Alana's pov
A few days later, I decided to surprise Kael with a picnic at the beach. I packed his favorite snacks and a cozy blanket, eager to see him smile and to hopefully lift the cloud of concern that had settled over us. As I made my way to the beach, I felt a surge of excitement mixed with anxiety. I wanted him to feel better, to shake off whatever was troubling him.
When I arrived, I found Kael sitting on the sand, staring out at the waves. He looked up as I approached, his face lighting up. "Alana! You made it!"
"Of course! I brought your favorites," I said, laying the blanket out and unpacking the snacks.
"This looks amazing," he said, his smile genuine, and I felt a flutter of hope in my chest.
We enjoyed our picnic, laughing and sharing stories, but I could still sense an underlying tension in him. It felt like a dam ready to burst, and I desperately wanted him to open up.
"Kael," I started, my voice steady but gentle, "is there something you're not telling me? You can be honest with me."
He hesitated, his eyes flickering to the ocean before meeting mine. "I… I'm just feeling a little off lately, Alana. It's nothing to worry about, I promise."
"Are you sure?" I pressed, concern lacing my tone. "You know I'm here for you, right?"
Before he could respond, we heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see an older man with glasses and a clipboard walking toward us, a look of determination on his face.
"Excuse me," the man said, clearing his throat. "Are you Kael? I've been looking for you."
Kael's expression shifted, confusion etched across his features. "Who are you?"
"I'm Professor Bennett, a marine biologist. I've been studying the effects of prolonged exposure to land on merfolk," he explained, his voice steady. "I've come to talk to you about your situation."
"What situation?" I asked, my heart racing.
The professor took a deep breath, his expression serious. "Kael, you've been on land for too long. Your energy levels are depleting, and it's critical that you return to the ocean soon."
"What do you mean?" Kael's voice was barely above a whisper, his face paling.
"Merfolk are meant to thrive in water. The longer you remain on land, the more your health deteriorates. If you don't return to the ocean soon, it could lead to severe consequences—possibly even death."
I felt my heart drop at the professor's words, and I turned to Kael, his expression a mixture of shock and fear. "Is this true?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Kael swallowed hard, looking away as if the weight of the truth was too much to bear. "I didn't want to worry you, Alana. I thought I could manage… but I've been feeling weaker."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I pressed, my heart breaking for him. "You could have shared this with me."
"I didn't want to scare you. I thought I could figure it out," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Professor Bennett spoke again, urgency creeping into his tone. "You need to make a decision soon. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be for you to recover."
I looked back at Kael, my heart racing as the reality of the situation settled in. "What do we do?"
"I'll help you find a way back to the ocean," I said, determination flooding my voice. "We'll figure this out together."
Kael looked at me, gratitude shining in his eyes despite the fear. "I don't want to leave you, Alana."
"You have to take care of yourself first," I insisted, tears brimming in my eyes. "I won't let you face this alone."
As we sat on the beach, the weight of uncertainty heavy between us, I realized that our love was stronger than the challenges we faced. And I was ready to fight for him, to help him reclaim his place in the world where he truly belonged.
---