“F-fuck!”

Alon frowned, hearing Matthew curse, again. He looked slightly over his shoulder to look back at him, and of course, he was holding his head with one eye closed. A small growl escaped him, his long fins shivering spiked, showing well his anger. He had collided with some rocks again, because he could barely see in the thick darkness. His human eyes could not pierce it well, not entirely adapted yet.

They were floating between tall ridges, rocks rising tall in the depths of the sea. They had no end, not apparently at least. And while in them, Matthew could not see where he was swimming. It did not help that the black remains had sunk all over this area.

Matthew let out another snarl, brushing the small bruise with his fingers. He had been following Alon, but he still collided with rocks, again. They had been following the small trail of blood for hours, a faint scent they could discern. One was more freaked out than the other.

His hazel eyes finally peeked away from his hand, looking at the darkness again. When he did, he shivered a little, because he saw sharp eyes glinting closer. Those silver eyes were looking sadly at his; after a few seconds, he discerned Alon’s figure in front of him. There, with a hand outstretched, for him to take. An offer was evident on his guilty expression.

He could guide him, something that would be better than following his moves blindly. And still, that offer was rejected, silently. Alon could not avoid feeling hurt when Matthew sighed and swam around him. He quickly sunk ahead into the abyss, not wanting to let go of his disappointment, still hurt that he had wanted to leave him behind.

He sunk instead of going up, because he could not leave. Not when answers were at hand. That mermaid knew something, at least more than them. And as little as it could be, it could help them know why Iara allowed those things around her. The word parasite still echoed painfully in their minds.

Alon had it easy to catch up again with Matthew, even if he had tried to get some distance. He did not force him to hold his hand, knowing it would only anger him. Luckily, the brunet did not scold him for the small nudges of tail he gave him from time to time, to change his direction.

Can’t complain, not when I can’t see shit until is right on my face.

They swam slowly; even Alon had to narrow his eyes to see through. And he had to be more careful, having less space between rocks to swim. They circled and circumvented the ridges, which rose to meet them constantly.

Eventually, they could not keep going. Matthew gasped, because Alon suddenly grabbed his arm and halted them both. After a few blinks, he let out a small wheeze, realizing a huge wall was an inch away from his face. A wall he would have gone face-first against.

Alon had a thoughtful expression, looking at the rocks intently, tense. Which Matthew questioned soon enough.

“What?”

Alon nodded to the wall, serious.

“I can pick up the smell of blood more intensely. Look.”

Matthew squinted. Alon sighed, waiting while he raised his only hand, tapping slowly the surface.

“A wall. There is no way she can be at the other side. It’s not like she could have passed through thick-“ He finally brushed the cracks on the surface. “Oh.”

His hazel eyes opened more, head leaning to look indeed. There was a gap in the wall, small, but big enough for that mermaid to have squished through. At the other side there were cavities, and past those, more dark depths. Had they dived in a slightly different direction, they would be at the other side. But now the way was blocked, the trail of blood led them here.

“Well, she really does not want to be followed.”

Alon let out an exasperated huff, crossing his arms.

“We will have to go around. She is hiding there for sure, thinking we can’t reach her. By the time we do, she will have rested slightly and will have moved. If she treats those wounds, we will have no way to know where she goes.”

Matthew’s eyes narrowed more, dreadful. If they lost her, they would be at the starting point again, no information. They would have to search blindly for Iara, with no clue what those vines truly were.

Diya knew what that seaweed was. So Alon spoke, looking up again.

“Let’s just try to be fast. I will hold you and try to-“

There was a grunt. Alon stared pokerfaced, because the sound came from Matthew, who was now against the wall. Or more like going through.

Alon finally reacted, seeing that Matthew had stuck his head into the cracks, his body was now thrashing about, trying to get some drive. His silver eyes widened as he grabbed his shoulders and tried to pull him back, stuttering.

“W-what are you-?!”

“Push me, dammit!”

Alon gave him a look, one that Matthew could not see.

“I’m pulling you back! Why did you-?!”

“No, no! Through! I can fit! I want answers, and I will get them!”

“Through?!” Alon motioned at the gap, Matthew now having managed to stick his shoulders in sideways, his only hand touching blindly around. “You can barely see! And you want to go alone?! I can’t fit, I can’t follow you through!”

