Homeless
Ichika drifted listlessly with the current. Her red and white tail undulated in a half-hearted manner.
How much longer could she go on? Months ago, the underwater earthquake destroyed her homeland — the koi-mermaid village. She closed her eyes and shuddered at the remembrance, air-bubble tears spilling up and around her auburn hair.
When the earthquake hit, Ichika had been swimming home after a seaweed gathering expedition. The massive eruption had caused her to flee in fear. She holed up alone in an underwater cavern, not daring to surface. By the time she returned, a gaping cleft in the seabed was all that remained of her village.
She had darted around in increasing desperation. Caves were destroyed, neat seaweed beds flung apart, and food stores ruined. Ichika swam away in despair, falling into the prevailing currents, praying someone in her family had survived and escaped.
But now, she’d lost hope. Her belly was thin and empty, as the poor-quality seaweed in these waters didn’t fill her. And her spirit felt lower with every empty day.
Red and white movement caught her eye, and her heart leapt, until she realised yet another clown fish circled her. She fell into a doze, tail keeping her steady.
A few hours later, Ichika awoke to find strands trailing around her body. She squirmed and turned. The strands tightened; they formed light ropes. She gasped. It was the nightmare of her childhood dreams — a fisherman’s net!
She struggled in earnest and pulled at the netting, which only pinched tighter. Crying out in pain, bubbles streamed from her gills. She rose towards the surface, flailing wildly, tail thrashing. Panic rose in her chest and her head felt light.
A flash of white and red flicked through her vision. She groaned. Clown fish were no help.
Hold still! The mer-voice echoed in her mind.
Ichika’s heart jumped and she obeyed from instinct. She felt a loosening and ripping below her body as the netting came away.
She drifted down, limply, strong hands gripping her. The empty net shot upwards. She took in a cool deep breath and turned to face her rescuer.
Father!
He held her tightly to his chest. Air bubble tears leaked from her eyes as her father’s strong arms circled her.
Home at last.
Enjoy this story? Check out Familiar Magic and Dark Shadow for more fantasy fun!
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