I was torturing myself. That's what I was doing at the beach the next morning. I had barely slept and had thrown up everything I'd had that day... which hadn't been much. It was around eight in the morning, so most people who visited for vacation weren't out of bed yet. That meant there were only locals around, and after the mer attack on me, there weren't many people in the water. Bright red warning signs were very noticeable in and out of the water, telling people to 'swim at their own risk'.

My eyes roved over the people lazing about beneath the sun before looking down at the sand right in front of my shoes. The sight of my prosthetic metal leg fastened into my shoe made my stomach turn. The doctors had kept telling me that I should've paid the small extra amount to get a foot look-alike, especially since my work insurance easily covered it. I just couldn't do it, though, because that wouldn't be my foot.

Licking my lips, I hesitantly lifted my good foot and set it atop the sand. The second I felt my weight shift in the granules, my heart lurched.

This is my sand. My life.

I had intended to walk away from this, knowing that I would never be able to go near this beach again with 'them' waiting for me.

"...but I can't walk away from what I love."

Nodding to myself, I kept my focus on the sand as I took a deep breath and forced my fake leg to lift, stepping forward. The moment it touched the shifting ground, I lost my balance and stumbled backward with a shout of surprise, only to feel my back collide with a firm, muscled chest. Not a second later, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist.

Since I had figured I was going to be in for some serious pain falling backward onto the hot parking lot, I was grateful for the catch. That is, until the person who'd caught me began running his nose along my shoulder toward my neck, sniffing audibly along the way. My body froze as my thoughts began to go places I prayed they never would again. Unfortunately, when a second person, one I recognized all-too-well from my nightmares stepped in front of me, my chest constricted and I began to have a panic attack. He had the same faded skin around his right eye that the bigger one had had around his left. They were just like wild orca eye patches but only over one side of their face.

"He's going to pass out," a deep, husky voice growled from somewhere near my left ear.

"His leg..." the person in front of me grumbled as I faintly noticed the young mer crouch down. I wanted to struggle or at least get my eyes to stay open as they tried to close to stop everything from spinning, but I knew I was having a panic attack and would pass out if I didn't calm myself down. After being in the hospital for so long, I had developed them during my nightmares. But I'm not asleep this time, dammit! They weren't supposed to be here! Add in the fact that they were both walking just fine and talking!

Yup, I'm definitely about to pass out.

"He's breathing too fast; it's making his body shake," the voice near my ear noted, though he didn't seem all that interested in actually trying to help since he was biting at my ear rather painfully. There was quiet for a moment before he spoke again, and since it was just him, the other mer, and I, I had a feeling he was talking to the other male.

"I know you wanted him and I told you I'd at least get you his leg, love, but I do not know where it went."

I felt him release my likely-bleeding ear and lean closer, his smooth, wet cheek rubbing against my own as he growled.

"Mmm. Human? Where is it?"

I groaned, biting my lower lip as my head lolled against his shoulder. My strength always left me when I had an attack, which was the only positive of being held by one of them right then. The sudden awkward sound of teeth gnawing on metal made me inwardly chuckle to myself.

Not getting that leg, little bastard.

"Don't do that, love. It is not real."

The other mer whined and nudged my prosthetic with his nose. They were both quiet after that for a minute until I felt the mer in front of me nuzzle against the fabric covering my real leg. That snapped me out of my daze. While I knew it wasn't the smartest idea, I shifted my right leg back and promptly kicked the damn mer right in the jaw. It screeched as I finally managed to force my eyes open, smirking when I saw it holding its chin in the sand. The mer holding me snarled when I grinned, then shoved me backward onto the hard hot pavement. He was fussing over the other male, cooing sweetly and licking at his bruising jaw. If I hadn't been scared out of my mind, it might have almost looked cute.

Too bad. I'm all out of 'caring'.

Pushing myself upright, I reached behind my back and under my shirt.

"Hey bastards!"

They both looked up simultaneously, the larger one snarling even though people had begun to stare. Both of the mers were wearing black swimming trunks, but there was no hiding their behavior.

And the small one has a healed bullet wound along its left shoulder... but the bigger one... He has a slash mark right across his left cheek!

