1 Going to the shore

Today I turned 16, just like any other mermaid in Severnia,16th birthday was a very happy occasion for us, because it the day we turned into a complete mermaid, but why is my suppose to be happy day like this, unlike all other little mermaid, am always alone, No mother, no father, it was said that a came out of no where, I was found in the ocean by Grandma Cruz, who dead when am just 6, after her death everyone avoid me, as big as Severnia is, am always lonely, I don't mind it though because am still happy with my fish friends.

I was sitting alone humming my birthday day song when a guards from the palace suddenly and grabbed me in both hands. I was in awe looking confused,I wasn't even allow to asked questions, all I know is I was in the palace, in the presence of a lot of mermaid and merman that I've never seen in my life,

"You are Elise", said the man who sit on the throne, definitely the king of Severnia whom am seeing for the first time. "Yes your majesty",I said holding my heads down, am scared and confused, because I was never allowed to enter the palace before, "do you know why you've been summoned to the palace today Elise?" The king asked, 'i don't think am summoned, I was dragged here your majesty', not dare say it out I replied " I don't know your majesty ", he look at me with a eyes that I don't understand, the last time I was that look is on grandma when she look at me with full of warmth, it impossible for the king to look at me like that I must be mistaken "you turned 16 today, and there is something you should know, you are not going to live more than 18," the king said, I look up and meet his eyes, thinking I misheard him " I don't understand your majesty, may I know my offence that makes me to deserve to die at 18 my lord", I said with tears that already filled my eyes, I know everyone in Severnia hate me, they show it, and I feel it, that's why I always try not to offend anyone, but why?

The tears in my eyes is now dropping and tuning to pearls, the king was still staring at me with this same look I don't understand, "u did nothing wrong, or should I said it was your existence that is wrong itself, I have nothing to tell u, I just want you to go to the shore and found your mother, he said, leaving me confused again, " mother, I never remember having one your majesty," I said " no one can come to this world without parents, you have a mother and she's also a mermaid, she's also the only one who can lift your curse, the curse of u not having love and die at 18," he said looking at me with pity, for the first time I see pity in someone's eyes for me, " I really don't understand, and I also don't know how to found her", I said, how will I look for a woman that I've never seen before, "I have something that will make you recognise her the moment u set your eyes on her," he said bring out a crystal bracelet, "this will also help you to get a human leg, but remember my child, you only have 3 months and 7 days from now to found your mother, or else your leg will turn back to tail and you will never have a human leg again," he said, I stared at him, did he just call me 'my child?', forget that I need to take care of the problem in hand right now, I collected the bracelet, not wanting to ask more questions, because I know I won't any ans from him, I thank him and bid him farewell before leaving the palace.

Am confused, I know no one will help me here, now the mission is to look for the woman who can lift my curse, I don't want to acknowledge her as my mother,bcus I don't think she deserve it.

I decided not to wait time anymore, no one is going to miss me anyway, no one to say bye to.

I leave Severnia the very day, the day of my coming age turn to an adventure day for me.

I keep on swimming to the shore, not looking back, I also don't want to look back, I'm just embracing this new life I found myself.

But what is awaiting me here....