The boy by the shore

Annette stirred in her sleep, the warmth of the sun stroking her damp skin. Her small chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, each movement wincing with the sting of wounds. The sand beneath her was soft, yet her body felt heavy, as though the sea had stolen all her strength when it let her go.

For a long while, she did not move. The waves curled around her legs, retreating only to return again, as if reluctant to leave their child behind. A trail of saltwater pearls clung to her lashes, and her lips parted slightly with the whisper of a dream.

When she finally opened her eyes, the brightness of the world startled her. The sky was endless and vast, painted in shades of blue she had never known. Clouds drifted lazily, white and soft like floating shells. She blinked, her vision blurred by sunlight.

Then a shadow fell across her.

She gasped softly. Looming above her was a boy—not much older than herself, perhaps eight. His hair was dark and windswept, sticking in wild directions as though the sea breeze played with it. His eyes were wide, unblinking, shining with wonder.

Annette’s heart raced. She had never been this close to a human before. Her mother’s warnings echoed in her ears: Never trust those who walk the land. They desire what they cannot understand. Instinct made her body tense, her fingers digging into the sand, tail twitching in alarm.

The boy, however, did not move closer. He simply stared, his mouth slightly open in awe. Then, almost breathlessly, he whispered: “Wow…”

Annette froze. His voice was light, gentle, and full of something she could not name. Not fear. Not cruelty. It was… amazement.

“I’ve never seen anything like you before,” the boy continued, kneeling slowly so he would not startle her. His knees pressed into the sand, leaving little impressions beside her. “Are you… real? A mermaid?”

His words tumbled like small stones, unpolished but honest.

Annette’s lips trembled. She had no reason to reply, but something in his gaze—so innocent, so pure—lost the knot in her chest. Her voice, though weak and shaken, slipped from her like a secret.

“Annette,” she whispered.

The boy tilted his head, blinking. “Annette? That’s your name?”

She nodded faintly.

His smile bloomed like sunlight breaking through clouds. “Mine’s Reiner. Nice to meet you, Annette.”

Her name on his tongue felt strange, almost too tender. She stared at him, still wary, but curiosity stirred in her heart. Humans were said to be greedy, yet this boy looked at her as though she was a treasure beyond value.

Reiner’s eyes darted to the faint cuts along her arms and tail. “You’re hurt,” he said softly. “Did the sea do that?”

Annette hesitated, her gaze lowering. She remembered the suffocating net, the harsh cords biting into her skin. “The… men’s trap,” she muttered, barely audible.

Reiner frowned, his brows knitting with concern. For a child, he carried a surprising weight in his expression, a seriousness that Annette felt deep inside her chest. He reached out, then stopped, unsure if he should touch her.

“Do you… want some help?” he asked gently.

The offer surprised her. No human had ever asked a mermaid what she wanted. They usually took, captured, or destroyed. Yet there was a boy, asking.

Annette searched his face, trying to read if there was any trick hidden in his voice. But she saw nothing except kindness. Slowly, she gave the smallest nod.

Reiner’s grin returned, though softer this time. “Okay. I’ll get you back to the sea.”

Carefully, he slid his small hands beneath her arm, supporting her as best as he could. She was light, delicate, her scales glistening beneath his touch. Though his movements were clumsy, he carried her with all the care he had, step by step toward the waves.

The ocean welcomed her instantly, curling around her body like a mother reclaiming her child. She sighed as the saltwater touched her wounds—it stung, but it was also home.

Reiner waded in until the waves reached his knees, holding her steady. “There,” he said proudly, his voice almost triumphant. “Safe again.”

Annette floated, the water lifting her body, but she didn’t leave right away. Her eyes clung to his face, memorizing the way his smile looked, the way his hair caught the light. Something about him felt important, though she didn’t know why.

He lifted his hand, waving shyly. “One day, we’ll meet again. I promise.”

Her lips curved into the faintest smile. “We’ll,” she echoed softly, her voice like a ripple on the water.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other—two children from different worlds, bound by a promise neither fully understood. Then Annette flicked her tail, and with a shimmer of scales, she disappeared beneath the waves, leaving only bubbles behind.

Reiner stood there long after she was gone, staring at the water as if trying to believe it had truly happened. And though he could not see her anymore, Annette’s laughter echoed faintly beneath the waves, carrying their first memory deep into the ocean’s heart.

End Episode 2...

Thanks for reading ❤️ Support me so I can write for novels in the upcoming days ✨

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***