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Troy Atkins ● Father ● Deceased
Micah Atkins ● Brother ● Deceased
Lydia Atkins ● Mother ● Living

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The Atkins men have been a family of sailors for ages, exploring the seas and passing their knowledge off to the next generation. As a right of passage, Troy Atkins sat his boys, Micah and Silas, down and told them of his adventures at sea. The boys were in awe, their little feet kicking in excitement as their father told stories of fearsome weather conditions, gruesome sharks, and dwindling resources. However, the most compelling story was about his first encounter with a mermaid.

Naturally, Micah rejected the idea of such a creature, but Silas was hooked. He wanted to know more, experience more. So, on a whim, he begged his father to take them out to see the world for themselves. Instantly, their mother was against it, claiming that the boys were far too young to be out at sea. "You're only ten years old, Silas," she frowned. Nearly defeated, Silas pressed the matter, batting his long crimson eyelashes at his parents as his older brother followed suit. Eventually, their father caved, and agreed to take them on his next expedition. Reluctantly, their mother also agreed.

Off the Atkins boys sailed with their father and a crew at their side. The nights were cold, the days sweltering, and the sea as unforgiving and wonderful as Troy described. Slowly the days blurred together, making Silas lose count of the last time they saw land. Nevertheless, he learned the trade with his brother, tending to the ship like a crew member should. Eventually, land drifted into view. Excitement coursed through Silas's veins, his ruby hues wide with wonder as they sailed closer to this unknown island.

And that's when the first thud sounded, catching the crew off guard as their ship wobbled from the impact. Silas falls back, his tiny hands gripping the edge of the boat. He dared to glance over, hoping to catch a look at whatever was attacking them. And he did. A shining silver tail breaks through the surface, splashing crystal beads of water into the air. "A mermaid," he whispers, utterly taken aback. They were real! Silas didn't have time to processes the discovery before the boat gave another hardy shake; dislodging some of the crew members. Screams of terror rang through the clear blue sky before they were muffled by the oppressive weigh of the sea. Silas held onto his brother as Troy tried in vain to get his sons to safety. He runs to them as they quake in horror, backing away from the edge.

BOOM! Another hard bump makes them lose their balance and just like that, the Atkins boys were on their backs sliding away from their father and into the deadly abyss. Water engulfed them; cold and threatening. Silas managed to swim to the surface, his sore lungs gasping for air. Frantically, he looks for his brother, but is met with vast nothingness. "Dad! Micah!" He cried, tears streaming from his burning eyes. He sees his father's head peeking from the over the edge of the boat, making him cried out louder. "DA--!" But he didn't get to finish before he's yanked back into the darkness. Long nails bite into his ankle, dragging him deeper. He's kicking, fighting to survive, but the creature was strong. His free foot manages to slam right into the creature's neck, startling it long enough for him to break free. The creature wailed, spiteful slashing Silas deep on his left side with her nails. Silas swam faster than he's ever swam before; adrenaline blinding him from the pain in his side . He broke to the surface once more, lungs burning for oxygen.

The Atkins boy called for his father, in spite of the sandpaper grating against his throat...but there was no answer. There is no one left. Nothing but the sea and the remnants of their destroyed ship. Crimson essences flowed from his wound, coloring the water a sickly red. Dots blurred his vision and everything drifted to oblivion.

How he survived that tragic event, he'll never know, but he won't forget it. He'll never forget that silver tail and those long nail on his flesh, tearing him apart. When he woke up, he was in a hospital bed with his mother weeping at his side. Disoriented, little Silas asked for his father and brother, and when his mother only responded by crying harder...his world cracked.

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Silas filed his teeth to sharp points when he turned eighteen. He wanted to have a weapon on him at all times.