Decessus: Depths of Despair

Year 1788
Place: St Helier, Jersey. English Channel

As the sun shone down the coastal town of St Helier, a young girl rushed across the sand over to a man in a boat. “Come on Sarah we will be sailing off soon” her father said as she finally jumped into the boat out of breath “I’m glad you waited dad or else I had to swim which I can’t” she sighs as they started rowing out of the shallow waters. “I hope we catch some fish today Sarah” her father said as they kept rowing out into the deeper waters. Sarah Giles and her father Richard Giles among the large amount of people that lived on the island. Yet it’s been said that a lone merman swims the waters around the island and very few knew of it, except for the occasional fin or tail in the water. Though they weren’t aware of what else the merman could do once beaching himself he can easily become a human and walk upon the land. Since no one seen it close up that could soon changed very soon. Miles out from the shore line the boat that Sarah and her father were fishing from was caught in a rift as the clouds above clump together and blocking out the brief sunshine sending into darkness. The waters started to get wavy as her father tries to row back into shore “Father!” Sarah cried as the winds howls about them “I didn’t expect this to come” her father cried over the noise. Water was splashing into the boat thrusting it side to side as Sarah clung onto the side as her father tries to row back in. “Hold on dear” her father said as he tries to turn the boat around yet was then a wave caused the boat to easily dip at a angle causing Sarah to fall into the water. “Sarah!!” her father cried as he tried to remain in the boat yet give her an oar to hold onto. “Father help me!” she said as she was pulled away from the boat struggling to stay above the water.

“Sarah grabs it please!!” her father cried yet she was swept away further from the boat it was then he had concentrate about himself getting back to shore. “Father” she cried yet was too late she was tiring out as she was drowning into the dark depths of the sea. Sarah was being pulled down by the force of the storm waters her breathing was evaporating like the air bubbles from her mouth soon she fell limp yet into the slimy arms of a creature. “Sarah!” her father yells looking around seeing no sign of her before weeping. With all his strength he rowed and rowed back to shore by then the rain was falling and the winds slowly changing direction which was helping him move forward. He was heart broken that he couldn’t done more but it was out of his hands now as he rowed back into harbor. Though far below the deep something fast was swimming through the waters leaving a long stream white form and bubbles in its arms the girl he held he soon emerge to the surface and swam along the top towards the islands shores. The girl wasn’t stirring a lot in his arms which worried the merman as he looked down at her face. He had to revive this beautiful girl he couldn’t let her die she had so much left to live for. “Don’t die little one” he said as he soon reached the shallow waters and brought the girl’s body to shore. He looked up and down notices the waves were little big he had to come ashore more so he transform into his human state and brings the girls body up further the beach. The girl still didn’t stir yet the merman laid her down on the grass under some trees. From there he performs his reviving on the young girl, placing his lips over hers and started pumping life into her again. Back on shore the Sarah’s father leapt from the boat and rushed along as he tried to get back to his home. “What will I tell my wife that our daughters drowned at sea” he said as he kept on going. They haven’t lived too far from beach as he ran through the rain to his front door step he fumbles for the keys in his wet jacket pocket “Oh god how do I break the news to her?” he thought as he opens the door.

Inside his wife was busy upstairs when she heard the front door slam closed and rushed down to see her husband. “Dear where’s Sarah?” she said noticing the absence of their daughter. “She…I can’t say it… something horrible happened” Richard said as he sat down “Why did you go out into that storm?” his wife asks.
“ It started off perfectly fine, then the storm came out of no where….it was terrible we tried to get back to shore but…but…she fell over board” he said as he started crying loudly like a small child. His wife gasps as she soon join grieving with her husband “Why didn’t you save her?” she said holding her husband.
“It was too rough and the rift carried her away” he replied. Outside the rain was slowly subsiding away yet Sarah awoke to find herself on the ground by the beach alone. Yet she saw someone down there heading back into the sea and disappeared little disorientated she stood up and then headed straight back home.
“I’m alive but who saved me?” she thought as she rushed through the wet muddy grass feeling very exhausted she struggles to get home to see her family. Inside her house her parents still grieving yet Richard’s wife Olivia make up some hot tea she already let her husband take a hot bath while she made the tea. It was then the front door swung open and Sarah stumbled in “Mother!” she yelps and falls to the floor in exhaustion which sparked a shock from her mother. “Sarah!” she cried and rushed over to where she laid soaking cold and wet on the floor. Richard was coming down stairs to see his wife with Sarah “Sarah is alive?” he said surprised as he came over and picked his daughter up in his arms and took her upstairs. “Father…. So glad to see you” she said weary like as she was carried to her room and lay down on her bed. “Look I’ll get her dressed into some warm clothes dear ok” his wife said as her husband left the room.

