.

  "We're going to get her to the hospital. The doctors there are excellent. They'll do everything they can for her."

  "But you don't think she's going to make it."

  She patted him on the arm. “Can someone take you to the hospital?"

  He needed to talk to his dad. “I'll find a way there."

  Mika watched as the vehicles pulled away. He ran to the ocean edge only a block from the hotel. He dove into the shore breakers, feeling the change overtake him. The clothing he wore tore off his body as his tail formed.

  He streaked through the water, pushing faster and faster. He ploughed into his father. “I need your help."

  "What's wrong?” He gripped Mika's shoulders and held him at arm's length.

  "Sarah. A car hit her. The humans don't think she's going to live."

  "And what do you want me to do, son?"

  "I don't know.” Mika's shoulders slumped. “Make her one of us?"

  "I can't do that without her permission."

  "I can't live without her.” He straightened his shoulders. “I won't live without her. If you won't help me, I know who will."

  "You'll not go to the sea witch."

  "Then you'll help me?” Mika couldn't keep the hope out of his voice.

 
"Yes."

  * * * *

  The brightly lit hospital smelled of death and hope. Mika didn't know what to think of the building.

  "This is where humans take their sick. This is also where their children are born.” His father led the way into the hospital.

  No wonder the building had such conflicting odors. They stepped up to a sweet gray-haired woman sitting behind a glassed-in desk.

  "We're looking for Sarah?” Mika's father turned to look at him. “Her last name, son? We need her last name."

  "Oh, McIntire. Sarah McIntire. She was in a car accident."

  The woman punched keys on a board in front of her. “She's in intensive care. Are you related?"

  "Not yet,” responded Mika's father.

  "Oh, engaged? How sweet. I think they'll let you in, sir, but not your father. Go to the elevators, and go up to the third floor. Then follow the red stripe on the floor. It will take you to the unit. Once you're there you'll find the nursing station."

  "What have the doctors said?"

  "You'll have to ask them, sir. They don't give me any information."

  They did as the woman said. Mika picked up speed as they walked along.

  His father grabbed his arm. “What's wrong?"

  "I can feel her. She's weak and in pain."

  "Then we need to hurry."

  * * * *

  After he and his father made sure no one was working on her, they hid themselves from view and walked into her room. Mika sat on the edge of the bed, holding Sarah's hand. “She doesn't look good."

  "What caused this?” His father frowned at him.

  "She saw me and my tail.” Mika dropped his gaze with his words.

  "Mika."

  "I know, I know, no one is supposed to see us change. Just help her, Dad."

  "I need to talk to her alone."

  Mika nodded and stepped out of the room.

  * * * *

  She felt someone rubbing the inside of her wrist. “How are you feeling, Sarah?"

  She opened one eye and found a kind looking man sitting on her bed. Her throat hurt too much to speak, but she was able to squeeze his hand.

  "My name is Dion. I'm Mika's father. I need to ask you a few questions. Can you speak?"

  "It hurts,” she squeaked.

  "I can fix that.” He placed a small shell on her throat. “Better?"

  "Much.” Sarah touched her throat. “How did you do that?"

  "A little bit of magic.” He smiled.

  "Mermaid magic?” She frowned.

  "So he's told you about us, huh? He wasn't supposed to."

  "It wasn't his fault.” Sarah touched his arm. “I sort of caught him in the act."

  "How do you feel about that?” He brushed hair out of her eyes.

  "I have no idea.” She broke eye contact with him. “I barely know Mika."

  "Then why did you let him into your life."

  "I needed a date.” Sarah picked at the sheet covering her. “Okay, so maybe there was another reason. But he's hit me blindside."

  "True. Mika is well known for that.” He smiled.

  "Really?” She looked at Dion. “I hadn't noticed."

  "Now you're just being sarcastic.” Dion sat quietly for a few moments. “If you only wanted a date, why were you intimate with my son?"

  "What makes you say that?” Sarah blushed.

  "You glow. There's this thing that happens when a human mates with mer-folks. Think of it as a residue. One only other mermaids can see."

  "Mermaids. Is that what you call yourselves?"

