I would like to thank @KellyAnneBlount for allowing me the opportunity to participate in my 3rd Wattpad Block Party. It's incredible to be part of such a magnificent Author/Writer introduction.

I have been on Wattpad for over two years and I can't describe in words what a wonderful journey it has been so far.

From a silent reader to someone that participated in three Wattpad Block Parties, over six anthologies, that included: Romance, Horror, Fantasy, Mythology and poetry. I participated in writing a collaborated (History) story with @insomnolence (@ShutUpAndWriteClub), a true friend. Practically the most fun I ever had on Wattpad.

I participate in a few 'Book-Clubs' that has given me the boldness to not shy away from my writing. They have helped me grow as a writer and participate in writing activities.

I am a Co-Moderator for the @ShutUpAndWriteClub, moderated by @J_A_Brown where we have contests and writing and reading activities to help us grow. Please go over to our page and see what we are up to❣

I am honored to be a Wattpad Ambassador where I work on content control. And I also help in the @dangerouslove genre.

My number one tip I would like to give to any new and up and coming writers would be to join Book-Club' communities. The more you critique or review other peoples work the more you grow as a writer.

My first ever story I wrote on Wattpad is 'Secret Treasure'. I am immensely proud of that story. When you read it you can see my growth as a writer. If it wasn't for my participation in Book-Clubs, my writing wouldn't have progressed so much. And in this I am not saying that I am a perfect writer, yet. No, in fact, I have a long way to go and I am still learning each and everyday.

I would like to add to my post the newest chapter of my story 'Secret Treasure'. Please enjoy, and go over to my page to read the rest of the story.

Happy birthday

The shouting was spine-chilling. Marilla stood frozen around a corner of the dungeon. She wished that she had never followed her father down there. This could be someone very dangerous for her father to be so enraged. Keeping the alcove in sight, she pushed her ear to the wall, trying to find out who was behind it.

A soft whimpering caught her attention and she listened even closer. She was absolutely sure it was a mermaid crying. She tensed up as her father, yet again, shouted. The once peaceful water felt like it instantly became polluted. It was colder and seemed darker.

"I told you not to call me down here unless you want to tell me where she is." Kino moved so fast it caused ripples to form in the current."

A soft vulnerable mutter, which Marilla couldn't discern, came from the mermaid. With tensed muscles she pushed even harder into the wall, she could have sworn she heard her gasp for air. Was her father strangling her? This made her sick to her stomach.

"I told you before, and I'm telling you again, I don't care if it's her birthday, you... can't... see... her...!" Marilla could practically hear the spit flying from her father's lips, causing bubbles to form in the water.

Worn-out from what she just witnessed she urged herself away from the dungeon. She couldn't bear to hear the man she called her father, someone she had loved her entire life, mistreat someone like that.

Who was this mermaid? Why was she in the dungeon? And why would she want to see me? Marilla hurried to her room with ambiguous emotions. With hurt feelings and a clouded mind she still managed to get ready for her birthday party.

One thing she promised herself before leaving her room, was that she was going to find out who that mermaid in the dungeon was.

***

Marilla glided into the ballroom with confidence. Hayame's loving training paid off well. She could present herself to the kingdom with pride. She had taught her what it was to be a real princess. A mermaid-princess does not characterize herself by the exotic colour and glow of her tail nor by her face, and hair-art but rather by attitude, morals and life choices.

She could still recite it:

A princess is kind and loving.

A princess is loyal and faithful.

A princess does not gossip.

A princess is fair.

A princess is humble.

A princess is respectful.

A princess is strong.

A princess is brave.

A princess is passionate.

A princess is confident.

Marilla looked around the ballroom, her eyes searching for Kay. The ballroom looked spectacular as always. Blue glowing coral littered the huge room with Crystal Jellyfish hanging like chandeliers to give light to the soirée. Comb-Jellies hung inbetween creating a rainbow effect when the light of the Jellyfish scattered through their tentacles.

She was so engrossed in the crowd of invited guests and mesmerised by the lighting that she never heard her father approach.

"Happy birthday to the most beautiful girl in the entire kingdom." Kino drew her into an embrace but she hesitated and gently pushed him away.

"Is everything alright, my dear?"

"I'm fine father. I think I am too big for hugs in public." She lowered her eyes and moved in the direction of a group of her friends.

After they hugged her and wished her a happy birthday, she asked about Kay, "Have you seen Kay around? He must be lost in this crowd."

"He said he would be late tonight. He had something to take care of today. Oh, isn't that him conversing with your father?" Manta, one of Kay's best friends, pointed out.

Marilla immediately rushed to him with a somewhat elevated spirit. It always made her day when she saw him. Kay made her feel better on her worst days and made her laugh and feel wanted on her good days.

Approaching, she could see them preoccupied in a grim conversation. She moved closer admiring his strong bronzed body. His disheveled dark brown hair glowed in the blue coral light. Only a feet away from them she heard him say, "I think I found her. She lives off the coast of Hawaii."

