TRANSMOGRIFICATION
Leah had her life planned out. She would be married at twenty two and bear a child at twenty five. She would have a job as a journalist at the most prestigious of papers. Making her parents proud. Little did she know that her life would soon be turned upside down, her dreams and her family shattered.
Leah sat eating some yogurt when her mother went to leave for her night shift at the hospital. It started at ten and went to seven in the morning. “Bye mum” called Leah. Just as she said this she felt incredibly sick in the stomach. It went tight and rigid and panic ran though her veins like water down a waterfall. “She found her self vomiting the words out in desperation as though something bad was going to happen. “I love you.’ She said it often but this time it was different it meant more why Leah didn’t know.
“I Love you to dear” said her mother as she disappeared out of the house and into the summer night air.
“Bye Christina” called Sandy to Leah’s mother as they past in the hospital car park. “Have a good rest and I’ll see you next shift”
“You to Sandy” and with that being said she got into her car buckled up, and headed down the road pulling up at the intersection on the red light. The traffic lights flashed green and Christina took off across the intersection. Then suddenly out of no were came a car failing to stop at the lights. The sound of screeching tires, of shattering glass and the smell of burnt rubber filled the air. It was too quick for anyone to scream. Christina’s air bags failed to release causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel killing her instantly.
“NO NO NO why did she have to die? Leah reeled as though questioning the air, her father patting her brown hair. “I felt it dad”
“Felt what?”
“A funny feeling when she was leaving it was as though fate already new and was telling me.” She said through the tears that trickled down her cheeks.
“Really that’s strange you sure?”
“No dad I’m not it just felt too strange. I’m going to the beach I need to get my thoughts together.” With that said she took off down the path that ran from her yard down to the beach. She loved it on the beach it was were she thought, were she felt the calmest. She was nearly at her favorite spot a rocky area when she saw the strangest sight, it shocked her. On one of the rocks was what she could only explain as a mermaid. She lay sprawled across the rock the waves lapping at her shimmering gold tail. She had long blonde hair to the waist. When the mermaid turned she noticed deep red lips and glistening green eyes. But their eye contact didn’t last long as within seconds she wriggled towards the deep blue sea looking utterly terrified. Leah felt a sudden wave of panic she had to get her trust. She had to meet her so thinking quickly she yelled. “Wait I wont hurt you I promise.” The mermaid stopped immediately looked in Leah’s pleading gentle eyes and paused. Leah forced a welcoming smile which was very difficult considering her mother had just died. She then sat on a rock giving the mermaid some time allowing her to survey her. Something which the mermaid was willing to do. She looked Leah up and down she was particularly fascinated by her legs. Her staring made Leah uncomfortable but she wasn’t going to let on. Inside she churned with excitement, something she felt guilty about considering she was meant to be grief stricken. Then suddenly The mermaids face lit up with a massive radiant smile. Leah was amazed at the effect a smile had on an already beautiful face.
“The names Pearl” she said in a soft light hearted voice.
“Leah”
“I’ve never been up close to a land girl I’ve seen them from a distance I must admit it’s a bit exciting.”
“I’ve never seen your people but I never lost faith that you existed.”
“It’s getting dark I better head back to dad he needs me.” She said tears welling once more in her eyes.
“Ok sure I’ll see you around land girl” she said with a cheeky smile before diving into the depths of the ocean.
Leah awoke to the sound of sea gulls and the crash of the waves below. She got dressed into her bathers, had breakfast and headed to the beach. She hoped that Pearl would be there she was in luck. Pearl waved at her from the rock were she had been the previous day. Leah wished she could share her knowledge of Mermaids with someone else. But the only person she thought wouldn’t think she was mad or exploit them was her mother and that discussion was not going to happen. Her grandparents were dead and her only Aunt married some strange bloke and disappeared five years prior.
“How are you?”
“My mum just died” wept Leah it had come from no were she hadn’t meant to tell someone she barely new.
“Oh I’m sorry to hear it” said Pearl awkwardly
“Thanks” replied Leah unsure what else to say.
“I know something that will cheer you up lets go swimming I’ll show you some of the ocean. I can’t show you my city as humans are forbidden. If you turned into a mermaid you’d be able to enter but once it’s done you can’t go back. And were hardly going to transform someone just so they can see our amazing city would we” chuckled Pearl
“That’s cool I never new that. I thought you had to be born that way but I can’t go that deep I’ll have to come up for air.”
