She ran through the jungle like a deer being chased by a cheetah. She completely had no idea where she was. She had a home earlier, well, before everything got ruined and she had to run for her life.

Sterlina ran through the forest like her life depended on it, and it actually did. A beast she no knowledge of was after her. So if by chance she missed a step, the beast was going to dine happily. She was tired, but she had to save herself. If only she had not escaped from home. She would be better off in a dungeon than here, being hunted by a hungry beast.

"Awuuuuuuuu" she heard a fox from somewhere in the woods. Could this night get any worse. It was a full moon and the forest looked extra spooky. Now, even a fox was there in the woods. She braced herself for the worst as she paced faster. She was going to survive no matter what.

"Awuuuuuuuu" the fox went again, this time it sounded like the fox was also coming after her. She was on the verge of years, when next she heard some creatures clash into each other. What in the sea was happening. She didn't hear the beast or the fox coming after her anymore. Instead she heard sounds of clashing animals.

Not risking to feel secure, her eyes darted around the vicinity, looking for a place to hide, and also spend the unfortunate night. Luckily, her eyes met up with a huge tree that had extremely gigantic buttress roots. She wasted no time to enter and curl up silently. She would spend the night there. Then she would find what to do tomorrow.

Cold and shivering, she curled up in a corner and started dosing off. She was tired but she couldn't let herself sleep at such a time. I mean what if she got attacked by the beast that had been chasing her, or the fox that came out of nowhere? She was definitely not risking, not at all. Well, the will was strong but it seems sleep was stronger. In no time, Sterlina was off the world, lost in dreams.

She was taken back to when she was still young, when she was playing with her friends and sister. They were carelessly playing in the sea weed. How happy they were! None of them could have ever thought that their future would be this tragic. Or that their love for each other could one day become hatred beyond borders. How she longed to be with them again! How she yearned for a heartwarming conversation with them! She wanted to see their smiles and smile too. She wanted to freely fall into their embrace and feel the passion within it.

How she wished all could go back to the he way it was! But some things were just beyond repair. Sometimes in life, you just had accept what hit you. Sterlina just had to let go of the past and move on. For sticking to the past would only cause her yet more sorrow. It would just lead her into an endless state of depression.

***

THE SIRENIAN SEA

"Your Majesty, she got away. We were not successful in capturing her." A black-tailed merman reported. His face was full of fear and worry.

"Please, forgive us, Your Majesty." The other merman, whose tail was brown fell to the ground asking for mercy.

"Unbelievable! Insignificant fools! How could you let her get away? How dare you?" The queen, a gold-tailed mermaid, said, giving out a horrific death aura. Her blonde hair flowed rhythmically with the current of the sea. Her skin was so tender and young but despite the beauty she held, her aura she emanated could kill you on site.

Her fingers elongated elongated into sharp talons as spiky fine developed on her back. Rage filled her face and horror emanated her. Her face became scaly and scary, like a lion ready to devour her prey. She lifted her hand and looked at her talon first, then at the two fools at her tail. She was going to finish them off. What they had done was unforgivable and extremely careless.

"Please, My Queen,show mercy on us." The mermans pleaded in fear that their demise was there, right before their eyes.

The queen looked at her talons once more before bringing them down to finish off the two, who were waiting for the sharp pain. There was no way out of this situation, they thought. But to there surprise, nothing came. Absolutely nothing came. They looked up to see their queen still looking at them angrily. They, in unison, swallowed the lump in their throats saying,"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Never appear before me again without her. Find her and bring her to me......alive." The queen said the last word like a demon hunting an innocent soul.

"We shan't disappoint you, Your Majesty." the mermans replied as the queen swam off into the dark sea.

"Stephone," The one with the black tail said,"we can't afford to arouse her anger once more." Fear still written all over his face.

"Exactly, she spared us this time. But Lenon, I am sure next time she will have is for a meal." Stephone replied. "We should get started."

The two mermans swam into the dark sea as well, to go and find the person who almost got their heads chopped off their trunk. Whosoever it was, was up for some trouble.