“Papa, Papa… Papa, come.”
“You will not fall. Trust me.”
Latty could not see. She was a blind young woman, holding her walking stick tightly as she stood at one end of the bridge. Her dress moved gently in the morning breeze. Her heart beat fast. She could hear the river below, slow but deep, whispering as if it were alive.
On the other side of the bridge stood her father.
“Come, Latty,” he called. His voice sounded gentle, almost loving.
Latty shook her head slightly.
“Papa, I’m scared,” she said. Her voice was small. She had always trusted his voice, even when his words hurt her.
“There is nothing to fear,” he replied quickly. “Just keep coming. I am here.”
Latty took one step. The wood creaked beneath her feet. Her grip on the stick tightened. She took another step, then another. With every move, her fear grew.
Her father did not warn her. He did not shout. He only stood there watching, with a slow smile spreading across his face — a smile filled with hate.
One step. Two steps. Three steps.
Suddenly, her stick touched empty air.
The bridge had ended.
Before she could pull back, her foot slipped forward.
“Papa!” she cried, her voice breaking as her body fell.
The river opened its mouth and swallowed her. Her scream was cut short by the water. Her last word echoed once.
“Papa…”
Then silence.
The water was cold and heavy. It rushed into Latty’s ears, her nose, her mouth. She sank fast. Her arms moved wildly, but there was nothing to grab. Her chest burned. Fear wrapped around her like chains.
Above the river, her father stood still for a moment, listening.
When there was no more sound, his lips curved into a smile.
“Yes,” he whispered, his voice shaking with joy. “The useless blind girl is finally out of my life.”
He turned and walked away, not knowing he was not alone.
Deep inside the river, something moved.
A mermaid had been watching everything. Her eyes were sharp and glowing, her skin smooth like wet stone. She had seen many wicked humans, but this one made her heart burn.
She swam quickly toward Latty, who was already losing strength. Latty’s body was sinking, her movements slowing. The mermaid reached her and gently touched her nose.
“Breathe,” she said.
The word carried power.
Suddenly, Latty gasped. Air filled her chest even though she was still underwater. Her fear paused. She opened her mouth again, and she could breathe.
Her body stopped fighting.
The mermaid held her hand firmly and pulled her deeper into the river — away from the surface, away from the bridge, away from the man who had tried to kill her.
Strange lights appeared around them as they swam, glowing softly in the dark water. The river became quiet, as if it were hiding them.
Latty’s father walked home with light steps and a happy heart. He felt free.
When he reached his house, he saw Latty’s mother standing outside, looking left and right. Her face was full of fear.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pretending to care.
“I’ve been looking for Latty,” she said quickly. “She has never left this house alone before. I asked the neighbors. I asked the children. Nobody has seen her.”
Her hands were shaking.
Her husband shrugged and avoided her eyes.
