The Swim Lessons

It was something that he hadn't heard before. An odd haunting singing that echoed in his head. As he walked towards the voice, Jeffery had this weird feeling in his head. Like he heard something speaking to him. Telling him 'Come to me'.

Over and over again.

This was strange. So very, very strange. But, he couldn't stop himself. Like there was a string pulling him forward. Almost like he was a puppet on a string. Tugged by an unseen puppeteer. Jeff couldn't understand why he was feeling this way. Or what was tugging him. Yet, he couldn't find himself unable to stop. Unable to keep his feet from making him step to where the voice was. Right down towards the dock near his home.

Forcing him to walk down to the end of the dock.

A second later, he found himself completely in control of himself. While he stood there, Jeff tried to understand what was going on. A splashing noise dragged his attention to under himself. Looking down towards it, he immediately spotted a man. Who was tan, dark haired, and dark eyed. The man looked like he had been just out for a swim. Which caused Jeffery to raise an eyebrow. Unsure of what to make of the other man in front of him. Tilting his head to the side, Jeff said,"Uh, hi there..."

The other man didn't make a noise. Or even do anything aside from stare back at him. Then glanced Jeff over in a strange manner. Like he was trying to figure out what he was. His gaze was lingering on Jeff's legs in a strange manner. A moment later, the man gently ran his fingertips over them. Causing Jeff to shiver when he noticed the nails were sharp. It felt strange as he almost took a step back. But, he never got the chance as the man grabbed his ankle. Tight enough to make him stop but not tight enough to cause him harm. This made Jeff uncomfortable as he watched the other man. In a shaky voice, Jeff asked,"Please let go of my leg? You're making me uncomfortable."

The other man's grip didn't let up. But, it also didn't get tighter.

Jeff chewed the inside of his cheek as he stared at the man. Trying to shake the strange man's hand off of him. Eyes widening as the man started grin at him. Revealing sharp teeth as he stared up at Jeff. It also made him recognize the other strange things on the man. Like the giant tail under the water that resembled a shark's. Seeing the large triangle fin that was between the man's shoulder blades. Part of Jeff wondered how he hadn't noticed it before. While he tried to pull away, the man started tugging him closer. Right until Jeff fell on his ass on the dock. Squirming as he tried to get away from the man. Who had a tight grip on his other ankle as well. Pulling him close with a grin on his face. Soon as Jeff was face to face with him, he raised an eyebrow and let go of Jeff's ankles. Almost as if he were confused as to why Jeff was screaming. Why he was struggling so hard to get away from him. Or why he was crying and screaming at the top of his lungs.

A second later, Jeff went silent as the man asked,"...you okay there buddy?"

This question was followed by awkward silence as Jeff stared at him. Eyes so wide that it almost drew a laugh from the shark-man in front of him. Almost. Instead, the shark-man repeated his question. Jeff nodded his head slightly. Wiping tears from his eyes as he questioned,"I'd be better if you hadn't grabbed me like that. The Hell are you doing, man?!"

"I'm sorry, I just wanted a better look at you.",he answered. A better look at him? Why didn't he just ask him to sit down? Jeff glared at the shark-man who had the sense to look sheepish. Smiling slightly as he stated,"I guess I could've just asked you to sit down."

"Yeah, you could've.",Jeff snarked. Rolling his eyes for emphasis as he crossed his arms. The shark-man frowned a little at this. But, seemed to understand Jeff's feelings. Then he asked,"Well, how about I make it up to you?"

"And uh, how do you expect to do that?",Jeff questioned. Unsure what the shark-man could do for him. The shark-man answered,"I'll do whatever you'd like. Like take you to where I live."

"And give you something from it if you'd like.",he added. The idea of going anywhere with a shark-merman had made him slightly uncomfortable. Especially when the shark-man had easily scared him without thinking. Who knows if he was actually sorry for scaring him? Or actually interested in making it up to him at all? What if this was his way of taking Jeff somewhere to kill him? Pushing these thoughts aside, Jeff said,"I uh...I can't swim."

It was the truth. Jeff couldn't swim despite all of the years he'd lived by the pond. Shoving these thoughts to the side, Jeff questioned,"Could you teach me how to swim instead?"

"Sure, I can teach you how to swim.",the shark-man answered. Seemingly pleased with the idea of teaching him how to swim. Like no one had ever asked him to. Probably never had to. Jeff asked,"So, what's your name? Mine's Jeff."

"Oh, I'm Edmund.",Edmund answered. Moving slightly back in the water for Jeff to get in. Soon as he did, Edmund instructed Jeff to turn to the dock. When he did, he stated,"Okay, now grab onto it with both hands. We'll start with floating and kicking."

This is what the pair did for over an hour. Just the basics so that Jeff felt comfortable in the water. Which wasn't too difficult as the pair stuck to the dock. Not too long, Jeff started feeling cold and needed to get out. With Edmund's help, he got out of the water and back on the dock. Looking down at Edmund, Jeff asked,"Same time tomorrow?"

That caused the shark-man to smile warmly at him. Not showing any of his scary sharp teeth. Edmund answered,"Of course. See you tomorrow, Jeff."

"See you tomorrow, Eddie.",Jeff answered. Heading back to his home in his soaked clothes. Not even minding the squishy noises that his shoes were making. Just looking forward to the next day's swim lesson.