“Mama! Mama! What is that?” Chijioke shouted, pointing at Nene, who was lying on the mat.
Amara’s heart dropped into her stomach.
Nene tried to cover her face with her hands, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Amara rushed to Chijioke and placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to calm him.
“Chijioke, please don’t shout. Please calm down,” Amara said, her voice shaking.
Chijioke’s eyes were still wide and he was trembling.
“Mama, what is that? Why does she have a fish tail? Is she a witch? Is she going to eat us?” Chijioke cried, stepping backward.
Amara felt tears gather in her own eyes. She did not know how to explain it to her young son.
“She is not a witch, Chijioke. She is a mermaid, but she needs our help. She is not here to hurt us,” Amara explained, kneeling down to his level.
Chijioke shook his head, tears dropping from his eyes.
“Mama, the elders say mermaids take people’s souls into the river. They say mermaids are dangerous,” he said, sniffing and wiping his tears with the back of his hand.
Amara hugged him tightly.
“Chijioke, not all mermaids are bad. This one is sick and pregnant. The hunters wanted to kill her and her baby. We cannot let them do that. We must help her,” Amara whispered into his ear.
Chijioke’s body was shaking as he looked at Nene, who was still lying on the mat, her silver tail shining in the dim light of the hut.
Nene slowly removed her hands from her face and looked at Chijioke with tears in her eyes.
“I will not hurt you. I promise. I just want to be safe,” Nene said softly.
Chijioke swallowed hard, looking into Nene’s eyes.
Amara held his hand tightly.
