Clash of Tides (A merman story)
Chapter 3 - |Watershed|

Note: Watershed – an event or period marking a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs.

I WAS SITTING IN the wagon while my father rode on the horse, driving the wagon towards the Leverton manor. Next to me was his favorite violin, which he always played at parties. Father only used the best instruments when he got jobs. He’d tell me that appearances were essential, and the better he looked, the more performances he would get hired for. I remember it was sunny, and the scorching heat made sweat drip from my brows onto my soft white and puffy gold dress. It was a special gown for me, one Mother only let me put on for fancy occasions. The manor was in the distance; it was wide, with colorless bricks and many windows. There were ivory columns on each side of the black double doors, and the garden, composed of various plants and trees, was always tended to in the front.

“We are almost there, sweetheart,” my father said, smiling.

I was kicking my legs when I returned my father’s grin. I was excited about attending the party that night and seeing everyone dressed in their best attire. After a few more minutes, my father reached the house, and the Leverton butler came to take the wagon back out of view of the impending party guest. The butler was the same shade as my father, dark, with skin black as a coffee bean. We walked to the double doors after that when another, however lighter, milk chocolate woman opened the door. I stared at her while my father smiled, greeting her with pleasantries. It was hard for me to comprehend all those years ago that people who looked similar to my father and I were shades of brown and black, mostly servants who worked for people like Seidon.

The woman cast her eyes down at me, her lips turning upwards as she wore a simple white gown, cap, and ebony apron. Father then ushered me into the mansion with his violin in his other hand. I’d been to the Leverton manor during numerous visits in the past, but the high ceiling and open-spaced lobby always astounded me.

“Elena!” Seidon called, running up to my side and looping his arm around mine. He stared at me with eyes of a different color- blue eyes—a gleam of childhood naughtiness pooling within them. “Let us go play!” He urged me.

I remember my father’s strong, authoritative voice cut in. “Now, Seidon, you know Elena cannot play right now. She needs to keep her dress fit for tonight.”

Seidon groaned. “But I want to play.” He pouted.

I took a step back, unlooping my arm from Seidon’s grasp. “If father says no, I cannot play.” I obeyed my father as I always did.

Seidon huffed and then jumped when he heard his father’s footsteps approaching.

“Seidon, you know that is no way to treat a young lady such as Elena, am I correct?” Dr. Leverton’s voice was scolding yet proper and precise as a man of his class would sound.

“Yes, Father,” Seidon mumbled, lowering his gaze to the coral-colored marble floor. Dr. Leverton then bent down, his dark brown eyes looking into Seidon’s with a fatherly love.

“Now, go dress for tonight. It is rude to keep the guest waiting for their host.”

“Yes, Father,” Seidon replied, starting to walk away. Dr. Leverton then rose from the floor, walked over to my father, and greeted him. I did not understand the talk of grown men back then; however, when Dr. Leverton mentioned I would eat with the servants in the kitchen during the party like always, Seidon turned around in protest.

“I want to sit beside Elena tonight. Why must she always hide during dinners, father? Elena is a guest, just like everyone else!”

At that moment, I was shocked at what Seidon had proposed. I never sat at the big table with the guests before. Usually, my mother did from our family, while my father performed during dinners. I sat away from everyone—in the kitchen—with the servants who resembled me. Dr. Leverton was speechless, along with my father. Seidon’s father ran a hand through his short hazel hair while my father glanced at him. He stroked the brown stubble on his chin as he thoughtfully looked at Seidon.

He sighed, crossing his arms against his chest. “You are correct, Seidon. Elena is a guest, so she should sit at the big table with everyone else.”

Seidon’s grin extended across his face while I stood in shock. “Really?” He beamed. Seidon’s father only nodded. My father smiled, placing his hand on Dr. Leverton’s shoulder.

That night, I sat at the big table next to Seidon for the first time. My father was playing his violin while my mother, on the other side, conversed with the noble women across from me. I attempted to speak to my mother, curious and nervous about how to act, but she mostly ignored me, telling me to stay quiet and sit still. The other girls my age did the same as my mother; however, they also scowled and snarled at me, showing their disdain for my presence.

Seidon was different, though. He placed his hand on mine, reassuring me everything would be fine. During dinner, I noticed Seidon staring at his water glass, lost in the clear liquid as if it held a spell on him. I figured he was bored like me, sitting at a table full of adults with only a few peers. The men engaged in conversations about politics, while the women discussed fashion. I sat quietly, eating my food and ignoring the hated stares by some of the guests. I drowned my nervousness out with the sound of my father’s smooth violin, thinking how he would play a song for me before bed.

Once the party was over and the guest had departed, along with my mother, who left to continue the evening with the other ladies, I stayed in the drawing room with Seidon. We pretended to dance like the guests did after dinner. Our tiny fingers were laced together, and one of his hands pressed into my back, keeping me close to his frame.

“You are a bad dancer, Elena.” He stuck his tongue out at me.

