In the red-hot area of a land situated by folks of the four elements, the sky was covered with red and black clouds. The ground shook as tons of magma oozed out from the top of a large volcano.
As more magma spat out, a small figure of a young man burst out. He landed on the ground on his hands and knees. The magma spilt on the ground did not burn his hands. Instead they soaked in to him as if they were a part of him.
Slowly, he lifted his head, showing a warm yellow handsome face with angry red eyebrows. Lightning bolts were printed on the top of his cheekbones, symbolizing the anger that he stored inside him. His eyes burned with fury. And his hair, were flames that never blew away. His features showed that he was as young as a teenager.
As he gradually got up, his red-hot body came to view. His T-shirt was mostly red, orange and yellow, whereas his shorts were blue. The sleeves were scaled and so were his purple and blue shoes. The main part of the T-shirt was made with fire weaved with bits of yellow and orange flames sticking out.
His arms were red but his legs were blue. He was like how a flame is formed, where a small line of blue can be seen at the bottom. But the other Fire folks were red, yellow and orange all over. Although, he was different, his parents said he was special, but his peers used to tease him and call him names like “Blue Legs” and “Weak Link”.
He was called a “Weak Link” because he was not good at using his powers like the other fire boys. While the others were experts at aiming and throwing their fireballs, he still had problems throwing his. Instead of going where he wanted them to go, they always fell to his feet, making the other Fire boys laugh at him.
But he never stopped trying. He was known to practice in vain as his powers never improved. So his parents named their special son Vain Hot Fire.
As he walked out into the woods, Vain was sure that today was going to be different. He picked up all his strength and anger that was built up by the teasing from his peers and hoped that today he would burn a tree down.
But he did not realize that there was someone out there, who would make him weaker than ever before.
While trying in vain to burn a tree, Vain was disturbed by a humming sound coming from another area on the other side of the small woods.
As he walked slowly, Vain noticed a figure of a shiny blue young mermaid sitting at the edge of the sea, flying a colorful kite. She was humming a tune in the most melodious voice Vain had ever heard. He tried to forget it as the voice of his father rang in his ear.
“Never go near the Water folks. One touch and they will kill you.” But it was no use, Vain felt as if he was pulled towards the mermaid.
While getting closer, Vain saw that the mermaid’s bright green eyes were sad, but her blue lips were straight as she kept humming. There were white swirls on her cheek, which soaked in the tears from her eyes.
Curiously, Vain eyed her from top to bottom. Her light blue face shimmered in the sun just like her body, which was covered by a blue see-through cardigan. The scales of her fishtail twinkled, which was a darker shade of blue. The fin on the end of her tail was the same as the strands of the long hair on her head, which was in the colors blue, white and green.
Vain had no control over himself. He was totally struck by the beauty of this girl who he knew he could not touch, that he burst out.
“H-H-Hi,” he stammered. By the sound of his voice, the mermaid shrieked and jumped back into the water, leaving Vain to call after her. “No wait, I didn’t mean to scare you!”
But it was too late. She was already gone. Furiously, Vain threw a log into the water and walked back into the woods. Another event finished in vain.
That night, Vain was weakened by his senses. He could not stop thinking about the beautiful mermaid. Lying on his rocky bed in the volcano, he was unable to close his eyes. He knew it was wrong to love someone who was not the same element, but he could not help it.
“Somebody’s gotta help me with this,” he muttered. Then he sprung up. He remembered that the chief of the Fire people was always very helpful.
The chief was Vain’s only friend as he spoke to him about his problems. Vain was sure that if the Chief could sort his teasing problems, he could help with his affections for the mermaid.
Vain walked the long, hot hallway to the Chief’s chamber.
“Hello Vain. What can I do for you?” Echoed the Chief’s voice when Vain entered the room. You could not see him, but his loud deep voice was heard on every wall.
“Hi Chief.” Vain sulked.
“What’s the matter, son?”
“I…I think I’ve done something wrong.”
“And what’s that, son?”
“I’m in love.”
“Congratulations, son!” The Chief cheered.
“With a mermaid.”
“A mermaid?!” The Chief shrieked. “Have you lost your mind?!”
“I know.”
“One touch and you’re gone forever. You know that don’t you?”
“I do! But I can’t help it.”
“All right son.” Said the Chief calming down. “As long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters.”
Vain lowered his head.
“What’s her name?” Asked the Chief.
Vain lifted his head up again, eyes lit with a smile. “I’m not sure. I haven’t asked.”
“Oh! You silly boy.”
“Well, she jumped back in the water, before I could ask.”
“Oh, well. Never mind. Are you going to see her tomorrow?”
“I might.” Vain smiled.
“Then, ask her then.”
