A long time ago, the Earth blessed four spirits, making them gods. The gods of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, oversee their realms, creating sentient creatures to help cultivate their lands. These beings constantly war over each other, eventually driving the servants of Water, the Merfolk, to extinction. Millennia later Kyle Weathers receives a gift from an old but mysterious lady while working in Haiti. This gift will change his life forever.

Chapter 13:  ½ Empty

Eric really was a gentleman. He was someone I could have really gotten used to. He didn’t have a problem escorting me to Eliza’s apartment, seeing they were obviously good friends. Using the spare key Eliza so graciously gave me, I unlocked the door and together we headed inside.

“I had a wonderful night tonight, Ithycca,” Eric began. “Your personality just seems to click with me, I don’t know why.”

“I appreciate your keeping me company,” I remarked. “It’s been awhile since I’ve…gotten back into the dating game.”

“Ended on a sour note I take it?” he surmised. In truth it was anything but. However my insecurity, along with my guilt, made it hard for me just to continue instigating such manners. I loved Doug, but, I felt ashamed by all the things I did to him. That’s why I ran away, again. And that’s what led me to the conclusion I needed to make an effort to immerse myself in my new femininity, because it felt so sad being alone.

My silence most likely told him all he needed to know. “You’re a wonderful, beautiful, funny lady, Ithycca,” he declared. “I don’t know what happened, but I could almost see it in your eyes. It wasn’t your fault. Trust me.”

Yeah…you don’t hafta deal with the pheromones.

“I appreciate all you’re trying to say,” I responded, “Trust me- I’m slowly making my way out of it. It just takes time.”

“Time goes by quicker than you think,” he countered. “You’re too beautiful to just let life pass you by.”

Beautiful, funny, wonderful: all of them were just sweet nothings being spoken into my ear, but each one caused me to melt like butter. Slowly my libido was rising; I began to feel a little confused.

“I-I just don’t know,” I said, although my body wanted to make the decision for me. I subconsciously was inching myself closer to Eric, even though I didn’t know if this was a good idea.

Yet I could see my pheromones were starting to grab a hold of him. He had that same relaxed look on his face as Doug did a few months before.

“I…I think I’m in love with you,” he said, obviously too spaced out to even think straight.

That was all I needed to hear: love. My body heard the signal and initiated the sequence as I threw my arms around him and began to passionately kiss him over and over around his face. I could feel myself falling deeper and deeper into my lust as I threw him onto the couch and pulled off his T-shirt. His chest, his abs…oh God he was gonna be a good one.

But something kept interfering with my ultimate desire. Did you forget, my subconscious reminded me. Did you forget what happened to Doug? Are you going to do the same to this man too?

I stopped midway, shocked at myself for what I was about to do. Obviously the tranced out Eric was disappointed, but luckily practically engulfed within my scent I could easily control him. Putting his clothes back on, I gave him the command to go home, that we had a very good night and none of this ever happened. He just nodded his head and I shut the door behind him.

I stood there, standing over the rails on the deck in the back of Eliza’s apartment, thinking about today’s events. Why was I doing this? Was I that shallow? Was I unable to control these behaviors?

The worst thing even if I could control my sexual urges, the people I feel attracted to, be it Doug, or even Eric, albeit in a lesser degree, couldn’t. They were enslaved by the very pheromones that I produced. Is that really love, or is it all just a lie produced by my body I had no real ability to control?

I could feel the sea breeze flowing over me, comforting me, reminding me that no matter how lonely I got that it was always there, waiting for me. Loneliness: what a terrible word. At first I thought I was lonely because I was trying so hard to be a man. Now I feel that it was something more. Even these dreams began to tell me as much. I remember the friends, the people, the subjects and all of my fellow Merpeople back when I lived so long ago. They all just disappeared, gone…without a trace. And worst of all, Marid, my better half, my true soulmate.

I was lonely because I was the only one of my kind. I needed their kinship. It may have been my fault that they had suffered such an unfortunate end, but why was I the only one lucky enough to be born once again?

I could hear the nearby screeches of the various birds and sea life. Perhaps they were dolphins, making a rare appearance in the night waters. But the sounds sounded quite familiar. I couldn’t help but listen in further. To a normal human being, they may not think anything of it, but to me, I could realize, it was Merfolk tongue! And what’s more, it was directed to me!

“Ithycca…” It said, “My daughter…”

Daughter? It couldn’t be...

“Mother?” I replied back using the same language.

“Dearest Ithycca,” She continued, “indeed it is I, Alora, Goddess of the Water.”

“Where are you!?” I begged to know. To be reunited with my mother; this was a major breakthrough.

“Please, do not search for me!” she demanded. “When the time comes you will be able to find me, but right now it would be suicidal. Please understand.”

“But mother!” I exclaimed, wanting so badly to help the one who 10,000 years ago gave birth to me.

“I understand your loneliness, dear,” she insisted. “I too, have been trapped in Limbo for too long. But with your existence our people will persevere. The Merfolk race shall rise again.”

“But, how?” I couldn’t help but wonder. “Even if I live, there are no others! I couldn’t even procreate if it came down to it!”

“Go north, my dear,” she pleaded. “I cannot talk much longer, but the answers you seek are there. Please, go!”

“Mother!” I cried as her words began to fade. I didn’t get a reply. The echoes faded into nothingness; all I could hear was the gentle pushing of the waves.