“Not if you cling onto me you don’t” so with that being said they dived into the cool waters depths. They went deeper and deeper until they meet other mermaids. They were collecting seaweed in calms.
“Food” claimed Pearl to Leah’s amazement.
“I think I’ll stick to my fish and chips” chuckled Leah forgetting her mum for a few seconds.
“Time for lunch” said Pearl leading her to the surface before diving back into the waters depth.
Leah arrived home to a note on the kitchen bench explaining that her father had gone out to do the shopping. He would be home for lunch at about twelve thirty. Leah looked at her watch it was quarter past one were was he he was never late. By half past Leah had decided to ring his mobile. An unfamiliar voice answered “hello this is Doctor Tracey speaking on behalf of Don Waters who is this”
“His daughter, Leah, what’s happened to him is he ok” she said feeling as though she was going to vomit.
“Well not exactly” she said her voice shaky. “I’d rather say this in person but you need to know he died of a heart attack. It occurred in the shopping center we did all we could but unfortunately we didn’t succeed. I’m sorry for your loss of your parents”
“Leah dropped the phone it swung on its cradle as she bolted to the bath room were she was sick.
“What am I going to do with myself’ she thought as she wiped her mouth clean. I don’t want to go into care with people I don’t even know I want my parents.’ Then an idea washed over her she ran out of the house down the path and to the beach. Were she had met Pearl only hours before. However Pearl was no were to be seen. Leah called and called and called her name but Pearl failed to burst through the surface. So out of sheer desperation Leah dived through the waters surface. She swam further and further downwards. She began to lose her breath yet her determination made her continue. But as she got deeper still her ears popped her eyes blurred and then all went black.
Leah came to, too see the last of a purple tail disappearing beneath the deep blue sea. ‘She or he must have rescued me she thought. She wished she had had time to thank whoever it was.’ There was only one option she would have to wait until Pearl arrived no matter how long it took she’d have to wait. She spent the remainder of the afternoon building sand castles. ‘This is one of the last things I should be doing when my parents are dead’ she thought but what else could she do? She soon fell asleep through exhaustion. Leah awoke a few hours later to be faced with Pearl who had a look of utter confusion and concern on her face.
“What’s happened? First you dive in and then you stay out into the evening why? She said stubbornly.
“To speak to you” said Leah through tears.
“Why what’s so important?”
“My dad had a heart attack and I have no where to go except with you or care.”
“Oh gosh you’ve had it rough. I understand now and allow me to send my condolences” she said softly.
“You do understand? So I can turn into a mermaid?”
“Yes I think so I’ll need to get approval from King Rubenstein and you need to think carefully as there is no going back. You will have to sever all ties with this world as most humans don’t believe in us. And care for us like you do you’ve been one of the few exceptions through time who believe and wouldn’t exploit us.”
“So how long will it take for the transformation to be given the go ahead?”
“I’ll get in contact with the king right now” and with that being said she took off to the kingdom.
Pearl burst through the surface of the water clasping a scroll, some sort of paper and a vile of potion.
“He said yes. If you agree to the scripture. It’s been around for centuries and without completing it you can not become a mermaid. You sure about this” said Pearl with a worried look on her face.
“Yes positive”
“Ok” replied Pearl still looking a bit uncertain “It’s your choice.”
“Yes it is and I’ve made it”
“Right” stated Pearl “Lets do it let the transmogrification begin” she unrolled the scroll and began to read.
“The human who wishes to be a Mermaid must do as follows:
Abide by mer rules
Never tell a human that you have been transformed due to possible exploitation.
The risks are as follows:
Possible memory loss of your life prior to the transmogrification.
The possibilities of missing limbs or fins
And the possibility of losing ones mind
Transmogrification is not to be taken lightly and there is no turning back.
Pearl looked at Leah as though expecting her to change her mind “it’s not to late”
“I know there big risks but I have little here. Being home schooled meant I met few friends. I’m not leaving much behind I’m prepared to take the risk, what now?”
Pearl handed Leah some paper it read
I solemnly pledge to abide by the ancient scriptures of transmogrification and take responsibility of what goes with it.
Sign here
Leah signed the contract handing it to Pearl and was intern given the vile.
