aquatica

There is a banging on the bathroom door.
Something close to an alarm.
Muffled voices are yelling beyond.
But all I can hear is the water.
Their song.
It floats up from beneath the bubbles and I can already picture them.
Eager. Hungry. Empty.

Slowly but surely I sink down into the tub.
And as soon as my face is engulfed by cool water,
They come.

At first my vision fades.
the outside world becomes a distant memory.
And beneath the water a new world emerges.
My pulse slows and the first caress is felt.
My shirt is pulled over my head with hurried hands.
I don’t remember where my pants have gone.
But I don’t care.

Laughter.
Bubbles.
They’ve come for me again.
They’re skin glows as bright as any moon beside mine.
They’re hair floats about.
Touching me. Touching them.
Mixing and mingling with the sea.

“Relaxxx,” they tell me, “We‘ll take care of you now.”

One cold hand crawls up my thigh.
Another cups my cheek.
Lips as soft as feather down press against my own.
She tastes of salt, fish, and faintly… blood.
She smiles while she kisses.
There’s a secret in her eyes.

I try to question it.
But her mouth eats at my reply.
This is heaven.
Or as close as I’ll ever get.
She touches me places I’ve never been touched.
I’m 41 and still this is the closest I’ve ever come to a real woman.
Or is it fish?

She looks up.
Startled by something.
Our lips part.

“What is it?”

She shakes her head.
Arms slowly releasing me.
My brows furrow.
She looks upset.
Her white hair shakes from left to right.
Her lips mouth,
“no.”

I’m trying for words but nothing comes out.
Just bubbles.
There’s no air here.
Water.
I can’t breathe water.
I forgot.
Its too late now.

Aquatica.