Aquata Cove - Chapter 39
Aquata CoveChapter 39: Reunion Adam zipped up his leather jacket while his shoes crunched
on the gravel. Merrick follows closely, before playfully groping Adam's jean
rump. He smirked and turned around, right before Merrick kissed him. "Come on~!" Merrick said, "Just skip work and stay home with
me all day! I wanna see you do that, um... What did Jamal call it again?" He
pondered, "A strip-tease?" Adam laughed. "Babe, I'm no professional stripper. And the Captain will
have my balls for bait if I played hooky." "Awwwww!" The merman moaned, "I've seen some of the humans
dancing at the place Jamal works in. Wanna see YOU up there!" "Hahahaha!" Adam lightly slapped Merrick's cheek, "You fishy
pervert~" Merrick giggled as he kissed him again. "MAYBE, sweetie." Adam said
as he stroked Merrick's blonde hair, "I'll think about it..." Merrick smiled as
he felt Adam's freshly shaven cheek. Adam smiled softly as he nudged his lover. Merrick gently lapped Adam's lips, very softly rubbing his
tongue on the upper lip, pushing his lips on his lower lip, "Mmmm...." Adam
tilted his head and rolled his lower jaw to deliver a passionate push into the
kiss. He put his arms over Merrick's bare shoulders as he closed his eyes.
Merrick moaned weakly again as he put his other hand on the back of Adam's
head, before their tongues met in their conjoined mouths. Adam slowly ended the kiss, one lap at a time. He rubbed his
forehead against the other as their noses touched. "I love you." Adam whispered. "I love you too." Merrick responded. Adam backed up, and rubbed Merrick's shoulder, "I'll be back
in the afternoon."
"Ok~" Adam took out his helmet, put it on, and straddled onto his
motorcycle. He turned the keys to roar it into life, revved it a few times,
before setting his feet to it, and driving off. He glanced at his rear mirror,
and chuckled as he saw his boyfriend waving Goodbye from the driftwood
wall-fence around the house. ~~~ "Ok, if you can please sign this for me?" Adam said as he
held out his clipboard for the manager of the Claws & Hammers restaurant,
having made the last delivery of live crabs on the first two hours of the day. "Thank you," He said as he signed for them, and gave Adam a
$5 tip. "Thank YOU sir, and have a nice day." Adam tipped his cap to
him, climbed back into his cart, and drove back along the dock. He parked the
small vehicle along with the other carts, and hopped off. He sighed as he took
off his cap to loosen up his hair, before putting it back on. Break time - he's
going to hit the dock for a quick catch for his break before getting back to
work. He walked along the Fish House, when he heard the Captain
ranting, "Uh-oh..." He muttered, "Whose in trouble now." He mumbled. "Look, I ain't turning over any of my Fishboys to some
fancy-suit flunkies, ya got it?" Adam passed by the Captain's office, just thinking about
going fishing. "Sir, we simply need to have Adam Bryant come with us." Adam
froze in his tracks. "Why? Has he done sumthin wrong?" "That information is classified." "Then you ain't gittin' him. Simple as that. Now git out."
The Captain growled. "We are not leaving, sir, until Mr Bryant comes along with
us." "Then grab a seat, kids. Cause you in for a loooong day." "Sir, I should warn you we have a warrant to seize him from
your establishment, whether you let him or not." "Yeah? Well I got a Restrainin Order for the two of yas." CLICK-CLACK "It's called a Harpoon!" The Captain said. Adam gasped, and
hurried into the room. "Captain, wait!" He said. Two men in black suits turned, and
saw Adam come in. One of them turned completely around, looking directly at
him. "Who are you, sir?" "I'm Adam. Adam Bryant?" "Alright," The man brought out a badge, "Agent Kevin Tyler,
I'm with the Agency of Oceanic Research. I'm going to have to ask that you come
with us." "What?"
"Ohhhh, no ya don't!" Captain moved over, and stood in front of Adam, "I ain't
letting a couple of suits drag one of MY employees to God knows where! You just
get back in yur van, get the bloody blazes outta here!" "Sir, we should warn you as well," The other man said, "We
are authorized to close your establishment if you fail to cooperate. We will
close this whole place down if that's what it takes." "Yeah, go ahead and try it, ya grunts," Captain snarled,
"I'll first string the two of yas up for tresspassin!" "Captain, stop, it's ok." Adam said as he stepped around the
old, fat seadog. "Just, I'll hear them out, this probably won't take long" "Adam," Captain put his large hand on Adam's shoulder, "Ya
don't have ta do this. My gut's tellin me these suits ain't no good." "It's ok, Captain..." Adam said, "I'll be back in a couple of
hours, don't worry about me." "Adam... I don't trust these guys..." "I'll be ok, Captain." Adam said calmly. Captain sighed
deeply, before patting Adam's shoulder. "Alright. But I better see yur skinny ass by tomorrow, or
I'll have yur ass on a hook." "Yessir." Adam nodded. He turned and faced the men, "I'll
come with you, but can I at least get changed first?" "Yes, but we'll escort you to the lockerrooms." "Fine..." Adam turned, and left the office, with the two men
in suits following closely behind. Captain shook his head as he was left on his
own. Something tells him in his head that he should've fought harder to keep
Adam here... ~~~ Adam is walking down the hall with two security guards. As
soon as he arrived, they had him change his clothes right on the spot, and
watched right to where he stripped to his underwear, and had him put on a stiff
white garment - it kind of felt like an inmate uniform. They confiscated his
shirt, jacket, pants, his shoes, even his keys, wallet, and cell phone. They came to a door, which opened to a plain old cell, with
a small bathroom and shower connected to it, a meager cot at one of the walls.
