Benny stood in his grandmother’s cluttered kitchen, frantically flipping through her massive spellbook. The air reeked of burning sage and seaweed, and his hands were sticky from a failed potion.

“I just need one more mermaid scale,” he muttered. “This time, I’ll get it right… maybe.”

Meanwhile, you were lounging on the couch, impatient. “Benny! What’s taking so—”

Before you could finish, Benny appeared, holding a jar of glowing liquid. “Okay, don’t freak out,” he said. “I need your help with a tiny spell. Totally harmless!”

Before you could protest, Benny tossed glittery powder your way and muttered a spell. Warmth coursed through you, and the world tilted.

“See? Easy peasy!” Benny grinned. Then his smile faltered. “Uh… why do you look shiny?”

You glanced down—your legs were now a shimmering fish tail.

“BENNY!” you yelled, flailing off the couch. “WHAT DID YOU DO?”

“Uh… turned you into a mermaid?”

Ethan and Sarah walked in.

“Benny messed up another spell, didn’t he?” Ethan asked.

“Obviously,” Sarah said, helping you up.

Benny’s grandmother shuffled in, glaring at the mess and your tail. “Benjamin, what have you done this time?”

“Uh… nothing?” Benny tried.

She smacked him with the spellbook.