Chapter 1

NOLAN

“Do you believe in mermaids?” I turned at my back to look at Orlene, irritated. Where in the world does she get that question? Only dumb people would believe that mermaids are real. I shook my head in disbelief. I looked at her again like she was the dumbest person in the world, then she frowned. 

“Why? I’m just asking a question.” Seriously? Is that even a question? It’s clear that mermaids are only mythical creatures and she would believe in those stupid kinds of stuff? “Are you sure you’re feeling well? It seems that you didn't have enough sleep and started asking dumb questions.” Then I howl with laughter. 

I laughed so hard in a way that I catch the attention of my classmates, “Oh, sorry.” I said then I stared at her, she’s now as red as a tomato. Aww, my little sister is embarrassed, cute. Well, we’re not real siblings. But I treat her as my little sister. She has the same personality as my late younger sister.

I checked my watch…is our teacher not there yet?! Where in the world did our teacher go? What is taking him so long?!

My question was answered when a frog-like creature opened the door of our classroom. We were all shocked when we saw a walking frog.

Kidding aside, our teacher walked inside the classroom breathless. He rested a bit then started talking, “Good morning class! Today we have a new student, please give her a warm welcome.” A transferee? I can’t wait to know who it is! I can’t help but smile out of excitement, I really get excited whenever new students come.

“Ms. Ponferrada, you can now come inside.” A girl popped out from the door. She walked confidently with poise. She acts like she owns the place when she walked. “Good morning! I am Credail Lei Ponferrada, your new classmate. I’m hoping that we can be friends!” Then she winked at me…wait what?!

Did she just wink at me?!

I shook my head; it was just probably my imagination. Maybe I’m just hallucinating things. I looked at her again, and that’s when I confirmed that it was all in my imagination. How can she wink if she’s not even looking at me? Unless she has some sort of magic and that’s probably stupid.

“Okay Ms. Ponferrada, you can take the seat next to Hyno.” Oh wow, how lucky am I? The beautiful lady will seat beside me! Credail accidentally looked at me, where our teacher’s finger is pointed at.

She started walking towards me. 

Her presence catches the attention of my classmates. As if they were examining her every move. It took a minute before Credail finally sat down; she was so slow! When she sat down, she faced me so I turned to her too, then she winked at me.

Right now I confirmed that it’s not only my imagination. I saw it with my own two eyes. Is she flirting with me? I immediately faced her and said, “I’m sorry miss but I’m not into that kind of stuff.” I said to her. She looked at me innocently, like she didn’t know what am I saying.

I chuckled, “I am referring to stuff like flirting.” Upon saying that, she burst out of laughter. Am I wrong? Then why in the world she would wink at me?! “W-Why? am I wrong?” I asked her.

“Oh dear, I am not like the other girls in your school, and I don’t flirt with someone I don’t know.” I was stunned in place, amused at how she responded to me. I felt my whole face getting red. Even of how embarrassed I am, I bravely faced her. “E-Eh, then why the hell are you winking at me?!” I bluntly asked. 

“Mr. Cleofas!” I looked at Sir Nicholas. Is my voice really that loud in a way that he heard it even though I’m seated at the back? I turned to him but didn’t say anything.

I just turned my eyes to Credail the moment our Mr. Nicholas began teaching again. Credail was looking at her books now. I faked a cough to get her attention. I didn’t fail to get her attention when she looked back at me. “Again, if you’re not really flirting with me, then why did you wink?” I asked her in a calm tone.

“Why? Do winking means flirt for you? Is it really how it is?” I sensed sarcasm at her answer. I tried to calm down myself. Then, an idea popped out of my head. “Hmm, you’re not answering my question. Maybe you really have a crush on me?” I said, trying to frustrate her. She was stunned with my answer, confirmed! She really has a crush on me! I heard her whispered something. Maybe she’s complimenting how handsome I am.

She didn’t reply to me she just stared at her books. So, I just focused on our teacher. While listening, I could not help myself but shake my head. There’s something in her aura, something special that’s too much for me to take. 

