Chapter 6: Bound by the Tides.

The deep expanse of the ocean was both your sanctuary and your prison. Far from the treacherous currents near the human shores, the vast waters sang with magic and mystery. Ancient coral forests bloomed beneath the waves, their vivid colors illuminated by bioluminescent flora. Schools of silver fish darted through the swirling kelp, shimmering like starlight.

You glided effortlessly through the depths, your siren tail gleaming in shades of iridescent green and silver. The water pulsed around you in familiar rhythms, a song that resonated with your very soul. Yet today, that melody was discordant. A subtle tension coiled in the currents, prickling against your senses.

Something — or someone — was watching you.

You stilled, your sharp eyes scanning the shadows beyond the coral. Your heart quickened as you caught the faint glimmer of scales reflecting in the distance. A predator’s gleam.

“Nerissa,” you murmured under your breath.

It had been weeks since the strange mermaid had first crossed into your territory. At first, she'd appeared harmless—beautiful and charming, as all mermaids were. But beneath her enchanting smile lurked an unsettling intensity.

You hadn’t invited her presence. And yet, she lingered.

---

A swirl of bubbles broke through the water as Nerissa emerged from the shadows. Her long, flowing hair drifted around her like a dark halo, and her shimmering blue scales caught the faint light. Her lips curled into a smile that was too sharp, too knowing.

“You’re a difficult one to find,” she said, her voice lilting like a haunting melody.

“I wasn’t hiding,” you replied coolly. “This is my territory. You’re trespassing.”

Nerissa tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with something that made your skin prickle. “I didn’t mean to intrude,” she said sweetly. “I just… missed you.”

Your chest tightened with unease. “We’re not friends, Nerissa.”

Her smile faltered for a moment before it returned, softer but no less unsettling. “Not yet,” she whispered. “But we could be. Don’t you see? We’re the same—you and I. Creatures of the deep, misunderstood and feared by the world above.”

You narrowed your eyes. “Leave, Nerissa. I won’t warn you again.”

For a moment, silence stretched between you, taut and heavy. Then her expression shifted—something darker flickering in her gaze.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she said softly. “I’ll always find you.”

Before you could respond, she surged forward, her fingers brushing against your arm. Her touch was cold and possessive.

“I’ll make you see,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “We belong together.”

A wave of fury and fear surged through you. You yanked your arm free and propelled yourself backward, muscles coiling with the urge to flee.

“You’re insane,” you spat. “Stay away from me.”

Nerissa’s eyes gleamed with an unsettling mixture of pain and determination. “If I can’t have you,” she whispered, “then no one will.”

You didn’t wait to hear more. With a powerful flick of your tail, you darted through the water, weaving through the thick coral and kelp. The currents whipped past you, but Nerissa was fast—faster than you expected.

Her voice echoed through the water, a haunting song laced with magic. The melody wrapped around you, tugging at your mind and threatening to drag you back to her.

“No!” you hissed, fighting against the pull. You knew the power of her song—just as dangerous as your own. If you faltered, even for a moment, you would be hers.

Desperation fueled your movements. You dove deeper into the ocean, the light fading into darkness. The pressure pressed against your body, but you pushed forward, seeking refuge in the labyrinthine caverns below.

The song grew fainter, but you knew she was still following. Her obsession was a relentless tide, and it would not be easily deterred.

---

You burst into an ancient cavern, the walls glistening with iridescent minerals. The water was thick and still, muffling the sounds of the ocean beyond. You hovered in the center, your breath ragged.

Silence enveloped you.

Had you lost her?

A sudden movement shattered the stillness. Nerissa emerged from the shadows, her expression wild and desperate. Her chest heaved as though she had fought against the ocean itself to reach you.

“Why do you keep running from me?” she demanded, her voice breaking.

You bared your teeth. “Because you’re dangerous.”

Her face twisted with anguish. “I love you,” she said fiercely. “Why can’t you see that?”

“That’s not love,” you shot back. “It’s obsession.”

Nerissa’s lips trembled, but then her expression hardened. “If that’s what it takes to keep you, then so be it.”

Before you could react, she lunged at you. Her nails raked across your arm, drawing a sharp sting of pain. You twisted away, your tail lashing out to create distance.

The cavern echoed with the sound of your struggle—bubbles swirling around you as you fought to escape her grasp.

But Nerissa was relentless. Her strength was fueled by desperation, and her grip on you tightened.

“You’re mine,” she hissed, her voice raw. “I won’t let you go.”

Your heart pounded as you realized there was only one way to end this. Summoning the full force of your siren magic, you let out a piercing note that reverberated through the cavern.

The sound shattered the water, creating ripples of raw power. Nerissa’s grip faltered, and she clutched her head in agony.

You didn’t hesitate. With a final burst of strength, you propelled yourself toward the cavern’s exit, leaving Nerissa writhing in the darkness.

---

The open ocean greeted you with a rush of cold water. You swam toward the surface, gasping as you broke through the waves. The salty air filled your lungs, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, you were free.

But even as you floated beneath the starlit sky, a lingering unease coiled in your chest.

Nerissa was still out there.

And deep down, you knew this wasn’t the end.

Her love was a tide that would never recede.

And one day, it would pull you under.

– f i n