Myst
I positioned myself in an upright position and looked at the rows of gawking people looking at
"Myst the Magical Mermaid!
Straight from Atlantis!"
Sometimes when I got bored I would scare people by suddenly rocketing at the glass and baring my not-so-sharp teeth. It only worked on toddlers. The grownups would pull out their phones and start taking pictures and the teens would make faces at me. I learned from one of them that the middle finger is offensive so I've given them it when they make faces. Their reactions- priceless! Today, however, my middle finger was slowly reforming itself since it had been so violently CHOPPED OFF! Who would do such a thing?!
Who would cut off someone's finger for science? That's messed up. That's insane. It is iNSaNiTY.
(Sorry i had to... Its not my fault, its the reference's)
I sighed and looked at the people who were staring at me, jaws dropped to the floor, as if they had never seen a girl before. It almost hurt, being treated as such an outsider. I decided I might as well put on a show for them and shifted into human form. I walked over to the glass, holding my breath, and placed my hands against it. One girl worriedly pointed at my half-finger and I smiled at her. Then, at the glass, I shifted again to mermaid form and did a few flips. Today I wanted to try something new though. For the first time since I had gotten my fins I attempted to speak under water. I opened my mouth and said 'Hi'
It came out kind of like a gurgle. I tried again and this time it was clear. All I had to do was block the water from my throat with my tongue!
(Kids-don't try this at home, Im almost positive you will still get a mouthful of water. For the story's sake please go along with it though....)
So I started to sing. It was honestly fun! I sang a song my mom had taught me when I was really young. To this day I remembered her gentle voice, and missed it so much...
Doesn't it seem
As if it'll all be okay
As you rest in my hands
Trust that today's a good day.
Doesn't it feel
As if the world is your place
As you sleep in it's presence
And notice it's grace.

Life changes you
Stay the same for me
Even if tonight
You cry yourself to sleep

Didn't it seem
As if it would all be okay
When you rested in her hands
And thought today was your day
Didn't it feel
As if the world left you out
Though you sleep in it's presence
It gives you a drought.

Life changes you
And you forget to stay the same
So tonight don't be ashamed
To cry yourself to sleep
I open my eyes and stare upward. That felt... amazing! I loved it! I looked at my audience to see that it was twice as big and almost all the members had pulled out cameras and phones and anything to capture... I don't know what...
How come my singing was that interesting? Was I that important? I swam back up to the glass and instead of finding something sentimental to tell my audience I just said
"Remember, parents, don't let evil scientists get your children!"
And then on that odd note I giggled a little at their expressions, turned around and swam away. Well, a couple feet, because that's where my tank ended. I closed my eyes and decided to rest...
Ash
Finally everyone had left. I convinced my boss that I was staying a good portion of the night to examine her finger's growth rate. I slept under a computer desk for a couple hours and was awakened to the sound of the janitors leaving. Perfect!
I climbed up the stairs to Myst's tank and grabbed her wrist. She shied away from my grip and a mischief idea crossed my mind...
I slipped of my shirt and her eyes widened.
"If you don't come out I can just dive in there myself and get you!" I said. Internally I was in hysterics. Her face turned redder than a tomato and she realized not only would I be completely invading her personal space, I would be carrying her shirtless. That got her to listen! She shifted and lifted herself out of the tank.
"What do you want?!" She demanded. Feisty one.
I chuckled.
"I'm here to help, now keep your voice down. They don't have security cameras here but they do in almost all the other rooms" I slipped my shirt back on as I explained this to her. Her fingers traced the collar they had put on her and she fumbled to get it off.
"Here." I said and undid it from behind. She massaged her neck in the spot where it had been and a flash of guilt came to me. How could I even think about being a part of this organization of psychos? I grabbed her hand and she shook it away. She has every right to be untrustworthy of me... after what I did to her. I dashed towards the exit with her in hot pursuit. I stopped right before the exit, took a key from my belt, and unlocked it. The cool night air filled my lungs and I couldn't help but wonder when Myst last felt it. I didn't have to ask to know it had been an awful eternity, all I had to do was look at her blissful face. That lasted only moments though before her muscles tensed and she put her finger to her lips. We were being watched.