Smiling, I moved my hand around to lift the silver pistol I'd brought with me to level on the slightly larger mer. They both had black hair, or at least dark brown and their build was similar, but the one I had kicked was smaller and seemed a little more uncertain.

Kinda reminds me of Callem... while the other is definitely Mellac.

Both of the mers evidently knew what my gun was, though, because they jumped up and began backing away, hissing angrily. Hmph, they could be as angry as they wanted, but if they even took one step forward, they were getting a bullet in their asses.

"I suggest you both go back to the ocean. Now."

My eyes stayed locked on the two, but when the taller one straightened and spoke, I felt panic begin to surge back through my chest.

"What is your name, human?"

"Like I would tell you. Leave, now!"

He lifted his upper lip, showing off a row of perfectly white, sharp teeth.

"You belong to us."

The hell?

"Fuck you!"

That had him grunting out a cocky laugh that just itched my trigger finger to fire the darn gun.

"Get back in the water, or I swear I'll shoot both of you!"

"You are starting to have trouble again, human. Best calm down before something bad happens," the larger mer said in response to my shout, still standing there nonchalantly as the smaller one knelt beside him, teeth nipping at the other's black swim trunks with an expression somewhere between frustration and playfulness.

Hmm. I doubt he'll back down if I shoot him, but...

Lowering my gun, I got the response I wanted immediately. The larger male gave off a deep, rumbling growl.

"I said. Get. In. The. Water."

My voice was steady and deadly serious. Seeing the larger male finally responding the way I wanted him to had me calming down enough to catch my breath as I watched. When he helped the smaller mer to his feet and turned toward the ocean, I felt a huge relief settle in my stomach. I expected them to just leave quietly, but of course, I shouldn't have. The larger one turned as the smaller one grabbed hold of his arm, seeming to have a little trouble walking correctly in the sand.

"You still belong to us. We'll find you."

His threat sent a shot of fear straight through my veins, but I didn't let it show on my face as he glanced over.

I shouted against the wind, which had suddenly picked up a bit. "Go to hell! I don't belong to anyone! Let alone you two!"

The sound of a van speeding along the upper road behind me had the mers looking up. I thought they were just startled by the loud vehicle, because I even turned to check it out, but when I saw their faces as I glanced back at them, I knew right away that something was wrong. Looking back at the van, I noticed it had the Cal-Waves logo on it.

Do the mers know about that research facility? How?

"How the hell did those damn humans find us again?" the larger mer shouted as the smaller one whimpered against his chest.

Oh man. They have had contact with them. But then, he said they didn't know how they were finding them each time.

"They must have a tracker in one of you... or both."

The larger mer began backing up, tugging the smaller one along as he switched between looking at me and glaring at the van.

"What is that?" he asked as his steps got quicker.

"It means they'll be able to find you wherever you go. I'm going to guess you've met them before and they shot one of you with some type of weapon?"

He looked down at the smaller mer and frowned, his left hand, which was around the male's waist, moved so that he could rub his thumb along his shoulder blade. Since he didn't verbally answer, I figured that was where the chip tracking them probably was.

"Well, enjoy being stalked for life, bastards. I could technically take it out of him, but I'm not feeling that generous. Better start running now."

I could hear the doors of the van slamming shut just a few yards behind me so they were just about out of time. Both mers looked scared as they turned and bolted for the water. The smaller one was having trouble, though. In fact, he slipped from the larger one's hand, which had been pulling him along, and fell into the sand with a stressed yelp.

The bigger one stopped, but several Cal-Waves researchers already had their guns out and one woman fired before either mer could react. Her dart hit home on the smaller one's shoulder, making him scream as he swatted it out.

Too late. You're done.

Since they seemed so attached, I figured the bigger one would try to get his friend back to the water, shot or not, but he actually bolted into the waves and quickly disappeared beneath the surface.

"Hmph. Don't worry, they'll catch you too, eventually," I whispered to myself as I watched the group of scientists collect the smaller mer. The other was watching from just off-shore, but it didn't dare get close enough to get shot.

When the group began walking past me, I stepped into their path with a sarcastic smile and clasped my hands in front of me like I wasn't about to be a complete ass.

"I'm sorry, guys, but do you have paperwork stating that this mer is dangerous? Also, you need a permit to take from these waters, as your facility it much further north."