“I won’t be entirely alone! That mermaid is there, right?!” Matthew huffed, indeed seeing pitch blackness at the other side, cavities. “S-she won’t bite! Even I can deal with a wounded merfolk! I will try to keep her from fleeing, until you manage to go around! I need to know what’s wrong with Iara!”

Alon doubted there, floating shakily, still not helping Matthew. He was now really stuck, even if slender, bigger than that mermaid.

I would take some time to reach him. He would-

“Alon, for fucks sake, don’t you want to find Iara?! Who was the one to push me forward all this time?!” Matthew snarled and jolted again, which got him nowhere, his torso stuck between rocks. “I know you are worried sick, for her!”

“I-“ His silver eyes filled with determination, sincerity. His hands stopped fumbling. “I am.”

“Then stop floating there dumb faced and give me a hand!” Matthew laughed nervously, tail slumping awkwardly. “I may have gotten stuck…”

Matthew waited for an answer. He got slightly nervous when there was a minute of silence, because he could not look back at Alon.

“Alon?” He really did not like cramped spaces. His decision to try to squish himself through was an impulse, out of tiredness and stubbornness. “A-are you there? Plea-“

Matthew yelped, because he felt hands grab his tail and waist. Alon ignored his nervous flailing, pushing with all his strength. The brunet’s arm finally got through, as he leaned it; his hand began to tap around at the other side, both to push and get a feel of its surroundings.

Alon worried, because Matthew’s fins looked more fragile than his; he had to fold his dorsal fin gently to keep pushing, which guaranteed a few nervous squirms.

“Fold your side fins! You could scratch them against the rocks!”

“Just lean me a little to the right! I will have more space sideways! Careful of my fins!”

“Don’t you think I’m trying to be already?!”

“I have no idea! I can’t see a damn thing, you know?! I kind of can’t look back!”

“Just stop complaining and thrashing so much! I will help you through!”

“If I don’t move my tail I won’t manage!”

“There’s moving, and there’s flailing like a lunatic! That’s what you are doing!”

“S-shut up and-!” He felt his tail finally brush past the cracks. “Ah!”

Alon huffed, his hands losing grip of his tail, which wriggled into the gap. He heard a small huff from Matthew. He quickly tried to peek through the gap, worried.

“A-are you alright?! Matthew-?!”

“I’m ok!”

The brunet was leaning onto the small tunnel, growling as he crawled his way. He could see the ending of the wall, leading to an opening, into the depths. He still looked back, because even if he was still angry, he cared about Alon. He did not want to split up and leave him worried.

“I’ll be around here! See you in… a few minutes?”

Alon’s voice echoed nervously from the other side, obviously still not liking the idea of separating. He really couldn’t fit like Matthew did.

“R-right; p-please be careful, swim slowly.”

“She can’t be too far, so I will.”

Alon decided it was best to not say she had to be, because blood was evident in the small current. Matthew smiled sadly, a little guilty even, hearing him call one last time.

“…See you soon.”

The former human could not avoid noticing the trace of sympathy and worry in his voice. It was evident that Alon really cared; he had not gone away, even if he had called out his past dismissiveness.

He could hear that Alon swam up slowly, with reluctance. A minute went by until he stopped hearing his moves.

Matthew laid there in the darkness. He let out a sigh, tired. And the echo came back to him, against the rocks around him. It still unnerved him how he could know more with sound than with his sight.

He slowly crawled through, able to sense the ends of the wall with the echo of his breathing. Ahead, he would be able to keep diving, rocks looming all around. He could discern black threads…

But he could do it. He was not useless.

—————–

 

She hissed again, her fangs brushing her lip in a pained expression. Her figure was resting against some rocks, leaned back enough to support her weight on them. Her hands had to let go again of her wound, the burning too much to bear. The gap had reopened as she fled; it was a while until she was sure she lost them in the depths.

Diya panted slightly, knowing she had to move as little as possible. The ripped fin seemed to mock her, torn once more due to her cowardice. But that was better than facing the ones she put in danger. Maybe she deserved it.

She huffed, wrapping her upper fins closer to herself, trying to stay determined. Her hands grabbed some black seaweed lying nearby; there was no natural one near, like the ones Alon used. She slowly handled them, carefully, growling a little as she tied them around.

She had her lure unlit, not wanting to hint she was here, even if that wall would win her time. Little did she know that her growl was heard faintly… The barrage had been able to prevent a killer whale from nearing. But it had not stopped an angelfish, even if the gap was small; he was too stubborn to not try to go through.