I scrunched my face. “You are supposed to lead; you are the man,” I countered.

Seidon rolled his eyes but kept moving his feet to the sound of my father’s music. After that, Father laughed and lowered his instrument. He walked towards us, smiling. I waved to him; he waved back as he approached Seidon.

“May I cut in?” My father asked, keeping his grin.

Seidon nodded. “She is a horrible dancer, though.” My father laughed again, and I glared at Seidon. Seidon stepped back when my father took my miniature tan hand into his calloused, dark one. He picked me up, spun me around, and I chuckled. My father’s happiness showed in his brown eyes, and he danced with me in the dimly lit room.

“You have finally awakened.” The masculine voice cuts through my thoughts as a quick knife cutting meat; it is fast and smooth, letting you know nothing good is coming. I flutter my eyelids, pondering the dream I had. If I died and returned after descending from this life, my body’s aches would surprise me; that is how I feel, but I never died. I am in a horrible nightmare, wishing the events that happened were all a dream. I want to return to the past, to the place of smiles and laughter. My eyes are groggy and sting from all the tears I shed. I attempted to hold back the liquid from my eyes, but the salty tears flowed anyway after I was left alone, abandoned by the mysterious man.

I huddle against the cave wall, with my knees pressing against my chest as my arms encase me. The glint of the moonlight reflects across the shimmering dark water, sending beams of light across the moist rocky walls. I raise my eyesight slightly to the pool of cobalt liquid and catch sight of the man leaning against the center wall. His arms are crossed against his chest. His gaze is on me, but I avert my eyes from him.

He remains quiet for a second and then says, “Tell me your name.” He speaks slowly; however, his voice is authoritative, ordering me to answer him. I purse my lips and press my body further into the rocks clustered behind me. The cool water soaks into my gown, chilling me, but I don’t care. His eyes lock on me; he sighs heavily, growing agitated as he loosens his arms.

A growl erupts from his throat. “I told you, I don’t waste time.” He lifts himself from the wall and swims closer to the pool’s edge, near my location. His raven locks remain wet but don’t stick to his flesh. And I know something is amiss. As he descends towards the bank, anxiety courses through my trembling form, dreading what he will do. My heart thumps against my chest, increasing with every movement the stranger takes. Breaths becoming labored, I curl my arms tightly across my legs, wondering, fearing that he will come ashore.

His toned chest touches the rim of the solid yet damp ground. He watches me with midnight blue and sea-green pupils, studying my face. My lips form a thin line; I am determined to stay silent. Is he going to kill me? Or force himself on me? He spoke of fifteen days before, but maybe he doesn’t want to wait any longer, I think, succumbing to the overwhelming thoughts of fear. I blink for a second, recalling the dream I had. I miss my father, but he’s gone… I miss Seidon, my friends, and Joe. My eyes trail his gaze back at me. I ponder, and I am surprised he hasn’t exited the water. Before, I cried and remember seeing a fin above the water, too large for a fish. Maybe in my sickened state, I was hallucinating—my mind was showing me deceptions and lies.

“I won’t ask you again, what is your name?” He demands, with a harsh tone lancing his deep voice. His narrow slits bore into my honey-yellow eyes, growing impatient with me.

If he wants an answer, why doesn’t he come up to get me? Confusion floods through me as I stare at him.

I part my lips and say, “Why don’t you leave the water?” My voice comes out quietly, like a hushed whisper. There is no point in hiding my fear under his intimidating gaze. There is obviously something off about this man; I have yet to figure it out.

His uninterested irises stare at me as I try to study him. We both watch each other, two unknown persons wondering what the other will do or say. Instead of speaking, he slumps his shoulders, perhaps trying to hold back emotions; however, a certain glint in his pupils says otherwise.

“It is none of your concern,” he pauses, “now, answer my question!” He roars, and the water ripples around him, splashing above the rocks lining the pool. Eventually, the wave gets bigger, as if an unknown source is causing the water to build up. I tremble and flinch; his booming voice echoes around the cave. I squeeze my eyes. If I could, I would become one with the rocks pressing into me, escaping from him. He growls again, quietly and then louder. Out of fear of him, I snap my eyes open and return my sight to his. He presses his body to the damp edge of the land and rests his arms—which are muscular like his chest—on the ground.

It doesn’t matter if he knows my name or not, and I am going to die here sooner or later.

“Elena…” I say softly.

The ravenette arches his brow at me, calming his visage. “Elena…pretty name.” He smirks at me, relaxing his body in the water and resting his head against the palm of his hand.

Looking into his eyes, I see amusement, maybe, or lust; I am unsure. A cool breeze blows locks of hair towards my eyes, but I do not remove them. Instead, I stare at the man through a curtain of ebony tresses. The shimmering beams from the moon cause his dark blue and sea-green eyes to glow, sparkling with a sea-like radiance. Again, I am drawn to those shining hues, and I don’t know why. Perhaps it is his high cheekbones or his build, but the truth is, he will use me or kill me.