"This is where you'll be staying." "Wait, wait, hold on," Adam turned around, "Will you please
tell me what's going on? I feel like I'm being arrested here." "You're not in trouble with the law, but we do need you
detained here until further notice." "But WHY? Why am I here?" Adam asked, "I'm no Marine
Biologist, or Ichthyologist, or any kind of expert. I'm just a delivery guy for
fish." "That information is classified." "Oh come ON!" Adam complained, "You won't even tell me that
much?" "I'm not authorized, Mr Bryant. In." The guard said as he
gestured for the cell. Adam sighed as he obediently entered the cell. While one
guard locked the door, another picked up his communicator. ~~~ "This facility in particular," Said Nigel to the young
blonde male, "researches new and undiscovered animals of the ocean. We learn
their biology, their anatomy, how they function, and how they influence the
ocean." "And what does that have to do with me?" Merrick asked. "Heh heh heh." Nigel raised a brow, "Do you REALLY need to
ask?" Merrick sighed, as Nigel reached into his coat, and withdrew three
photographs. He laid them out for Merrick to see. One was of a beachhouse with
a driftwood wall, with Adam carrying a naked Merrick over off the rock. The
next one was Merrick laughing, wearing a white fishnet tanktop and white jersey
shorts on a dock, and the third is of a blue and silver merman, laying down
upon a rock over at Aquata Cove's waterfall, "We've been tracing you for a long
time, Merrick." Merrick stares at the three pictures - a cold heat played
across his face as a dark chill fluttered about his body. His arms shook as he
sat still, just looking at these photos. He glared up at Nigel with defensive
eyes - there's only one thing he can perceive that could have taken these
pictures, "Are you the government? Adam told me of you - you're the
all-controlling power that humans bow to without choice. You group of humans do
all you want without concern of the people." "Hahahaha, not exactly, Merrick," Nigel said, "Agency of
Oceanic Research-" A small beeping rang out from the man's coat, "Oh, excuse
me," He took out his phone, and put it to his ear, "Yes?" "We have secured Adam Bryant, sir. He's in Cell #05" Said
the guard. "... Alright, that's good" "We will keep a close eye on him, and see if he shows any
physical anomalies." "... Carry on." Nigel closed his phone, and put it in his
pocket. "What was that?" Merrick asked. "Just maintenance check, it's nothing," Nigel said, "Now,
where was I?" ~~~ Adam huffed as he looked around his cell. It's sort of
cramped, and there's really nothing else in here other than the bed and the
bathroom, not even a nightstand. "Can I at least get a TV or something??" He called out. No
response, "I'll settle for a coloring book!" No answered. Adam groaned as he
rolled into the cot, and just looked up at the ceiling. ~~~
Adam huffed as he bounced the racket ball against the door, catching it, and
throwing it again. An old security guard was nice enough to give him this
little ball to play with. Yeah, that's a show of human decency - give him a
little ball to... Bounce around a cramped room. Hey, at least he could take it to
the bath and pretend it's a round rubber duck. He bounced it once against the door. Twice against the door.
Thrice. He was about to throw it once again, when he heard the door click from
the other side. The door opened to a guard. "Alright, let's go. We've got a job for you." "Oook?" Adam said as he got up, and followed the guard out
of his room. ~~~ Adam had a dread feeling as he looked upon a desk full of
Fish House cans, hooks, tackle kits, oil containers, and what seemed to be
frozen or fresh game fish and shrimp. "We have arranged for you to sustain your employment with
the Fish House Cannery," The guard said, "You are to report here and
manufacture the merchandise here while you are detained." "Wait, how long am I supposed to be doing this?" Adam asked. "As I recall, it is a FULL-time job. So I would assess for 8
hours." "What??" Adam groaned as he looked at all of the hooks,
materials, and various supplies. Long, tedious, boring, perpetually
never-ending, "What if I run out? Can I at least leave for break?" "You're not authorized to go about on your own. If you wish
to go somewhere, one of us have to be with you at all times." "Why? What's this all about?" Adam asked, "You guys locked
me in here for about 2 days now! What about my roommates? One of them is a
convicted felon under the law, and I have to be there for when his monthly
councilor stops by for a progress report!" "I'm sorry, but I'm not at liberty to say anything about
your home." "Why not?!" He said out, "As far as they know, I fell off
the face of the Earth!"
"We've notified them that you have been detained for classified reasons. The
only thing you need to worry about is putting this merchandise together." The
guard reported. "Please, just tell me SOMETHING!" Adam persisted, "Am I in
trouble with the law or something? I feel like I've been arrested and put in
jail!" "No, you haven't. We just need you here. When the time is
right, we'll notify you." "Hmph..." Adam shook his head, "Great. Fantastic." Adam huffed
as he went to the desk. "Someone will come and bring you lunch in a few hours." "Great." Adam said as he took a sardine can, and opened one
of the frozen boxes. The guard, shook his head, feeling bad that he's now
allowed to fill this guy in on what's going on, but Nigel will have his ass if
he lets in one clue. ---Ten Days Of Captivity--- "Nnnnnhhhh..." Adam groaned as he worked the next fly hook,
and placed it into the container with other colorful fly hooks. KGH "Gah!" Adam hissed as a sharp bit of metal severed his skin
on his finger, "Dammit..." He took up the Neosporin tube, and a band-aid to patch
his finger up, "Guess this is karma punishing me for stealing the occasional
thing for Belinda." He mumbled tom himself. Once he finished up the pack of Fish House fly-hooks, he
leaned back in his chair, and sighed. "Nnnnhhhhh..." He moaned as he closed his
eyes, "What am I doing here..." He leaned his back a little further, until the
edge of the chair pushed against his spine. K-KKCCL "Ah yeah..." He said as he cracked his back. He stayed at the
position for a couple of minutes, just pushing for that meaningless few moments
of procrastination, "Well..." He leaned back forward, and continued on the next
set of fly-hook materials, "At least the Captain can't complain that no one's
on Canning Duty..." ---Three Weeks Of Captivity--- Yuri walks into the house, carrying in the email. She sighs
as Roxas purrs and nudges her legs, "Hey, Roxy..." She said as she put the
envelopes onto the coffee table, and picks up a pair of scissors for the
package that was in the mailbox. It's been half a month since Merrick disappeared on that
day. Jamal has been more than a little aggressive since that day. He apologizes
if his attitude becomes too hostile, but Yuri can tell what it is: He blames
himself for Merrick's disappearance, and he feels guilty about not standing up
for him. Heck if Jamal, like any other man, ever feels the urge to share his
personal feelings with anyone, let alone a roommate. Because of that, he's been
working overtime at the club, just to keep himself busy. And then there's Adam's absence. Yuri received a phone call
that Adam has volunteered for various treatment tests, but something's not
right. Both Merrick AND Adam disappeared on the same day. She can't help but
suspect this has something to do with merfolk... Yuri cut out the package, and pulled out a DVD jacket, with
a bare disk in it. She took it out, and slid the DVD into the PS3. It
activated, and it showed someone fumbling, and then Adam sitting in front of
the screen. ="Hey guys." He said. Adam tilted his head back, and
scratched into his hair, "So... It's like, Day 17 since I was..." He shrugged, "I
dunno, captured?" He said, "Detained, arrested, I don't know." = Once per week, Yuri and Jamal receive a DVD message from
Adam. Of course, Yuri always Googles the mail address, but it's never the same
location. Whoever's doing this clearly doesn't want to be found. = "So uh... Nothing to report, as usual. Just making
merchandise for the Fish House, which is ALWAYS long and boring... Oh God..." He
moaned, "And knowing the Captain, this isn't going to bother changing the
rotation of Canning Duty." He sighed and scratched his unshaven face. "They still won't tell me what the hell I'm doing here,
still have to beg for a newspaper, let alone a razor. At least they're nice
enough to give me a meal everyday. But one of the guards at least took me
fishing once in the middle of the night, so THAT was a big event. BESIDES the
part where this random seagull tackled me out of nowhere!" He chuckled,
"They're still taking small blood samples each week, doing some sort of study
and all, but have no idea what's going on. They've had me doing a little
exercise in these weird labs, having me swim laps in an indoor pool for some
reason, while attaching some suction cup things on random places of my body."
He blushed at that recalling that each time he goes into the labs for strange
tests, they have him either strip naked or down to white brief underwear that
they provide for him, "Really wish you were here, Yuri. You can at least tell
me what they're doing - as no one here will tell me jack-squat. "Anyway, just letting you guys know I'm ok, and still alive.
Yuri, keep up with your studies, even though you're already an amazing medic.