“This is the last stage, you positive”
“Yes Pearl I am” said Leah exasperated and tacking the vile she downed it. Her feet began to tingle then her legs. She felt excruciating pain as her legs and skin were stretched to join them together. Her feet were turning into fins and scales came out of her flesh causing pain that felt like hundreds of knives being jabbed into her flesh. Her bikini top then changed to clams. She then admired her beautiful emerald scaled tail. She was about to ask if she could take a swim when an even more excruciating pain came from her neck. She cupped her hands around it. She could feel openings forming on it ‘gills’ she thought she had gills now. Suddenly Leah panicked “were am I going to live”
“With me of course my parents love taking people in. I have loads of foster brothers and sisters and you’re an orphan so it’ll be cool I’m an only child biologically but their like family to me.
“You sure?”
“Positive.” With that said they dived into the cool waters depths. Leah glided through the water with ease like she never had before her tail tacking her in the directions they needed to go. They swam through dark under water caves and rocky crevices until they came to Pearls beautiful home city. Before her loomed a magnificent castle made out coral. It was just like ancient castles on the surface only intact. Leah marveled at its beauty. She also noticed a large coral carved statue of Rubenstein and many beautiful layed out courtyards and underwater gardens.
“That’s the kings no doubt” Leah said pointing to the castle.
“Sure is, now come” she answered grabbing Leah’s arm and pulling her towards it “time to meet him.”
“Welcome to my kingdom” retorted Rubenstein in a ruff voice that didn’t go with his appearance. He extended a hand, Leah took it and he said. “I’m excited to meet you” he diverted his attention to Pearl “Any side effects?”
“Not to my knowledge”
“Well she has all limbs and fins, she seems sane but I’ll test her memory. How old are you?”
“Thirteen” said Leah without hesitation.
“She’s fine” stated the king as Pearl handed him the contract and scroll.
Pearls house consisted of five large bedrooms, two living areas, three bathrooms including an ensuite off the master bedroom and a massive kitchen. “Hello dear sorry to hear of your loss” said Pearls mother pleasantly as they were introduced.
“Yes I’ll send my condolences as well.” Stated her father. Leah’s perception of mer people was that they were friendly and kind but little did she know that that would soon change.
A few weeks had past and it was her first day of school as the water worlds holidays had come to a close. It was on this day that she would realize that good and bad still existed in the water world. They were almost to school when they came upon a small merman aiming a bow and arrow at a mermaid. They both stopped in their tracks unnoticed. They hid behind a bolder overlooking the hostility that was going on before their very eyes. He spoke in an angry voice. “Tell me were he is and I won’t kill you.” There were a few moments of silence as the mermaid thought through her options.
“Is he going to kill her?” whispered Leah
“I’m afraid he might. An arrow alone is dangerous, let alone an arrow tip that’s rapped with a poisonous weed. It takes any time from ten to twenty minutes for the person to die of poisoning. It runs through the blood stream. That’s if blood loss doesn’t get them first.” The mermaid opened her mouth. “No I won’t, I’d rather die than give up my husband.” With that being said she tossed her arms up just as the arrow was released. It lodged in her gut the woman screamed in pain before collapsing into the rock that Pearl and Leah were hidden behind. The villain taking off out of site.
“Can’t we do something to save her?” Wept Leah
“Yes we can but we need the antidote and some wound healing lotion, help me take her to the doc we should get there in time.”
So with that being said they hoisted the unconscious mermaid up off the sea floor and swam on in the direction of the best doctor in the city. He was a bit loopy but very competent. However things didn’t run as smoothly as expected as they were almost there when they came face to face with the villain himself. Leah had half a mind to swim for it but loyalty and determination to save their fellow mermaid was what stopped her from doing such a foolish act.
“Let go of her or ill do the same to you” he said brandishing his bow and arrows at the two teens.
“No” stated Pearl her confidence spreading to Leah.
