I woke up with a burning feeling running down my back.
I walked as fast as I could to the bathroom.
I slammed the door and locked it.
Took my shirt off and couldn't believe what I was seeing.
There are markings like tattoo markings all the way down my back.
What in the world is happening to me?
I put my pajama shirt back on.
Opened the door and looked around to make sure no one was awake.
I walked back to my room and shut the door behind me.
Walking over to my desk I grabbed a pencil and a notebook and started to write.
First I was found washed up on the shore.
Second I went into some kind of daze at the beach.
Third I was in another daze walking out of the house early in the morning.
Fourth I have a burning tattoo thing running down the middle of my back.
There, I have to hide this somewhere where no one will find it besides me.
I took a piece of tape and taped it to the bottom of the bed.
No one needs to know what is happening to me.
I mean they know something but they only need to know what I want them to know.
I better get dressed.
I went back to the bathroom.
I got undressed and looked at myself again in the mirror.
The tattoo thing is still there.
What is wrong with me?
I opened the bathroom door not even thinking about knocking.
Mia was in the bathroom
"I am so sorry Mia I forgot to knock."
"It's ok Coraline do you need to go to the potty?"
"Yea."
"Come on in then."
"You're up really early today Mia."
"Why?"
"I wanted to see the sunrise again today if you want to join me?"
"Yes I would love to hangout with you and see the beautiful sunrise."
"Mia how old are you?"
"I am twenty years old."
"My brother is twenty one years old."
"You and my brother are close in age."
"Wow you and your brother really have a big age difference."
"Yeah he is a lot but that is because I am adopted but I don't mind because I love my family."
Wow I didn't know that she was adopted.
I turned around to get dressed.
"Hey Mia what's on your back?"
I started to wash my hands.
"Nothing just a…."
What am I going to tell her?
"Tatoo."
"Please don't tell anyone."
"Wow my parents would never let me get a tattoo."
"Ok I won't tell anyone."
"Let's go watch the sunrise."
I grabbed Mia's hand.
"Let's go then."
We walked inside after watching the sunrise.
Lucas and his parents are getting ready for breakfast.
Coraline let go of my hand and ran to Emily.
I hope she doesn't tell them about my marks.
"Mom Mia has a tattoo."
"What since when?"
I don't remember her having any tattoo.
"No it's not a tattoo I just painted it on myself It's just paint and It's washable."
"So it's fake?"
"Yep."
This day is not going so well for me at all.
I walked to the freezer, opened it up and grabbed all the ice.
My back is burning so bad right now it feels like I am on fire.
"I am going to take a cold bath.
"My body is burning so bad it feels like I am on fire."
I walked to the bathroom and shut the door.
Filled the tub up with cold water.
I put the ice in too.
I took my clothes off to find my wrists and my ankles.
I screamed at the top of my lungs.
What is happening to me.
I really hope they go away.
I opened the bathroom after hearing Mia scream.
"Are you ok honey?"
"Emily!"
I jumped in the tube so she wouldn't see me naked.
"Hi"
"Sorry to scare you but I am ok."
"So can I see your tattoo?"
"When did you get it?"
"Especially since I never saw a tattoo on you since you wear crop tops all of the time."
"Well like I said it's just painted on and it's washable so yeah it's gone right now sorry that you won't be able to see it."
"That's ok but if you do paint again let me see the tattoo ok?"
"Okay deal."
"Well I am just going to stay in the tub a little bit longer until I cool down."
"Okay honey take your time."
What is going on with her?
Why is she acting so weird?
Why is she burning up?
I also know she did get a real tattoo but how there are no tattoo areas for miles?
"Emily is Mia okay?"
"Yep she is doing good she just scared herself that's all."
"I am going to go for a walk on the beach and come back in a little bit."
"Okay honey see you when you get back."
I kissed her lips
"Have a fun and safe time at the beach."
"I love you."
"Yes I will always try to stay safe and have fun."
"I love you too."
I walked to the beach.
Why can't I find anything?
This is where she was found so why is there no sign?
It's getting dark and I should start my way back to the house.
"I am home."
"Hello?"
"We are in the living room."
"It's Movie night to night."
"Really?"
"What kind of movie are we going to watch?"
"Did anyone make popcorn and get drinks?"
"Mom we are watching fuzzy the cuddly bears."
"Yes we made popcorn and got drinks."
"Everything is covered."
"Come and sit."
"Okay."
I sat down by Dan.
"So Caroline you got to pick the movie out at night?"
"Yes I did and I didn't have any help either."
"That's great sweetie I am so proud of you."
I looked around but didn't see Mia.
"Hey Dan where is Mia?"
"She's not feeling well so she's in bed early to try and get some rest."
"Well I am going to check in on her really quick."
"I will be right back."
I walked to Mia's room and opened the door.
"What's up?"
"Hi sweetie, I heard that you're not feeling good."
"How are you feeling right now?"
"Better."
"How's the movie going out there?"
"Just starting if you want to join use."
"No not right now my head really hurts for some reason."
"Well how about we go to the kitchen and get you some medicine to get rid of the headache and you can take another bath to help?"
"Yea that sounds really nice."
"Would it be okay to have another ice bath?"
"Sure if that's what you really want."
Brrrr how can she stand ice baths?
I gave her the medicine.
"Thank you."
"Let's get that bath started."
"Yea."
I grabbed a bucket of ice.
I can't wait to take a nice ice cold bath.
"There we go nice cold."
"Thank you so much."
I added the ice to the bath.
I slid my pajamas off and hopped into the tube.
"That feels so good the cold around my body."
"Here Emily thanks but I don't need the medicine."
"Okay sweetie I will let you chill for a while."
"Shout if you need anything."
"Okay I will."
"thankful again."
The water feels so good.
I closed my eyes and let the cold surround my body.
I decided to put my head under the water and take a breath.
I can breath under water.
I came up from out of the water.
Looking at my legs which are no longer legs but a tail
Why?
How did this all happen?
I jumped out of the tube.
When I dried myself all the way off the tail disappeared and my legs came back.
"What!?"
I am so losing my mind, what do I do?
I walked down stairs and sat down by Caroline.
"You made it."
"I am so glad you could."
Mia is even more beautiful now what did she change about herself?
"Mia do you still have the tattoo?"
I looked at my wrist.
"Nope like I said it was just paint."
"You must be magical."
"Like a unicorn."
"Wait, no mermaid or maybe a fairy."
"Yes wouldn't that be cool if they were real?"
So maybe I had it all in my head that's why the markings are gone.
I am so relieved.
"I wish they were really as well."
"I would love to be friends with the mythical creatures."
"We would do so much together."
"I love your imagination Caroline."
We watched the rest of the movie.
"That was such a good movie."
"I am going to get some rest."
"I am tired."
"See you all in the morning."