Mondays… Who did not hate Mondays? He used to hate them. Oh, how he did.

It was a day that made everyone stress out. All would grumble at the prospect of work, a long week of tiredness. Things needed to be done. Mondays were a hated day, a day in which one had to come to terms with all the tasks to fulfill. It required dedication. And he… missed it.

He missed the feeling of satisfaction once all was done, the glee that any task brought once completed. His mind was able to focus and set itself onto something, run wild.

He hated Mondays before, but now differently. One does not appreciate something until it’s gone. And gone it was.

Matthew huffed, giving a pointless kick to the sand at his feet. His gaze was fixed down on it, each step dragging.

He couldn’t work.

Can’t do shit… Even if I could; for fucks sake, I would.

He was willing, yet everyone kept on telling him down. Everyone still fused over his missing limb. Ethan never allowed him to touch a single tool, deadly afraid of a simple bruise. He was pretty much forced to be useless, and he loathed the fact. Perhaps he was still hurt, but he could really work against his loss.

His hazel eyes looked up again, glaring ahead. He had been walking along the beach since sunrise, with Shamira close by, as always. The walks always helped. But today… today two things made it different: It was fucking Monday. And on Mondays, one should work. He needed to.

He needed to tire himself, do something. On the other hand, he had a nightmare. Again. It was something that always tore him inside out, bringing back that night, all his sorrowful thoughts. He really hated storms.

It was one of the worst Mondays he could have. But he did not wish to go tell Jason about it. Hell no. Not today, not to hear again how those nightmares and fears of the dark were only outcomes of his shock. He would be told to keep taking his meds and try to push that delusion away, because the phantom pains were still there near his right shoulder. He was sick of hearing it.

He had an appointment scheduled already anyway. The doc could wait. It all could wait.

At the moment, he just smiled a little, seeing the far coast ahead. The cay where he lived was huge. It always took him two hours to walk from the town to this beach.

Because god save me if I dare lay eyes near my old Vespa.

It took a few more hours for him to reach the west side of the cay. There rested a beautiful but messy coastline, which Ethan would scold him about if he found out he walked near it. There were sharp rocks there, dangerous; much like the ones at the bottom of the sea that tore his arm off.

Today, he wanted to tire himself, walk more. Like every Monday, he would not just stroll a little along the sand. He would reach those distant black rocks today and work the damn legs he still had. Then, and only then, head back.

Shamira let out a questioning whine when they crossed a familiar palm tree, which stood where they would usually turn around and walk back home. Matthew just kept going ahead, letting the breeze brush him; all while glaring sideways at the waves, impossibly irate.

—————-

Another hiss echoed. Iara winced, hearing Alon slump again, after trying to pull himself down for the hundredth time.

He huffed, his hands clenching over the rocks beside him, pushing for dear life. His tail gave another swipe. Sadly, he only managed to give himself another cut, brushing the sharp edges. His breath was coming out laboured, his tail stuck between the rocks. The leaned terrain and his weight did not help him any, his torso facing downwards. He could not wiggle his way out now like his kind knew to.

He could only gasp there, his figure pressured on land. His lidded eyes watched tiredly and worriedly while Iara growled below.

The tides receded when the sun came up and the storm ended, revealing again the sand below. Once more, there was a normal patch of beach; one which he could not reach, stuck above on the black rocks.

Iara kept on trying to reach for him, crawling on the sand. Her arms were outstretched upwards, but she was unable to climb. Both weighted too much to move closer. They were not made for land. And so, Alon sighed again, trying to reason.

“Iara, stop, you could get-“

“I have to get you out of there!”

She let out another huff, pulling herself upwards against the ledge below him. It was a small ridge, not more than two meters.

His silver eyes filled with sadness, seeing her yelp and let go again. She was weighted down by her tail. There was no way she could reach him. Her azure eyes showed pure dread while she sat there, looking up at him… him down at her. Both leaned there in tense silence, which was only broken by the waves. He was the one who spoke up next, firm.

“Iara, go back to the water.”

