Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #12 March 2015 | Page 50

et he looks the same as he did when he came to the house. Why did this have to be his ship? “Touch me again, and I’ll show you fighting.” I snarl at him, and stand up. He reaches for me again, and I kick him between his legs as hard as I can. I won’t let that man have his way with me again. Several men hold me back while I kick, claw and bite everything I can reach. I hear the captain yell out, “Toss her overboard; let the sharks deal with her!” Someone ties my legs and hands with some rope. I feel my hands and feet go numb as they lift me up and carry me to the fence. The water feels hard, like I have crashed into a wall. It engulfs me. I start to sink down fast. Looking down, I notice two cannonballs tied to the ropes. I need to set myself free, I need to untie the knots. I want to be free. Maybe this way I will be. I can’t swim away. I open my mouth and let it fill with water. Maybe this is the only way. Something grabs my arm. I jump up when I see her. She is like a blur in the water. She puts something in my mouth. It’s a shell. A sudden gust of air surprises me. I can breathe. I feel the ropes being untied. My legs feel stuck together. My eyes clear. Now I can see the girl in front of me. I look down. The skin sheds of my legs, revealing slimy scales underneath. I see my feet slip off and fall, a bright blue fin appearing in its place. When I touch it, I notice my fingers are now webbed, and my face no longer feels bruised. PAGE 50 “Come on!” A jingly voice reaches me. I turn around, and I see an entire shoal of girls giggling and waving. They all have fins. I look down. I am not human anymore. No one can reach me, no one can make me do anything, no one can punish me. A rush of happiness comes over me. I’m free.