The Mermaid's Sad Song

But sometimes, I’d still sneak ashore to see Sam.

When people asked who I was, I would be ready to lie and say I was his sister.

But he never let me.

“She’s my girlfriend,” he’d say, eyes serious. “And one day, she’ll be my wife. This is Nerissa.”

That moment had made my heart flutter for real. I was falling for more than I could imagine. 

Later, my people, the merfolk, struck a deal with a group of top-tier humans.

The ones facilitating the negotiations were my parents and Sam’s parents.

But Sam’s parents disappeared.

And I was one of the suspects.

I knew he hated me, but I couldn’t tell him the truth.

Years passed and Sam became a top-tier scientist.

And I, I had to get close to him for the sake of my people.

Many times, I wanted to tell him the truth directly.

But I couldn’t.

Well, it didn’t matter. Soon, I wouldn’t have to endure it anymore.

***

Sam’s fingers set fire to my skin.

But then he stopped suddenly, his eyes fixed on the blood coating his hands.

Only then had I noticed—those old wounds, the ones from tearing out my flesh for healing pearls, had reopened again.

I gave him a numb smile, “I’m dying, Sam.”

It was like the word "die" had triggered something primal in him. He snapped. He tore open a bottle of pills and shoved one into my mouth with shaking hands. His voice was ice. Sharpened. Shaking.

“You don’t get to die unless I say so.”

He unshackled my wrists, dragged me across the lab and shoved my head into a tank of healing serum. I choked as water rushed up my nose.

I choked. Water shot up my nose.

His hands trembled, breath coming in ragged bursts. His eyes—bloodshot, crazed—watched like he was the one suffocating.

I forced myself not to breathe, trying to keep the serum from flooding my lungs.

Everything went cold. My face turned purple. But eventually, the pills kicked in. The bleeding stopped.

He yanked me out of the tank by my hair.

I was barely conscious when he clicked the shackles back around my wrists, chaining me to the headboard like an animal.

And there was Jill.

Leaning into him, all flirtation and fake sweetness, like this was just a twisted honeymoon. Her eyes found mine, brimming with venom: I want you dead, Nerissa.

***

Half-conscious, I felt someone gently stroke my hair. Tears from that person dripped into my mouth, salty and bitter.

“Nerissa... if only none of that had ever happened,” the voice called softly. "Wouldn't we be okay now?”

Was that Sam?

Was… he crying?

I forced my eyes open—but there was no Sam.

Instead, his assistant was there, tugging the rope around my ankles and dragging me into the estate’s courtyard.

Mermaids hated the sun. Especially me—who was barely clinging to life. 

Jill stood there, smiling sweetly when she saw me.

“Aren’t you hungry, Nerissa?”

I could see Sam holding onto her, his body relaxed, almost possessive. When I didn’t answer, he kicked me, his foot landing hard on the exact spot where my wounds were threatening to tear open.

Blood seeped through my clothes, soaking into my stomach.

Sam barely looked at me. With a look of pure irritation, he couldn’t even spare me a glance. Just tossed his jacket from the lounge chair at me.

“Cover that up. Jill can’t stand the sight of blood.”

Jill’s eyes sparkled for a brief moment and she turned, throwing a pile of raw meat and dirt-streaked vegetables in front of me. Her voice dripped with false sweetness.

“Eat up.” 

I don’t know why—I lifted my head and looked at Sam.

Why did I think he actually… pitied me?

Expressionless, I bent down and began gnawing on the dirt-covered cabbage. My fingers clawed at the ground, desperate, ashamed.

Jill’s concerned voice reached my ears.

“Why aren’t you eating the meat? You need meat to stay strong.”

Without thinking, I tore into it. My senses had dulled so much I couldn’t even tell what kind of meat it was.

“Does it good?” Jill giggled. “They say mermaid meat is really nutritious.”

I froze mid-chew, staring up at her.

What… what did she just say?