Splash

The day started routinely for the young mermaid. Lorelei swam towards the surface as she had done so many times before. She just loved the sound of the chirping creatures in the sky, or the big “iron whales” who carried humans around. She also loved the sound of the waves crashing. One of such waves, however, caught her off guard and launched her towards the coast behind a large boulder. This wouldn’t be a problem since she can crawl back, however…

“Hey, are you alright?”

Lorelei looked behind the boulder. She looked eye to eye to the most handsome human male she ever met.

Granted, this was the only human she met, but still…

“Ehh, yeah. Thanks, I’m fine. Those waves surprised me, is all.”

“Good to hear, good to hear…” he looked around awkwardly. “Love your hair, by the way. Nice shade of pink.”

“Thanks, it’s from my mother’s side of the family.” She brushed her long pink hair with her hands.

The guy looked confused, but chuckled. “You’re funny. Are you from around here?”

“No, no, it’s my first time here. But I would love to go back here.” She smiled at the guy.

The two continued to talk for hours about everything and nothing. The sea, hobbies, ambitions. They joked and laughed (though Lorelei wasn’t joking as much as she was accidentally stating a fact about mermaids).

“Well, it was great, but I have to go. But I’ll see you later, right?”

“Yes, of course.” Shouted Lorelei a bit too loudly.

The guy waved her goodbye, and walked away. Lorelei crawled towards to ocean, laughing giddily like a little schoolgirl.

“That human was amazing! He’s kind, funny, attractive. I want him to be my prince!” She leaped straight into the water…

And landed with her head right on a rock.

When she came to, she noticed that she lied in a bed in the hospital wing of the underwater palace.

“Ahh, you’re awake.” Spoke the mermaid doctor.

“Wha- what happened?”

“Apparently, you hit your head on a rock. Your father was the one who found you there. Speaking of which, he said he wanted to speak with you.”

Lorelei swam out of bed, on her way to her umpteenth lecture.

“How many times have I told you not to go to the surface? Humans are dangerous, Lorelei!”

“Not all of them, father. I spoke with the most amazing one today!”

“You SPOKE with one of them?! Are you out of your mind, girl?!”

“I’m not, father. His name is… his name… is…”

Her dad looked confused at his daughter.

“…What was his name again?”

“I can see how special he is if you can’t remember his name.” Joked her father.

“No, it’s that rock I hit! I’m sure his name will resurface.”

“Unlike you though. You are forbidden from leaving the palace.”

But Lorelei is nothing if not determined. She will search for the human, even if she has to visit every stretch of land on earth!