  "No.” Dion laughed. “But it's the name most humans know us by. I thought it would be easier. You're very good at avoiding a conversation you don't want to have, aren't you?"

  She nodded. “Can't help it. This hasn't been one of my better days."

  "That's one of the reasons I wanted to talk to you. I can offer you a new choice."

  "I don't know.” She sighed and slumped her shoulders.

  "Will you hear me out?"

  "I guess."

  "Your human body has been heavily damaged. I think beyond your medicine, but not beyond ours. I can heal you.” He tightened his hold a little. “If I do, you can't come back on land."

  "Why not?” She didn't like the way this conversation was going.

  "What have they told you so far?"

  "Nothing. I guess I haven't woken up until now."

  "You are in a coma. One they are afraid you won't come out of. These humans are saying you have brain damage. Something they can't fix."

  "They think I'm going to be a vegetable the rest of my life?"

  He nodded. As if on cue, two medical staff members came in to check on her. They didn't notice the man at her side nor did they see her alert. “This is such a sad story, doctor. I understand her fiancé is outside."

  Sarah watched a woman write down her vitals then leave the room. The doctor stood there a little longer before he too left the room.

  "Why didn't they see you?"

  "I can use glamour to blind people to my appearance. Most of us can. One of the reasons why mermaids have never been noticed. We can also pick up thoughts. It's not quite the same as reading the mind, but it helps us fit in with your world quickly. We can also grant wishes."

  "You mean I can ask to have the last few hours back, and you could give them to me?” Her voice was hopeful.

  "Yes. If that is what you want.” Dion stroked her hand. “Or I can make you a mermaid."

  "I can't breathe underwater.” Is he crazy? I can't become a mermaid.

  "You can, with my help. Many humans have joined us under the water and started new lives."

  "But I can't come home again.” She looked away at the row of equipment they had next to her bed. Sarah didn't know what to do. There was nothing to hold her in her present life, but she wasn't sure she could give it up. “Am I wired to all of this?"

  He nodded. “I don't have much time."

  "I don't know what to do.” She covered her eyes with her hands. “I'm by far the kluziest thing on the planet. If there is a hole in the ground, I will find it and most likely fall in it or trip over it. My boss makes me so nervous, it's worse at work. When Mika came into my life, he was the one who was stumbling around."

  "Not being used to land can do that to you."

  She laughed and moved her hands from her face. “I bet. Would water do that to me?"

  "Actually you'd have a lot more grace. There's something about water that makes everyone in the realm more fluid, no pun intended."

  "That's a good selling point.” She sat up a little with help from Dion. “Mika's very sweet. Everything was so new to him I was able to see my world in a whole new way. It took all the grime away for a while. But after the way this evening went it all came crashing down around me. I have a job I hate, work for a man who sure doesn't like me and live in a world that has so much sadness I get overwhelmed at times."

  "Then I have some work to do. We must make it look like you died, Sarah. It will explain your disappearance."

  * * * *

  Sarah stood at the edge of the water holding Mika's hand. Fear, strong and quick, raced through her. “I'm not sure about this."

  "I've been told it doesn't hurt much.” Mika squeezed her hand.

  "Oh, great. Sounds like a root canal.” She took a deep breath. “Okay. Let's get this over with before I change my mind."

  Mika smiled and slipped a shell necklace around her neck. “You need to get in the water now."

  She picked up the necklace hanging around her neck. “What is this, a joke?"

  "No.” Mika looked at the tide. “Oh good, since you won't step into the water, there's a wave coming in to help us out."

  "What are you—oof.” Sarah felt her feet come out from under her. When she looked down her legs looked funny, like they were glued together.

  "That joke is starting to work. Go out in the water a little farther."

  Sarah walked out a little deeper and felt
a weird tingling sensation. “What's happening?"

  Mika looked around before stripping off his clothes. He walked to the edge of the surf and sat down. As the waves came in, he moved out to her side. His blue fin appeared the moment water covered it. “Your change the first few times will take longer."

  "So I can go back on land?” She watched her legs shimmer, allowing scales to show.

  "From time to time."

  "Cool."

  "You ready to see your new world?"

  Sarah switched her large blue fin in the water and smiled. “I can't wait."

  The End

  * * *

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