By the time she let out a relieved sigh, she was not alone anymore. She could not pick on sound as much as others, always relying on her sight and light. And he still could not understand the talents Iara’s blood granted him. So both were more or less taken aback when they heard each other; he stumbled in the dark and hit one of his fins on some rocks, which in turn made her gasp in surprise. The two barely saw anything, but now they knew they were near.

Matthew regained his stability and floated upright again, his eyes narrowing as he discerned her outlines. He saw her try to float up to flee again.

“W-wait!”

Diya kicked her tail and pushed herself off the rocks. But by the time she did, he had managed to get close, able to see her there. He grasped her wrist, carefully, trying to not cower when she let out a loud growl.

“Y-you are bleeding. Don’t move, I won’t harm-“

“I would be better if you just left me alone!”

Matthew did not let go yet; he gave her an inquisitive look. He did not understand why she had to flee, fear him.

“You did not need to run and open your wounds!” He pointed up with a fin, tired. “You were safer above. If you fear seeing those vines again, why flee to the depths? I-it’s not like we would have hurt you!”

Both huffed, because Diya managed to free her wrist from his hold. Matthew did not try to grab her again. Both knew she would not go very far now that he found her. She was tired, all her energy was spent in her last evasion. She glared him down, her fins seeming to sharpen, as if trying to show her distrust.

“I don’t want you near! Y-you can go back to the surface if you want to. I prefer to hide here. T-that thing will-“

Matthew leaned his head, tensing. There was clear fear in her eyes, it was evident she knew something. She scowled slightly, for he did not go away. The only thing he did was sit; a simple rise of eyebrow told her he was going nowhere.

“Fine, I’ll leave you be, like you want… with one condition.” He grinned angrily, not bothering to cross his arms, lacking one. “I need your help first.”

Diya snarled, hearing him ask calmly.

“The one that you have seen with seaweed, the one that attacked you, was-“ He ruffled his hair and averted his gaze, doubtful. “Is… a friend. A-and you may have seen indeed, that she is dangerous now. And I can’t stop wondering what’s wrong with her.”

The mermaid was not fleeing. He caught onto her lowered gaze, how her fins hid her more every second. She looked conflicted. So he begged with his tone, trying to sound compelling enough.

“Y-you… You said something, Diya.” Matthew finally looked at her in the dark, nearing a little. “You said parasite. You know what those things are, you know-“

“You don’t need to know.” Matthew frowned, because she was shivering, truly scared. “You only need to know she is dangerous. Y-you need to go away, as far as you can. Don’t near her.”

“No, I can’t do that! She…! Look, I have to know why she is like this; I only have a vague idea! Please-“

“Get it in your head, you stubborn human! If you near her, you’re dead!”

Matthew blinked and swayed back, taken aback by her sudden hiss and bared fangs. After a minute, in which he kept a watchful tense stance, she slowly lost her anger. She reflected on her outburst, seeing the apprehension on his body language. He was eyeing her carefully, the confidence he showed gone. His hazel eyes were fixed on her needled fangs, from a preventive distance.

He whispered bitterly, not really knowing what else to say to breach her hostility.

“Is it that obvious what I was…?”

Diya frowned, seeing his hand cover some of his scars. His tail was swaying slowly, creating distance between them. He was going to go away, it was obvious in the look he gave her; he was exasperated and tired.

“I won’t get any answers from you, I guess.” He snarled, turning away. “I’ll just let you be, before you decide to bite or-“

“I wouldn’t do that.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow, looking over his shoulder. He heard her growl, but not antagonistically. She was crossing her arms under her fins, glaring at the darkness in frustration. Her tail was swaying, in what he would define as a nervous stance. And he could not avoid noticing, that she had a lost look in her eyes, fearful even.

Diya could not avoid feeling apprehensive, because he seemed to reconsider leaving. He whispered to her again, choosing his words carefully.

“I don’t get why you are so… upset by our presence.” Matthew laid down his hand, motioning at her with a shake of head. “Do you hate other merfolk? Fear them? You know I’m not one. Are you anglers just naturally aggressive?”

“I’m not aggressive…!” Diya glared at him, offended. “I- I hate being alone in fact.”

His eyes narrowed, trying to understand. There was no way he could know the true reasons of her reluctance.

