After events are always seen as the calm before the storm. Sadly there no storm but a darker force that manages to break me into a million shards of glass.

I am currently bringing the merman some fish. My footsteps echo around the darkroom. All the staff has gone home and John is the only one here that is doing some extra paperwork. John told me I can go home and relax but I didn't want to leave Stella in case anything should happen.

I sigh tired from what I had to endure the past two days. First, it is the merman, then Jack, then Stella, and now who knows what is going to happen.

Closing my eyes and smiling slightly as I relax somewhat. My feet take me to the merman enclosure and I halt at the doorframe.

I used to think this place was haunting during the day with very little light and the only source of light to guide would be from the tank.

Now with it being night, the place looks even scarier. I gulp my fears down and walk-in toward the tank.

My footsteps continue to echo around the room, except it seems louder now. I don't know if it because it is a small room or if it is my hearing that is heightening once again.

I don't plan to tell anybody about what I am experiencing as they think I am crazy.

I move the bucket in both hands gripping it tight. It is the only comfort I have in this room and also, John that I bet has the camera on, watching from his office.

John, I keep getting faint feelings I shouldn't trust him but he has stood by my side from the beginning and even before he became the boss of the aquarium, he and I were friends.

We still are but that dark look I saw he threw at Jack got me to doubt being so trusting to him.

Step by step I take, up the staircase. Each thump of my small black combat boots with the squeaking of the step under my weight has my hair at the back of my neck stand up.

*Gulp*

It's alright Sarah, nothing to be afraid of. Your basement is scarier than this place.

Geez, my head likes turning me into a chicken. Back at the house, we had a basement made of concrete walls and floor with only a small rectangle of a window for the single source of light.

There were some weird things I saw when I was a child. I make it to the bridge and lower myself on the floor, the bucket beside me.

I faintly hear water lapping as I am pulled into memory.

"Sweetie, can you go down to the basement and get that big brown wicker basket for me?" my mom calls me from the kitchen. The smell of bacon getting me excited to eat soon.

"Okay, mom." My five-year-old self runs toward the door with the stairs leading in the basement.

My blue frilly dress moves side to side with every step I take down the steps. I make it down into the cold room. My small bluebell green colored eyes look up at the dangling chain made for the light.

'It too tall for me to reach.' i slowly make my way through the darkroom.

I can faintly see where I am stepping with the light of the moon shining in the small rectangle up near the ceiling. A fully white circle shines in my eyes reflecting the fear that is shaking me from within.

I look around wanting to get out of this place fast. There it is!

The curve of the thicker basket handle shines with little light but it is there nonetheless. My small feet jog over to the object.

'Come down to the black sea.

Swimming with me.

Go down with me

Fall with me

Let's make it worth it

Awwoo'

My small eyes widen in fear as the deep yet soft male voice sings in the room.

"Hello." My voice whispers, my body quivering and the basket is squeaking in my tight grasp.

No other sound meets my ears. I have to get out of here.

"Mommy!" I shout running up the stairs and closing the door.

"Sweetheart, are you alright." long, slender arms wrap me in a warm and bacon-scented chest.

"There was a voice, it was singing to me. It sounded like a man. Don't let me go down there mommy." my small voice pleads, tears staining her white and gold seashell apron.

"Don't worry sweetheart. I won't. If we need something from the basement we will ask your father. Want to feel your little sister?" mother's soft and slim finger unlatches my small left hand from her shoulder and places it on her baby bump.

Under my fingers, I feel a kick and a small smile crosses my face.

"I will look out for you sis." I whisper softly to my baby sister.

"Yes, you will and we will all be together." my mother kisses the side of my head.

I pull myself out of my thoughts as a cool hand lays itself on mine.

I look down to see a pale slender and strong hand on top of my own, almost covering it whole. I lift my gaze a bit further to see the merman silver-grey eyes.

No words pass between us.

No words needed to know how to comfort each other, well comfort me.

The same hand lifts and takes something from my cheek. A single tear.

You are no longer alone, love

I furrow my eyes slightly leaning my head back and gaze at the creature.

Yes, I am the voice that has been in your head this whole time. I was the tune that reached out to you when you were little and even now I shall sing.

"You..." I can curse him for all the insanity he had me endure but my words fall out of my throat.

A sly smirk stretches on his face, his silver eyes have a shadow across his face that makes him look much more attractive.

Without any effort, he slides his knuckles along my soft white skin. Shivers run down my spine like a single trickle of water coming out of a bottle.

I don't move, my eyes captured in a trance with his. His fingers trail along the side of my neck and stretch to the back. I feel myself lower my head down to give him better access.

He grips my black hair tie pulling it fast. As the last strands leave their cage, long light brown wavy hair falls on my back and over my shoulders. A weight is lifted off my shoulders as my hair is set free.

Beautiful.

The simple word that holds many meanings causes me to pull my head back and lean my back on the wall behind me.

"I am not beautiful." I twirl my hair in my fingers and look down at my lap.

You are. You have to believe it.

"Well, then I don't." I look at him as he lifts his body upon the platform in front of me.

Now on even ground, he is much bigger than I thought. His tail is at least three legs big but what catches my gaze the most is the deep 'V' line that hugs his six deep prominent abs.

My right fingers twitch wanting to touch them. His abs remind me of a bar of chocolate, pale white but smooth that with the tank light shines an eerie blue.

Like what you see? Although, it would be fair if I can see your own skin like before.

"What do you mean like before? No, I am not showing you any skin. I don't even know you well enough for that." I tell him, my voice strangely calm and a bit dull in boredom.

You can ask for a name or give me one.

I blink my eyes to my stomach, tracing lightly on the red material. The fabric is the same as a swimsuit, part spandex, cotton, and nylon. It is true, I could name him, but if he has a name, perhaps I should ask for it.

"Fine. What is your name?" he grins mischievously.

What will I get in return?

*Ooohhh, what deep question he asks.

What should be his name? Also, what is John thinking of this interaction?

Comment down below.

Thank you*