Long Live the Queen

The rule for this contest is that you have 15 minutes to write a story or poem. The prompt was a picture of a woman ankle deep in water. She is seen from behind. In her hand is a mask and fins. She seems to be contemplating the ocean in front of her.

Anna awoke from her dream, or at least she thought she did. There was something unreal about her perceived wakefulness. Everything was a little soft around the edges. Her actions, while a product of her mind, had an involuntary feel to them. She sat up carefully, not wanting to wake Ben.

Looking around the room, she could see pictures of their two kids, Sandy and Erin. The curtains billowed slightly in the light wind, drawing her attention to the view. Anna stepped outside onto a beachfront porch. The salt air revitalized her and brought back memories of when she and Ben first met.

It had been right here on this beach, maybe a hundred yards or so down towards the pier. They had both been alone; Ben had wandered away from a party, she - well, that memory escaped her for the moment. It had been love at first sight. Five years later, while she was expecting their first child, Ben had brought her to this site with “This is where we will build our new home.”

Ten minutes later, Anna found herself in the water. The siren song beckoned to her. She could hear the sound of the mammals calling to her. It was beautiful.

“Anna, it’s time to come home. Your throne awaits.”

She stood there, transfixed. The memories came flooding back. She remembered how she had come to be on the beach all those years ago. Now it was time to go back. The tug of war between her life on land and the one waiting for her in the ocean held her fast in place.

The songs grew in their intensity. The die was cast as her legs began to grow together. The fins and mask fell into the water, no longer needed. With one last glance back, she turned and dove into the water where her kingdom awaited.

She had come of age. Long live the queen.