“Then, what gives? We helped you, you should see by now we mean no harm. You don’t even want to listen to me, when I only need a few answers.”

“A-are you all humans this stubborn?”

“I’m reasonable, mermaid. It’s not like you are going to drop dead for talking to me.” Matthew blinked, seeing her suddenly wince and look away. “…Wait, you are not going to tell me that you-“

“I can’t really tell you.”

Now he was more freaked out, something he did not think was possible. He neared slowly, giving her a look, worried.

“What do you mean you can’t?”

She could see him staring firmly, not insisting, but not letting go of the matter either. There was more worry than anger for her reluctance. So she finally broke, seeing more care than judgment in his glare.

“I know why that seaweed is wrapped up around her neck…” Matthew’s eyes widened, seeing her look up, terrified. “I know because I told her where to find it. I had to.”

She expected anger, questions, yells and demands; perhaps a strike, a slam of tail. None of those things happened. Matthew was just looking down baffled, trying to process the words in a calm manner; even if he seemed to be having a hard time doing so, barely preventing himself from bursting into an interrogating mess.

He only managed a few words, stuttered.

“P-please, explain…”

There was no accusation, only worry; because he could see the fear in her, the dread, and the guilt. He knew she was having a hard time letting the words out, fearing his reaction. A reaction he would only have when he heard it all, needing to know.

Diya took in a raspy breath, looking away for a moment.

“If you promise you’ll leave me be, unharmed, I will tell you. I swear I had no choice.”

Matthew closed his eyes, pondering, wondering what Diya hid in her words and guilty tone. He did not like it, but he still nodded, his eyes opening to tell her he was listening.

“Just tell me what the hell is going on, please. I will let you be if you tell me anything that helps me understand, alright?”

Diya remained silent for a moment. Matthew was getting nervous in the dark and silence, swearing he could see a glint in her eyes, hesitation. She pondered fleeing again. But in the end, he smiled, seeing her meet his eyes with a trustful expression.

“I’ll tell you-“

“Nothing.”

Both gasped, hearing that growled echo. Two red eyes pierced them, having watched for a long while. The trail of blood had been easy to follow.

He had known she would not be able to keep that mouth of hers closed. He had pondered biting her to pieces, her words dangerous, able to let out the location of those ruins. But now, there was a higher priority, a more succulent chance of preventing anything from being ruined. The human was right there, alone. No orca to step in the way this time.

Those hazel eyes widened, discerning his figure in the dark. His tail began to tremble and his fins puffed out, a small whimper escaping him as he slowly neared with a laugh. Even Diya cowered while the shark made his way calmly towards the two, meeting her eyes with a smile.

“Child, didn’t anyone teach you not to speak with strangers?” His red eyes sharpened, a growl hidden in his next laugh. “Wasn’t my threat clear enough? I thought you understood you should not say anything about our talks.”

Diya began to move away from both, eyes full of fear and guilt. Matthew was frozen in shock, taken aback by his presence, again. This time, however, he got out of that astonishment faster. The shark snarled, seeing his tail twitch, lean in a move that could only be instinctive. The human had learned how to swim.

Indeed, Matthew was faster to flee this time, knowing he had little chance to win. Not that there was much chance before in lighted waters. He bolted sideways, fear making him see better in the dark. His fins moved in fast jolts, his tail kicking.

It was not enough. Matthew screamed, feeling the shark tackle him, sending him against the rocks at his side. All flickered in black for a few seconds, but he felt well the hand latching onto his neck. His eyes opened, and the only thing he could see was red eyes glaring with anger and amusement. Then, there were the fangs, a mouth opening with a sick grin.

Matthew did not wait to be strangled. The shark growled and lost his smile, seeing him raise a fist, remembering that one punch.

This time it did not work. He cried out when the shark slammed his arm in a painful angle, seeing his move from miles away.

“Not this time, idiot. Did you really think it would work twice?”

Matthew closed his eyes strongly, seeing jaws dash down towards his neck. He expected pain, but he only felt a shove and push.

“Ahh!”

He wheezed and opened his eyes, hearing the shark scream in pain. He was surprised to see Diya biting down on the shark’s lower fins, his red eyes wide in shock. The angler’s teeth were sharp as knives, almost as sharp as his, albeit smaller. He could see, thanks to the fact that her lure lighted the dark.

