The Call
1157 Words
For a second I’m frozen, paralyzed as I watch him sail toward the rocky sea below. Toward certain death. An urge inside me is screaming, demanding that I dive into the water.
But you see, if I touch the ocean my tail will return. The spell will be broken and my little holiday on shore will be cut short.
As the strange man goes plummeting through the air, the feeling in my belly grows more powerful and urgent. What is this strange sensation? Perhaps it’s because I want to taste his soul. If I allow him to die a natural death, then I won’t get to use his life force. I can’t steal his soul if he’s already dead.
The seconds tick by in slow motion as I watch him fall, and my body is urging me into action.
Why am I feeling this pull? He’s just an ordinary boy, right?
What if he’s not? What if this instinct is calling me because he holds some strange power? A power that I can use.
Without pausing for another beat, I tug my dress over my head and climb onto the side of the ship. The spray of saltwater is kissing my naked flesh, reminding me of what I’m about to sacrifice.
“Your highness?” Leucosia says in a concerned voice.
“I’ll meet up with you soon,” I say firmly, not even bothering to look back before diving gracefully over the side, plunging into the murky depths below.
As soon as my body is submerged, I feel the transformation begin. My legs are being zipped up. Tied together. My feet are turning into silky, flowing fins.
With one powerful flap of my tail, I take off swimming in the direction of the doomed boy.
Save him, a voice in my head commands. Save him.
So I swim harder. Faster.
The current pulls against my long, golden hair as I fight against the ocean’s power. I have to get to him.
I have to taste the sweet, aching sadness that must exist in this human’s heart. I want him. I mean… I want his soul.
So I flap my tail harder, flying through the water just in time to see him crash through the surface with a lifeless splash. He’s not even trying to swim to the surface. He’s just surrendering.
But somehow, I can sense his strength. Something about this boy is powerful… and everything within me wants to sample the sweet vintage of his blood.
I can see the bubbles floating to the surface as he releases one last breath from his lungs.
No.
I finally reach the sinking man, stretching my arms out as far as they’ll go.
Then, I touch him.
The contact sends an explosion of energy through my body, as if it’s waking me from an eternal slumber.
He continues to plummet to the depths of the sea, slipping through my fingers as I’m paralyzed by his touch.
It takes me a second to wake myself from the shock. I blink quickly, then hurriedly swim downward to reach for his hand. I lace my fingers around his wrist and pull with all of my might, dragging him toward the surface. He’s completely limp now. Totally unconscious.
He has to live. I need him to be alive so I can feed. The aching hunger in my belly is driving me wild.
Our heads breech the surface of the waves, and I find myself gasping for air even though I don’t need it. I’m consumed by panic, a powerful urge to revive this boy.
So I desperately swim for shore clutching his lifeless body with one arm. Each stroke gets me more excited. I can’t wait to feel this man’s soul inside of me.
When we finally reach the shore, I use my arms to pull us onto the rocky, sandy earth. I drag his soaking wet body onto the beach as the tingling excitement crashes over my body like the waves lapping at the shore.
I turn his face toward mine and open his mouth with my fingers, taking a moment to enjoy the texture of his soft lips. Then I lean down and press my own mouth to his and begin to suck. Not to consume his life-force yet, but to get the water out of his lungs.
I feel the fluid filling my mouth, then spit it to the side. I repeat the process a couple of times, then smack his chest as hard as I can.
“Live, damnit!” I hiss at him.
I lean down to begin the process again, but just as my mouth is about to come in contact with his, a cough escapes his mouth.
My heart leaps with excitement. It worked. This is my chance.
I press my lips to his once more, but when I inhale this time, I have a different goal.
I feel his energy entering my body, and it is even better than I’d hoped. There’s a wild, feral energy in his soul that makes me feel invincible. It makes me ravenous.
I take another deep breath in, desperate to feel more of his power.
But then, he starts to struggle and push me away.
No. I’m not letting go now. Not when I’ve sampled this divine sensation.
I clutch his arms with my hands, pressing them into the sand with all of my might. He continues to fight, pushing against me with a strength I’ve never felt before.
What is he?
My eyes blink open with curiosity. His are open too. Our gazes connect, and for a second we are both completely still. Frozen.
Mine.
A voice is echoing in my head, so loud that I want to cover my ears and run.
Mine. Mine.
What the hell is this?
Then, the boy breaks our kiss and pushes me off. His face is full of confusion and terror. He heard something too, I can tell. He backs up, propping himself up on his elbows as he scoots away, looking at me in terror. His eyes trail down to my tail, and his chest starts to rise and fall more rapidly.
I should grab him. I can’t let him go. Not a victim this delicious.
But I can’t move. I’m stuck. All I can do is stare at this mysterious human.
Mine.
The word keeps repeating in my head.
I open my mouth to say something, but before I can catch my breath he scrambles to his feet and takes off running as fast as he can.
- Writer