"You've done a good job, Kay! If it's her, your efforts will be greatly rewarded."

"Who are you talking about?"

Startled, Kay moved closer to her, "Marilla! We were just discussing some safety measures of Mea Pouri."

"I heard you said something about someone and Hawaii."

Before Kay could react, an orchestra of dolphins and toadfish started playing the birthday song. Everybody in the ballroom quieted down and turned in the direction of Marilla. They sang and moved to the rhythm of the music. Hayame came forward and as soon as the song ended she handed her a gift.

"This is for you, my love. Happy fifteenth birthday!" Marilla hugged her and gently peeled away the layers of seagrass that covered the gift.

She held the shell in the palm of her hand and with a gentle push of her thumb opened it. The oyster had been removed and the the shell was polished with a smooth texture. The golden velvet interior accentuated the incandescent pearl inside. With a gentle movement she took it out of the shell and admired it.

"It's beautiful, thank you Hayame."

Her father who was observing the spectacle from behind her moved closer and asked in annoyance, "What's this? Where did you get that?"

"It'a pearl in a shell, father. Look, look how beautiful it is!"

"Did you know a pearl resembles strength and victory. A pearl is produced because the oyster is injured. It is the tear that results..."

Kino interrupted Hayame. "That's enough! Hayame, you can go now."

Marilla wanted to protest but her father just raised his hand and she knew the topic was closed. Later she saw him talking to Hayame and she could clearly see it wasn't a positive conversation. Marilla couldn't understand why her father reacted the way he did when he saw the pearl.

***

Marilla was tired after the party. Still tense after she followed her father to the dungeon and the altercation with him about her gift from Hayame, she just fell down on her soft seaweed bed and drifted off to sleep.

He was shaking her by the shoulders. A hand in her hair, jerking her head to and fro. The pain was unbearable. She tried to scream, but no sound came out of her mouth. Beating fists on her skin made her gasp for air.

Blood was seeping beneath her skin, and fractured ribs made her wince in pain. All she could think about was the unbearable pain every time she took a breath. When there was a moment when he didn't hit her she glanced down at the upper part of her tail, watching bruises blossom over it.

An opportunity came and she escaped his grasp on her. She quickly moved away. He rushed up to her and his hand hit her face. She fell with the force of it. His look was laced with contempt, annoyance and hatred.

"Tell me where she is? Or I swear I will kill you!" His face was so close to hers that it blurred her vision and she couldn't make out who it was.

He was on top of her now, pinning her to the ground. She gagged as bile rose in her throat and her chest clenched as he started biting her neck and moved up to her jaw. Alarmed by the thought that someone was forcing himself on her gave her the strength to push him away and swim away from his grasp.

He rushed up to her and then she recognised him, "Father?!"

His face disappeared as soon as she shouted his name. She was back on her bed when she saw a beautiful mermaid approaching her.

"Marilla, you're not safe." She arose from her bed reaching out to the most beautiful mermaid she had ever seen. A heart shaped face surrounded with onyx black hair looked back at her with glimmering tears falling from her eyes. Just as she touched her hand the vision disappeared.

When she awoke she was still on her bed, crying. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep the rest of the night. She decided to fulfill her promise to herself and investigate who was in the dungeon.

She approached the dungeon as quietly as she could. Stopping and listening every couple of feet. She stood just beyond the alcove where her father entered earlier that day. Afraid to go closer. She heard voices from another corridor and flattened herself against the wall and kept as quiet as she could, she even stopped breathing. It must be guards. She listened intently until she was sure that they were preoccupied with something other than approaching her.

Slowly floating into the inky shadows of the alcove her heart rate picked up. She was scared to death of what she might find there. Standing in the entrance she could see someone lying on the ground across the room from her.

Marilla still slinked to the shadows of the wall provided as she moved closer. She didn't want to expose herself too much. The darkness bore down on her making it even harder for her to breathe. Clenching her fists she made her way over to the mermaid lying on the ground, inch by inch.

Towering over the curled up mermaid who shivered violently, she could see her ashen face. She looked more familiar than she expected. Marilla gently removed the hair from her face and gasped at her sunken eyes and the realisation that it was the same mermaid from her dream. The mermaid stirred and Marilla swiftly moved away from her.

Her eyelids were weighed down as she looked up at her. With a surprised expression on her face she moved closer sluggishly.

"Marilla?" She questioned with a croaking voice.

"How do you know my name?"

"I'm your mother." She managed to force out. She took on a paler hue than she was before. With a slight movement backward she fainted.

Waves of heat raced through her blood, and she felt it rushing to her head. Her stomach contracted violently causing her to involuntarily double over as she emptied her stomach contents on the ground.

Thank you for taking the time to read my entry. Please support the Block Party by reading and voting on the other posts as well and don't forget to participate in the big give away.

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P.S. Don't forget to enter the 130+ #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways! Clickable links are at the top of my Wattpad profile! :)

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