Matthew scowled with determination, grabbing back the hand that held his arm. He took his chance to struggle, the shark unable to do much while a furious angler bit his tail. She was latching on like if she would never let go. Her teeth were only doing more damage with his panic, tearing as he tried to free his fins.

“Let go you crazy urchin!”

The shark heaved, because a tail shot up and slapped his jaw from below, more flexible than thought.

Matthew managed to move away, slamming himself sideways onto the rocks, panting. He stared wide-eyed while a very angry angler kept on tearing the shark’s skin, his clawed hands unable to take a hold of her. Even if her tail still hurt, the surprise attack had rendered him defenceless against her strong grip.

Diya kept on biting, eyes never leaving his tail. The scent of blood perhaps made her more persistent. What made her leap in the first place, however, was the realization. She now understood that the shark had been following her. And she was smart enough to know for what. Had Matthew not been there, she would have been the one attacked; she would have been silenced, for good.

This bastard did not want the human to hear about the parasite. This beast wanted the human dead. And it only meant one thing: he could somehow stop the seaweed from taking everything.

If there was a chance for everyone, including herself, to survive this menace… she couldn’t let this shark kill him. She couldn’t be cowardly. Shame and fear needed to be pushed aside, or she would regret it in the end.

The shark began to thrash wildly, whipping his tail. Diya huffed when she was slammed against a rock. Still, she did not let go. Those red eyes filled with fury, his fangs showing as he moved his tail again, ready to slam her over and over again.

“If you wish to die as much as him, I’ll be glad to oblige!” She cried out, the next slam making one of her arms let go of his fins. The shark was fast to grip it and pull her upwards. ”There’s a turn for everyone! If you think you can-!”

Jaws had been ready to rip her arm off… until another struck him again.

“M-mph!”

His red eyes blinked dazedly for a moment, shoved off, her teeth finally letting go. He quickly floated upright and glared forward, with a growl. He would have dashed again to bite, but he only ended up swaying back.

Matthew was panting, his shoulder hunched, what he had used to push him off. He had the same strength as a dolphin, even if not as skilful. His arm was holding Diya, keeping her from sinking, her wounds awful. But still, she raised her head and showed her needle teeth in a loud hiss, hinting she was ready to lash again.

The shark doubted, hands twitching, wishing to leap at both of them. Yet he knew there was strength in numbers; more so now, because the human seemed to lose some of his fear. His hazel eyes seemed to glint, sharper. Every day less human, more adapted, stronger.  He was not prey anymore; there was clear anger, for the loss of his arm and his constant attacks.

His red eyes glared, standing some distance away, neither side wanting to near. Both the shark and Diya had wounds; his were smaller, but as painful as hers. There were small punctures on his tail, everywhere where she had bit.

“Pathetic maggots…”

Matthew let out another huffed breath, snorting angrily, glaring. His voice was defiant, even if still nervous.

“Says the one that has failed thrice to bite down! Those fins would not even be fit for soup!”

That’s it!

Both Diya and Matthew yelped, the shark bolting again with a loud growl. They saw him coming; Matthew pushed Diya out the bite’s way. Had he leaned slightly less himself, and his back fin would have been ripped by fangs.

The shark targeted them both, sending snaps of jaws everywhere, not stopping cursing.

“I will rip you both to shreds! She won’t have a chance to end you herself! You won’t see another day, not a chance for you to see her rise! You damn blind aberration! Stupid reclusive brat! You two are-!”

The shark halted suddenly, both Diya and Matthew able to take a breath, having just dodged a deadly bite. His red eyes slowly widened; then his head whipped up, to look at the darkness.

Those hazel eyes filled with wonder, seeing the shark doubt, look back and forth. In the end, he bolted away, fleeing with a tired snarl. He was fast to go away into the dark, and Matthew found himself hating not chasing him.

He could not go after the bastard, because Diya let out a pained wheeze and sunk a little, her ripped fin taking a toll on her. She blinked, feeling him holding her up, even if having trouble keeping them both afloat. His eyes looked down at her with urgent worry.

“You okay?”

Diya nodded slightly, letting out trembling breaths.

“Y-yes.”

Matthew sighed, looking around, frowning. Diya did not complain as he pulled at her carefully, leading them both towards some rocks. She hissed in pain when he laid her down on them, something that made him wince. Still, it was better than floating.

He opened his mouth, wanting to speak, thank her for the help. But another call took his chance.