Jamal, make sure you have plenty of condoms, I'm sure Nick will be waiting for
you when you screwed all the girls at the Waltz. And Merrick," He smiled, "I
love you, sweetie. I'm keeping you in my thoughts every single day that I'm
here. I miss you so, so much... Jamal, if he's not watching this, give him this
for me, please," Adam put two fingers to his lips, kissed them, and put them to
the camera's lens for a second. "I miss you all. Hope everything's ok on your end. Bye"= Yuri sighed as she put her hands on her forehead. Roxas
mewled as he hopped up on her lap, to whom, Yuri wrapped her arms around, and
held her cat close. With Ryo busy with his own schedule, Jamal taking on extra
work, Adam and Merrick both missing, it gets so lonely around here nowadays. ---27 Days Of Captivity---- "Rrrrgggh... HHHRRRnngg... HHHnnngg..." With his feet tucked under
the cot, his hands behind his head, his bottom to the floor, Adam passes the
time by working out by himself. Not that he ever went to a gym to keep in
shape, but his arms and legs have been feeling restless. '297... 298... 299... 300...' He huffed as he laid himself down,
panting. He breathed in and out for several minutes before getting up, and
rolling into the cot, exhausted. He slowly dozed off, still confined in his
stuffy white inmate uniform. ~o~o~o~ Faceless colors whirl and dance to unheard sounds and
rhythms in the darkness. Adam groans as he feels himself flow down a slow river
of wind. He feels as if he is falling through the void, endlessly speeding
through nothingness, yet it feels as though he's going nowhere at all. Nothing
makes sense, it's all a bottomless blur. Within the entire blur of infinite space and clouds, Adam
can make out a bright streak of light. He smiles peacefully as he can recognize
the light as his one and only love. His angel of the sea drifts in the endless
void, glowing a brilliant golden light. Adam reaches for his love, but from just one move of the
arm, he just seemed to move away. Bright blue droplets twinkle from his love's
closed eyes, and his color immediately changed. His golden light shimmered into
silver, shrouded in blueness. His legs extended into a fish-like tail as he
fell through this empty sky. Adam gasps as bits and pieces of his merman sparkled as they
broke away. The merman swam slowly through the void as his form drifted and
vapor away into the spiraling mist of naught. Adam opened his mouth to call for
Merrick, to tell him he's turning into diamond dust, yet nothing came out. His
body can't move, he's falling headfirst into an endless darkness, with Merrick
continuing to whither into starlight. The merman swam around, and spoon spotted Adam. His eyes lit
up like a pair LED light bulbs. A vicious aura overcame the merman before he
suddenly shot to the human. Adam screamed in silence as his love's jaws pried
wide open to ravage him! ~o~o~o~ "Hhh!!!" Adam awoke suddenly. His heart is pounding rapidly
in his chest as he distinctly remembers the flash of terror in his sleep. He
can feel himself sweat while tears brimmed around his eyes. Shaking, he rolled
onto his back and looked at the ceiling. He closed his eyes, and groaned sadly,
"Nnnnnhhh... Merrick..." He held back a little cry, "I miss you, baby..." Whenever he
had a bad dream, he could just cuddle up close to Merrick, and find comfort in
his fear. The door of his room clicked, and opened up. He quirked up,
and saw an older man step in. He kept down his impulse to stare at the obvious
bandages that occupied half of the man's face. Outside the doorway is a woman
in office attire, and short blond curly hair, and another a skinny,
orange-haired security guard. "Good morning, Mr Bryant." Said the older man. Adam turned his head, and looked at the old man standing at
the doorway, with his face half bandaged. He moved his legs over on the bed,
and sat up, looking rather irritable, "Hi... Who are you?" He asked. "My name is Nigel Quinlan, and I am the head of the Agency
of Oceanic Research." "So you're the boss here?" The young man asked, standing up. "Yes, that is correct." "Ok, great." Adam crossed his arms, "So is someone finally
going to tell me why I've been sitting around, doing nothing all month long?" "Yes," Nigel smiled softly, "We are ready for you now." ~~~ Showered and fed, Adam now sits in a smaller room, at a
table with a box on Nigel's end of the table. "Ok, Mr Bryant. Can I call you Adam?" He asked. Adam
shrugged. "Sure, I guess." "Alright, lets get down to Brass Tax." Nigel began, "This is
the Agency of Oceanic Research." "... Ok..." "Heh. You seem confused, Adam." Nigel said.
"Yes, I am." Adam retorted, glaring at the man, "And pissed off too. I've been
sitting locked-up around a dingy cell like a criminal, filling up cans and
hooks for my job for hours and hours at a time, I haven't seen a second of
sunlight the whole time I've been here, and I don't even know what the hell I'm
doing here! I've got a life! I've got friends who're probably worried sick
about me! I have a boyfriend, sitting at home and crying his eyes out because I
just up and vanished! WHY AM I HERE?!" Adam demanded, "I'm not a Marine
Biologist, I don't study fish, I'm nobody!!" "Hmph," Nigel gave a soft smile, "Oh, I think you know more
than you're letting on..." He leaned forward, "Have you ever considered taking up
Photography Classes, Adam?" "What?" "Because we found some interesting photographs from this old
treasure of ours..." Nigel picked up, and placed an old camera on the table.
Adam's face felt cold as he looked at the old-fashioned contraption - a bulky
camera so out of its time, it practically belongs in a museum. The initials
'H.D.' written on the top of it. "That's..." Adam took the camera, "This is my grandfather's
camera!!" He looked back up at that half-bandaged face, "What are YOU doing
with it?!" "We found it broken almost 7 years ago when we were
following a lead on an undiscovered sea animal." Nigel reported, "We've seized
it for evidence, and we've taken the liberty of repairing it and developing the
pictures inside it." "And it didn't occur to you to give it back to my grampa?!"
Adam said, "He wouldn't even LOOK at me for a week after I lost it!" "For that, I offer my humblest apologies. Our search for
this creature has taken a lot of set backs, but we're closer than we've ever
been before." "So what's the creature? And what does it have to do with
me?" "Hmhmhmhmph, tell me, Adam," Nigel leaned forward, "What do
you know about mermaids?" Adam blinked, showing a confused expression, when he really
feels his stomach turning inside out. "So that's it?" Adam responded, "You mean to tell me you've
been keeping me locked up for a whole month for a fairytale?" "I notice your tone has calmed down, Adam." Nigel said with
a smirk, "I can already tell that you're a terrible liar." Adam sighed as he
looked aside. "Fine, you got me. But I don't know anything." Adam said,
crossing his arms, "I've only seen one in my life, and that's it." "Have you now?" Nigel asked as he plucked up a photograph,
"Well, did she look anything like this?" He placed the picture in front of him.
Adam gazed at the image, making out a red and purple mermaid sitting on a rock
in the middle of the water. No doubt about it - Merrick says all Sirens are
that color. "Yes, that's the one." No point in denying this one anyway. "Interesting." Nigel said, "What else is interesting is that
you claim this was your grandfather's camera - very important from the sound of
it - and yet we found it discarded on the ground. It's a miracle the film
wasn't damaged at all." He raised a brow, "What would make you leave behind
such a precious item of your grandfather's?" "... To be perfectly honest, I'm not exactly sure myself..."