“Yeah no” she agreed feeling panic churning her stomach. The villain aimed at Leah seeming slightly taken aback from there confidence or at least apparent confidence. He fired, Pearl gasped ‘not her as well’ she thought. But before Leah had time to think she raised her vacant hand and grasped the arrow around its neck. All three stood amazed for a few seconds. Then the merman aimed again this time at pearl. Leah watched the arrow be released from the bow and once again her instincts prevailed. She sacrificed herself for Pearl by flinging herself in the path of the arrow. It pieced her flesh it was excruciating but she new it was the right thing to do. And that her parents would be proud of her loyalty. The villain aimed at Pearl again but suddenly he lost his aim. Dr Adams had been out on his lunch brake when he came across the feud knocking the villain. “You’ll pay” he yelled before swimming away Dr Adams raced over to the two victims.
Doctor Adams rubbed the wound sealer lotion on his patients before filling two syringes with the antidote. Having conversations with himself as he did so he was the craziest yet most talented and trustworthy doctor within the city. He issued one lot of antidote to Leah and one to the mermaid who had since been confirmed as Emerald. When they awoke Pearl was by both of their sides anxious to know what had happened that day so she asked Emerald.
“My husband Mark caught him steeling the kings gold. The king put him away for five years it was a light sentence considering the crime. He did so as the man was poverty stricken and the king believed it was done out of desperation and know he has come to seek revenge.”
“But five years that was lenient” stated Leah weekly from the next bed.
“Yes but he was sent to the dark caves were you see no light and see no one you just hear their screams. Even the sanest person can go insane. Some also believe that the caves are hunted.
“Why do they believe that?”
“It’s belived that Mad fin a mass murdered killed two children who ventured into those caves. And that for doing so he was cursed and died a painful death and that his ghost still lives on today.
Leah, Pearl and Emerald swam watching their backs as they went. They couldn’t afford to be followed as their attacker was still free. Leah and Emerald had the poisonous arrows clasped in their hands and neither was afraid to use it if necessary. They approached the crevice. They went down further and further and further until they got to the bottom. When there they had glow fish to light the area. In the dim light they could observe a crouching mousey haired man with a beard that made it quite clear he hadn’t shaven for a few days.
“Emerald” he wept with excitement throwing his arms around his wife “thank God your safe”
“Yeah the two of us are alive but we nearly weren’t” Leah stated before explaining the whole disaster.
“Oh thank you, both of you I don’t know what I would have done without Emerald.”
“Your welcome” said Pearl and Leah in unison.
“Am I breaking up the party” came a wicked voice from behind all four spun around to face the voice.
“Back off Shamiron” said Emerald’s husband
“No Mark I will not until your dead”
“Well than you’ll have to get past me” Leah said bravely yet she didn’t feel so brave.
“And us” added Pearl and Emerald.
“What! I’m not threatened you’ll all just have to die”
“Oh I don’t think so” retorted Leah holding the arrow out of his view Emerald doing the same.
“Well I think so” and with that he aimed an arrow at Mark. However mark managed to dive out of the way subsequently the arrow hit the crevasses wall. In the time it took for Shamiron to load another arrow Emerald and Leah had both had enough time to glide out piercing him with the arrows causing him to collapse immediately. All four of them carried him out of the crevas and to the surgery where the antidote was given in ample time and his wounds were sealled.
The curious public entered into the Runenstein castle to witness the king’s decision. The king sat in his thrown and began.
“Five years ago I made a mistake” stated the king shamefully. “I let a guilty man off lightly by using my heart and not my mind. I am truly sorry.” He said guiltily looking into Mark and the other threes eyes. “I will not make that mistake again. My poor decision could have caused multiple deaths. I am there for sentencing Shamiron Philips to life imprisonment. The look on’s cheered drowning out Shamiron's pleas. “Don’t make me go back there” he yelled but he was drowned out by the screams of pleasure. It was no use he was returning to the dark caves to be punished for the rest of his life.
“Well I’m glad that that is over” stated Leah warily as both girls climbed into bed.
“Me to." I shudder to think that you could have died and Emerald. But your ok now and I guess that that’s all that matters at the end of the day”
“Yeah your right were safe thanks to you. Thanks for being such a brave good friend it means a lot to me.” Reveled Leah.
“Thanks” said Pearl awkwardly, blushing. Both girls then went into dreamy waves of thought.
On the beach stood two ghostly figures hand in hand. Their outlines captured from the moons light. One held a ball in one hand and both looked into it intently through their misty grey eyes. In it were to sleeping mermaids.
“I love you Leah” whispered one
“Were proud of you” whispered the other before both rose up and vanished into the night’s sky.
Very clever. Also, the guilt thing, while not 