His eyes looked up worriedly. The sun was setting once more, another day. Another one in which he had been waiting at the beach, hoping to see them.

But they did not appear, like before.

He still trusted and hoped; his figure could always be seen at the shore. Yet his heart grew more dreadful and sorrowful each day they did not come back.

And in that doubt, he still kept sitting there, near the waves. This evening was no different; even if Shamira suddenly began to whine, nudging him to stand and leave. For the sun was almost gone. He was not moving yet, however, hoping that they would come.

His hazel eyes stared up, narrowing slowly after some minutes. He grew slightly unnerved when the night arrived, the sun shadowed, not only fading away.

Shamira’s ears lowered as he glared, whispering in slight amazement.

“An eclipse.”

The human did not pay mind to the dog, which now was pulling at his jacket; she managed to make him fidget somewhat, but not stand.

Matthew eventually did react, because Shamira let go of him, abruptly. She whipped sideways, ears shooting upwards, eyes filling with anger. Her eyes glared at the beach ahead, at the far waves at his right. He gasped when she let out a loud barked growl, her hind legs slamming back to leap forward, to run fast through the beach.

“S-Shamira?!”

Matthew stood, finally moving. He chased the dog for a minute. Only to pant and halt slowly, standing there baffled while Shamira ran fast along the water, barking insistently. Like if she had seen a squirrel in the sea and wanted to catch it.

He stood there, raising a hand to his hair tiredly, Shamira out of sigh between the rocks and palm trees, in seconds.

“M-mental note, check the forecast of the day and never bring Shamira along during an eclipse. Ever again.”

Not that eclipses were a common thing. But god knew he was not going to have it easy catching the dog.

She had surely confused the reflections of the moon with something else. A fish perhaps; sometimes she tried to help Alon and Iara in their little playful pursues, with little result.

Matthew sighed and tugged at his ear piercings to ground himself, taking the first step towards her whereabouts. He decided to take things calmly, because the day was ending and he was not in the mood for a sprint along the shore.

Even if… that would mean that night would fall. And that he would be surrounded by darkness.

He sighed, for minutes passed. His head leaned up, a shiver running down his spine then. He found himself stopping walking, staring up… to the eclipse, the moon finally coming up. Not as it should be.

Matthew frowned, somehow entranced with the slight red tone on the moon, a rare sight. It was almost foreboding… He somehow was nervous. And because of it, he would have hurried to find Shamira, as soon as possible. However, he saw another thing ahead.

His eyes opened in surprise, a gasp escaping him, because he saw a gray fin in the far distance. There was a figure in the depths, swimming frantically; a long and beautiful gray tail kept surfacing to kick down and impulse, to be fast.

Iara huffed, smiling with determination, seeing the beach ahead, just in time. The ruins were far behind her, it took her a long time to come back. She feared she would miss it.

She didn’t; a bloody hue reflected on her while she swam towards the shore, what her gaze could not leave.

What most scared her was the possibility that Matthew had gone home. That he left, as he always did after the sun went down. She feared being too late.

But she could only cry in relief, seeing a figure standing by the waves, looking at the water with the same intensity as her. And she could see relief, his hazel eyes fixing on her silhouette.

He took another step closer, not caring that his boots sunk in the water. There was only one thing he could do, look down and slowly sit on his knees. Because she surfaced with a hopeful smile, slowly, gasping silently. She whispered to him, her azure eyes almost as bright as the moon.

“Matthew…”

He was silent for a minute, watching while she laid her upper body on the sand, leaving her tail in the water. Her eyes were close enough, looking right at him.

Matthew could only frown and sigh, a heavy weight lifted.

“I-I thought you left for real.”

She laughed sadly, shaking her head firmly.

“I would not do that!” Matthew smiled softly as she assured. “I would not want to leave like that.”

The relief was there, but his smile faltered for a moment, as he pondered.

“T-then…” She looked away subtly, hearing him question sadly. “W-what were you doing? Alon and I-“

“I was trying to find a way in which you would not be left behind.”

Matthew blinked and flinched slightly, for the words reminded him they would go away someday, without him. Yet her words hinted that she did not wish for that. He stared at her eyes, which were thoughtful, suddenly firm. It was like if she could see through him.

His voice wavered.