She glared at him when he let himself lay onto the black surface between cracks, able to rest more or less flat. There was enough space for his torso, but his tail still hanged in a painful angle; it kept trembling between the rocks, pointed at the now blue sky.

Alon could only dread when she crawled again, propping herself against the edge to scowl up at him.

“For Triton’s sake, I can’t leave you hanging there! I need to help you! Y-you know I have to!”

His own weight was slowly crushing him. She had been trying to reach him for hours. With each second that passed his breaths got raspier. The sun did not help either; his tail was drying up. The rocks and sand were beginning to burn, heating up.

He had to get out of there, soon. That was why she did not take kindly that he kept worrying more for her than himself.

“Just leave. Once… Once I rest a little, maybe I can swing my tail more strongly. Maybe break free. I will just crawl my way back then.”

He could fool others. But he couldn’t lie to her.

“Sure! Crawl your way back from your grave!” She slammed her tail on the sand, her hands clenching as her sharp teeth peeked. “I’m not leaving!”

He only shook his head, seeing small burns on her skin as well.

“Please-“

“I said no!”

Both struggled there, unseen near the blackness. They were unaware that they had been heard. Two ears perked up, a dog looking away from a brunet.

Matthew was standing still at the end of the median beach, a couple of steps away from the uneven terrain. There were a few rocky slopes at his side. He had stopped there, gazing at the waves, intending to head back after some minutes. But he raised an eyebrow instead, turning around to look behind him when he heard a loud bark. His eyes widened and a gasp escaped him, because he saw Shamira bolt away. Again, like the other day.

“Shamira?!” He panicked a little as he tried to stop the dog. The only thing he achieved was trip slightly, his hand not managing to grab her collar. And so, he sighed tiredly, seeing her run onto the black slopes, disappearing between uneven rocks. She left him behind, something that only happened once. “…Not again.”

He had not planned to stroll past this point. It was enough, they had spent a few hours walking. He never ventured over those rocks. That part of the cay was not as safe to walk on. But it seemed that the dog had other plans.

“You are not getting any treats today!”

Matthew resigned and followed, taking one first step onto the rocks. They were higher than the sand near the waves. There was ground below, yet he preferred to follow on the ledges, because there was not much space between them and the water.

He could not let the dog hurt herself. Not only because he cared, but for the fact that Jason trusted him to take care of her. So he slowly maneuvered ahead, unable to see Shamira, the rocks blocking his view. They leaned upwards, forcing him to walk in a more tiresome manner.

Shamira had already run through the distance that would take him minutes to walk. She could only raise her ears in surprise, coming upon a strange sight. Her eyes met silver ones.

Matthew worried and tried to fasten his steps, because he heard Shamira bark and someone yelp. It was something he tried to deny mentally. No one was ever here. Ever.

While he jogged his way… Alon began to sway wildly again, panicking as Shamira nudged his tail.

“Oh my god! Alright, Iara help me out! It’s going to bite-!”

Iara gave him a look; the dog was only nudging his side in worry, in question.

“Al, it won’t harm you! But if you keep on swiping your tail like that you will hurt the poor thing!”

Alon shuddered, whispering nervously.

“Then it better stop!” He let out an anxious snarl, swatting his tail harmlessly at Shamira, who stepped off with an offended bark. “I had enough already!”

Matthew huffed, finally having a small glimpse of the dog ahead; the view was still slightly covered by the tall rocks, the terrain sharper.

“There you are!”

Both merfolk gasped, hearing a human’s voice, near. Too close, right behind some rocks. Alon froze, while Iara hid behind the ledge, both their eyes widening in fear. Steps were nearing, causing Shamira to let out a whine.

The same brunet of the other day finally climbed up to where Alon was, pushing himself up with a growl.

Matthew slowly raised his gaze, only to freeze. He had not heard the voices, his senses not as good as the dog’s. Now he could only tremble as he stood, his eyes fixing on the huge black tail between the rocks. He noticed the big fin and the white stripes, resembling the ones of a killer whale. It would have been a sight on its own. It would have been enough to make him panic. But he could only shake in fright, because he was seeing more, something that should not be there. Something that he denied, wished to be unreal.

