Her grip on the spear tightened. She stood frozen, breathing heavily, heart thudding like thunder in her chest.
The sound of wet footsteps echoed from the stairs below.
She knew it was coming.
The mermaid had entered the lighthouse.
She looked around quickly—anything that could help her. There were broken pieces of metal, a toolbox, thick wires, and shattered glass. Dust covered everything, but this place had once been alive with activity. Now, it was her battlefield.
She crouched behind a metal table, hiding in the shadows, the weak flashlight on her phone lighting only a corner of the room. She turned it off and let her eyes adjust.
The creaking of each stair step sent shivers down her spine.
She could feel the cold air shift. It was getting closer.
She moved slowly, carefully placing her feet to avoid noise. She placed the paper with the weakness diagram in her pocket and kept the spear ready.
Suddenly—a loud crash.
The creature burst into the room.
Its eyes glowed in the dark, and its soaked hair stuck to its pale face. It scanned the area, sniffing the air.
She held her breath.
The mermaid walked past her hiding spot.
Its clawed feet dripped seawater onto the dusty floor. It turned toward the broken machines, its body hunched and twitching. It looked confused… but not for long.
She waited… just a few more steps.
Then—she charged.
She screamed as she leaped forward, aiming her spear straight for the marked spot on its side.
But the mermaid spun quickly.
It grabbed the spear mid-air.
They struggled.
The mermaid hissed, pushing her back with unnatural strength. She slammed into a table, knocking over glass jars. Her vision blurred for a second, but she didn't stop.
She rolled to the side, avoiding its strike. Its claw hit the metal, sparks flying.
She picked up a sharp broken pipe nearby and stabbed forward—again aiming for the same spot.
It shrieked.
This time, the hit landed.
The creature staggered, falling to one knee. Blood—dark and oily—oozed from the wound.
But it wasn't dead yet.
She ran toward the wires hanging from the wall. She yanked them hard. Sparks jumped.
She wrapped them around the metal pipe she held, turning it into a shocking rod.
The mermaid lunged again.
She waited till the last second.
Then jabbed the electrified pipe into the same wound.
A violent jolt.
The creature let out an earsplitting scream.
It shook. Its limbs flailed. Then finally—it collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud, twitching… and still.
She stood over it, panting, her arms shaking from exhaustion and adrenaline. Her clothes were torn. Her face smeared with dirt and blood.
But it was over.
She dropped the pipe.
Walked to the open window.
And watched as the first light of dawn touched the sea.
Help was coming. Boats were already in the distance. Survivors would be rescued.
But she… would never be the same again.
She looked down at the fallen creature once more.
And whispered, "Now I know your secret."
____To be continued.....