Merman 3

Dave opened his eyes.

To his shock, he was inside an underwater cave.

Swarms of fish in gold and silver hues darted past his face,

their scales glittering like falling coins.

He looked down—his clothes were gone.

Panic struck.

He struggled to breathe, clawing upward toward the surface,

but his legs tangled in a forest of sharp coral.

His chest burned. His throat seized.

He was going to drown—

And then he appeared.

The Merman glided through the water,

his movements smooth and predatory, until his face hovered right in front of Dave’s.

He pressed his lips against Dave’s.

It was not just a kiss—it was tender, soft, achingly intimate. Dave’s lungs filled with air

as if the kiss itself had become oxygen.

When the Merman released him, Dave gasped in relief.

“You’re not afraid?” the Merman asked, his eyes curious.

“Why would I be?” Dave rasped, still stunned.

“Because you think I’m real.”

Dave stared at the ethereal being shimmering before him.

“You’re not real. I’m dreaming.”

The Merman’s fingers combed gently through his hair,

a touch cold as the sea. “I need something from you.”

Dave’s eyes dropped, shame flooding him as he realized again that he was naked.

He covered himself with his hands. “Of course. You wouldn’t have dragged me down here otherwise.”

The Merman plucked a strand of green water moss, wrapping it around Dave like a blanket.

His voice dropped into something haunting and reverent. “I need your tear.”

—————————————————————————————————-

Dave woke with a terrible headache, sweat beading on his forehead.

The sharp smell of bacon and eggs reached him.

Eddie’s voice came from the kitchen. “You’re up. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Dave stumbled into the dining area and froze—Eddie had set out three plates.

“Oh, the lawyer’s already here,” Eddie explained, cheerful, “just stepped outside on a call. Sit.”

Dave lowered himself into a chair.

A moment later, Atty. Lawrence walked in, shook Dave’s hand, then flashed Eddie a smile.

“Thanks for the breakfast. You’re looking great as always.”

He turned to Dave. “So, what’s the plan?”

Dave sighed, gulped down a piece of bacon Eddie slid in front of him,

and muttered, “Photos today. Listing online tonight. Showing this afternoon. It’ll sell.”

The lawyer set a folder on the table,

then nudged forward a small black box tied with a dark purple ribbon.

“Past point of sale, mortgage release. And this—the previous owner insisted you have it.”

Dave’s hand hovered over the box, uneasy.

The lawyer’s phone rang. “Excuse me, urgent call.”

He strode out, already barking into the receiver, disappearing into his Porsche.

Eddie sat down opposite Dave, hands folded. “So, you’re not eating much?”

“I’m fine.” Dave’s eyes flicked back to the ribboned box, unease gnawing at him.

Eddie shrugged. “I’ll head into town early.

Meeting the author for lunch—the one who wrote the book on the Merman’s tears.

Might even talk business. You’ll be okay here?”

Dave nodded distractedly.

Eddie kissed his cheek, grabbed the keys, and was gone.

——————————————————————————————————————-

Dave blinked—and he was underwater again.

The Merman was there, impossibly close,

even more handsome than before. His skin shimmered beneath the filtered light.

“You never answered my question,” the Merman said.

Dave coughed. “What question?”

The Merman’s fingers brushed Dave’s throat.

Cold. Gentle. “About my tear?”

Dave stared back. “Your tear? Why will I have it?”

The Merman’s expression tightened.

“You took it from me. It’s mine. I want it back.”

Dave frowned. “And if I refuse?”

The Merman’s eyes clouded with hurt, rejection flashing across his face.

He drifted back into shadow.

And he screamed, out of frustration

—————————————————————————————————————-

“Does the property extend to the lagoon?”

Dave blinked—he was standing on the deck with John, the prospective buyer.

He had a terrible headache.

“How long have we been here?”

John smiled, “I say, give or take around 45 minutes. You look a little bit pale, are you ok?”

He wiped sweat from his brow. “I’m ok. Just the heat I guess. anyway,

to answer your question the property extends only up to the dock.

But the lagoon will always feel private.”

Dave’s phone beep. It was Eddie, he sent a text message reminding him of the dinner with Laura tonight.

John nodded. “I’ll discuss figures with my wife. Give me three or four days.”

He left, but Dave was no longer alone.

The Merman hovered in the water below, wearing a necklace of shells—the same one from the black box.

Dave’s breath hitched.

“It looks good on you,” the Merman said, his smile slow, haunting. “Do you like it?”

————————————————————————————————-

“Dave. Dave, did you hear that?”

Dave blinked again—he was at a restaurant table with Eddie and Laura.

He’s touching the shell necklace he’s wearing that the Merman gave him.

A waiter dropped a platter of steaming seafood boil in front of them.

Laura clapped, laughing, breaking open crab legs with her hands.

“Thank you for inviting her,” Eddie whispered. “It means a lot.”

Dave forced a sip of wine, but his skin was pale, clammy.

Laura leaned forward, smiling too brightly. “Congratulations, Dave.”

He froze. “Congratulations?”

She faltered, her eyes darting to Eddie.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, soothing her.

“Sorry Laura, I just had this…terrible head ache, I think

I should call it a night. Sorry” Dave slowly stands up as he gently taps Laura’s hand.

She nodded.

“Dave, maybe I should walk you out,” Eddie said quickly.

Outside, the night air was cool, the breeze stinging his cheeks.

“You okay?” Eddie asked softly.

“I just wanted to support you. Always. Even if we’re not together anymore.”

Dave’s head spun. “Support me? I don’t even know what’s going on right now.

Why did Laura congratulated me for?”

Eddie frowned. “You bought the house.”

Dave shook his head, voice cracking.

“What are you talking about that I bought the house?

We came to sell. There was a showing today, John was here.

The lawyer this morning. The black box with the weird shell necklace. Don’t you remember?!”

Eddie’s face darkened with pity.

“You need to rest. I’ll drive. Give me a minute with Laura.”

Dave’s finger cling to the shell necklace as he heads to his car.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

Dave staggered toward the car, his mouth suddenly twitches.

A small crab clung to his lip before scuttling away.

He’s back underwater.

The Merman loomed close. “Dave are you ok, can you hear me?”

Dave’s voice shook. “Am I?”

The Merman tilted his head. “No. You’re in your bed. Dreaming. Just as you said.”

Dave’s eyes flew open. He was in his room, sheets damp with sweat.

Eddie stood there in his underwear, staring.

The Merman was gone.

“I should head back. Don’t want Laura to wait too long.”

Dave sat up slowly. “Eddie… did we…?”

Eddie’s face crumpled. “I got her pregnant, Dave.

I’m going to be a father. I don’t know what came over me.

With you, I feel like I’m on a train—fast, dangerous,

impossible to stop. But with her… it’s different.”

Dave’s world spun.

The words sank in like stones thrown into black water.