Chapter 3

I was underwater again. I wasn’t myself—I was that fish girl. Alone, in the depths. I cried, begged for help, but no one was there.

Then suddenly, someone appeared. A woman. She rose from beneath the water like she belonged there. Her presence was calm, strong, familiar somehow.

“Hey, don’t be afraid,” she said. “You’re not alone. I’m here with you now. Come. We need you at home.”

“I just want to go home,” I pleaded.

“This is your home. There is no other,” she replied.

When I looked at her properly, I was shocked—she looked just like me. She had a tail, too. She was like me.

Then she swam away and disappeared.

I woke up in a panic, sweating. My heart was racing. What kind of dream was that? What did it mean?

I couldn’t fall back asleep after that. I kept thinking, what if she comes back? What if next time… she takes me with her? She said that was my home—but it’s not. It can’t be. I live here, with Mom and Emma. That’s my real home.

I stayed up until morning, watching the time, too afraid to sleep. When it was time to wash up, I pretended. I didn't want to touch water. I didn’t even bathe—I just wandered around like I was busy and got dressed for school.

During break, I sat with Charlotte . She wasn’t really my friend, just someone I liked sitting with. Honestly, I didn’t really have friends—Emma was the one with those.

I asked her, “Do you know anything about mermaids, Charlotte ?”

She looked at me, surprised.

“Yeah, I heard they do witchcraft,” she said.

I froze. Does that mean I’m doing witchcraft too? No, she’s lying… right?

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“I don’t know, Amelia . I watch those shows too, but it’s all fake. Mermaids aren’t real.”

“Oh, I was just wondering,” I lied. “I watched something about them yesterday.”

“Ugh, they’re boring. Let’s go buy something to eat before break ends.”

We got up and walked to the tuckshop. The bell rang soon after, and we headed back to class.

After school, I went home and found Mom doing laundry.

“How did all these clothes pile up? It was the weekend,” she complained. “Why didn’t you two do laundry?”

“We were busy with assessments,” I lied.

“Then come help me rinse these. And where’s Emma ? Why is he always hanging around at school?”

“She’s on her way. I’m not feeling well, Mama. I’ve got a headache,” I said, faking illness to escape the laundry. I couldn’t risk getting wet and transforming right there in front of her.

Mom looked at me closely. “I knew something was off with you last night. Go lie down. I’ll bring you some pills. But make sure you eat first.”

I went into the kitchen, made a bit of food, ate quickly, then went to my room. I changed into my pajamas—I had to look the part if I wanted to pretend I was really sick. I overheard Mom and Emma arguing in the other room, so I put in my earphones and covered myself with a blanket.

Later, Mom brought me painkillers. I wasn’t even sick, but I took them anyway and fell asleep.

In the morning, I woke up suddenly—the sun was already up. Oh no—I missed school!

I rushed into the kitchen. Emma was gone. Mama was there.

“You’re awake,” she said calmly.

“Mom, why didn’t you wake me?” I asked.

“You’re sick, remember? I didn’t want to disturb you. I already told the school. We’re going to the clinic later.”

“It’s okay, Mama. I feel better now—it’s not as bad as yesterday,” I said, trying to get out of it.

“That’s good, but we’re still going.”

“Okay then…”

“Now go wash that dish in the sink.”

My heart sank. Water. Again.

“Okay, I’ll wash it,” I said quickly, already panicking.

“Make yourself something to eat. After that, we’ll leave. Clinics get crowded fast.”

We lived closer to the hospital than the local clinic, so we usually went there, even for small things. I took the dirty plate to the dish rack, pretending I’d washed it. I couldn’t risk touching water with Mama around. I wasn’t ready for anyone to know the truth—not yet.

I walked to my room, pretending to busy myself. What if I touched water at the hospital and changed again? What if they saw? What if I couldn’t explain it?

Charlotte had made it clear—mermaids are witches. If they found out, they might call me a witch too.

No. I’m not a mermaid. I’m not!

I shook myself from the thought, got dressed, and left the room.

“You’re so slow, girl,” Mama said.

“Heh… I’m just being careful,” I mumbled.

“Well, hurry up and wait for me then.”

I waited while Mama bathed and got ready. We finally left and went to the hospital. I lied about my symptoms, and they gave me painkillers and some basic medication.

When we got home, I rushed straight to my room. I didn’t want to give her a chance to ask me to do anything else—especially anything involving water.

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