[ IP ] Merman

Each day, just before the sun kisses the waves of my home, I go to see her. I cross through the rocky ravines of Al'shur and over the deep coral reefs of Anaitis, just to reach that unknown bay, where there are brown pillars of stone tall enough to block the sun, where water thins and land rises; where I first saw her. 
 
 From a young age, we were taught not to travel near the shore. To never ascend above water. We'd risk being seen- hunted. The high council would warn about the monsters above; how horrible they were. They would forge large wooden ships with iron nets to find our people. The monsters had legs, allowing them to move freely on land. Their spears would descend into our waters for us to use against them. My hands blistered each night we were trained to defend ourselves. I was never a hunter. 
 
 It was on the 8th Moon of Acladus when I first saw her. My scales have n't fully grew and my spear's thrust still shook. On that day, I would tell my father that I would hunt on my own. I wanted to hunt on that day, not because I enjoyed it, but because my father did, expectations were high. I traveled far through the sea, far enough where none of my people could realize my lack of skill, for my father's sake and mine. 
 
 As I swam aimlessly, I noticed myself reaching the surface. I saw gold through the surface of the water. Not the sun's warm gold, but a gleaming gold. My eyes fixed on the gold figure; a girl's hair. I let my spear fall out of grip onto the ocean floor. 
 
 I saw her legs, slowly fighting the water, back and fourth. I unwillingly floated towards her, my curiosity had taken over. I could see her clearer now through the ocean's roof. Her straight, golden hair fell gracefully over her chest. A deep blue tunic covered her torso and thighs. Her eyes fixed the object on her lap. At times, she ran her fingers through her hair when it fell over her deep brown eyes. When she let out a smile, time escaped me. I did not see a monster, I saw innocence. 
 
 From that day on, I would lie through my teeth to my father, telling him I would go hunting. Instead, I would go to see her. Each day I would swim closer and closer, until I could count the little fingers her legs had. 
 
 One day, she did n't bring the item. She only sat there, isolated, on that very same rock, swinging her legs through the water. She watched the waves crash against the large stone pillars. Her eyes scanned the horizon I call home. It was too late when I realized I was too close. Her eyes squinted in my direction as she raised her right leg out of the water and onto the rock. Her left quickly followed. She stood up straight, with her eyes locked onto mine. Her right hand was balled against her chest, her left hung next to her waist. I floated, frozen, realizing my spear had still been gripped in my hands.
