When Catalina came to, she was lying on her back looking up at the bright sun, which had now decided to show itself amongst the clouds. Where am I, thought Catalina. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up and looked around. She had somehow washed up on a deserted island. The island was small, in fact she could see across the island of rocks and sand. There, on one side of the island was Roy's boat, washed up on the shore, and completely beat up.
Brushing the sand off her, Catalina stood up and observed her legs. She could have sworn something had bit her, but she didn't see any signs of an injury. She checked both legs, then decided maybe it had healed miraculously, or perhaps she had gotten stung by a jellyfish. Either way, with no sign of an injury, Catalina headed over to Roy's boat to look for her friends. She tried to remain hopeful that they were inside the cabin, may be passed out as she had been, but a small voice inside her told her that was most likely not the case. And as she neared the boat, a feeling of dread sank in. She worried that maybe her friends were inside and their bodies were inside but deceased.
The boat was entirely on its side, and all the windows were busted out. Looking in, Catalina saw the empty cabin and sighed. She hadn't expected to find them but remained hopeful that someone was inside. An overwhelming feeling began to sweep over Catalina. Most likely, her friends were gone and perished in the ocean without a trace. Tears began to flow from her eyes as she Staggered away from the boat and sat down on the shore. She began to process her new dilemma as she wiped the tears off her face. She was miles away from shore and now stuck on a deserted island. The island was so small there was no way she could stay here long, with no food or clean drinking water. Her tight pants were ripped at the knees, and her grey sweater was dirty and covered in sand.
How am I going to escape this island, she thought. Looking around, she didn't see any sticks or anything to make a fire. Catalina decided to stand up and look for any crustaceans or shellfish that may have landed on the shores or rocks. But after searching for what seemed like forever, she eventually gave up and sat back down on the shore on a rock near the capsized boat.
She wanted to cry and scream at the same time. I knew going on this boat trip was a bad idea. And now my friends are dead. And soon I will join them.
Catalina lay down on the shore and curled up in a sleeping position at sunset. She would try to conserve energy and stay alive until help came. She knew someone would alert the authorities eventually, and all she had to do was wait alive until then.
Catalina awoke a few hours later to realize she had slept on her arm, and it was now tingling. She sat up and began rubbing her arm to relieve the pain. It was dark now, and the moon shone brightly above her head. She could see the stars and, for a brief moment, tried to appreciate the beauty of the calm waves of the ocean and the starry night sky above.
Are you alright? Catalina jumped. Where did that sound come from? It was a voice, but it strangely wasn't an outside voice; it came from within her head, like a thought. Great, I'm losing it, thought Catalina.
You're not, are you alright? Catalina shivered. There it was again. Catalina looked around and didn't see anyone. Maybe if I ignore it, it will go away. I need food. That's what it is, I'm just hungry, and it's beginning to get to me. Catalina thought about laying back down to sleep, but a movement to her left near the boat caught her eye. She looked over and saw what looked like a man. That's...impossible, she thought. But as she squinted in the dark, she saw someone. It appeared to be a man, in the water, swimming near the boat. He was floating on the opposite side of the boat, so she couldn't make out his face or body but could see he was shirtless. And he was exceptionally well built. She could see he had light blonde hair and wondered how anyone could be swimming this far off from the shore. I have to be miles from the shore. Where did he come from? Thought Catalina.
I am from the ocean, he answered back.
"What the hell," said Catalina aloud, "who are are you? What do you mean you're from the ocean? Can you help me?" Catalina realized she sounded shrill and added, "I'm sorry, I just...I'm terrified. I think my friends are dead, and I have no idea how I'm supposed to get back to land."
I understand. Are you hurt? Catalina wanted to roll her eyes but refrained. "No, I am not hurt," she replied. Can he help me? She thought to herself. I am trying to help you, he answered back.
"Okay, right there. How do I hear you in my head?" asked Catalina as she stood up. She slowly walked to the boat and peered over the boat. She could see him now, and it was a man who appeared about her age, floating in the water, near the boat. He didn't seem to be swimming but instead treading water mysteriously. She couldn't see his lower half in the dark water.
"Are you okay? I am kind of concerned with how you're this far off the shore," Catalina said, trying to get a better look at him. He was incredibly handsome with a chiseled jaw, narrow nose, and large, light-colored eyes. What do you mean? I live in the ocean. I am Merrik. I am from Sur.
"Where's Sur? I have never heard of that place. You live in a boat?" NO, I live in the ocean. In the Shallow Water Kingdom. Merrik swam around the boat and lingered near the back. Catalina had tried to remain calm and reasonable, but she was starting to get scared.
"Why do I hear you in my head? What's the Shallow Water Kingdom?" I can't answer the first question. Perhaps you were bit, and you are now a mermaid. Only mermaids can hear one another. I do not believe humans can hear mermaids.
"Wouldn't I have a tail or something if I was a mermaid?" No, perhaps you have not turned yet, or, more likely, you are now half-breed, half-human half mermaid. I believe it takes a day or so to gain your powers. I hope that is the case because you will have no problem swimming to land yourself if it is. As far as your second question, the Shallow Water Kingdom is where the Shallow Water mer lives, who are my kind. It is our sanctuary. It is a safe place where we can live uninterrupted from Deep Sea mer and humans. Catalina had so many questions. Who was the Deep Sea mer? Was she a mermaid now? Where were her friends?
"Do you know what happened to my friends? Heather, Roy, Alex, and Maya. They were on the boat with me." If you do not see them here, they are either rescued or, more likely, fed to the ocean. I am sorry about your friends. I did not see them.
"You said bitten, so a mermaid bit me. Why would you bite me?" Correction, you were bitten by a Deep Sea mer. My kind does not bite humans, and only the Deep Sea mer have been biting humans. The bites, if deep enough, are fatal; otherwise, they are superficial and create The Transformation. They are biting humans so they can add recruits to their kingdom. They do not procreate fast enough to fill their diabolical plans.
"Which are..." To take over my kingdom, they wish to rule the entire ocean. Merrik floated closer to Catalina and eyed her up and down. Come into the water, and let's find out if you have begun The Transformation.