The boy continued staring at the empty space that wasn't empty. Air surrounded him, invisible oxygen that he couldn't see but was nevertheless vital. And of course, the creature was there.

"Hello?" he called tentatively.

"Hello," called the voice of a young girl. The water stirred around the hole in the water, and a female form appeared. "I'm sorry," she said. "I was just curious."

The boy continued to stare. The girl had hair the color of flame and a smile like no other. He was particularly worried about her sharp teeth.

She laughed, a sound like breaking glass, and glass was near invisible in water. Dangerous. "Oh, I didn't meant to scare you!" she said. "Really, I don't eat humans; they're way too tough."

The boy backed away.

"At least, that's what my grammy told me."

Grammy?

"I usually stick to oysters and small fish. But what about you? What are you doing in the water?"

"I was just swimming," said the boy. "It's a hot day."

"Is it?" said the girl, viewing the sky with curiosity. "I wouldn't know, but the water has been warmer than usual lately, at least closer to the surface."

The boy smiled, beginning to feel more at ease, more under her spell. He came closer. "What is it like to live in the water?" he asked.

The girl smiled again, sharp teeth sparkling in the sun. "Tell you what, boy," she said. "You can show me your home, and I'll show you mine." Then taking his hand, she pulled him along with her under the shimmering waters. Her emerald tail splashed one time before speeding them both to her ocean home.