After a while of waiting and sipping tea Sarah was brought down with her mother to the lounge and sat in a chair close to the fire. “Sarah how did you get out of the ocean?” her father said bewilder that she was alive and well. “It was strange; I didn’t know how yet someone saved me. I don’t know it was but it headed back into the sea” Sarah said. “Someone saved you, you didn’t see who it was?” her mother asks “I knew it was a young man. I couldn’t tell I was much tried” Sarah said as he she sipped some tea. “I don’t believe it someone saved our daughter from the grave death” her mother said they sat there still surprised from the event yet relieved that their daughter was there. From that day onwards the merman remained at sea though he never forgot that girl he saved. From there some how the word spread as people wonder how the Giles child managed to get back to shore. It had been about twelve years since the merman returned yet he soon came back to shore amongst the rockery on the coastline. The merman looked through the hole and watched a young woman looking along the shore. It was then he realized it was the girl he saved several years ago. “It’s her, she so beautiful” Sirius said as he lurked about the rocks as she walked along the beach alone. Sarah had long brown hair and blue eyes worn a yellow dress matching hat. She wasn’t with anyone at all as she headed over to the rocks where he was. “Should I beach myself and see her? Or not wait who’s that?” Sirius notices a man dressed finely coming up after Sarah. Sirius moved closer to the shallow waters though his merman form started disappearing sensing the change in water level. “Oh Juan we should head over the rocky bar onto the other side” Sarah said as she rushed head hold her parasol over head. “I’ll be right with you Sarah…” he voice trailed off to see a naked man lying half in the water half on the shore.

“Oh my” Juan said as he went over to the man and looked over him. Such pale flesh with dark maroon hair “Hello…” Sirius said breathless looking into Juan eyes. It was then Juan notices Sarah standing next to him “Juan who is this?” she said looking at Sirius. “Forgive me for the lack of clothing… I don’t own any” Sirius said looking down. “Here take my jacket” Juan said and offers his black dress jacket for Sirius to wear. “What happened to you?” Sarah asks Sirius, Sirius couldn’t reveal whom he was “Well I was…” Sirius tried to answer as he stood up wrapping the jacket around his bare flesh “You must be thirsty and hungry” Juan said supporting Sirius up who seem weak. Sarah looked at the stranger wondering if she seen him before “Sarah darling lets get this man inside he looks weak” Juan said as they walked Sirius along the beach. “Juan where you expect to take this man to?” Sarah said in a concern voice “Back to the house. He needs food look how thin he is” Juan said as he looked into Sirius blue eyes. Sirius never experience human contact like this before he roam alone and tried to blend in yet this is a first to have two humans help him. Sarah was looking around at the people as they walked by with Sirius draped over Juan’s shoulder. “What is you name?” Juan asks wilted man “My names Sirius” he replies. “Do you live around here Sirius got any family?” Juan asks as Sarah kept hidden behind her parasol. “No I don’t live around here” Sirius mutters as they kept walking. “Really I’m so sorry look I’ll be delight to help you out” Juan said. Soon they arrived at Sarah’s house where her parents were surprised to see the pair come home with an unusual guest. “Sarah darling who is this?” her father said as he approached the pair to see the naked man wearing Juan’s jacket. “We found this guy on the beach, his name is Sirius” Sarah said as they headed into the house. Sarah’s mother came over with some blankets and wrapped Sirius up tight “I can’t believe you found this man washed up on the beach. How did you get here?” Mrs Giles said. Everyone looked at Sirius waiting it was then Sirius spoke “I was on a ship miles from the coast which was hit by a storm. I ended being thrown overboard; I was luckily to be a good swimmer though it was exhausting struggle” Sirius said. “Really? Did you swim all that way to here?” Juan said who seemed quite intrigued.