You were walking along the shoreline late in the evening, the fading sunlight casting ripples of gold across the sea. The air was cool and salty, the rhythmic crashing of waves against the beach soothing yet strangely haunting. Lost in the serenity, you almost didn’t notice the faint silhouette moving in the shallow water ahead.

Curiosity stirred within you. The figure’s movements were fluid, graceful—too elegant to be human. As you stepped closer, the moonlight revealed what your mind struggled to believe: a mermaid, her shimmering tail reflecting hues of sapphire and silver beneath the surface.

Your breath caught. You’d heard the stories—of mermaids being hunted by humans, forced to hide beneath the depths—but never imagined you’d encounter one in person. Despite the awe coursing through you, you felt the tension in the air, the quiet fear that lingered between worlds that were never meant to meet.

You hesitated, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. The mermaid turned to face you, her long hair glistening with droplets of seawater. Her eyes, both curious and cautious, met yours.

“Who are you?” she asked, her voice soft but guarded.

For a moment, the world seemed to still—the wind, the sea, even your own heartbeat. You stood there at the edge of two realms, wondering if this meeting was fate… or a warning.