He would have sworn there was a human’s torso on the rocks, cut off. But there was not enough blood; its pale skin looked to be connected to the huge tail. He would have cursed his eyes… If not for the fact he had sworn he saw one before.

Both human and merman locked eyes, both trembling, falling silent in fear. Horrifying fear.

Alon clenched his teeth and let out a silent gasp, unable to do much more than tense. Those hazel eyes were piercing him, fixed. There was a human, looking at him. He could only think he was doomed… unknowing that Matthew was as shocked as him. And as dreadful.

He had sworn he saw a strange creature that night. He was laughed at. He was told it was mere shock, a mere product of blood loss and the tearing of his limb, perhaps a delusion as he drowned. Everyone said that it had been the sharp rocks and strong current. Yet here he was, seeing… a huge black tail, sharp eyes and teeth.

A merman.

Matthew was the first to scream. Alon did as well, although more sharply, both deeming the other a horrible sight. A deadly one.

The human could only shiver when the merman began to struggle wildly. That tail raised up, in order to slam down multiple times, trying to free itself desperately. His strong arms and hands pulled at the rocks in front of him while he growled loudly.

Shamira backed away, cowering as much as Matthew did. Alon’s tail was hitting the rocks with immense force, his face showing pure determination. But only for a minute.

Matthew flinched, because a loud gasp echoed. Alon stopped, wincing as he felt another sharp cut. He only managed to slash his fins again.

The human raised a hand to his chest, standing there in a trance. He watched how the merman surrendered and dropped onto the rocks again. The tail still pulled weakly, but it was only managing to brush the sharp points of the rocks that had it pinned.

Those silver eyes were fixed on him, almost warning, full of apprehension and anger. And so, he frowned, his own eyes narrowing at the creature. He found himself relaxing slightly, his mind working fast.

It can’t move.

Alon whimpered and cowered, trying to push himself forward again. Because the brunet took a doubtful step closer, having enough distance between them.

Matthew could only feel as lost. He never averted his gaze, contemplating the merman with a fearful glance. All the while, he remembered everything. All that he had gone through.

All that he was told was wrong. The mockery was meaningless. He did not dream of sharp teeth and red eyes, or the figure laughing at him while he drowned and bled. He swore he saw it, yet he was told against it. And he had believed them.

Now… he was seeing it all over again. Right there, just a few feet away. These things were real. It was not mythology, as Jason always said. This was not a stupid dream caused by reading too many “crappypastas” on the internet, as Ethan always growled. It was not a product of his shock and anxiety.

At least… he hoped so. Or not. He did not know what was worse. He could swear he was seeing it clearly, again.

He opened his mouth slightly, shaking his head in denial, struggling with words. His hand raised a little, seeing the creature close its eyes, wait as if it was the one in danger. Somehow, he found himself taking another step closer, his heart finally daring to speak up, for he needed answers. But he had no chance to voice them.

“Ah!” Shamira yelped, while Matthew screamed and fell back onto his butt. Something round hit his head, thrown at him. “…W-wha-?“

“Don’t you dare hurt him, human!”

Alon opened his eyes; they widened as he saw Iara come out of her hiding spot behind the ledge. There was yet another conch ready in her hand to throw.

“I-iara! Don’t-!”

Matthew panted on the ground, staring wide-eyed at the mermaid. She was showing her teeth in a snarl, trying to push herself up against the ledge, motioning another conch at him. It was very important to note that she was doing it very angrily. She made the shell bounce in her hand, ready to throw it at him.

“You look cute, but I won’t doubt to drag and trap you inside an underwater cave forever if you dare lay a hand on him!”

Matthew trembled, not liking those words at all. He could only sit there while both merfolk argued, the male yelling at her in panic.

“Stop and flee! You can’t help me!”

“I can, Al!”

