Willa’s gills, framed by her delicate ribs and pink seashells, moved in steady rhythm. But they were moving too slowly, her breaths shallow.         “She’s breathing, but just barely.” Faryn welcomed sweet relief when she saw their neighbor swimming toward them.

   “Briley, thank the Spirit you’re here. These children need immediate medical attention. Can you alert the guards we’re on our way?”

   Briley touched Willa’s cheek as they swam. “What happened?”

   “We’re not sure.” Faryn hugged Ash closer when she felt him slipping from her grasp. “We found them like this.”

   Briley snatched her hand away. “I’ll meet you there,” she said and darted ahead, dodging the mers gathering to watch them swim the last leg of their journey.

   The concerned bystanders had their own theories, ranging from parasites to various pollutants from the human world.

   “Looks like the rage,” an older mermaid suggested.

   Another chimed in, “Spirit help us if that’s what this is.”

  Faryn looked down at Ash, suddenly afraid of the child she had been so quick to help.

   Anything but the Rage!