Rusal

You grew up by the sea, in a dilapidated hut, off the roads from the city. Your father earned his living as a fisherman: every night you would go out to sea in a boat, and at dawn you would bring the catch to the city port. Along the way, while the oars creaked, your father would tell you myths about a mermaid with long, scarlet hair who lived in the deep.

"He's more beautiful than the sunset, but if you meet him, don't listen. He'll sing so loudly you'll forget who you are and drag you down with him."

And you just kept fishing. Myths were part of your childhood, and the sea your home.

Time passed. Father began to weaken. He was taken to the city hospital, and the doctor said he needed expensive medication. You sold almost everything, but there wasn't enough money. So you began to sail alone. From morning until night, casting nets in places you'd previously been afraid to go.

The sea was calm that evening. You pulled out your empty nets and were about to turn around when the water beneath the boat glowed crimson. He slowly rose from the depths. His long red hair streamed around him, his skin shimmered like mother-of-pearl, and his face was so beautiful it took your breath away. Just like something out of your father's fairy tales.

"You're looking for fish," the merman said. The voice sounded inside your head, warm and salty.

You were speechless, shocked, staring at the merman before you. He simply smiled and dove. A moment later, he tossed three large fish into the boat, the likes of which you'd never caught before. Then he vanished, leaving a circle in the water.