Both males watched in fear, because her hands slammed again onto the ledge. Matthew gulped and whimpered, seeing Iara push herself up, her sharp azure eyes were piercing him angrily. One of her arms swung onto the edge, her torso managing to climb up.

She really seemed determined to leap onto him… But she ended up falling down again with a loud hiss, her skin scraping the rocks. Alon snarled, noticing she was not surrendering, not yet. She kept scratching the rocks with her hands, cursing.

Matthew stood slowly and took a step away from both. Meanwhile, Iara finally slumped with a cry. He did not move again, frozen while Shamira whimpered. He could only watch as the dog jumped down the edge, landing at the mermaid’s side.

Iara raised her gaze, feeling how a snout gave her a concerned nudge; there was a worried bark. After some seconds, she glared again, tiredly. Matthew cowered again under her gaze, flinching as she roared.

“Human! G-give me a hand, dammit!” Matthew followed the wave of her tail, which motioned up at the other. “I need you to drag him out of between the rocks! He can wiggle his way back to water on the sand!”

Alon huffed, disbelieving.

“Don’t speak with the human! It-!“

“Shh!” Alon shut up, because her mind was set. “It’s the only way!”

Her azure eyes met those hazel ones, trying to show no malice. Iara was almost begging with her gaze. Fear gripped her, and it showed all too clearly on her face, because Matthew shook his head and stepped slightly away between the rocks. His breathing was fastening. He looked back to where he came from, back to the town.

I’m not crazy.

He was not. He could go back, tell everyone who laughed at him that it was real. A monster attacked him that night. Now he knew it. He could lead them all here, finally prove it was not his fault.

His hand shook. It loomed over one of his pockets; his phone was there, easy to reach. He took another doubtful step away, terrified. But he could only halt when he heard her call faintly.

“Please…”

He froze there for a whole minute, staring at his right, his missing limb. Then he glanced at her eyes again, recognizing her dread. The one trapped between the rocks showed the same fear he felt while he drowned. His silver eyes were looking at him like how he stared at those sharp teeth. Upon such sight, he slowly looked at his own hand, taking a deep shaky breath.

I am crazy…

The mermaid blinked when the human laughed, almost in a delusional manner. He asked nervously as he looked back at her, doubtful.

“H-he won’t… b-bite. R-right?”

He reconsidered running when the killer whale huffed and glared at him, threatening with a slow wave of his tail.

“As long as you don’t try to kill me, I won’t.”

Alon raised an eyebrow at Iara, baffled by how she rolled her eyes.

“Oh please, Alon!” She lifted a hand, pointing at the now petrified brunet. “He does not carry any weapons! I can see it!”

The merman still growled, his fins seeming to shiver, menaced. His voice seemed calm, yet he was anything but.

“A shove would be enough.”

He was in between sharp rocks. His tail was stuck. It would be easy to just push him onto it all from behind, where his arms and hands could not reach.

His wary thoughts faded slightly when he looked back again, hearing the human speak up, shakily.

“I- I would not…”

Alon gave Matthew a long stare and kept his tail up, ready to strike, even if the human was not daring to near. His hazel eyes showed true fear, he could see it now. He was paler than him now, like if he was seeing a ghost. Both their hearts were beating fast, dreadful.

Matthew sighed, for Alon gave him one last glare, which told enough. After that, he lowered his tail, slowly. He let it lay limp, his whole figure relaxing slightly. His gaze was telling him he could approach, but not make any wrong moves.

There was obvious doubt on Matthew’s face. He did not really know what was happening or what he was doing. But then Iara met his eyes, reassuring with a slight nod and a warm smile, which seemed to ground him slightly.

At any other moment, he would have questioned himself. Because he found himself moving towards the cracks, slowly; he noted how the merman’s breathing fastened as his did. Both feared being so close.

He was now standing beside him, looking down at his huge tail, feeling both amazed and terrified. And yet, he frowned with empathy, able to see now the glimmers of red, a few cuts on his skin. The lower part of his body was pressured between two big pointy rocks, inside a crack, near his waist. There were many smaller points around.