“Matthew?!”

The former human finally noticed the echo of something moving behind them. Diya was fast to let her lure flicker off again, scared. She was not used to Alon’s voice it seemed.

Matthew did relax when he saw Alon’s outlines. His silver eyes came to view, full of worry, even fear; most of all, urgency.

Alon let out some bubbles, having pushed himself to his limit, to be as fast as possible. Every second apart made him feel torn and dreadful. Dread he did, more now, because he smelled the blood clearly. He could see some bruises on Matthew, both looked exhausted, for reasons he did not understand.

“A-are you ok?!”

Diya curled away her tail as Alon eyed them both frantically. Thankfully, Matthew spoke up, raising his hand.

“Alon please, let us take a breath…”

“Why are you-?“

“Just-“ Matthew let out a puff of water, brushing his shoulder with a groan. “Give me a minute, alright? I kind of… became a dolphin.”

“What?“

Matthew let out a tired laugh, finding the situation absurd, still alive.

“Y-you know…! D-dolphins kind of save the day and fight-“

He was interrupted by a small growl.

“I was the one to bite the shark, actually.”

Matthew frowned down at Diya, missing how those silver eyes widened. He did notice Alon’s panic when he exclaimed loudly, making them both flinch.

“Shark?!” Alon raised his tail and fists, glaring everywhere around them. “Where is it?! Where did it-?!”

“Alon, calm down!” He stopped glaring and swaying, seeing Matthew shake his head up at him. “Please, relax. It’s long gone; it heard you coming. The bastard…”

Alon looked down, ashamed, fumbling with his hands.

“I knew splitting was a bad idea. We should have-“

“Not quite.”

Alon looked up and leaned his head, confused, seeing Diya avert her gaze shyly. Matthew was staring at her intently, whispering knowingly.

“If I had not gone through and found her…”

Diya finished for him with a faint whisper, ashamed and scared, looking down at her tail.

“He would have attacked me.”

“Because…” Matthew raised an eyebrow, trying to sound reassuring. “He did not want you to tell us something. Am I right?”

Diya nodded slowly, biting her lip, hiding her face below her fins. Matthew looked up to Alon, seeing pure confusion. To be honest, he was tired of being confused too.

The mermaid felt her heartbeat fasten, a simple calm question echoing, gently.

“Will you tell me now, Diya?”

She looked up. Matthew was giving her an inquiring stare, waiting patiently. He spoke slowly, without hurry, trying to show he would try to understand.

“I know something is up, that you have something to do with all this. But you don’t seem to be proud of it. You did bite that bastard off me.” He smiled sadly, nodding back at Alon, who stared baffled behind him. “I promise, if you explain everything to me, I will make sure that shark does not near you again. With Alon here, you are safer, I sure know it.”

Diya seemed to ponder again. Alon blinked at her next words, let out nervously and fast.

“You won’t be angry?”

“Why would we-?“

Matthew cut him off before he could question and ruin their chance.

“I won’t be angry. And if Alon is, I will hit him with my tail, because I can.”

“I see.” Alon sighed, understanding he should better be quiet. “You are still angry, I get it.”

Matthew rolled his eyes, glaring back at Alon, who of course was looking down in shame again.

“Alon, I’m trying to brush it off, alright? I won’t be angry forever if you just listen up.”

There was a glint of faint hope in those silver eyes, a small smile growing for a second. His hazel eyes showed no trace of resent, not anymore. But he did worry again, because Matthew changed the subject.

“First things first.” Diya frowned, both mermen looking at her wound. “We should wrap this, for the last time.”

Matthew put emphasis in the last words, warning her to not dare flee again. His tone was slightly bitter. So Diya nodded a few times, smiling sheepishly, embarrassed. She brushed away all distrust when Alon began to look around, both postponing their questions.

“I’ll find more seaweed.”

Matthew heard Alon bolt, searching for some bandages. Not black, like the ones Diya tried to use.

There was a tense silence. One that Diya tried to break, her mouth opening; only to see Matthew stop her with a raise of hand, not even bothering to look at her.

“Not now. Once we deal with the wound. I would prefer that Alon heard too what you have to say. And you to say it with a clear mind.”

The mermaid sighed, because Matthew gave her some space, trying to show they really did not mean any harm. She began to feel guiltier, in debt. She now knew what should be done.

So she would speak up to amend her wrongs.