On a Bed in the Middle of the Sea

Time passes. The sun begins to set, and eventually, the boy runs out of tears. His mind fills with questions, too many.

So he calls out to the mermaids again.

And they show up.

About half an hour later.

“Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. We were with a group of friends, taking a tour around what used to be your human city,” says the more cheerful mermaid as she rises from the water again, grabbing onto the edge of the bed.

“You didn’t have to make such a scene. We left you alone so you could calm down.” The other one rolls her eyes, annoyed. “Now we’ll have to wait again for you to get over it.”

The mermaids turn as if to leave. He quickly jumps to the edge of the bed and grabs the kinder one by the hand.

“Please, don’t. I have so many questions.”

The gentler mermaid stops. She slowly turns toward him, letting her hand remain in his, while placing her other hand over his. She positions herself in the water just beneath him, as close as possible, her face near his.

“I’ll answer all your questions.”

They’re very close now. The boy isn’t sure how to read her behavior.

“I’m hungry, Seveline,” the other mermaid says in a rather… well, irritated tone.

The kind one rolls her eyes this time. “Give me a moment, Perla.”

The boy figures their names are a good place to start. He asks his first question:
“How did the city flood?”

“What you humans call the Flood came. The entire human world was swallowed by water.”

He lowers his head onto the mattress, trying not to cry. The gentle mermaid strokes his hand and hair, attempting to comfort him, or at least, that’s what he thinks.

“Seveline, seriously?” the other one snaps, growing more irritated by the second.

Seveline cups his face in her hands and gently kisses him on the lips.