Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,20
to see me on my knees. I saw the shock of recognition in her eyes and I knew it was her– the girl I had seen before. I felt faint, and pressed the heels of my palms into my eyes. It must be a trick of the light, I thought, or my imagination.
I looked again and she was still bobbing in the water, her golden head standing out among the glossy black sea lions that surrounded her. She studied me closely for a moment with a confused look, and slipped under the foamy waves. I exhaled, realizing that I’d been holding my breath, and was surprised again when she abruptly reappeared as close as she could get to me, still keeping halfway submerged. I felt dizzy and clung to the chain link fence, trying to steady myself.
We were less than ten feet away from one another and I could see that this was no wet suit she had on. Her smooth pale skin sparkled like fish scales and she was completely unselfconscious about her bare breasts. There was something wild and feral about her as she moved amongst the sea lions, who were nudging her hands like a litter of puppies vying for her attention. She stared at me intently and then she spoke.
“Sister, are you well? ” she asked.
Her voice was melodic, and I had the impression that she was singing.
“Who are you? ” I managed to gasp out. She looked up and was gone with a splash.
“Miss, are you alright?” a voice from behind startled me. I turned to see an elderly couple with concerned faces.
“Uh, I’m fine. I just... fell,” I said woodenly, legs crumpled under me on the asphalt deck.
“You sure do look pale,” said the gentleman. “Let me help you up to the bench so you can catch your breath.” Now I realized I was hyperventilating. Not wanting to scare them, I got up on shaky legs, took a deep breath and composed myself. I sat down and smiled convincingly.
“I was just a little lightheaded for a moment– I feel fine now.” They picked up the binoculars and handed me my tote.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to call anyone?” the woman asked.
“I’m sure,” I said firmly and watched as they made their way down the pier, casting me a few worried backwards glances. I sat there in a daze, contemplating what I’d just seen. After a few minutes I went back to the fence, pressing my face into the wire and scanning the water below. There was no sign of life on the jagged blocks of concrete.
I packed up my things and started towards home slowly, looking down at the wooden boards. I was in a state of shock, my mind clouded with awe and confusion. When I got to the end of the pier I stepped right into the path of the little band of surfers moving along the cement walkway as they left the beach. I tried to hurry away but my feet felt like lead.
Ethan spotted me first.
“Marina–” he called out.
I paused and slowly turned around. He must have noticed the dazed look in my eyes because the friendly expression dropped from his face. He regarded me with narrowed, questioning eyes that I could feel looking right through me. I could see the blonde watching him and then me with a suspicious look. I’m sure she was wondering how he knew me.
“Hello,” I said flatly, trying to sound normal. I turned abruptly and walked out onto the beach without looking back. I could hear them talking about me and laughing but I didn’t care. I felt as though I was sleepwalking as I made my way to the water’s edge. When I reached the water line I turned right, and walked numbly along the wet sand toward the stairs.
There was a shout from behind me when all at once a massive wave came from out of nowhere, knocking me to the ground. Icy cold salt-water filled my eyes and mouth as my body was violently wrenched, tossed head over heels and churned like a piece of driftwood in the surf.
As the wave receded, I struggled both to breathe and to catch my footing but the water swept me out to sea with a force I was powerless against. Choking and coughing, I was flailing in water over my head for what seemed like a very long time.
I had just seen a mermaid– an actual mythological creature! The thought occurred to