“What if she got scared of me again?”
“Then, convince her that you’re not a bad person. If any thing happens, it should be you who will be scared of her.”
“Ok. Thanks Chief.” Vain said as he turned to go back to his room.
“Try no not to touch each other.” The Chief called after him.
The next day, Vain sneaked up behind the mermaid again, who was making water sculptures and making them move. Vain sat down quietly next to her and watched intensely at her sculptures.
“I wish I could make beautiful things like you,” he said.
The mermaid smiled as she kept her sculptures moving. She slowly turned her head to where she heard the fiery, but sweet voice. She came face to face with the Fire boy’s burning red eyes. But, this time, she did not jump back in the water.
“Thank you.” She smiled for she saw nothing but innocence in his eyes.
She had the most melodious voice that Vain had ever heard. It jingled in his ears and he loved it. He hoped he could hear more of her voice, so he asked, “What’s your name?”
“Shimmery Shine.”
Vain smiled at her. “Shimmery,” he sighed happily. “Wow! It sounds as beautiful as you look.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Sounds much better than Vain Hot Fire.”
“Really?” Shimmery giggled. “Who’s that?”
“Who do you think?” Vain pointed at himself.
“You?”
Vain nodded shyly.
“I think it’s a nice name.”
“Yeah?” He did not seem too convinced.
“Mmm hmm. It sounds as strong as you look.”
Vain turned his head down to his feet, looking glum. “Yeah, well. Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not what you think.” He turned to Shimmery with solemn eyes.
Shimmery questioned him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…I’m not really strong.”
Shimmery was confused.
“Every Fire boy my age can throw big fireballs where ever they want.”
“Can’t you?”
“No!” He stood up. “All I can do is, this.” He demonstrated by aiming his small fireball and tried to throw it towards the horizon. But it dropped on the sandy ground next to his feet.
Shimmery gave a little giggle as she poked her watery finger on the tip of the fire and blew it out.
Vain looked down at her annoyed, “It’s not funny.”
“Sorry.” Shimmery said, still giggling.
Vain stared ahead of him at the horizon. He has never seen anything so exotic as the sun beamed brightly on the sea and the sky.
Shimmery noticed that he was still serious, which made her stop smiling. “Aren’t you going to get better?”
“No!” He seemed frustrated. “I try really hard, I really do! But I don’t seem to be going anywhere!” He kicked a small pebble in the water.
Shimmery felt tears well up inside her. She had never been spoken to in such a tone as vigorous as Vain’s. All this time she thought Vain was the sweetest Fire boy she ever knew, but now she was thinking that he was the most aggressive of all. She felt as if she was in danger and needed to go quickly.
Vain caught her sobbing and tried to calm down. “Look, I’m sorry I yelled but I hate being like this,” he said as he bent down. “You understand, do you?”
Shimmery nodded, sniffing a tear.
“Nice meeting you, though. Hope we can meet again.” Vain walked back in the woods, while Shimmery jumped back in the water.
“She’s what?!” Vain shrieked. He was back in the hall where the voice of the Chief was straight after meeting the girl of his dreams. “A Princess?!”
“Yes.” Replied the Chief. “She’s the daughter of a very powerful Sea King, so you better be careful.”
“Well, he won’t stop me from loving her.” Vain muttered.
“Well, how was she?”
Vain’s eyes lit with excitement. “Aw, she was amazing!” He began. “Her eyes had twinkles, her smile was beautiful, and her voice…” He sighed, “Her voice was like an angel. Believe me, I’ve never seen a Fire girl as beautiful as her.”
“I am glad that you found love, son.”
“You won’t tell mom and dad this, will you?”
“Oh no, son, it’s our little secret.”
With that Vain walked happily back to his room. He knew that he was getting weaker by loving someone very different to him, but he did not care.
Later that day, Shimmery sat on a rock outside her father’s castle, confused about whether or not this Fire boy had something special for her. She couldn’t tell anyone. And if he did love her, then she would definitely keep it a secret. The last thing her father wanted was her to fall for someone who was not part of the same element.
Where she was sitting, there were a few sea flowers planted. She picked one of the flowers and started to pick the petals one by one. As she did, she chanted “He loves me…He loves me, not…He loves me…” The last petal she picked clashed with “He loves me!”
Shimmery was overjoyed that someone out there loves her. She swam around the flowers grinning sweetly with positive hopes in her heart.
It was the evening of the next day. Shimmery and Vain were sitting together at the edge of the beach, watching the red sun slowly set. Both felt really happy that they found someone their age to talk to.
“So, now that you know all about me, why don’t you tell me about you.” Vain began after a long silence. “Have any friends?”