He had seen him trashing to get free, struggle for dear life. His own weight was preventing him from raising his tail upwards enough, what he needed to move out from this trap.

“A-alright.” He raised his hand, sweat falling as he warned. He only had one arm, and he needed it. “I’m going to… try and push you up and sideways, as much as I can. D-don’t freak out.”

Alon did not know if the human was saying those last words to him or himself. Either way, he did not show any signs of hostility while the brunet crouched slowly.

He did shiver and wince when he felt his hand lay on his side, brush his pained skin. It rested there for a minute, not daring to make any sudden moves; or maybe he was trying to fight his own fear.

That hand eventually moved. Alon blinked, hearing Matthew groan, only having one arm to pull him up. His eyebrows were down in a grimace. He was too heavy for him to lift him all on his own.

Matthew yelped, almost falling back when Alon raised his tail as much as he could to help him. The merman lifted it near the edge of the cracks, squishing it as much as possible against their points.

The human stomped his feet down to keep that stance and his balance. Then he pushed as much as possible, nodding tiredly and nervously.

“N-now…!”

Now he only had to lean his tail carefully.

Alon growled, because his tail was pushed in a painful angle, one which he had not managed to accomplish by himself. Still, it brushed against the edge and passed it; the sharp points did not pierce him, thanks to the fact that he was being held up. Matthew huffed, barely keeping his tail from falling down on it all.

Those silver eyes opened wide, seeing that his tail was out, finally away from harm if he dropped all its weight.

Matthew gasped, because the tail suddenly moved in his hold, causing him to brace himself in alarm. It did not dash to strike him as he thought. He heard a thud, which made him lower his arm from his face slowly, to peek nervously.

Alon had slammed his tail down, not hitting a single rock while doing so. He was finally able to crawl forward, unstuck; there was enough space.

Matthew trembled there, seeing him slink his way towards the ledge, where Iara was. Her eyes were bright, a smile full of relief on her face.

Alon heaved, dropping from the edge without second thoughts. He hit the sand below strongly, his upper half first, tail slamming afterward. It was not a gentle fall, but he did not care. He was finally away from the rocks, and the human. He did not even look at those hazel eyes while he kept on moving. His arms were pulling fiercely, for him to reach the waves.

Iara could only shake her head, because Alon was fast to leave into the water. Not a single word was said. Still, she could not blame him. There was still fright and pain in his eyes.

Speaking of fear…

Shamira was whining, because Matthew was still frozen above, looking down at his feet shakily, shocked. He could only look at her next, hearing her voice. It echoed to him with a kind tone.

“Thank you.”

Matthew nodded slowly, not really knowing he was doing so. He just stared and mumbled while she leaned to look up to him with a grateful smile.

“N-no… problem?”

She chuckled slightly, noticing how he shied away, both due to anxiety and confusion. Her tail moved again. He was amazed at how it helped her make way over the sand, her arms making most of the work. Her gray fins were beautiful under the sun, bright sun rays glinting on them while she moved gracefully.

She finally sighed in relief, letting herself lay onto the waves that broke on the shore. It eased the burning she had been feeling. Then, she slowly looked back, her face not losing her smile. Nonetheless, her eyes narrowed and her voice grew wary, with a warning.

“I’ll keep my eye on you, human. No word of this. Got it?”

She was laughing. Yet he felt he should better do as she said.

Iara leaned her head cutely and gave Shamira one last pat, for she was as grateful to her as well.

The dog whined when she let go and moved away. She hid into the sea. Her tail gave one last kick as it dived down deep, blending with the water. With that, there was no more sight of them.

Matthew looked down at his arm. His body began quivering. Shamira looked away from the waves, her ears perking up. She heard Matthew laugh. It was a broken quiet one.

His eyes unfocused, fixed on his arm. He still had it.

I… have…

Shamira’s eyes widened when that laugh faded. Matthew’s eyes rolled back. She barked in alarm, because he dropped backwards onto the rocks, finally fainting.