Night was falling, and I was headed to nowhere.
Exhausted from swimming since this morning.
I couldn't let my muscles rest.
Resting meant death.
Past the waves, I could see a small ship come into view.
I became scared.
The captain of the boat looked even more bewildered to see me.
He tried to convince me to come aboard the vessel in a sign of kindness.
I told him that I was an athlete swimmer.
He didn't seem sure on this excuse.
It was understandable.
I was young, and I was in open sea.
This would have been scary for any senior.
But not every senior is part mermaid.
He wouldn't let up.
Determined to help me.
One turn was all I needed.
I curved my body and gave the water a strong splash as I zoomed through the current.
The situation became more of a survival as I was tired, and it was about to be nightfall.
Past the waves, I could see land coming into view.
Giant buildings stretched across the oceans shore creating a rural city.
Worried that I would be seen, I took shelter in a nearby cave.
The water was rocky, and it was difficult pushing myself deep into the cave.
The need to dry back into form was strong.
The cave was a marvelous piece of earth cut out into the shape of a kingdom.
It was lined with greenery and echoed the sound of waves.
A mermaid sitting on the sand of an abandoned cave.
National Geographic would be all over this if they knew.
Drying out completely was tedious and time-consuming.
It wasn't until I did change back that I realized a sharp stinging pain on the side of my left thigh.
It wasn't so deep, but it was bleeding.
I must have scratched myself while trying to get past the rocks at the entrance of the cave.
It all seemed to get worse and a little less empty.
I was naked and the chill in the air didn't help.
I made my way out of the cave.
Sneaking through alleyways of the small city.
Picking a dress off a carts shopping stand, I instantly took cover as I pulled the dress over my bare body.
Making my way along the streets, I found a scarf which was later tied around the wound on my leg.
The city felt cold.
It was cloudy with the moon's light lifting hidden shadows.
An icy sensation fell upon my feet as they traveled across cold stones.
The city was spooky.
You could hear the faint sound of waves on the beach.
But the few sounds of cats chatting and doors shutting bounced off the buildings like a silent battle.
From the corner of my eye, I could see a person walk around a street lite corner.
She looked ominous in the darkness and she had a strong scent of lavender.
She looked European.
She was a little old lady with long pearl white hair.
"Oh, my! What are you doing out this late?"
I couldn't think of a response.
I wondered the same of her.
"I..I am a traveler and I'm lost."
She looked me over with concern coating her face.
"You look too young to be a traveler and look at your feet! You must be freezing child."
I shuffled slightly in my spot, embarrassed.
She gave me another look over.
"You got a name?"
Startled, I kept quiet.
"Huh." She gave me a side eye and breathed out a deep sigh.
"Well come with me, I'll get you some warmth and food in your stomach."
Moments like this is what moms usually tell you not to do.
It didn't help that the old woman reminded me of the wolf that tricked Hansel and Gretel in those old folk tales.
"I don't know about that.."
She grasped her coat around her body tightly.
"Well do you really have another choice?"
"Stay out here and freeze or eat a good pot of chili?"
I weighed the outcomes and bite my lip in nervousness.
A steady nod gave her the go.
We strolled down the street as the scenery became more local.
Our stop was a small vine decorated house that had a single lite light at the front entrance.
The house had a strong smell of spices as you entered it.
It was styled to a light flowery palette and elegantly detailed with various potted plants.
I viewed the kitchen and smelt a familiar scent of white bean chili.
It was odd and delicious.
"Makes you hungry doesn't it?"
I nodded.
She traveled to the back of the house and came back with a pair of socks and a coat.
I accepted them kindly.
Sitting at the dining table seemed taboo in another person's home.
I grasped the warm bowl of chili as she joined me at the table.
The chili was delicious, and it calmed me to a tiredness that I had forgotten since arriving on land.
Being land-bound, it seemed hard to think of after swimming for a whole day.
The water was so free and crystal with its color.
I craved it again.
This bowl of warm chili was inviting though.
It calmed my nerves.
She stared at me as I drifted into thought.
"Child, what brings you out this way?"
I studied the words that floated around me.
I replied with no lie.
"I am in a situation and I need time to understand."
"Do you have a home to stay?"
Regret lifted in my heart as I replied, "No".
She thought for a moment with what seemed like a heavy idea on her mind.
"I am a simple woman and my children are long gone with their own families."
"My hands hurt after a short time and I might need help around the house."
"Clean and take care of my flowers, will you?"
"In return, I will let you stay here to better understand."
My eyes widened at the generosity that was so pure that it seemed like it fell on deaf ears.
I had nothing to myself while being here.
I didn't even really know where here was.
I thought of the solitude and reasoning that could help me while being here.
Danger was a worry, but life had danger hidden around every corner.
I excused myself from the table and went to visit one of her potted flowers.
Touching the dry soil that held the pot.
It felt nice on my fingertips.
Breathing out a deep relief.
I spoke with mystery on my tongue.
"I accept."