I still remember it like yesterday...it's a cliche, but darn it if it isn't true. I can still hear the waves crashing against the shore. I can still feel the sand beneath my feet. I can still smell the iron-y blood mixing with the salty water.

The mermaid was dying. A deep, ugly gash in her tail, down to the bone. I'm still not sure what caused it--a blade of some sort to be sure, but whether it was poachers or moonshiners or smugglers or just sheer dumb luck off a rotor, I couldn't tell you.

"Take my treasure...my precious treasure...don't let it come to harm..."

She pushed the treasure to me. It was an orb, about the size of a soccer ball. It was dark blue, streaked with yellow lightning.

"I...I...."

I wasn't sure what to say. I stammer when I'm nervous and who wouldn't be nervous?

I took the orb in my hands and it vibrated slightly, as if it had a heartbeat. I turned back to the mermaid...just as she turned into sea foam...

xxxx

The treasure was an egg. It hatched in less than two days after its mother turned into sea foam.

It was a girl.

She was small and wrinkly and she was perfect.

xxxx

I may come back to this.