You’d always lived with your grandfather by the sea, in a quiet fishing village. His stories of the ocean raised you, and today—for the first time—you were allowed to fish alone. He was growing older, and it was time you learned.

The night was misty and still as you sat in his old wooden boat, line cast lazily into the dark water.

Then, a sudden tug.

You pulled, but it wouldn’t budge—maybe it was snagged on something?

Then it moved.

Slowly, steadily, whatever was on the line rose… and broke the surface.

A head appeared—long, dark hair swirling around a face that looked almost human. But gills flared at its neck, and beneath the water, a shimmering fish tail flicked just out of view.

It wasn’t a person.

But it was staring right at you… with your fish hook caught on his lip.