Which is half true. That was the day he and Merrick first met, and he says that
Adam was hypnotized by a Siren's singing, but it just seems like a big blur to
him now, up until he woke up in a watery cavern with a young naked teen. "Are you sure about that?" Nigel asked. "Yeah... Why?" "You sure you don't have any... informatives about the blue
world, Adam?" 'Does he mean Belinda?' Adam thought, 'How much can I cover
this up?' "No, I don't know a damn thing." Adam denied, "The only
mermaid I've ever seen is on that picture." "Alright. So you've never seen any other mermaid..." Nigel
took out another photo, "But, how about something a little more... Masculine?" He
places the other photograph onto the first one - a blue and silver merman,
sitting upon a rock over at Aquata Cove's waterfall, "Have you seen this merman
before?" Adam felt his stomach sink lower as he looked at it. His
face feels so much heat and pressure just from looking at it, as if a secret
has been found out about him for the first time ever. "... No..." This one pained Adam to say, "I've never seen him
before in my life..." "Hmph." Nigel sneered at him, "You ARE a terrible liar. I'd
hate to see you in a poker game." "What, why?" "Because he seems to know you." Adam's face felt stone cold from that statement, "Wait... You've
talked with him?" "To put it loosely. I try and talk, but he doesn't like to
cooperate." "What do you mean??" "Here at the Agency of Oceanic Research, we strive to learn
every mysterious sea creature that dwells in the ocean. And for the first time
in human history, we have a living, breathing, and intelligent merman in our
midst. Think of all the possibilities of such a creature could present to the
human race! Think of everything we could achieve if we formed bonds and ties to
society in the ocean!" "Fat chance of that." Adam commented. "HAhhh" Nigel shook his head, sighing, "Can no one really
see the beauty of my vision?" "No, I meant that contact with humans of any kind is
strictly forbidden. Even a single word towards any human is grounds for
banishment right there." "Really." Nigel raised a brow, "And how would you even know
that? Not five minutes ago, you claimed ignorance about the existence merfolk." "Yeah, I think we're passed that," Adam said, "Alright,
cards on the table. Yes, that merman is my boyfriend, and I know about merfolk.
What I want to know is where and when you questioned my boyfriend." "Are you sure you want to know?" Nigel asked. "Stop talking in riddles!" Adam demanded, "What did you mean
when you said that he doesn't like to cooperate?" "We've kept him detained here for as long as you. I've asked
him many, many questions about his kind, but he refuses to help me whatsoever." "Hmph. Wise move." Adam said, feeling his anger grow as he
glared at the old man, just learning his own lover has been contained in this
prison. "Excuse me?"
"In case you haven't noticed," Adam said, "We don't have the best track record
for affiliating with other people." "Once again, ye of little faith," Nigel responded, "How do
we know if we don't even try. You and he seem to work just fine, and one of you
is human enough." "I'm not a nation wanting to rule over anybody." Adam said,
"I think merfolk are fine the way they are - AWAY from all the drama and chaos
of human society." "Worse statements have been said to greater feats achieved,
Mr Bryant." Nigel said wisely. "Whatever. Now where IS he?!" "You want to see him?" "YES I want to see him!!" Adam shouted, "I've been locked up
here for a month, and according to you, so has he!! He hasn't seen me for so
long, he's probably been terrified the whole time! Alone, being bombarded with
all sorts of questions, probably kept in a tank like a pet Beta Fish! Are there
anyone else you're keeping prisoner here, while I'm at it?!" "Heh heh, no." Nigel said, "Just me and the employees." "Then take me to see him! Now!" "I'm not so sure you want to see him right now." Nigel
calmly said. "What do you mean?" "Over the time he's been here, there have been some...
Complications..." "Like what?" "Recently, we had put him in a huge tank that allowed him to
swim a mile out to sea," Nigel pointed to the gauze and bandage on his face,
"See right here? After the tests, he slapped me with Box Jellyfish stingers. I
almost died, right on the spot." "What..." Adam gazed in shock at Nigel, "No... I've known him
for years... He would NEVER do such a thing!" "Really." Nigel untied the bandages around his head, and
lifted the white fabric off of his wound. Adam gasped as he looked at the raw
red flesh streaked along the man's cheek, "And I suppose this could be an
allergic reaction to a new shaving cream I've been using?" He rewrapped his
injury. "Listen, I know him," Adam said, still shocked at what he
just saw and heard, "He's a kind, gentle, and understanding guy. He would never
harm anybody unless he had a good reason." "If you really want to see him," Nigel picked up the walkie
from his belt, "You can ask him yourself." Adam breathed deeply, before nodding. ~~~ A couple of guards escorted Adam down the hall. As they
walked, Adam's chest feels like it's about to explode. He hasn't seen Merrick
in a whole month, and now he's just finding out that he's been trapped here
just like him. 'Poor Merrick...' Adam thought. Curled up in a tank, all
alone, no one but scientists poking and prodding him for a month, away from
everyone he knows and loves. It's like the movie Splash in real life! 'How are
we going to get out?' Adam shook as one of the guards stopped at a door. First, he
unlocked it, and took out a strange device. Once Keith entered into the room, a
weird, low-rhythm sound came from inside. "What's that noise?" Adam asked. "During the research, they found out the merman reacts and
associate with sound. They were able to make a noise to keep him from moving."
Said the guard. "Keep him from moving?? How? Why???" "I don't know, I'm no egghead. We were just told to unlock
him when we take you to him." "Unlock him???" Adam said, right before the guard came out. "Fagfish is all ready..." Keith said, "We're going to be out
here in the meantime." "Ok..." Adam walked to the door, and entered the room, and
barely noticed the guards closing it shut behind him. Adam gasped as he looked at Merrick - backed up against the
wall, sitting with his face down to his knees, and his arms around his legs.
Adam covered his mouth as Merrick sat there, shaking, mumbling lowly in a dark
tone. "Oh my God..." Adam whimpered as he observed his lover wrapped
in many bandages. His eyes teared up as he looked at the blond hair - once
vibrant and bright, now matted with several red spots on his scalp. He huffed
as he made out the cuts on the sides of his head, around the ears in
particular. ---8 Years Ago--- Adam paces on the rocks over above the grotto. It's been six
months since he met a merman! I real, live merman! It's been so long since he's
last seen this guy; he's still not sure whether or not it was real to begin
with! But he has noticed that he can hold his breath underwater for up to an
hour. That's how he and this Merrick managed to escape that cave anyhow. He looks towards the crystal clear water again, and gasped
as he saw a large shape glide its way into the pool from the rocky entrance.
