Voices whispering to me,

As I struggle to stay above the water.

Terrible laughter fills my ears and I go under,

Surrounded, yet alone, I can’t get a breath.

Greedy hands latch on,

Pulling me closer to my destruction.

Frantically pumping my arms and legs;

But I can’t get away.

Chest burning,

I slowly lose consciousness.

Just before I gulp in the deadly liquid,

A face appears.

A mermaid’s face, so beautiful and gentle,

Smiling at me, she shows her fangs.

A scream trapped within my lungs,

Her teeth sink deep into the flesh of my arm.

Gasping and swallowing water,

Everything turns black.

Light shines through my closed eyes,

Forcing me awake.

Groggily sitting up and I see that I’m back within my bed.

Pain embedded deep in my arm,

I see the marks of the mermaid’s bite.

Tasting salt upon my lips,

Voices begin to whisper once again.

They can not reach me as long as I stay here.

Yet I can not refuse,

Refuse the call of the mermaid.

My beautiful call,

My call of destruction.