"JACOB!!!"

"CAPTAIN!!!"

I turned to Arella in disbelief. How could she? "He is the payment. His death will let you exit the gulf," she cursed and swam away.

Lowen and Neville were about to jump into the ocean but Coralyn stopped them. "Don't! The waters will kill you! We curse men, remember? No men are allowed in that troubled waters," she said as her final warning before she swam away as well.

I gasped and looked at Qara. She shrugged, "I could only protect you. Not him," she replied then she turned. She, too, swam away.

I shook my head, "NO!!! DON'T LEAVE!!!" But the mermaids were all gone. I turned back at Jacob and saw him struggle to stay on the surface. I quickly took the edge of the rope near me. "PULL US UP WHEN YOU FEEL ME TUG!"

Paco shook his head to disagree but I couldn't be stopped. I am the only one that can rescue Jacob. The mermaid's curses do not work on me. So I jumped in the water against my crewmates' protests. I tried my hardest to swim to get near him but the sea already swallowed him up.

"JACOB!!!" I yelled before diving in the ocean. It took me awhile before I located him. I did not know where I mustered up the strength to swim to him as fast as I could. He was unconscious when I reached him. I slapped his face in an attempt to wake him up but he did not respond. I feared so I quickly tied the rope around him and tugged as hard as I could. I released it after I felt it was being pulled up.

I tried to move again through the pain. I was inching closer and closer to the surface but I felt lightheaded. I was running out of air and just when I was about to faint, I felt a hand grab my waist. I thought it was Jacob because he always comes at the right time, but it wasn't. It was Qara. She shook her head in dismay as she helped me resurface.

When we reached the surface, I quickly gasped for air. "MISS DARLING!!!" the crew screamed and tossed me the rope. I took hold of it but before they could pull me up, I grabbed Qara. She turned to me.

"What do you need the strands of my hair for?" I managed to ask while catching my breath.

She smirked. "My offspring will be just like you," she said mysteriously before she turned away and dove into the water.

Sandlot, Urdel, and Zaki quickly pulled me up onboard. Neville put a dry cloth around me.

"J-J-Jacob," I managed to say while shivering.

Neville looked at the crew trying to revive him. All were silent. He was still unconscious. I ran towards them and knelt beside him. "Jacob!" I said then turned to Gondro.

"I cannot bring back the breath of life that was taken away, Miss Darling. He was the payment. We are out of the Gulf of Sire--"

"No! He's not dead! Don't you say that!" I cut him off and looked at Jacob. His lips were turning purple. I pounded on his chest. Nothing happened. My mind exploded! NO!!! I CANNOT LOSE HIM!!!

"Tell me, what do I need to do?!" I screamed and looked at them.

"Breathe in him!" Paco suggested right away.

That's right! I quickly inhaled and filled my lungs with air. Then, I opened his lips with mine and I blew. After I did that, Gondro continued to pound on his chest and listened to his breathing. I inhaled again and did it over while praying to the heavens that Jacob makes it. After the third try, Jacob coughed!

Tears of joy welled up my eyes again. I sighed and slumped on the deck floor. The rest of the crew helped him sit up. There were smiles on their faces but like me their eyes were wet.

Then, our eyes met. He was taking deep breaths. But, he gave me a smile. He's alive! I could not help it. My tears began to fall down. I couldn't stop them. Afterwards, I began to sob. "You… you… I … I thought…" I could not continue my sentence because my voice cracked.

Seeing my distress, Jacob grabbed the back of my neck and locked me in his embrace. I continued to sob on his shoulder while gently pounding on his chest. I could feel the crew begin to disperse to give us some space. When we were left alone, he whispered, "I did not die… I won't… I'm sorry for worrying you."

I nodded. Heaven knows I tried to stop sobbing and regain my composure but instead my sobs grew louder. I heard Jacob chuckle but he did not let me go until my sobbing stopped. I sniffed and then we were face to face.

"I would walk you to your room, but my strength is not back yet," he said. "Paco!"

Paco quickly walked towards us and helped me up. Thaddaeus helped Jacob. Then, they assisted us back to our rooms. After I cleaned up and changed into dry clothes, I lay down on the bed. My knees were still weak. I chuckled, we did not eat anything at all after breakfast and it was already night time. I was famished but I could not find the strength to get up and get dinner so instead I closed my eyes. Not a moment too long, I fell asleep.

I woke up because my stomach was growling. It was already midnight. I walked out my room and headed towards the kitchen. On my way, I saw Thaddaeus manning the sails. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"Thank you," he said. I stopped and turned back. "Thank you," he said again. "For saving us… thank you."

I nodded. "You're welcome."

"I apologize for everything I said that offended you. You are one of us," he finally said.

I beamed. "Thank you." He nodded his head and went back to his work.

I continued on my way to the kitchen in search of food… ANY food. Neville was there preparing the ingredients for breakfast. He quickly made me a sandwich before leaving to get some shut-eye. After I finished eating, I went back to the main deck and looked over the horizon. I closed my eyes and really sighed in relief.

All the crew except for those on night shift were asleep. I touched my neck. The feeling of having gills and Arella's hand on my neck was still fresh in my mind. I am so glad we were miles away from the Gulf of Sirens. I opened my eyes when I felt a presence beside me. It was Jacob. He was looking apologetically at me.

"Puma told me about your voice," he said quietly.

I chuckled, "It's not an issue. I know you would do the same thing if the situation was reversed."

"Gondro told me about what the mermaid Qara required of you. Is it dangerous?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "She told me her offspring will be just like me. Whatever that means, I do not know."

He looked down and clenched his fist. "Paco told me I tried to hurt you in the mermaid's lair," he said, obviously disgusted with himself.

I looked at him and waited for him to look at me before I responded. "I knew you were under a spell. I did not hold it against you," I said and smiled at him. "For all it's worth you were fighting it. You really did try Jacob so please don't beat yourself too much about it. I am fine. I'm alive. We are all safe. You.. you," my voice cracked again so I cleared my throat before continuing, "You are alive."

Jacob smiled. "Were you worried?"

"What do you think? Wouldn't you feel the same way if you were me?"

"Oh I would brave through hell if I had to just to get you back," he replied right away. His face dead serious.

I gave him a faint smile. "Just promise me it won't happen again."

"That's the last time we venture into uncharted waters," he then looked at me with a playful grin.

I furrowed my brows, "What now?"

"They said you gave me the kiss of life," he teased and touched his lips.

I sighed and looked away. "Please Jacob.. not now… it was a long day," I pleaded.

Jacob chuckled, "Fair enough… tomorrow then."

I turned back to him with unbelieving eyes that caused him to laugh even more. His laughter echoed in the midnight air.