Adam skidded to the edge of the rock, onto the one closest to the water, before
the spiky-fin head broke the surface. He looked and grinned as he saw the human
crawling up to the water. "You... You came!" The merman said. "Yeah... So did you!" Adam responded, his chest pounding with
excitement, "I still can't believe you're real." "So you... You remember me? ... Adam?" "Yes! You're name's... Merrick, right?" "Yes, it is!" The merman nodded with glee. Merrick put his
hand out, and Adam took it. They both smiled as Adam's hand examined Merrick's
webbed one. --- --- Adam shook with horror as he looked at Merrick's
individually wrapped fingers, which also joined his hands in the bandages,
wrapped up all up to his elbows. He also spotted the chains next to him on
either side, with the discarded cuffs on either side. "Oh baby..." Adam whined as
he looked at his muttering lover. "Humans..." Merrick mumbled indistinctly, barely audible at
all, "Humans... Everything..." ~~~ Nigel watches closely onto the surveillance screens, keeping
his ears sharp as he observes the two males. ---7 Years Ago--- "Adam..." Merrick said as he blushed, "I... I don't know how it
is with humans..." "What do you mean, babe?" Adam asked as they sat with each
other in the luminous cove. "That's another thing," Merrick pointed out, "That's not my
name." "I know." "So, why do you keep calling me that? This is the fourth
moon we've met, and... Recently, you call me these strange names - Babe, Baby,
Sweetie... I don't get it." "Oh, uhh..." Adam blushed as he scratched the back of his
head, "See... Those are just terms of endearment... Some humans call each other
little nicknames when they..." He chuckled nervously, "Well, I call you those
things because... I like you..." "Huh?" "Or... I don't know..." Adam looked at the naked blonde teen, "I
know we've only met a few times, whenever either of us have the time, but..."
Adam smiled sheepishly, "... I think I love you..." Merrick's sapphire blue eyes beamed up at him with
happiness. "Every morning, I wake up thinking about you... You're on my mind
almost constantly, I-I can't stop thinking about you..." Adam continued, "The
days just seem slower ever since I met you, because I keep anticipating our
next meeting..." Adam looked away, totally embarrassed, "I-I understand if I
sound really stupid right now, I just-" "N-No!" The blonde crawled a little, "I-I actually..." Adam
looked back at him, feeling a little surprised, "I..." Merrick blushed as he
looked at the human, "I feel the same... I... I love you... Adam..." Adam smiled with
glee as he looked at the humanized merman. "Since..." Merrick nodded, and looked up at Adam, "Since the day I met
you..." --- --- "Humans... Are beasts of..." Merrick snarled as he stayed in his
spot, still trembling in pain and spiraling hatred. "Merrick...?" Those blue eyes looked up at the human wearing white sails
on his body. Adam cringed as he saw Merrick's blue, pinkish eyes. "Oh my God..." Adam croaked as he trembled head-to-foot,
"Merrick..." "... Humaaannn..." Merrick growled as his fingers tightened and
pressed onto his leg. ---6 Years Ago--- Merrick and Adam snuggle on the smooth, stone floor of the
glowing cavern. Both men are naked, sweating, and spent. A discarded condom
wrapper and a slimy white rubber tossed carelessly aside. Merrick moaned as his
ass still feels the satisfying sting deep inside him as he cuddled against his
lover. "Mmmm..." Merrick murred as his hand rubbed and interlaced
with Adam's hand as they snuggled together. Adam has his eyes closed as he had
his head back, "What was that thing for again?" Merrick asked lowly, "What was
it protecting?" "Don't worry about that..." Adam groaned, his dick feeling a
little sore from the harsh pounding he did into Merrick's beautiful bottom,
"Just a... Human thing for sex, you know..." "Mmm..." Merrick kissed Adam's smooth chin as he cuddled
close. "I'm glad..." Adam said, "That I gave you my... First time..." "First time?" Merrick asked while resting peacefully on
Adam's chest like a pillow. "Never mind... It's not important... I just love you, Merrick...""I love you too..." "I know... We're always having to wait so long to see each
other, but..." Adam huddled in his boyfriend lovingly, "We'll always be together...
Right?" Merrick's hand tightened around Adam's, "... Yes..." Merrick
kissed Adam's chest, "Always..." --- --- "Merrick?" Adam said, sniffling as he slowly came closer,
shuddering as he looked at his legs, which held a lot of red blotches where the
skin has been severely damaged, and his butchered feet. "Merrick... It's me... Adam..." "Humans..." Merrick mumbled, "Are liars..." "Merrick... Can you hear me?" Adam said once again. "Humans... Want... Everything..." "Merrick..." Adam's voice is so thick with emotion as he crept
closer, "Merrick, are you..." "..." Merrick's body tensed as Adam approached closer, "Stay
back..." He whispered harshly, so Adam could hear. "Merrick... It's me..." Adam's heart is breaking... Shard by
shard. "Don't touch me..." Merrick growled as he looked up, "Or I'll
KILL you." Adam's stomach lurched at the death threat. "Mah... Merrick,
please..." Adam begged softly, moving a hand toward the blond, "We have to-" Adam
placed his hand on Merrick's shoulder. WHHHH! CRACK! "GAHHHH!!" Adam screamed as he was knocked onto the floor.
He curled and seized his knee - it feels like it was broken in half! "MERRICK!"
He moaned, "Why did you- GGHHEEHHH!" Merrick's arm slowly lowered, his index and middle knuckles
firmly stuck out, as they have struck a severe blow to Adam's kneecap. Keith smirks outside their door. The other guard takes his
communicator, and holds it to his mouth, "Mr Bryant has been injured, sir.
Should we separate them?" "Negative." Nigel responded on the other side, "Let's see
how this plays out..." "Sir, with all-" "DON'T." Nigel interrupted. The guard opened his mouth to
protest, but sighed and obeyed, putting the communicator back onto his belt. "Nnnnhhh!" Adam panted and whined in pain. He looked, and
saw Merrick glaring at him, but not making eye contact as he slowly stood up on
his legs. Merrick's mouth opened like a ravenous tiger, "Merrick-" "HHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGHHHHHH!!" "AHHHH!" Adam covered his ears as the merman fiendish,
unleashed a blood-curdling roar. The shriek ended almost as soon as it began.
Adam whined and grunted as he tried to move away, while still looking at his
lover. "Merrick! It's me! Adam! Look at me!!" "Monster..." Merrick snarled, "You would dare..." Nigel studied closer as the merman advanced closer to Adam. In Merrick's eyes, all he can see is white hot fury, and
another human, who would dare touch him after everything they have done to him.
