* Author : Samantha Henderson * Narrator : Tina Connolly * Hosts : Matt Dovey, Dave Thompson, Anna Schwind and Pria Wood * Audio Producer : Devin Martin * Discuss on Forums Originally appeared in Helix. Content Warnings for carnivorous mermaids, sexual shenanigans in the presence of a minor, and near death experiences. Rated R The Mermaid’s Tea Party by Samantha Henderson The mermaid barely slowed her breakneck pace as she approached and ran herself halfway up a yellow beach, belly-down and arching her back so her torso was almost upright. At the same time, she flung Cassandra casually upon the sand, half-knocking the breath out of her. Cassandra gulped for air, then scrambled as best she could up the beach, out of reach of the mermaid’s grasp — or so she profoundly hoped. The mermaid watched her and made no move towards her, a nasty grin on her face. “I’ll find the tea, and you’ll make us a party,” she said. “Then, maybe, I’ll bring you some food.” Cassandra stared. Then the import of the creature’s words struck her and she looked around, beginning to panic. The island was perhaps a mile around and very flat, save where white ridges were raised above the surface. A large wave would have swamped it. A few trees she recognized from picture books as palms clustered off-center, a green haze underneath them. There was not much else. Nothing to eat, certainly. The sand clung in a fine film to her dress and bare legs, and itched. Miss Murchinson would have been scandalized.