I squirm a little, unsure if I should respond to him. Complimenting my name—even though compliments are rare for me to receive—doesn’t soften our situation.

“Just kill me already,” I say, attempting to ease the turmoil in my voice and the tears in my eyes.

He sighs and then, I presume, stands up straight again. As I watch him, I question how tall he is or the depth of the water.

“You are a strange one, not only in looks, but you seem eager for death; why is that, Elena?” For only the second time, his voice is calm, and he emphasizes my name.

“You are going to kill me, so why wait?”

He scowls. “I believe I made myself clear, haven’t I? I need a child—”

“Then, why me? Why not another girl?!” I cut him off, raising my voice, but then I realized what I had done. Immediately, I lower my gaze to the soggy rocks beneath my feet.

He grunts. “Don’t think you are anything special. I just needed a human female, any female. And you happen to be the one I caught.” He snarls.

It was just a coincidence, all of this…this feeling, it is the same…I recall my dream, my father’s smile, happy and loving towards me. Then it all disappeared when he left; Mother got worse, and then Joe came. I used to wonder if it was a coincidence the flow of my life had gone. Now, I am like my father, a deserter. There is no fate, just the flow of life we are given; why fight it?

“Though, catching you was amusing.” He snickers darkly.

I look at him, confused.

“Whoever the idiot was, he swam fast, trying to catch me. I must admit, I was surprised, as only a few can match my speed in the water.” His voice was cocky and proud, which led more to my confusion.

Swimming? What man spends his time swimming in the water besides Seidon? Not even sailors or pirates do that. I muse over his words, trying to assemble the puzzle I had become a piece of. Seidon attempted to save me, but he would, for that is the man he is. Even now, I miss Seidon. Did he miss me? Did anyone miss me? I am sure only my mother will long for me; losing money tonight will enrage her. It is better to die than return home, but then, I will have run away, leaving without a word like my father before me.

“He’s my…friend,” I say, referring to Sai.

“Oh,” he says curiously, tilting his head. “You are intriguing. A woman of your…kind…is not something I see often.” He shrugs. “Especially with a friend such as yours.”

I grimace. “You mean my skin color?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t bother me. You could say I love all colors,” he says slyly, twisting his lips into a lustful smirk.

My body shudders at the thought, the same thought I had earlier as I prepared my mental state for what should have been tonight’s work. If this man has enjoyed the company of different women, why need a child?

“…why do you need a child?” I ask.

His smirk drops to a frown. “You needn’t worry about that. When the time comes, your life will end, but until then…”

A growl from my stomach cuts him off. After everything that happened to me, providing substance for my worn-out body is the least of my worries. However, the empty pit inside me growls again, and thoughts of food plague me.

The man sighs heavily and says, “I suppose I need to feed you, humph; maybe this will be fun…a pet I can fuck.” A demented smile tugs at the corners of his lips.

My mind becomes hazy, even further proof my body needs nourishment. No matter how much I question him, I doubt he will appease me with answers. First, I was a servant to my mother, and now I am a pet and breeder to another. He may answer other questions if he is not truthful about his intentions with me.

“Will you tell me your name, at least?” I ask, cautious of what he will say. If I ask any more questions, I may enrage him further.

He gives me the same uninterested expression, almost as if he is deciding whether to answer. His eyes change as he crosses his arms against his chest, hinting with a serious glint. “Assan,” he says bluntly.

I lift my head from my white gown, repeating his name under my breath. Assan.

“That’s my name…” He says calmly, turning from my direction as he swims away.

Quickly, I unfurl my body from its crouched position and stand up. I may know my captor’s name, but it changes nothing between us or how I view him. Watching him leave causes me to remember what he said: I shouldn’t try to escape, but why? If he is gone, this could be my only chance.

Taking a few steps forward, I contemplate everything up to this point. Above me, the circular opening in the cave reveals the glowing beams of light, reflecting down on the pool of water and making the rocks glisten. Seidon could be searching for me along with Lucas and Mika. What about Joe? Mother would never hurt Joe…but…

In the distance, Assan still swims away. I retake a few steps slowly. “Where are you going?” I ask, wanting to ensure he leaves for a good while.

To my question, he spins his head around. “I can’t have you starve, can I?” He scowls.

In fear, I retreat and shake my head. With that, he proceeds forward and continues to swim. I roam my eyes to see the bluefin, but this time, there is nothing. When he is finally gone, I walk to the edge and stare into the murky waters.

Standing before the pool, I think of my dream—my father, Seidon, and my life outside this cave. If I return now, my mother will hurt and blame me for the lack of nightly funds; however, I must protect Joe. I am not my father. Disappearing is not an option, so I must replace a way home.

Is it worth trying to escape? Assan said there is one way out, but he doesn’t advise it. As my reflection stares back at me, I bend down and dip my fingers into the chill liquid, causing tiny ripples. Should I try to escape or accept this fate?