He can't even look at this monster's face. "Merrick, stop!" Adam pleaded as he was backed up against
the wall. "Humans... Are monsters..." "Merrick, listen to me!" Adam said, shaking with terror as
he attempted to stand himself up, careful not to even touch the leg with the
busted knee, "It's me! Your Adam! I'm your boyfriend! I love you!" "LIAR!!" Merrick sent a punch to Adam's stomach, before
grabbing his throat. Adam gagged as he felt Merrick's hand press on his neck,
"You would dare..." Merrick's arm pressed on him, and Adam felt his feet leave
the floor. "Interesting..." Nigel said as he watched the merman lift Adam
up against the wall by his throat, "He's a lot stronger than I thought..." He
mumbled, noting the face that Adam's build is taller and a little wider than
Merrick's own figure. "You would dare..." Merrick's hollow, wrath-filled blue eyes
looked up at Adam's face, "Talk about him... After everything you humans have
done..." Sparkling tears flowed down his cheeks. "Merrick..." Adam panted, his hands trying to hard to pry
Merrick's bandaged fingers off, "It's me... You save me from the... Siren...!" "These words... Are your last... Human monster..." Merrick growled
as he held Adam a little higher, and tightening his grip. "I-I..." Adam's voice is hoarse from the firm one-handed
chokehold. "Monsters..." Merrick pushed his palm against Adam's Apple,
"Deserve to die." "Merrick... I'm the mistake... You never should've made..." Adam
wheezed out, "But I... Love... You..." "..." Adam's sense is beginning to fade, "... Adam?" Came a
softened voice. Suddenly, Adam felt himself drop from the wall. He gasped
and coughed as he cringed on the floor, clutching his neck from the harsh
pressure, still feeling dizzy. Adam's body tensed as it attempted to recover
itself. "... Adam..." Merrick looked down in horror at the human,
looking directly at his head, "Adam, my Adam..." He fell to his knees as Adam
attempted to compose himself. "You're my Adam..." His voice shook as he looked at
his long-seen mate. "Merrick..." Adam coughed a few times, still rubbing his neck,
"Why..." He can barely speak, both from emotion and physical pain, "What happened
to you..." The next thing Adam feels is a pair of arms wrapped tightly
around him, "ADAAAAAMMMMM!!!" Merrick shrieked. The merman sobbed hysterically
as he clutched onto his human, "Ahhhhaahhhhh!" Merrick cried uncontrollably as
he held onto his boyfriend. Adam, pushing the pain of his busted knee out of
his head, hugged Merrick back tightly, with emotion running down his cheeks as
well as he held Merrick close. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Adam sobbed as Merrick tightened
his arms. Keith rolled his eyes as he heard the noise and drama from
inside the cell, while the other guard kept himself stoic, feeling a little
overwhelmed himself from the powerful hurt those two men probably feel. "I'm sorry, Merrick!" Adam said, "I'm so sorry!" "Hahhh... Ihhh" Merrick wept, "I almost killed you..." He
cringed as he clutched onto Adam's uniform, "I was going to KILL you!" Merrick
whispered harshly. "I know, baby, I know, I'm sorry," Tears ran down his face
as he squeezed his lover tightly, "Oh baby, wha..." Adam put his hands on
Merrick's face, and held it up, "Oh Merrick," His eyes are bloodshot, darkened
from lack of sleep, his skin is pale, and those cuts around and near his ears
look deep, "What have they done??" Merrick pulled his face away and sobbed into
Adam's chest. Adam looked at the door, and roared, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?!"
Merrick cringed and cried more. Keith hit the door twice. ~~~ "If you have a shred, any kind of trace, of human decency."
Erin said behind Nigel as they watched the heart-breaking scene, "You stop this
insanity right now." Her voice thickened as she struggled to contain her
emotion. "Miss Conally..." Nigel said, his hand turning to a fist, "For
the last time..." He turned, and gave her a very deadly glare, "Know your place,
and keep silent, or I will rip you apart..." Erin glared at him as she shook her head. ~~~ "Adam..." Merrick sobbed, "My Adam..." His hands tightened
around the stiff fabric, "You can't..." He shook his head against Adam's chest,
"You can't see me like this..." "Merrick..." "Not now... Not when I almost ended you..." "I don't care, baby..." Adam moved Merrick closer to him, "I love
you, I'm so sorry... I couldn't protect you." "No..." Merrick shook his head again, his voice a little
muffled, "You didn't do this... You didn't do this to me... Please don't... You found
me... You always find me..." "No, Merrick," Adam said, "They've kept me here too, and I'm
just now finding out why." "Adam..." Merrick sniffled as they huddled closer, "They want
to know everything about merfolk." "Yeah... I figured..." Adam mumbled as he stroked Merrick's
back. "I won't let them know anything, but they won't stop torturing
me... They won't stop asking, testing, lying, ripping, hurting me..." Merrick's
grip tightened on Adam's uniform, "They won't stop, they won't stop, they won't
stop, they won't stop, theywon'tstop, theywon'tstop,
theywon'tstoptheywon'tstoptheywon'tstop -" "M-Merrick!" Merrick stopped himself, gasping and whimpering as if he
almost choked himself. He shook his head as he pushed against his love's chest. "Merrick, what if you just tell them a few things?" Adam
inquired. ~~~ "Theeerre we go..." Nigel said, nodding. ~~~ "Just tell them a few facts, and maybe they'll let us go-" "NO!" Merrick sobbed, "They won't!" He cried as he pushed
closer, "Adam... They've tricked me!" He held up his bandaged hand, "They took me
apart... That should be enough for them..." Merrick whimpered as he put down his
arm, "And then they feigned kindness... They reached out, and I gave them answers
they didn't even ask for... And it all went straight to HIM!!" He whimpered as he
curled up, "Adam..." Merrick sobbed in fear "They will never... Let us go..." "Merrick... They will, they have to..." Adam shook his head as
he caressed the merman, "Please... They have to let us go..." Merrick whimpered as
he clutched onto Adam, "... If you won't tell them then..." Adam said, "I will-" "NO!!" Merrick demanded, "No, Adam, PLEASE!!" He shook his
head harshly. "Think about it!!" He begged, "Humans society connecting with
merfolk! You told me all about what happens when humans make those sorts of
connections!" "Merrick, look at you!" Adam cried, "They've butchered you
up, and they've kept me in the dark all month! Is it really worth all of this
pain?!" "I don't care!" Merrick said, "Adam, please don't tell them
anything, please!!"
~~~ "I think we finally got ourselves a Trump Card..." Nigel said. "Nig- Mr Quinlan," Erin said, "Please, just put a stop to
this-" Nigel ignored her, and brought a walkie to his mouth,
"Alright, separate them. Take Mr Bryant to the interrogation room, and I want
him securely bound." ~~~ "Merrick..." Adam croaked as he held tight onto Merrick,
"Please... They've done enough to-" The door unlocked, and opened up. Keith and the other guard
stepped in, inspiring a surge of fear into Merrick. "Time's up." "No!" Merrick said. "Visiting hours are over, Faggots." "NOO!" Merrick clung to Adam tightly, and Adam held onto
Merrick as best as he could too. "Don't make this harder than it has to be." "I'm so sorry for this." The guard said as he pushed his
baton between the two males. "NOOO!! STOP IT!!" Merrick demanded.
"LEAVE US ALONE!!" Adam shouted as Keith wrapped his arms around his torso, and
his shoulders, and pried his arms off."ADAM!!!" Merrick exclaimed as his human was dragged away from him, holding
onto his hand as long as he could, "DON'T go, pleeeaaassee!!!" "Merrick!" Adam winced as his hand was slipping, "GGhhhhh!"
The other guard yanked Merrick back, and their hands disconnected.
"NOOOO!!!" "Let get go of me!!" Adam struggled and writhed in pain as
he knee seared with agony, "Let me go, you bastards!!"
