“You see?” he said quietly. “We may not see Latty again.”
Eba pulled back in shock.
“What?”
But the man continued smiling.
“You can still marry my other daughter.”
Eba stared at him in disbelief.
“I don’t understand,” he said slowly. “Your daughter is missing, and you are telling me this?”
His voice was full of anger and pain. He shook his head and walked away without another word.
Latty’s father stood there alone, confused.
“What did I say wrong?” he asked himself.
Inside one of the huts, Toro sat with her mother. They were eating and laughing as if nothing had happened.
“Are you sure Papa is not responsible for Latty’s disappearance?” Toro asked, laughing softly.
Her mother waved her hand carelessly.
“Who cares?” she replied, laughing back. “She was always a problem.”
They continued laughing, mocking the situation as if it were a joke.
Outside, Latty’s mother could not cry anymore. Her tears had dried, but the pain was still burning inside her. She stood up slowly, ignoring the people trying to stop her. She tied her wrapper and began walking around the village again, screaming her daughter’s name.
“Latty, my child, Latty!”
Her voice was weak now, but she did not stop.
People who saw her shook their heads sadly. Some whispered prayers. Some looked away.
In Toro’s hut, laughter continued. They mocked the crying woman, copying her voice and laughing harder.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, shining on cruelty, lies, and pain.
Back in the mermaid’s home, Latty sat quietly, still holding on to the mermaid’s arm. The place smelled different, like clean water and strange flowers. Latty could hear faint sounds outside, like soft singing far away. Her mind was full of confusion.
“So this place,” she asked slowly, “is not the world I know?”
The mermaid sat beside her.
“No,” she replied gently. “This is our kingdom.”
Latty swallowed hard.
“Why did you save me?” she asked. “You don’t even know me.”
The mermaid was silent for a moment. Then she said quietly:
“I saw what your father did, and I could not allow it.”
Latty’s body shook.
“My father hates me,” she whispered. “He always has.”
She lowered her head.
“He said I bring bad luck.”
The mermaid felt anger rise inside her, but she kept her voice calm.
“Some humans fear what they do not understand,” she said. “But that does not mean you deserve harm.”
Latty sighed deeply.
“My mother will be crying now,” she said sadly. “She will be looking for me.”
The mermaid did not answer. She swam to a small corner of the room and brought something wrapped in leaves.
“Rest,” she said gently. “You are safe for now.”
Latty nodded slowly, but her heart refused to calm down. She could feel that her life had entered something dangerous and powerful.
Back in the village, night slowly began to fall. Latty’s mother was still outside, walking weakly, calling her daughter’s name until her voice almost disappeared. People began to return to their homes. Some shook their heads, saying it was too late.
