Merman 7
Dave woke with a start.
His bedroom ceiling loomed above him — pale, cracked, familiar.
He blinked several times, heart still racing.
The image of Dr. Resnier’s red armband was fading, like smoke dissipating after a nightmare.
Beside him lay the merman.
His skin shimmered faintly in the half-light, as though the ocean had never quite let go of him.
He looked almost lifeless, motionless except for the slow rise and fall of his chest.
His beauty was unearthly — the kind that hurt to look at for too long.
“What were you thinking?” Dave whispered.
The merman’s eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile curved his lips. “You. Always you.”
Dave almost choked. “Me? Why me?”
“Because you still don’t understand.”
Dave turned to face him fully, searching his face for meaning.
“I know I’m moving through lifetimes — places that shouldn’t exist, people who change names and faces.
Tell me what’s really going on. What’s the point of all of this?”
The merman’s expression softened. “That would be cheating,”
he said, voice low and melodic. “You already know what you need to know. You just haven’t remembered it yet.”
Dave traced a finger along the curve of the merman’s jaw, stopping at his lips. “Then help me remember.”
The merman closed his eyes. “You will — when the tides decide.”
The room darkened. The hum of the sea gave way to the murmur of voices.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Dave blinked — and suddenly he was back at the seafood restaurant.
The scent of butter and garlic lingered in the air.
A half-finished seafood platter sat in front of him. Across the table, Eddie and Laura laughed quietly.
“I can’t believe we’re at a seafood place and you don’t even like seafood,” Laura teased.
Dave forced a small smile. “Guess I’m here for the atmosphere.”
“And how’s the burger?” Eddie asked, noticing the untouched plate. “Too dry?”
“It’s fine,” Dave said. “Just… feeling a bit queasy.”
Before Eddie could respond, a young woman approached their table, nervous but smiling.
“Sorry to interrupt — you’re Eddie, right?
You met me and my grandpa earlier. Thom Callum? He signed your napkin.”
Eddie’s face lit up. “Yes, of course! Please, join us.”
“Oh, no, we’re fine,” she said quickly.
“But we missed our ride home. My uncle’s still at work, and I can’t get a cab.
Would it be alright if we waited outside? Maybe, when you’re done, you could give us a lift? We live just a couple blocks away.”
Eddie hesitated. Dave stood abruptly, slipping on his jacket.
“I’ll take them,” he said. “You’re still eating, and Laura will kill you if you abandon her for chivalry.
Besides, I need some air.”
“You sure?” Eddie asked.
“Positive.”
Outside, the night air was heavy with the scent of rain.
Thom Callum was waiting by the curb, cane in hand, his eyes oddly bright for someone his age.
“Let’s get you both home,” Dave said. “Looks like it’s going to rain.”
Thom gave a quiet laugh, glancing up at the clouds. “It always does.”
A single drop of rain landed on Dave’s hand — cold, electric.
He looked at it, and for a second, he swore he saw the faint shimmer of scales beneath his skin.
]
