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Undine

elemental sufferers

By Anna TorresPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 4 min read
1
Undine
Photo by Daniel Bernard on Unsplash

I don't know if fish can get depressed but I've seen enough of them to believe they can. An aquarium is supposed to dazzle and delight and bring wonders from the unknown into our earthen realm. These fish and mammals are not arriving under the best circumstances though. With each newcomer, there is an energy that is being corrupted and corroded. This place isn't where they are supposed to be. My aquarium is the final resting place for most of them now. I hope divine intervention occurs or else these creatures will not survive whatever is coming...........

I heard rumors of a new arrival. I put down my broom and dustpan and pondered why this aquarium needed a new attraction. We have endangered species in this building so why something else? I don't know if our system is equipped to handle a new specimen. If it were up to me, I would find a way to release all these creatures into the longing peace they deserve. Trapped behind glass and inside a cage is not the life I would choose for anyone or anything. I heard the new owner bought something no aquarium has ever seen. I'm sure stole is more like it.

Plunder like a pirate is something I feel suits the new boss. I've seen him twice and have no plans for a third. He likes to get his greedy hands on anything that will make more people spend more money to see. The aquarium isn't the show runner it used to be. Ever since Shamu lost his freedom and Sea World lost its reputation, no one really wants to be here anymore. I am paid to clean this place, that's all. I really want to see what the fuss is all about over this new star arrival. I plan on sneaking back in tonight and opening doors that I shouldn't. I have the keys to the aquarium and when I need them to, they open everything even when they shouldn't.

It's 2:30 in the morning. There's a see-through coffin filled with ocean water. Salt water looks different than fresh water or maybe it's just me. I see breathing holes on top and some sort of tail full of scales. This tail reminds me of a mermaid but that can't be. Mermaids don't exist. Undine don't exist, do they? I've read about water nymphs but that's all folklore, right? The digger you deep, the more unbelievable myths becomes. I finally see something that I've secretly been waiting for but am still unprepared to witness: I see human eyes peering back at me. I see a face, a nose, a mouth, and hair. I see a woman looking back at me from within the confines of this watery cage. My heart seizes. My breath becomes trapped in my throat. I can't believe this. Is that a half-human, half-fish I see before me?

She looks up at me through the breathing holes. She has green eyes, like me. I do the only thing my brain can think of in this phenomenal moment: I wave. I stammer out a hello but don't expect a response. She instead signs to me. What in the world is happening here? I have a deaf sister so I can communicate with her and it's the most unbelievable thing I have ever done. I am using sign language to communicate with this mermaid. At least I think it's a mermaid. She says her name is Amarria. She cannot get free without the help of the others. What others? She entrusts me with the job of finding them. If I can't find all three, she will perish here alone. Before I can find out what this all means, security escorts me out of the room and out of the building. They caught me sneaking in on camera and interrupt our conversation before I can even introduce myself. Amarria will die if I don't help her. If what she says is true, then there are 3 others like her. If she's a mermaid, then she must represent water. That leaves fire, air, and earth but where do I even begin to find them? How do I conduct such a search? Has it been done before? What happens if they are reunited?

As luck would have it, the other 3 elemental spirits are on their way and they are searching for me too. I have no idea what I've gotten myself into.

FantasyYoung AdultShort Story
1

About the Creator

Anna Torres

I’m a 37-year old mother. I love reading, metal music, and writing. I have begun writing again since 2021

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