I didn’t understand it. None of it made sense. Was I imagining things? I know Gods and Goddesses are capable of some amazing things- I’ve been around Gaia enough to know better. But why now? What was so important that she finally wanted me to swim out in the middle of nowhere?

With nothing more than a bikini top and wrap skirt, I made my way on to the beach, where the moist beach sand gave my toes a tingly sensation. Even if I was imagining things, I was determined to find out anyway. I don’t know, or at least couldn’t remember, what my mother’s involvement in our people’s extinction was. Even if she was a major contributor, however, 10,000 can change people. Even I feel guilty of my involvement. Perhaps that was the former me, the male me, talking. Perhaps there still is part of him in me.

Either way, I needed to find her. She’s the only one who could understand me. She might be the only other Mermaid that exists in this world.

“Out for a late night swim, Ithy?” Kali cried from behind. It’s becoming old hat how she continues to sneak up on me like that. She realized she didn’t spook me that time, and just smiled.

“I’m surpised you’re out here,” I began. “I thought you’d be having a good time with Lyle.”

“Ah,” she realized. “Nah, he’s a good dude, but I believe we were in agreement that this night was for you mostly.”

“So you’re saying they were all in on it?” I assumed.

“Pretty much,” she replied matter of factly. “Speaking of which, what happened to Eric? Did you have a good time? C’mon! Don’t hold back! I wanna know all the juicy details!”

I looked at her and sighed, which turned her playful demeanor into a rather concerned one.

“Not so hot, eh?” She stated.

“Face it, Kali,” I bluntly said, “I can’t live like this.”

“Is it the whole loving guys thing again?” She questioned. “I thought we’ve been through this!”

“No,” I admitted. “It’s not about that. It’s something bigger.” I paused, holding back the tears as I finally blurted out, “I’m not a human anymore Kali! I feel so wrong trying to be something I’m not!”

This was probably the first time I’ve ever seen Kali a little upset, and it surprised me. “You know, I’m getting a little sick and tired of these little episodes,” she sternly remarked. “I’m not human either, doofus! I do my best to adapt as well as I can. It can be difficult, but I tell you one thing I won’t, and never will do! I won’t run away!”

I looked at her, speechless as she continued to give me a good dose of her tough love.

“This is the third time now, Ith,” She stated. “First from Eliza, second from Doug. I even helped you out in a couple of situations, which I now regret. Even now we’re trying to get you acclimated in your new life and went out of our way to set up a date and everything! And now you wanna run away again?!”

“But,” I protested, “the pheromones…”

“So what?” She interrupted. “He’s only reciprocating what you’re feeling.”

“But what about his feelings?” I argued. “Maybe that isn’t what he wants! Why do I feel like I’m using him so?”

“Because you’re a good person, Ithy,” she answered. “You try so hard not to hurt anybody. Sometimes it’s not fair. But if you’re planning to run away, you’ll be hurting two people who care about you very much. So please.”

Her plea was heartfelt. I did care about her feelings; Eliza’s too. But look at me. I’m a wreck. What was once a question of gender now became a question of race, and the more I look back, the more I realized how different I really am.

I am a Mermaid. The ocean is my home. No matter my sexual frustration I cannot coexist with humans. The power I have over them was too much for me to bear.

I needed to find Mother. She’s the only one who can help me now.

“I’m sorry,” I told Kali. Without her getting another word in I dove into the water. I made my bed, now I had to lay in it.

Night turned into day rather quickly. I swam north going against the currents. I didn’t know where I was heading, but I had to find out.

I could’ve sworn that only a few hours passed since the sun rose. However, the further north I swam the darker it became. Eventually it was darker than it was even back a few hours ago. Using my bioluminescent tail and my sonar skills I pushed forward. Eventually the currents began to lessen, and then I realized I was actually starting to swim with it. I was still swimming north- how was that possible?

It didn’t take to much more for me to figure out the reasons why. It only took witnessing a downed WWII Airplane Fighter to make sense of it all. I thought it was all a hoax, but I should’ve been more open-minded about the idea by now.

I was in the Bermuda Triangle, and the currents were dragging me into a single point, like a black hole, swallowing me up.

What the hell was I thinking? Quickly I tried to swim out of its range, but it was no use, the currents became too strong as I inched closer and closer into the giant whirlpool. Even with my strength, I quickly fatigued. It didn’t help matters that the air and water temperature emitted from the whirlpool changed dramatically. My cold-blooded body couldn’t adapt as the icy cold water hit me like a ton of bricks, and as a result, I was quickly losing consciousness.

I tried to stay awake but I had a hard time keeping my eyes open. Perhaps Kali was right. Perhaps I shouldn’t have run away. I suppose this was the price to pay for my stubbornness.

I gave in to the currents, and my body went limp. I closed my eyes, and fell into hibernation.

It was still cold, but manageable. What was strange was the lack of water running through my gills. Was I on land?

I conjured up my legs and immediately jumped to my feet. All around me I could see the wreckage of downed aircrafts and ships, covered in mounds and mounds of snow. I was freaking out. I wondered where I was, but it didn’t take long to figure it out.

Beyond the horizon I could see the majestic view of ruined city. Buildings of coral and basalt, layered in gold. This was my city; the place I ruled 10,000 years ago.

This was my home. This was Atlantis.