Nate picked up the one in the shape of a merperson and took a big bite out of it. It had a spice cookie taste
to it, which he liked.
"It's very good," replied Nate.
"I'm glad you like it," replied Kathryn. She went back to the kitchen with the plate of cookies as Nate
finished his. She then went back to Nate
"Well, I should probably be going. I'll see you around!" said Nate as waved goodbye and walked out the front
door.
"Ah yes, I think things will be getting decidedly more exciting around here," said Kathryn to herself.
Nate walked back to his house next door. He would have the house to himself for the night, since his Mom was
going out to dinner with her girlfriends after work and his brother was going to be at a sleepover. As he
walked in, he marveled at how good that cookie tasted and made a mental note to ask Kathryn for the recipe the
next time he saw her.
Later that night, Nate was watching T.V when she started to feel strange. He looked outside and saw the pool
in his backyard. Bored, he decided to take a late night swim. He flicked off the television and went and put
on his bathing suit. He grabbed a large towel from the hall closet and went outside, flipping on the pool
lights as he did.
The backyard was gated off with a tall, wooden gate and tall 14 foot bushes, giving the yard plenty of
privacy. Nate pulled off his t-shirt and dove into the pool. He re-surfaced, brushing the water from his face.
His legs began to feel weird, like they were being pulled together. Nate swam over to the side of the pool,
holding on to the edge and looked down, shocked at the sight of his legs growing together and his feet growing
out into long fins. Royal Blue overlapping scales grew out over his tail. He couldn't believe it. He had
turned into a merman. Part of him was shocked and part excited. He dove under the water, swimming from one end
to the other, picking up speed for what had to be a good ten minutes.
Nate burst through the surface and came back down, creating a huge splash. He swam back up to the surface and
was surprised to see Kathryn sitting on one of the patio chairs.
"Hi," was all Nate managed to get out.
"Having fun?" asked Kathryn.
Nate nodded.
"Good." Kathryn smiled. "Not bored anymore?"
"Nope," replied Nate.
"Good to hear."
"Kathryn, can I ask you a question?" Nate swam over to the side of the pool.
"Of course," replied Kathryn.
"Why me?" asked Nate.
"Well, I could tell you were angling for a change of some sort. You picked your shape," Kathryn replied.
Nate thought back to the plate of cookies. "Is this permanent?"
"Yes, it is. Unless you don't want it to be."
"Cool," replied Nate, smiling.
"Oh yeah, and when you get out and dry off, your tail will turn back into legs. I also turned your pool water
into salt water and there is a portal at the bottom of the deep end that will connect to the Pacific Ocean.
Have fun, Nate."
Nate looked back down to where she said the portal lied. He smiled back, "Oh I will."
"Have a goodnight Nate," said Kathryn.
"Goodnight Kathryn," replied Nate, diving underwater.