Chapter Twelve

I was trying to get myself to the surface of the water but something kept pulling me deeper into water. I was seeing mermaids and mermen moving past me. I tried to ask for help from them but they all passed without looking my way. I was also without legs but with tails. I was alarmed. I was also a mermaid.


"How did I become one?" I asked myself

It was getting scarier when I heard a voice call my name.

"Kiani! Kiani!!!"

It was a bit distant but as the force dragged me deeper into the water I could hear the voice.


And the more I got closer the voice got louder and scarier.

But yet I was curious to know who had the voice. I finally got to a beautiful place and the force was gone. I didn't hear the voice anymore. Instead, I saw how beautiful the environment was, it was filled with petals and wild roses.


It had light fishes moving around and as they moved in unison they emanated a beautiful reading light.

Other mermaids were still passing, but they all passed like they didn't see me there.

I tried to greet some of them on some occasions, to ask them where they were but they all snubbed me.


Two huge mermen came out from nowhere and dragged me with them. I tried to wriggle away from their grip but it was too hard and tight.

I kept trying and even pleading but it fell on deaf ears.

"What have I done to you?"

"Let me go"

I shouted for help, and struggled but all to no avail.


We were drawing close to a dead-end, and I was wondering how we were going to pass. And then they pushed open the wall before and a door opened.

They brought me inside the cell not minding if they hurt me or not. I was not quite either.

I kept shouting and wailing for help. Then they closed the door.


"Let me out.. get me out of her" I kept shouting till I was exhausted. I couldn't help but start to cry.



I felt a huge slap on my face and I woke up immediately.

"Was I dreaming?"


"It was a dream but it felt so real"


I felt my legs and they were still there, then I looked around to confirm where I was when I realized it,  I was very relieved.


"You look lost. Did you see a ghost in your sleep?" Laurie asked

I turned to see her and Jean looking at me with so much worry on their faces.


"You don't look like you have something good in your sleep. Having dreams?" Jean asked


"Yeah... it was just a dream"



"Oh okay. if you want to talk about it then I am all ears"


"Noo. it's nothing"

They both looked at me like they didn't believe me.

"Are you sure?" Jean asked again.


"Yeah I'm sure... you're dressed already?"

"Yes... we are heading out already" Jean said


"Arya... I noticed you came home moody yesterday, did something happen?"

I took a deep breath, it was finally time to tell her about what Mr. Edwards had been doing. I didn't want to tell her because I felt I could handle him, but the truth was that I couldn't.

"Did anything bad happen?" Jean asked. She looked curious.

"I lost my job yesterday. The boss fired me"

They were shocked by the news.


"What?"

"What happened?" They both asked in unison.


"He tried to rape me but Vale saved me"

"What the hell?" Laurie caused

"He had been making advances at me but I had been turning him down"

"So yesterday, he tried to force himself on me, but I was lucky Vale came in when he did and saved me. He beat him up to a pulp and he fired me"


"He deserved the beating he got. I wish I was there to whoop his ass too" Laurie said

"I feel disgusted and it's worse I have to put up with him knowing he is a pervert. I have to find another job before he tries this with me"  Jean said


"You should," Laurie said.



"Wait.. was that why he increased your working time to 8 hours?"


"Yes and the hateful glances and insults"

"But why didn't you say something about it?" Jean asked

"I'm sorry I felt I could handle it myself but I was wrong"

"You need to rest, you've been through a lot lately," Laurie said.

"Rest?... I don't think I can do that today. I'll be going in search of a job"

"You can't be serious, have enough looked at yourself in the mirror," Laurie asked

"You look a mess and I agree with Laurie. You should rest." Jean added

They left afterward after ensuring I was okay.

"What kind of dream was that...?" I asked myself


I have been having dreams like this since I was little and there was no one to explain them to me. It was getting scary.


As for a job, I was going job hunting today, I could not stay indoors doing absolutely anything, and besides, I needed money.

I took my rest throughout the morning and by afternoon l had made up my kid to go out there in search of a job.

I got dressed in black plain pants and a polo top and packed my head up in a ponytail. I grabbed my tote bag and went out to search for a job.

And this time I wanted a female boss, just so I'd avoid what happens at the bookshop.

I spent hours walking around, searching for a job but couldn't find any. I was already feeling tired and frustrated so I decided to go home. I had just come to the end of the street I followed to go home when I noticed an old man sitting on the floor and playing the guitar, but no one stood to listen.

I felt he played it perfectly fine, I noticed the pan before him was still empty, so I dropped a dollar bill note for him and turned to leave.

I felt bad knowing I could do more for him, so I went back to him and joined him.

I started singing and I noticed people stopped to look, soon we were covered up so that we couldn't see other people passing, and then they started dropping money into the pan. I noticed the excitement on the man's face while all of this happened.


After singing for about thirty minutes I ended it and then people started leaving till it was just me and the old man.

I helped him gather the money, arranged it, and handed it over to him. He offered me some of it but I said no. He needed it more.

"Your kind is very rare and you are very special," the old man said to me.

"Thank you, papa. I have to go now"

And as I left, he waved me goodbye and I waved back in return.