Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Anastasia opened her eyes, feeling her body drenched with sweat. She looked around; it was still nighttime. She tried to remember the dream she was having, but her mind was hazy. She frowned, turning to Cassius, who was fast asleep on the bed.

Anastasia didn't remember the dream, but she had a gut feeling it was about the Ocean. She stood up from the bed and started walking towards the entrance. She opened the door and, with bare feet, started walking towards the ocean. She didn't understand why she was going there, but she felt drawn to the water.

She had been thinking about the mermaid who stabbed her, wondering if she would ever see her again. As she stood by the shore, the water stirred, and the mermaid appeared. Their eyes met, and Anastasia couldn't tear her gaze away from hers.

"Why did you come back?" the mermaid asked. "I thought I told you it was dangerous here."

"I understand, but I want to learn about my tribe," Anastasia replied.

 "You said I come from the Aquaria colony. I don't have any knowledge about that. So, how did you know from my memory?"

"I know of someone in your memories," the mermaid declared.

"I want to learn more about my tribe," Anastasia replied.

"The water is not for a fresher like you," the mermaid warned. "There are dangerous mermaids around, and now isn't the best time for you to be here."

The word "danger" made Anastasia feel like she was in her dream again. 

"What do you mean by dangerous mermaids?" she inquired.

"There is war amongst us," the mermaid explained. "Most of us are brave and want to attack the vampires, while the others are afraid that the vampires would kill us if we attack."

"What is your name?" Anastasia asked.

"Marina," she replied. "But you can call me Mari."

"I'm Anastasia," she introduced herself.

"Anastasia, you need to go back. The water is not safe for you now," Marina admonished. "You can come back some other time when the war is over."

"You are not healed yet," Marina's eyes shifted to her stomach, her gaze filled with concern.

Anastasia shook her head. The mermaid raised her hand for Anastasia to come closer. She walked into the water, and the mermaid placed both hands on her wound. "What are you doing?" Anastasia asked.

"I'm trying to heal you," Marina replied. "You see, you have spent too much time on land, and you don't look like one of us," Marina continued. 

She removed her hands. Anastasia looked down to see her bandage loosen and fall into the water. "Be careful," Marina said.

"Thank you," Anastasia thanked the mermaid before leaving.

…

When Cassius woke up from sleep, he didn't find Anastasia in bed. He panicked, scanning the room to search for her. When he didn't see her, he stood up from the couch and hurried outside to find her. He sniffed, finding her scent in the air, and followed it down to the ocean. "Ana!" he called out. He saw her sitting on the shore, her legs in the water, and she was wet from head to toe. He hurried to her. "What are you doing here alone?" he asked.

"Enjoying the calm air," she replied with a smile.

"You're going to catch a fever," he said. "And why do you look wet?"

"I went out for a swim," she said.

"A swim?" he asked with surprise. "You know the water isn't safe."

"I know," she nodded. "Let's get you in the cabin and observe your wound," he said.

"I'm fine," she stood up from the ground. Cassius' eyes moved to her stomach, but he didn't see any glimpse of a bandage around her. She was standing fine, with no wound.

"No, you aren't fine," he walked closer to her. "The wound is still deep."

"I'm fine. You can see," she raised her shirt upward, and he saw that the wound was closed. "How did you... and why is there no scar?" he asked.

"Cassius," she raised her head at him. "You don't need to worry about me because I'm fine. You should be worried about going back to the castle."

They walked back to the cabin. For some odd reason, Cassius wanted them to stay longer. He liked how they were the only ones around. "We could stay for a few days before going back, you know," he said.

"Just a few days," she nodded. "Everything is in your hands to decide."

"I should go take my bath at the ocean," she said.

"Uhm... Okay," he nodded. She grabbed the other gown on the bed and left the cabin. Cassius followed her outside the cabin and stood at the entrance. Why does she seem so off today? He didn't understand. 

When he saw her undress herself, his eyes widened.