I am not a swimmer, but there is something infinitely alluring to the pool that makes my heart pound. A low thrum beneath my skin as my blood heats from the chants all around me,
“Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!”
I’m stalling, second guessing the decision I am about to make, but adrenaline floods my brain and reason flies out the window. I jump, body making contact with water before I could take back my actions. The screams from above me are muffled but loud, water blinds me and my lungs burn as it floods my nostrils. I’m drowning…
Someone pulls me up and I’m fighting for air, the people are still cheering and I laugh despite myself.
“Well done. You didn’t die.” Nathan tells me, flashing me his teeth, the canines not completely white.
“That was amazing.” I respond
“Yes. Now, remember this day when you finally decide to try something more dangerous. You did not die.”
It has been Ten years since that memory. Ten years and once again I am confronted with water, only this time, I do know how to swim.
“Kate, we go in ten minutes.” Neil, the director yells from across the set.
My assistants and makeup are all over me, touching this, adjusting that, the overall experience that comes with being a high paid actress. This would be my last movie, but no one knows that yet. Kendra, my agent, will flip when she learns like everyone else at the award night would, that I have decided not to renew my contract but retire instead, at thirty-five.
Just as I take a sip out of my bottle, a man pours soda into the lake. His shoes rests on the banks and he’s muttering something.
“What’s he doing?” I ask no one in particular, but an answer comes anyways.
“Paving way. There’s a myth surrounding this village. Whoever would use the river has to first pacify its inhabitants through a prayer and offering.”
My eyes don’t leave the man whose hands are now wide open and over his head as he does a strange dance.
“What inhabitants?”
“Mermaids.”
My eyes snap to my assistant. Her face is straight as a board. No indication of a joke.
“You don’t believe those exist?” It wasn’t supposed to be a question.
“I find that it doesn’t matter what I believe. There are things that remain unprecedented.” She gives me her half smile.
“Hmm.” I hear myself hum. Perhaps, she’s right. My eyes wander to the man who now walks out of the water and for a second, I thought I caught the glimpse of a finger. My imagination always finds an excuse to recreate. I shake it off.
“Agatha! Take my hand!”
I look up at the assistance being offered to me, a camera directly in my face but I have learned to ignore it and stick to my role. I school my features, from hope to anger and finally resignation - according to the script. I smirk at the offer and let go of the rope, bracing myself for contact with the water body. The divers should be ready to receive and assist me to the surface now. A splash and I am engulfed in water, I hear a muffled “cut” and I flap my feet against the current to steady. The divers are not here making a tinge of annoyance crawl up my throat. A shriek cuts off my thoughts and something hits me square in the chest.
Air leaves my lungs and I swallow a mouthful of water, I quickly regain my composure and hold my breath but I feel another jab at my back. Painful and nerve wrecking. I slap my arms and legs against the water, fighting to reach the surface and then I hear the shriek again. Something wraps itself around my ankle and I am pulled away from the surface. I open my mouth to scream but I drink water instead. My nose burns as my oxygen supply diminishes rapidly. Just before the darkness claims me, I see two men in oxygen masks swimming towards me.
I wake up with a start, sputtering and coughing,
“Breathe,” I hear the diver say. I gasp, inhaling a lung full of air, “that’s it.” He pulls me into a sitting position and gently rubs my back, “We called in an ambulance, you’ll be in a hospital soon. You scared us, Stargirl.”
Neil drapes a towel on me, “Jesus Kate! I nearly had a heart attack.”
“Let’s get her inside.” The diver says and picks me up bridal style. My arms automatically go around his neck as he walks us away from the river, spectators familiar and none watching with interest. I look towards the river and I know I did not imagine it. A figure dives in smoothly but their tail flashes, clear as day, over the waters.