"Calm down, Drama Queen," Keith said as he pulled Adam away towards the door. "I almost killed him!!" Merrick yelled in tears as his mate
was taken away, "I don't want to kill him! I DON'T WANT TO KILL HIM!!!" He
yelled as he kicked and writhed the best he could. Adam cried and struggled more as this homophobic guard
locked his hands in handcuffs, still hearing Merrick's cries and shrieks from
outside the cell. "Merrick..." He whimpered, "I'm sorry..." "Egh, don't get all-" "EEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH!!" Came the sound of a
ravenous war cry. Adam jumped as he heard a man scream in pain, before the
other guard was thrown out the cell, and crashed on the wall. Merrick appeared
soon after, snarling as he sank his fist into the guard, breaking several ribs.
"Humans are monsters! ALL OF YOU!!!" He proclaimed.
"Merrick, stop it!!" Adam called. The injured merman turned his attention to
Adam and Keith. "Monsters..." He let go of the guards, and sprinted right at
Adam, "DESERVE TO DIE!!!" Adam stood, terrified as his one and only love charged at
him, his eyes blaring in the low light like illuminated cat eyes, his jaws
opening up as he zero'd in on them. "MERRICK, NOOO!" EEEPEEPEEPEEEPEEPEEEPEEPEEEPEEPEEEPEEPEEEPEEP A loud, strange, chirping noise rang out in the hall. The
guard Merrick has just pulverized is holding his gadget out and emitting the
harsh noise. "AHHHHH!!" Merrick clutched his ears, screaming in pain as
the fell to his knees, subdued by the new sound. "S-Stop!" Adam wept as he watched his Merrick writhe and
cover his ears, "STOP IT!! You're hurting him!!"
"You WANT him to eat you alive?!" Keith said as he yanked Adam back. More guards sprinted in as Merrick groaned in agony of the
continuous noise. They yanked him up to his feet, and dragged him back, with
him barely moving at all. "YOU'RE GOING TO FUCKING KILL HIM!!!" Once Merrick was locked back in his cell, the noise stopped.
Adam cried as he was carried away, forced to limp as Keith lead him to the
interrogation room. ~~~ "JUST LET US GO ALREADY!!" Adam roared, standing up, his
fists clenched as he seethed at Nigel, "What are you trying to prove?!" Try as
he must, his wrists are no match for the titanium cuffs that bind him to the
table. "A lot." He simply replied. "What, how much of a great tormentor you are?!
Congratulations, YOU MADE YOUR POINT!!" "No I haven't, and I will tell you if you will just calm
down." Nigel said sternly. Adam breathed deeply, glaring at total hatred at
this man. Eventually, Adam forced himself to sit down. "Fine. Tell me why you're doing this... Why are you torturing
him?" "I have a dream, Mr Bryant. And I'm very, very short on
time..." Nigel said as he turned around, and looked out the window of the
interrogation room - this one has a view of the sea. "When I was about 6 years old, I saw a mermaid. She looked
real enough to me, but who can recall from so long ago?" Adam said nothing, but
listened, "Of course, I can't wait to tell any and everyone who would listen."
Nigel shook his head, "As you can guess, on how cruel kids can be..." He sighed,
"Of course, I made myself a laughing stock of the whole school, from the 2nd
grade, to the 6th grade, when I finally stopped hearing about." "So lemme guess," Adam said aggressively, "You swore revenge
on everyone who laughed at you, and devoted your life to revealing the
existence of merfolk." "Hmph." Nigel huffed, "That WOULD be the end result,
wouldn't it." He said. The old man shook his head, and turned back to Adam,
"No, eventually it got out of my head, but I did take up Cryptozoology - my own
little way of searching without anyone really knowing what I was looking for -
I did not want anyone getting in my way, or mocking me for my passion. "As you can imagine, Cryptozoology doesn't provide much of a
living, and I couldn't let anyone know what I was after, so I focused my time
and energy to Marine Biology. Half-way through my education, my parents
enlisted me in the Navy. And thus began the decline of my heath..." "What?" Nigel walked back to the window, and gazed longingly into
the ocean, "Through all of my dedication and hard work, I was given the
Honorary Privilege to run the Agency of Oceanic Research. A government funded
facility where we research and study new, exotic creatures of the deep. Yet
sadly..." He took a deep, ragid breath, "A few years ago, I was diagnosed with an
old, severe case of Mesothelioma. I'll spare you all the technical mumbo jumbo,
and call it Lung Cancer. I can thank the Navy ships for that." He coughed a
little, "Even with treatment and kemo... I have 5 to 10 years left to live." "Well you're not exactly a Spring Chicken." Adam retorted
coldly. "Hmph," Nigel turned back around, and approached the table.
He put his hands on the table, and looked down at the young man, "Tell me
something, Adam. Have you ever gone to the doctor, and discover that your life
has an expiration date? Have you ever looked in the mirror, and think to
yourself that that can be very well the last time you ever see yourself?
Everything you are, everything you were, everything you were going to be, every
goal and aspiration snatched up away from you in just a blink of black." He
glared at Adam bitterly, "Regardless of age, would you ever want to know how
much precious time you have on God's green earth." "And how does that excuse the way you've been abusing my
boyfriend?!" "The ends justify the means, Adam." Nigel said, getting up,
"I have a real live merman, here, in my facility. Tell me though, what do you
think will happen if I made this discovery public?" Adam shook his head and
shrugged, "An uproar, that's what. If I were to reveal to the world that I have
contained a real merman, everything would be seized, the papers would overload
with news, skeptics will take every once of the day blabbing about how much of
a hoax it is, debunking every once of evidence that is shoved right in their
faces." Nigel shook his head, "No... I simply don't have that kind of time. And
besides, with doing something like that, the news would be old in a year, and
what would I have to show for it?" "So you're mocking and maiming the love of my life because
you're short on time," Adam said, "But WHY?? What are you trying to achieve???" "I want to make my mark on history." Nigel said, "I want to
be the man who not only discovered the existence of merfolk. Oh no, I want to
be so much, much more." "What, you want to be a merman yourself?" "If you would let me finish." Nigel retorted, "I'm taking
whatever steps necessary to get every ounce of information I can get, from any
source. The guards have spoke with him in turn, my assistant has accumulated
very fine details, and my scientists are in the process of analyzing Merrick's
genetic code. "But it's not enough, you see. I must learn any and
everything about the culture, their religion, their different body types, I
must find MORE merfolk to question, and break down THEIR DNA, but I must know
where they are, where they go, how to speak with them, everything there is to
know about merfolk!" "Why??" Adam said with disgust, "What do you hope to accomplish??" Nigel gave a smile "With what little time I have left, I
will do everything in my power to become the Ambassador of the 7 Seas." He
stated, "I will go down in history as the man who created bonds and ties
between humans and merfolk. I will establish society into the deep blue see. I
will pave roads into the trenches, where we could never wander into before!" "So that's your plan?!" Adam snapped, "You're torturing my
Merrick for an impossible dream?!" "Nothing. Is impossible, Adam. You have your proof sitting
in a cell. You and your boyfriend is living proof that humans and merfolk CAN
work and live together." "Not in YOUR lifetime!" Adam said, "And not in MINE either!
