The last thing Emilio remembers is the storm and being thrown overboard. His head pounds as he regains consciousness, the shining sun worsening his headache. He slowly sits up, shielding his eyes from the light.

His gaze lands on the merman sitting on the sand mere feet away from him. His eyes widen in shock. He had never believed the stories he heard about sea monsters from the other sailors coming into port, but now a real merman was sitting in front of him.

"Hello," Emilio says, his voice rough. He considers for a moment that perhaps the merman might not understand him, but then his head tilts and he begins to smile. Emilio smiles back, cautious. "Did you save me?"