Rough Waters

Chapter 2

Kai's POV

     "Kai? I guess that's appropriate for a merman," Maximus muses. "You're quite beautiful, Kai," He says, cupping my cheek with his large hand. I blush madly and turn away from his hand, bearing my teeth. He may be a beautiful man, but I have standards. "Feisty huh?" Maximus chuckles.

      We sit in awkward silence after that. I take this time to look over my tail. I gasp and bring it closer. I feel Maximus's gaze but ignore it. The scales are torn and it's still bleeding. My eyes start to burn with tears and I bite my lip in anger.

     "What happened Kai?" That question pushes me over the edge.

     "You're men's nets wrapped around my tail. I'll never be able to swim right again, just because of you and your... selfishness!" I seethe, my words coming out in a weird accent. I'm picking it up quickly, but the enunciation is killing me. I splash water at Maximus, making him reel back and growl in anger. His fists clench and he looks like he wants to punch me, and I thought he was going to do so.

     "I'm going to get your food." He states monotonously and exits the room with a slam.

     I stay still for a couple of seconds before gripping the edge of the tub and heave myself up. I yelp when I slip and fall out onto the cold wooden boards. I shiver as my wet skin hits the air. I start to pull myself along the boards, undoubtedly getting splinters all along my torso.

      My vision blurs again from lack of water. My tail starts to dry up, but I finally get to the door. I look under and wait for a free minute to escape. While I wait, it gets hard to see. It's like I'm getting tunnel vision. I feel like I'm going to lose consciousness, but a burning pain spreads throughout my tail. I scream out and the door opens, pushing me out of the way. I cover my mouth as I continue my wails. I jump whenever I feel a familiar hand on my shoulder.

     "Shh... It's fine, you're fine. Shh...," The voice comforts me. My screams of pain slowly die down to sobs and hiccups. I gently rolled onto my back and picked up. I feel the warm chest and I can't help but to cuddle closer, but before I can get too comfy, I'm placed on a soft cushion.

      I open my eyes and I look down at my tail, well, not the tail. I have legs now. Very pale, much like the rest of me, and hairless. Where my wounds were, are now replaced by gashes that spread all the way up until the knees.

      "M-Maximus?" I call out.

     "Yes, Kai?" He says, taking his shirt and boots off.

     "What happened?"

     "It seems that in your 'escape' you dried out and now you have legs?" He says, rubbing the back of his neck and walking to the side of the bed. "I'm going to wrap up your, uh, legs so you don't bleed to death," Maximus tells me, reaching under the bed and opening a box. He stands back up with a roll of bandages. He puts a comforting hand on my knee and unravels the roll, then begins to wrap the bleeding areas.

     By the time he's finished, I'm tired. My eyes grow heavy. When Maximus notices, he chuckles and nuzzles one of my bandaged legs in an endearing way. He stands up again and walks to the other side of the bed. Lifting up the covers, he gets in with me, laying down close, but far enough away so we're not touching. I stay where I am, not fully trusting him yet.

     I lay on my back and look up at the wooden ceiling. When I was free, I could see the beautiful stars. Tears come to my eyes, knowing I may never be able to live in the ocean again. I wipe them away and close my eyes.

     I'm lulled asleep by the calm waves.

End of Chapter