Mermaid Pirate Dispatch

“Excuse me?” The lass holding the vessel of salt did a double-take, glancing quickly down at the salt a few times before settling her ferocious gaze on me.

I grinned. “Besides, I quite enjoy being at bay. It makes me feel… weak and helpless while at the same time reminding me of my tremendous strength and horrifying appearance.” I sucked air through my sharp teeth and licked what remained of my thin, rotted lips.

The girl winced and retreated toward the center of the circle she’d drawn. One of her friends stumbled backward, stepping on the line briefly before quickly shuffling back toward the middle.

I approached the salt, putting my worn boots right up against the fuzzy line of scattered salt crystals. “So,” I began conversationally. “You did surround yourself with sea salt, right? Because if it’s the kind that’s been mined from the earth then…” I smirked menacingly and winked at her. “Well, we’ll find out, won’t we?”

“Stop!” she exclaimed, holding out the container defensively. “I’ll pour it on you.”

“Shame it’s not that special Himalayan pink salt.” I mused playfully. “That stuff really gets me going. You know, some poor broad tried that one on me last month and wouldn’t you know it, the salt actually made me feel stronger! More alive!” I grinned. “Too bad it’s not the pink salt.”

One of the guys in the circle, trembling so bad his teeth were chattering, leaned in close to the girl with the salt. “I thought you said any salt would work,” he sputtered, shuffling backward until the one in the back lost balance again. There were five of them huddled together in the circle, but I was only interested in the lass with the salt. She was fiery and bold. She was perfect.

“Stay back!” she growled, prying the lid off the container she held. “I’ll dump it on you. I swear I’ll do it!”

I shrugged. “Seems it’s a bit of a coin toss for me,” I admitted. “Either this is sea salt and I’m through, or it’s not, and you’re mine.” I purred menacingly and winked at her again. “Place your bets honey, because if I was you I’d…”

In a fit of panic and rage she heaved the container toward me, launching a stream of salt into my face. I gasped, holding on to the hope that it wasn’t sea salt. At first, nothing happened. I smiled and leaned in to enter the circle.

A horrendous stench filled my nostrils. I glanced down to see if one of them had soiled their pants, but I realized it was the smell of burning flesh. A chunk of my cheek sloughed off my jaw and landed on the floor, sizzling on the ring of salt. I stumbled back and fell, my right leg completely gone after trying to force my way past the line on the ground. My vision blurred and my eyes burned. I heard the teens gasping and cursing just before my ears shriveled and fell off. I choked, my lungs full of noxious fumes that ate away at my insides like acid. Everything was fading. My heart was slowing. I felt my muscles convulsing.

Faintly I heard cheering, then everything went dark.

[Reddit Post]