I told you, contact with humans is strictly forbidden, Nigel!" "Perhaps. But I know they worship and obey the will of their
goddess. I believe they refer to Her as the Sea Mother?" "They'll NEVER believe you!" Adam snarled as he rose up, his
bindings snapping straight, "Even if you convince them to even LOOK at you,
there are mermaids out there that can always tell when you're lying!" "Oh I'm sure there are, but I'm sure they'd never cross the
word of their goddess." "Did you even hear me?! Besides, they won't even talk, or
look at you!!" "That is why as soon as I find them, I will set the better
example. I will establish myself as a man of peace, who can and will provide
with anything they want to know about us." "You're delusional!" Adam shouted, "In all my years I've
known Merrick, I've learned that merfolk believe in completely ridiculous
atrocities about humans! They think we can make weapons out of hot lava! They
think we're masters of the skies! They believe that a single human can destroy
and reshape mountains at any given time!" "Even so, Adam," Nigel said, "I have come too far to give up
now." "Even if your dream was possible, what YOU want to do would
take more than 10 years!" "So you understand why I've done what I have to." Nigel said
bitterly. "No, I don't!" Adam said. "Really." Nigel leaned down, "Tell me. When all of your
dreams and aspirations have completely vanished, wouldn't YOU do whatever it
takes to make them come true?" "Not if it meant mercilessly torturing an innocent person!"
Adam spat out. "Well, that's one opinion. But at least now that you're here,
I can get things back on track." "You..." He hesitated, "I won't let you use me!" "Of course you will." Nigel said, "I'm sure you don't want
anything else to happen to your Merrick?"
"You bastard!" Adam growled as fresh tears formed in his eyes, "I love him with
all my heart, but he doesn't care happens to him! He'll die if it meant
protecting his kind! He'll sacrifice himself 100 times over if it meant keeping
all that holds dear from falling apart! And if I have to lose him because of
that," His chains snapped straight again, "I'll kill you first before he has a
chance to die!" "Such drama." Nigel said, shaking his head. "I think I need
to show you a little something..." ~~~ Adam is escorted down a flight of stairs, with one guard
keeping behind him, and two medics following closely. Nigel has the only key to
the door they are about to enter, "I like to call this my..." Nigel said,
"Mausoleum Museum." He chuckled at that, before unlocking the door. They entered, and Adam shuddered as he looked around, half
in awe, and half in fear as he looked at the many glass cases, domes, and
coffins, all of which contain one or few extremely strange sea creatures. "Are these your previous... 'Guests'?" Adam asked. This place
is like a freezer, it's so cold. "You COULD say that. Another way I'd put it are discoveries
this Agency has found over the years. We learn all we can about them, and bring
them to this secret garden right here." Adam turned his head, spotting an octopus with spiky skin,
about 6 feet in circumference, pinned up in a glass case on the wall. He saw a
dome with a spiral-formation of dead fish that are almost completely
transparent. Another model he spotted was the strange Ruffle Shark. He gasped
as he spotted a familiar creature in a large glass case - a bunyip. Almost like
the one that belongs to Atarah, only this one is larger. "Ah, here's one you might be familiar with," Nigel said as
he came to one of the glass coffins. Adam gasped as he looked upon a dead
mermaid - one of the Primate mermaids from the documentary, The Body Found. It
lay there, freshly preserved inside the coffin. "Sometimes, when I'm not
coughing up a bucket of blood, I like to come down here, and look at all these
treasures." Adam irked as he closed his eyes. This icy room just makes him feel
like he's in Death's lounge room. "But that's not the one I like most." Nigel said. "My
favorite... Is over here." They walked to another glass coffin, but this time, he
opened it. Adam quaked as he gazed upon the creature - a reptilian being with
dark green scales, pale yellow underbelly down its front, and along its long,
coiled, snake-like tail. Its hands are long and sharp, and the face looks
near-human, with a head full of smaller, clearly dead snakes. "Ain't she a beauty?" Nigel said as he gently caressed the
corpse's head, "A living myth, just like your boyfriend." "I-Is that... Is that Medusa?" Adam asked. Nigel chuckled at
that. "Oh, I doubt that. Might be a descendant though - I
discovered this one myself 5 years ago off in a rocky area near Athens,
Greece." 'Merrick did mention that merfolk mutate when there's a
Solar Eclipse,' Adam thought to himself, 'Maybe this thing - if there's more of
them - came from ancient Greek times from mutant Holsiens...' "Did you interrogate uh... Her too?" Adam asked. Nigel smirked
and shook his head. "It's a little difficult to question a dead girl, wouldn't
you agree?" "You killed her?" "No, actually, I founder her recently deceased on that
trip." He tilted her head to the side a little, "Interestingly enough, some of
the snakes on her head were still alive when I found her. It took a few hours
before they died too, one by one. Sad, really." Adam breathed deeply as he
fought the urge to shed tears. This sick monster is just pawing around this poor
dead creature like she was a puppet. "You want to know what I love most about her?" Nigel asked.
He tilted the gorgon's head up, and put two fingertips to its eyes, and moved
them up. "Hhhh!!" Adam gasped as he looked into those silver,
reflective orbs. "Her eyes are most enchanting." He said. Adam immediately felt a cold wave hit his body. His
breathing suddenly became extremely difficult - he's unable to take a breath!
His hands started to lose feeling, along with his feet. His legs turned to
jelly as he fell back, and collapsed right on the floor! He gagged and gasped
raspy huffs as his torso quickly lost all feeling, up to his chest, until his
very face felt like cold clay. As the young man rasped and huffed, Nigel closed the
gorgon's eyes, and closed the glass coffin. He walked around the coffin, and
squat himself down to Adam/ "Mythology states that the gaze of a Gorgon would turn its
victims into stone. Well, maybe in ancient times, maybe they did, and maybe
they didn't." Adam can still hear and see him, but his body is completely numb.
He lay there, unable to breathe at all! "But the science of it is just
fascinating. See, instead of turning to stone, the victim's brain actually
shuts itself down after seeing a refraction of light from the Gorgon's eyes.
The victim would become entirely paralyzed. So, either they died from
suffocation, or they were eaten alive, completely painless." Adam's face began to turn blue as he remained there,
helpless, "Alright, get the valve in him, and get the stretcher ready. When you
come back up, bring him to the life support." One of the medics knelt down, and put Adam to a bag-valve
mask, and started pumping hair into him, while the other began to set up the
stretcher. ~~~ Adam shook a little as he lay on the bed, still unable to
move or feel, only an inch from gagging up a lung with a plastic tube down his
throat. A respirator gently rises up, and pushed down, pushing air into his
lungs as he lay there, paralyzed. His eyes looked, and watched Nigel come in, looking very
grim "Alright, now here's what we're going to do," He said, "First, while
you're immobile, we're going to take another blood sample - it's that time of
the week again." "And then, when you have some feeling back in you, we're
going to inject a dose of Sodium Pentothol." Nigel said as he held up a small,
glass bottle. Adam looked at him with expressionless eyes - he can't even move
his eyebrows, "The more commonly referred term is 'Truth Serum'. " Adam
inwardly gasped. "As I said, I am very short on time, so I can't afford to
play Mr Nice Guy. So when you recover tomorrow, you are going to tell me
everything you know about merfolk whether you like it or not." Nigel placed the
bottle on a small metal table, and turned to leave, just as a doctor came in,
with a needle and a pouch to take the blood sample.