“What do you mean-“

“I don’t want to leave you alone.”

Matthew’s eyes widened, her hands finally coming out of the water. He stared with slight apprehension at the red pulsing lotus in her hold, finally raised for him to see. His hazel eyes fixed on it, shivering slightly as she tried to explain.

“You could be with us, Matthew.” She smiled bright, pure hope in her eyes. Her voice was soft and caring. “You found it hard to believe in our existence. I am sure you won’t understand this either. B-but I hope, that you at least believe me when I say that I can end your solitude, I know it’s there. I know you wish to be with us, not see us leave. I can feel it, I know! So I hope you believe me when I say…”

Her eyes met his, Matthew’s widening as she spoke what she needed to.

“I can make you be like us.”

The flower seemed to pulse, seemed to glow, her hands holding it like a treasure. He could only lean his head, trying to understand, finding himself feeling a trace of wonder, deep inside. Still, there was a slight sense of doubt, confusion.

“L-like… Like you? A- a merman?”

She nodded firmly. He followed her gaze as she rose a hand back, pointing to the sky. Both looked at the huge moon, its red hues reflecting over their figures ominously, their eyes shining under it.

“I can make you change, Matt. Tonight, for certain! Look at the sky!” She looked back at him, noting his apprehension for the moon. However, that uneasiness faded when she beckoned next. “You could be free, with us.”

His eyes fixed on her, her words making him consider, believe.

“I would be at your side, Alon would too. We would not have to leave you, because you would come with us. You would have our help; we would not let anything harm you again! You won’t feel trapped anymore; I promise we really care… I know you do too!”

Matthew stayed silent. She feared, seeing him glance back at the cay, at the road, the faint light of a town.

He had Ethan. He wondered if he could leave. If he did, he could not tell him why. He could not tell him for whom he would disappear.

That worry kept him in between, pulled, torn. So he looked back at her, feeling a noose in his throat.

He had always looked up to Ethan. He owed him a lot, too much. But… somehow, he cared more for them. And he couldn’t know why. He felt tied; ever since he met them he just couldn’t bear the thought of being apart. All he wanted was to be with them, more than anything.

But this…

He trembled, hearing Iara whisper, calling. Her hand was outstretched, for him to grasp.

“Do you trust me?”

The human sat there, debating, both he and the mermaid speaking without words under the red moon. Eyes locked. Unaware… that someone was struggling for dear life, to stop them.

Red eyes filled with amusement, seeing the two in the distance, the human’s eyes fixing on the flower; he could see the acceptance slowly dawn in him.

The shark laughed, easily holding the dog thrashing wildly in his hold. She was trying to bite, growling madly, attempting to free herself to bolt for Matthew, rip that flower to pieces. But she could not… Her growls were unheard. The merman was keeping her at bay, having lured her. He taunted her to chase to take her away, to let Matthew be neared by Iara without disruptions.

Shamira whimpered, desperate and fearful… Because Matthew smiled sadly, finally answering quietly, without a doubt.

“I… trust you.”

He slowly raised his own hand, which still shook. He was afraid of all the things that this could bring; life in the sea. Yet he could only feel strange confidence, a soothing feel of security. Her hand grasped his, gently, her hold soft, protective. Her eyes were full of care, of sincerity. And he could only find himself being pulled at, his mind and heart leaving all behind… for them.

“Step into the water, Matthew. Not to leave it again.”

Her voice was almost hypnotizing. He could only nod with a trembling exhale. She felt her heart beat with joy, for she saw pure faith in him.

Matthew let go for a moment of her hand. Iara swam back deeper with the flower, letting him take off his jacket and hold his phone for a minute. He stared at its screen intently, pondering with a sad frown.

While he left it all behind, she swam in the waves, where he could not see.

Iara huffed, giving herself a determined nod. She did not doubt as she bit her own wrist, nor showed any sign of pain while she let the blood brush the flower. After a minute, she slowly let the lotus surface. Its petals rose upwards, providing a perfect shape to hold water inside. There was a small red tone to the water, intensified under the moon. It seemed to pulse more with each second that passed, like if it could feel her essence and the light from the bloody night.

By the time she held it ready over the surface… He was waiting between the waves. His sigh echoed, his hazel eyes piercing the currents, which brushed his chest.