I did not realize that I was already looking at her. I panicked when she stared back at me. Then she smirked, “Maybe you’re the one who likes me?” She whispered. Heck no! I didn’t answer her. I’m not fond of arguing at nonsense things.

I heard her whispered again but I didn’t know what it was. I ignored it, it’s not my business anyway. A few minutes of listening to our teacher’s discussion have passed, when I felt a slight pain at the part of my head.

I tried to ignore it but it just gets worse every time. Until the pain got worsen. I groaned; it hurts so bad! as if my brain was being squeezed over and over again. 

I winced because of pain. I tried to shout but there was no voice coming out from my mouth.

Little by little, my vision became blurry. I closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened my eyes, I realized that I was no longer in the same place. I’m in a forest and at the end of it was a beautiful sea. At the sea, I saw a mermaid-like creature; it seemed happy. Talking to that mermaid was a young boy that looked exactly like me. He looks handsome like me.

Then the image I saw started fading. Slowly, it was replaced by nothing but darkness. I also felt that darkness is eating me, it was as if I was slowly taking by this darkness. I also noticed that my breathing became unnatural; with each passing minute, my breathing became more and more difficult. Until I let myself drown into the depths of darkness.

Hours passed when an ear-shattering silence dominated. Until I heard a beautiful and soft voice, it was like calling me and telling me to open my eyes, “Wake up. It’s time, Hyno Drelan.” I opened my two keen-black eyes. Because of how long it took before I opened my eyes, my vision was still a bit blurry.

When my vision got clear, I looked at the faint light that’s calling me. No, it was not light. Rather, it was a lady surrounded by glowing water, enough for the whole place to lit up. A beautiful net covered her arms and around her lower part, a necklace made up of seashells is worn around her neck. She is holding a crystal spear; a semi-transparent cloth covered her top and a shining crown was placed at the top of her head. A tattoo of waves was drawn at her right shoulder. I can’t clearly see her face because of the light. But I am sure that she looks like a goddess! 

I didn’t realize that my eyes widened when I looked at her.

“W-Who are you?” Instead of answering my question, she tilted her head in my direction. I looked around, and I realized that we are surrounded by water. She cast something and she pointed her crystal spear at my position. Then a sphere of water appeared in front of me. 

Each of them has scenes that are very familiar to me. I feel the pain in my head getting worst the longer I look at them. It seems that my brain wants to remember something I forgot.

“These are all your memories.” Huh? I can’t relate to what she’s saying. What is she saying? Is this some sort of a prank? I looked at her clueless.

“These are all of your memories when you were still young. I took it when you were still a boy and now the right time came and I will return it to you.” Her voice echoed but I didn’t have time to answer when the spheres of water slowly went in my direction. I panicked when the water spheres slowly entered my body. 

Who would not panic when you saw something entering your body?! I groaned when my head started to hurt again. My vision became blurry again.

I was stunned when I noticed that I’m in a different place. I was like in a dream. No, it was a memory, a memory of long ago. Where it all started.

"You're not afraid?" The mermaid asked, then she pointed at herself. The boy seemed confused, cannot understand what she meant.

"Oh, I mean hindi takot? (Oh, I mean not afraid?)" Then she pointed at herself again. The boy shook his head, trying to say no.

'Paano ako matatakot? Kung ganito kaganda ang kaharap ko? (How can I be afraid of someone so beautiful?)’  The boy thought. He was not afraid of her. Instead, he was amazed by her beauty.

Then the scene started fading, it was replaced with another memory.

One afternoon, “Ano palang pangalan mo? (What is your name?)” The boy asked. He wanted to know what was her name. The mermaid didn’t understand what he said. “U-uh, name you?” He asked. The mermaid seemed to understand it based on the facial expression she gave.

“Asherah,” The mermaid replied, smiling at him. 

The memory was cut again and another memory replaced it. Until it finally ended.

A series of memories played in my head, memories that I have long forgotten are now coming back to me. It all came back at me, from where did I meet that mermaid until the day when she vanished. When the flashbacks finished, I found myself teary-eyed.

“Do you remember all of it now?” The lady asked. I looked at her and unconsciously nodded in response. I remember it now; I remember my promise to myself, and that is to find her.

End of Chapter 1