The End of My Flight at the Seas That Glow Bright

Aarib Salehin

‘Mermaids.’ Is that what those humans decided to call me? With their fantastical theories of jubilant, multicolored tails and indescribable beauty to match their benevolence—I could not help scoffing at their rather unimaginative imagination.

Where were the mentions of our four eyes, with emerald slits for pupils? With webbed hands not too different from those of a frog’s, and a scaled body that unnaturally twisted down to a slithering, murky-brown tail, I suppose beauty really was in the eye of the beholder.

The term ‘mermaid’ itself was simply laughable. I was a siren with my objectives crystal clear, and under this fated moon’s glow, it came in the form of a man.

Had he not heard from the tales of the highland lass not so far away? His gray-specked hair and sense of confidence on the sandy beach gave the impression of a reckless yet weary traveler, who had wandered and explored for all his life.

It was not long until he saw me wailing for help and struggling in the treacherous waves that picked up speed at an abnormal rate. The man took no time stumbling towards the water, wading towards the crushing waves until he was much closer—and thus seeing my faces in all of its glory.

It was time,

Reaching the depths of my voice, I bellowed out a hypnotic, plaintive, soothing tune as my eyes began to glow with ambiance. The man stopped swimming, amazed by my transient tunes, and let go of his forces against the rips of water that bounced against his chin.

So close, so close… He submerged into the water with glazed eyes.

I hissed a triumphant screech and dived under the water, to finally have my—wait…Where was he? All I could see was the pitch-black depths below. Where was the human? My coiled heart began pulsing as my eyes glowed blood-red in panic.

A chill ran down my spine when I heard his voice. “Not today, darling.”

Teeth. Massive, sharpened teeth were one of the last things I remember. They clamped around my midriff, taking my entire tail in the mouth. I helplessly felt the teeth grind into my skin, spurting out crimson and eventually separating my tail from my body, with only a few strings of flesh keeping the connection. I felt my intestines unravel, snaking out into the sea; my liver was gradually floated to the near surface. As I looked down with my remaining energy, I saw him.

The unnamable, the terrifying, the deity of my world, sitting on top of an anglerfish with the remnants of my stomach in its bloody mouth.

Losing my vision, I finally croaked out in a feeble tone.
“Forgive me, Lord Poseidon. I have sinned for long enough.”