He did shy slightly when she surfaced and swam closer, face to face, whispering, her tone kind.

“You only have to drink this, truly wish. And all will change.”

For the better.

That was the promise he could see in her eyes and hear in her voice. She was holding the flower up to him, to take, without hurry. The night was long. But there was a clear expectation in her eyes, hope.

“…” He let out a long exhale, brushing her fingers as he held the flower with her. “Not all will change, Iara. Most things did already when I met you both. If I do this, it’s because I don’t want them to go back to how they were before I met you… It was a sad life.”

She smiled sadly too, taking a moment to share a silent moment. Then, after a minute, she let go and let him hold the flower on his own, swaying away deeper. She made some distance between them, but her gaze never left him.

Matthew took a step forward that sunk him more. His words were pained, but as well firm.

“If this will allow me to keep being with you two, I sure wish to change.” He slowly raised the flower, frowning at its water, letting it brush his lips. One last whisper escaped him, full of hope. “It will be alright.”

It always was by their side.

The moon rose at its peak in the sky as he displayed his will. He winced, noting the saline taste, the iron tone to it; as well, a strange sensation that brushed his throat, which slowly sunk deeper in him, increasing with each intake. Yet he did not stop. He only took a breath when nothing was left.

Matthew let out a shaky exhale, his hand trembling, his vision flickering for a moment in black. He felt his skin shiver. And he found himself letting go of the flower, unable to notice that it was black now, gone its colour, withered.

He could only raise his hand to his head, feeling a sudden pulse, his heart skipping a beat.

“I-ia-“

His throat was suddenly dry. Worse, it felt like if something was beginning to strangle it. His eyes narrowed, his vision trying to focus itself on her, not understanding. Everything burned; his skin, his insides, his lungs, and his heart. He soon felt pain, all through, in just a second.

He wheezed, his vision returning slightly. But she was not in front of him anymore, nor in the water near him. He could not see her. There were only small trails on the surface.

“I-iar…?!”

His call ended short, he was unable to voice his sudden hurt. Because he felt a sudden flow of agony run all over him, stronger. And he felt his legs crumble, tremble, give up on themselves. He gagged, losing his stance, his hand lashing as he felt himself fall into the water.

He had been able to stand with his feet. Not anymore. His eyes burned as he sank, his mouth and eyes opening wide as he screamed, unable to feel his feet so much, a deep sting where they should be. Like if something was emerging, tearing out his skin, forcefully.

He jolted there, unable to take a breath, unable to stand or float, for the burning slowly extended. He could not even think, horrible torture restraining his thoughts. The ache he had felt in his chest only increased to an extreme he could not imagine before. He felt his veins pulse. He could not feel his legs anymore. His thrashing was in vain, only his hand managing to break the surface sometimes. Crawling to shore was not something he would manage.

Soon, he heard cracks. His flesh felt like it was melting, and at the same time turned inside out. Something swayed erratically, where his lower self should be.

He could not hold his breath anymore. His lungs twisted as he swallowed water in a reflex intake. However, he managed to focus his vision, finally adjusting to the dark of the sea. He could only cry, not a single tear visible, finally seeing something.

He saw the outlines of her figure. Ahead, drifting in the water, floating calmly upright, shadowed.

Matthew outstretched his hand towards her, begging blindly for her to reach back. He wanted her to help him out, let him surface. He was suffocating…

Yet she was not moving. She was only floating there, almost limp. Not even looking at him.

A painful jolt struck him again, his whole figure shaking below water, bubbles coming out while he tried to be heard. She seemed to do so, finally. But she did not seem to care.

Matthew watched in horror as her frame rose, her figure floating tall in the shadows again. She met his eyes, raising her gaze. She stared at him, coldly. The only thing she did was look down at him, while he writhed on the bottom. He curled on the sand in distress, staring up at her with shock and fear, unable to move, only flinch with every flow of pain.

Her eyes were sharp, empty, uncaring. And he could only tremble, for in his eyes, she looked like the one that almost killed him that night. Fragility and despair were all he felt. He could not breathe, he was suffering… and she only stared.

Why?

Fear and dread wrapped him as his mind grew foggy, a sense of realization stabbing. Multiple memories flashed, pounding in his head. That night, those eyes… That picture of a siren calling softly, making those souls feel safe; only to drown them, push them into a watery grave.

