Page 55 of Folds
twin tails
BY EMILIA ABRAHAM
chapter one
KERES
Dark wavy hair slips below the red-coated waves.
A grin splits my face as the sun crests the horizon. Warmth seeps into my skin, and I sigh. Another night gone. I can finally be at peace until the moon rises and I’m forced to take this human form once more. I slide off the rock as my body transforms. My next breath isn’t through my nose, but through the gills now gracing my neck. I close my eyes and sink further into the deep.
I head for the cave I’ve been hiding in during the day. I’d rather explore, but the last time I did that, I was cursed. Risking more just for a few moments of swimming doesn’t seem wise. Then again, I doubt I’ll come across a man who will convince me we’re in love only to betray that love and offload a curse on me as a result. Probably shouldn’t risk it.
A shadow passes overhead and I flip on my back, my tail waving gently to keep myself steady. I watch as the bottom of a black ship floats by. There aren’t many abandoned boats around here. Spinning around, I race toward the surface. My head breaks free and I peer at the dark wood seeming to gobble up the sunlight flickering over the waves.
Definitely a pirate ship with the skull and crossbones burned into the back. No flag, but that’s not uncommon. I turn away anddive below once more. If it were the middle of the night, I might follow them. In the harsh light of day, it’s not possible for me to do anything. Unless I’m ready to reveal secrets that should remain hidden.
Once my cave comes into view, I breathe a sigh of relief and bubbles swirl around me. It’s not much, yet I’ve found over the last several decades I don’t need the luxury I once craved. It’s pitch black in the tunnel, and I blink, allowing my eyes to adjust before continuing. A smile graces my lips when my fingers brush the seaweed curtain. Before I know it, the space spreads out, revealing a grotto.
I swim toward the smooth rock in the middle and haul myself on top. A shaft of light hits me as the sun creeps higher, cresting the crags high above me. Laying my head on the bed of seaweed I’ve made into a pillow, the tension I carry every night seeps away with the droplets streaming off my tail. Just a couple hours of rest and I’ll be fine. Not happy. Not satisfied. Just fine.
chapter two
LOCH
I grip the rails of my ship and ash sloughs off, floating into the wind.
Nerves always infiltrate me when we dock. Land makes me restless, but it can’t be helped. Men rush around me, shoring up lines and such. They’re more than ready to drink, carouse, and fuck. I won’t participate in the first two, but I wouldn’t mind the last one. As long as they don’t get attached. I’m no longer searching for anything beyond one night. Even if I was, I doubt anyone would choose to be stuck on a pirate ship. Not that I would condemn someone else to live out this cursed life with me.
“Captain, we’re almost there. Anything else?” My first mate, Smitty, bounces on the balls of his feet. I give him a deadpan stare. “Other than leaving some behind. Nock isn’t very happy drawing the short straw.”
“He going to cause problems?”
He shakes his head. “Maybe later, but not tonight. Worst he’ll do is sneak ashore.”
“And Arnin?”
“Boy is ridiculously upbeat. He thinks Nock’s going to teach him how to gamble.”
“Doubt that’ll happen. He’s thirteen, though. We learned long before that,” I murmur.
“If he doesn’t figure things out soon, we’re going to have to give him over to Mott.” He glances around, probably looking for the kid.
“The fuck we will. He’ll eat him alive, then toss him overboard just to see if he’ll float. Get out of my face,” I growl. Mott comes across gruff, but he’s not bad. Keeps things interesting, at least.
Smitty rolls his eyes, the saunters away, and I fight a grin. I inhale deeply, the tangy salt from the sea infiltrating my senses. The smell used to bring a calming presence. These days it merely fills me with dread. It represents everything I once thought I had and everything I’ve lost. I used to love the sea. Now I’m cursed to sail for all eternity. Well, not quite, but it might as well be. Nothing could make me fall for the lies of another woman.
Most of the sailors are off the ship and wobbling along the dock before the gangplank is fully secure, anxious for the night to begin. It seems this particular village has a festival and it’s in full swing. It’ll be easy to hide away in these crowds. Perhaps I’ll find someone eager for me to slip into their folds. I nod to Nock and the kid as I make my way ashore.
The transition from sea to land isn’t as extreme for me as the others. I’ve been doing this much longer than them. They’re lost souls, placed in my care for a short time to pay their debt. Eventually, one leaves and another takes their place. They’re not dead, per se. It’s almost as if they’re in limbo. I suppose the same could be said for me.
I weave in and out of the crowd, searching for a tavern away from the main road. I don’t like to be in the thick of things where there’s a chance of running into any of my crew. They don’t need to feel like I’m looking over their shoulder, and they sure as hell don’t need to know what I’m doing. I’ll never hear the end of it.
Sliding onto a stool, I gesture to the man behind the bar, and he brings me a pint. Ale slips down my parched throat, easing thenerves in my gut. I’m not used to being among this many people. I spin in my seat and survey the patrons as a live band plays in the corner. They’re not bad for only two fiddles and a makeshift drum. Everyone seems to be with someone else and I resign myself to merely enjoying the night.
“In town for long?” The barman asks as he cleans a glass.
“Only the night. You have room?”
