13 Mermaids

Once she saw Will, she immediately stopped singing and looked at him with wide eyes and a bright red face full of embarrassment.

"Oh... Umm..." Will stuttered in sheer disbelief, gasping for breath and nearly fainting.

She started to slip into the water when he cut her short, "Wait! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you."

She slowly smiled and looked back at him bashfully, "It's ok, it's just that no one really hears me sing."

And she speaks! Will thought, truly astonished. Never in his right mind did Will ever think he'd see a mythical creature and yet here he was talking to one in the flesh and blood. The mere thought of his current situation caused Will's limbs to turn to jelly. Less than an instant later she was beside him, pulling him towards the edge of the pool. Her red tail gently brushed against Will's legs as he grabbed the side and caught his breath.

"Not used to seeing mermaids are you?" She asked.

Will looked at her with wide eyes, his mouth still gaping. She gave him a few minutes to slow his breathing and then continued, "Well don't feel bad! I'm not really used to seeing humans."

"No kidding... Where I come from mermaids don't exist."

With a frown, she splashed him and submerged underwater. Will followed her under and tapped her on her shoulder. She stopped, looking back at Will and resurfaced to hear what he had to say. Will looked into her startling, bright green eyes that were glaring back at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." He apologized, "But I need to ask you about something."

She rolled her eyes.

"Please! I'm looking for a Spanish ship. That or a pirate ship. Loaded with treasure...Perhaps a sunken one?" Will asked.

"If I tell you about it, what will you do for me?" She said reluctantly.

"Well... I don't know. What do you need?"

"For you to find something. But it's not for me, it's for my father. He can tell you about your pirate and what he wants you to find in return."

"Well, where is your father?" Will asked.

"In Atlantis."

"Of cooouuuurrse." Will said through a sigh, "But it's not like I can last too long underwater."

"I can fix that." She said with a reassuring smile.

"But ha-"

She cut Will short by kissing him. It made him feel tingly, especially in his head, throat, and chest. And it became harder to breathe.

"What did you do?" Will asked, clearly straining his voice.

"It's a little hard to explain, but long story short, you can now breathe underwater. It's temporary of course." She explained.

"How long will it last?"

"According to your measurement of time, I'd say two and a half hours." She estimated.

She turned to swim out but Will stopped her once more, "Wait! Can I get a name?"

"Mira."