Matthew screamed one last time, only for more water to flow into his lungs. His hand slowly fell down with the rest of him. And he saw her suddenly turn around slowly, giving him her back. To then swim away, her beautiful gray tail blending with the blackness around them.

His sight faded and wavered, blurring. The last thing he saw… a glow over her, red. But he could not think of it. He could only question, beg for answers that he could not have. He wondered why she was leaving, only for the answer to echo in his mind, his own thoughts.

To let me… die.

Matthew’s eyes finally unfocused, surrendering to the pain and lack of air. He writhed there, terrified to see the outlines of his own figure, rocked slightly on the bottom by the soft current. There were black and auburn glints. He could feel… something sway as he jolted.

He waited for death. But it was just not coming. The water flowed in him with every instinctive inhale he took; he could feel it settling inside him.

In… out; his chest rising and falling. His mind was shaken, afraid, shocked. He felt he was drowning. His figure swayed there, frozen. His own brain expected him to be dead. He was sure he had died. Yet his heart was beating. If he was alive, he should be able to move. But he couldn’t.

I am…

He finally broke down, unable to think anymore. He let go into a conscious sleep… while loud growls echoed.

Red eyes narrowed, because a dog managed to free one of her paws. Shamira barked with ire, her head whipping back to try to mangle the shark still holding her. The merman snarled as he slowly lost grip. His eyes widened when he saw the dog go berserk, her eyes aflame, freeing her other paw. She was now able to turn around, face to face.

A loud growl escaped him; pain flowed when fangs sunk into one of his shoulders. Shamira whimpered, receiving a strong hit to her side in return. She rolled along the sand, huffing in discomfort, slumping there.

He glared with pure hate, sharp teeth showing as he cursed.

“You disgusting mutt…!”

He held his wound with his free hand, his sharp fins shivering, wishing to rip the animal to pieces.

But he knew better. A human disappeared in the sea could be excused. He could not eat fur. It would be strange for humans to find dog remains along the beach. Besides… the fewer signs of his presence he left, the better. There was a pesky killer whale around, somewhere.

The shark huffed, hissing while he sunk back into the water. The wound burned as the salty water brushed it. He swam away, leaving the dog there, beaten.

However, he halted for a moment, looking back at the bottom nearby. He stared hungrily at the figure there, helpless and dazed. So easy to just dash and end it…

It was tempting. But he shook his head, seeing another one in the darkness ahead. He could not end him yet. Not yet.

He went deeper, soon catching up with her. A laugh escaped him, seeing no recognition in those once azure eyes. She kept swimming forward, following a call in her mind. There were red glints in her eyes, no will of her own.

He knew the human would be willing. It had been too easy.

The moon lost its red glint eventually, time ticking away. Shamira stood again, limping. Even if in pain, she neared the area where Matthew had been, barking and calling.

No answer was given, only her worried whines echoed. She could see his outlines, lying in the depths, still trembling.

Shamira fidgeted there for hours, unable to swim and take him out, even if she tried. She ended up running away with a loud howl, her eyes fixing on the road. She hoped to be able to find help as she ran.

Two had trusted… and had fallen.

————-

 

Silver eyes blinked, noticing a red glow above.

The merman halted his blind search, surrounded by darkness, now dimly lighted by the bloody hues of the moon. He trembled, finally noticing its strange appearance. It was unnatural, bloody… looming. Its glints even covered the depths he roamed, reflecting on his skin.

He looked over his shoulder slowly, a shiver running down his spine. His gaze fixed onto the shadows around him; he was deep into the sea that surrounded the cay, far.

His search had taken a long time. He had hoped to find her. But now the moon rose high, bloody.

She was trying to find a way. A way in which to-

“F-fuck…!”

Alon growled with fear, bolting instantly, dashing his way back. His fins trembled, his strong arms moved to aid his tail; he did all he could to give himself speed. He swam mightily, crying, looking up at the surface, seeing the red over it.

Fear was all he felt, for he had ventured too far; far from Matthew. And he could only realize… that he had been searching in vain. If she found a way, if she really wanted to invoke that spell… she wouldn’t be far. She wouldn’t be in the depths.

She would be near him, calling.