“No, not really.” Shimmery said shyly. Vain turned his view on her as she continued, “No one wants to be my friend at all.” She paused, “Everybody thinks that I’m different from them.”
Vain was surprised. He thought that he was only one who was different from his people, and that he did not think that he would meet someone who was different from their people too.
“Right from when I was born, my father thought that there was something in me that didn’t match with other Merpeople.”
“Your father hates you?”
“No. He just feels sorry for me.” Tears started to roll down her cheeks. “I just happen to be the only one left alone while other mermaids swim around and have fun.”
Vain felt sorrowful. “Isn’t there anything he could do to help?”
“No. I found my own way to keep me occupied and I felt comfort on land.” She sighed. “Now, I come to realize that I love the land more than I love the sea, so I’ve no other option, but to come up here and hope for someone to come along.”
“I came along, but I’m not a merman, though.”
“You didn’t have to be. All the mermen keep well out of my way, as if I’m a different being, as if I’m dangerous.”
“But you’re not. You’re beautiful.” Vain’s sweet voice made her smile softly. That was the sweetest thing she had ever heard from a Fire boy. At that point, Vain felt the urge to touch her, but he knew the danger. He had no option but to head off. “I have to go.” He said, getting up. Shimmery watched Vain walk back to the explosive volcano with her sad green eyes.
“It’s my fault! It’s all my fault!” Vain was shouting and pacing back and forth in the Chief’s hall. He was throwing fireballs vigorously, but as usual, they just dropped to his feet.
“Slow down, son.” The Chief said, trying to calm him down.
“Slow down?! I can’t slow down! D’you know what I was gonna do today?!”
“What, son?”
“I almost touched her.”
“Oh, my!”
Vain stopped and stood still. “She was in tears and she needed support. No one else is gonna help her! I’m the only one.” He paused before carrying on in a calm, but sad voice, “I’m the only one who could help her, Chief.”
“I see.”
“If I didn’t see her that day, I wouldn’t be in this state. That’s why it’s all my fault.
“Well, son, listen.” The Chief sighed. “I’ve been thinking that if both of you are different to other people, then maybe nothing will happen if you touch her.”
Vain sat down on the ground, legs crossed. “How d’you mean?”
“I mean, you are weaker than the other Fire boys, and Shimmery likes to be on land, then if you touch, you will evaporate into another form.
“Another form? What kind?”
“I really can’t say.”
“But I need to know. We’ll be okay, won’t we?”
“It really depends on what you turn out to be.”
Vain stood up. “But what will I be?” His voice started to shake.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot say.”
“Right. If you don’t tell me, then I’ll find out myself.” Vain started to storm out the hall.
“Wait! Vain! Where are you going?!” The Chief called after him with a worrying sound in his deep voice.
“I going to my beloved mermaid and tell her how much I love her!” With that, Vain was out of sight.
Shimmery was sitting outside the castle when she heard Vain’s cry. She swam swiftly up to the surface. When she got to the top, she saw Vain standing on the sandy ground, staring at her with desperate red eyes.
“I need you, Shimmery.” He said. He sounded desperate, too.
Shimmery felt the same way. She did not want let go of her new friend, just because he was made out of fire. But she had no choice but to say, “But, Vain, I can’t be with you. Not for long.” Her voice had a shaky tingle. She felt the tears well up in her eyes again, but she held them in tightly.
“I don’t care.” His voice sounded as desperate as ever. “Please Shimmery, be with me.”
Shimmery, for the first time in her life, felt like she was pulled towards someone she really cared for. Vain bent down, so their faces were at the same level. Their faces shined in the moonlight.
Shimmery closed her eyes. She felt his face was closer than ever. She smelled the smoky smell of fire close to her. But as there was the same amount of water and fire, the heat hardly had an effect on her as her lips touched Vain’s burning ones.
Shimmery felt a little lighter. She blinked her eyes wide open when Vain suddenly push her away. Thank goodness nothing happened to her. But she watched in horror as her beloved Fire boy started to get smoky hands, which evaporated in the air.
His body was all covered with water, which turned to smoke and evaporated away. He screamed in pain until the last flame of his face blew out.
“VAIN! VAIN! NO!” Shimmery cried, searching the sandy ground where he disappeared. She cried out loud until she could cry no more.
She spent the whole night on the surface and not a single person came up to her to ask how she was. She was left alone with only one thing in her mind: Vain.
Shimmery was still sulking at the edge the beach, making her water sculptures in the early morning sun, when she heard a solid man’s voice coming from her right ear saying, “Hi Shimmery.” The voice sounded just as sweet as Vain’s. Shimmery turned her head and was shocked to see a figure of an ordinary young man in blue jeans, smiling at her.
“Vain?”
By Sharnaka Haque
(2006)
