The Mermaid

Eloise starts narrating her unique version of The Little Mermaid to her granddaughters. In her story, she tells of a mermaid princess who was tricked by a wizard, leading to dire consequences.

Cam, a young journalist, is depicted caring for his niece, Elle, who has an undiagnosed health condition. When Elle begins to cough, Cam takes her indoors, growing increasingly worried about her well-being.

Cam receives an assignment from his boss to investigate a circus act in Mississippi. The main performer, Locke, claims to have healing water from mermaids, prompting Cam to take on the investigation for Elle's sake.

Upon arriving at the circus, Cam and Elle are shocked to see a real mermaid trapped in a glass tank. This startling discovery raises many questions as they delve deeper into Locke's claims.

The next day, Cam interviews multiple individuals who have used Locke's healing water. To his dismay, he learns that none of them experienced any genuine cures, leading him to suspect the entire setup as a scam.

While walking in the woods, Cam and Elle encounter the mermaid again, who now has legs. She introduces herself as Elizabeth and explains her unique condition of having legs during low tide, sparking their curiosity.

Cam grows suspicious and sneaks back to the circus, where he overhears Locke and Sid discussing Elizabeth's imprisonment. He learns that Locke possesses a vial containing Elizabeth's soul, giving him a deeper understanding of the mermaid's plight.

Locke kidnaps Elle, revealing that she possesses a rare 'heart of a mermaid.' This shocking turn of events sets the stage for Cam's desperate quest to rescue her, knowing her life is at risk.

With the help of Thora, a fortune teller with magical powers, and Ulysses, a skilled strongman, Cam devises a plan to rescue Elle. They aim to retrieve Elizabeth's soul and free her from captivity at the circus.

The group executes their rescue plan, releasing Elizabeth and escaping Locke's control. Along the way, they face various challenges, revealing the extent of Locke's cruelty as he pursues them.

As they make their way to the ocean, Cam and his allies confront Locke and Sid in a fierce battle. The encounter culminates in a showdown where they must defeat Locke to ensure Elizabeth’s freedom.

With Locke defeated, Elizabeth regains her soul and is able to heal Elle. She shares a moment of intimacy with Elle, informing her that the ocean can provide comfort whenever she feels unwell, revealing Elle's mermaid heritage.

After the events unfold, Cam writes a detailed exposé about Locke’s scams and the truth behind Elizabeth's story. Despite his doubts about whether anyone will believe him, he feels compelled to share the truth.

As Eloise's storytelling comes to an end, she experiences a coughing fit before smiling at her granddaughters. She surprises them by heading toward the water, unveiling that she has been Elle all along.