They stared at me like I had just grown two heads, but when I folded my arms over my chest and glared, they all turned their eyes to an older man, likely in his fifties. He had gray hair already but still showed youth in his light blue eyes.

Probably the stress of the job. Turns everyone gray eventually. Some sooner rather than later.

He turned toward me and extended a hand to be shaken as his group tried to sidle past.

Hah!

"He belongs to my lab. We have study permits for this area, species, and..." I emphasized the word 'and' to be sure the group had heard and stopped trying to get past me. "We have a new law against catching mers if they have not committed a crime. It is not on the books yet but it has been signed and is awaiting addition."

The entire group, once again, looked absolutely exasperated.

"I'm sure we can work something out with your lab," the older man said with a hint of authority to his voice.

"No. He goes in my truck and to my lab. If you want to have rights to study him before he is released, then you will have to get in touch with the supervisor dealing in specimens and scientific staff on the matter. If you can't reach him, then check the general director."

It was quiet for a long moment as a serious crowd began to gather.

Good, that means there are plenty of witnesses so they can't just take him away.

"I see," the older man finally said in an annoyed tone. I turned and pointed to my truck just behind me and raised a brow. The man was fuming by then, but he motioned for his group to bring the mer forward. I quickly got the back tarp removed and had them set him inside. Unlike Parker, I didn't have an air conditioner hooked up for transporting specimens, but it was pretty cool outside today day so it should be fine for the quick drive to the lab.

"Thank you, sir. I suppose I will see you when I see you," I said to the older man in a slightly sarcastic, chipper voice. He grumbled and forced a fake smile before following his colleagues back into their van and driving off. When they were out of sight, I looked back over at the unconscious mer in the back of my truck and sighed.

"I wish I could kill you right now without any legal problems coming of it. I really, really wish I could."

Instead, I grunted in annoyance and slammed the back part of my truck, then fastened the tarp over and climbed into the driver's seat while using the door for support. When I was finally situated and had my seat belt on I headed for my lab.

Guess I'll be coming into work earlier than I'm supposed to. Oh well.

I was also curious as to why Cal-Waves was actively tracking mers now, but I pushed those thoughts aside for a later time... and maybe a later talk with my boss.

After about fifteen minutes of driving, I pulled into the parking lot and into my assigned space, sliding from my truck in the partially empty lot. Saturday was generally a 'come as you wish' day, so there were only about half the normal staff there. When I saw one of the security guards by the front doors, I waved him over, then limped to the back of my truck where he met me a moment later.

"Yes, Dr. Anderson?"

"I've got a mer I need you to carry."

The burly guy deadpanned and jumped back in shock. I couldn't help snickering as I pulled the tarp back and lowered the small bed door.

"It's out cold for at least another few minutes, judging from the color dart they used. I just can't lift it with my bum leg."

He stepped closer hesitantly, peeking around my shoulder to see that I hadn't been lying.

"O-oh... okay."

The guard, who I now remembered was named Hank, grabbed the sleeping mer and headed for the doors with me hot on his heels. Well, as hot on said heels as I could be while dragging my damn fake leg.

"I assume you want him in the new holding facility?"

"Oh yes. I think he'll love the accommodations there."

While I was in the hospital, the lab had built a whole new area that was specifically meant to hold mers. It was spurred on by the attack from the two orcas. It was kind of nice that it was a little closer than the other areas, only through two of the security doors instead of all three. We made good time too, and Hank had the mer locked in a cell within two minutes while I moved about getting a clipboard and pen.

It's always impossible to keep pens in this darn place.

I had no idea where they all went because I know I had bought a huge box of them for everyone to put in different rooms right before I was attacked a month ago, but now I was struggling to find one.

Aha!

Shoving aside some paperwork, I grabbed what was likely the last pen in existence... in this room, and began filling out the data sheet.

"Hey, doctor? Do you want me to go notify the boss?"

I nodded, but then added, "Just mine for now. I don't need this place crowded with interns and whatnot when he wakes up."

"Got it. Be careful with him."

I gave him a grin and headed toward the bars to the mer's cell.

"Will do. Thanks for the help, Hank."

"No problem, see you later."

When I heard the door shut, I sat down next to the bars and tapped the end of my pen on the clipboard.

"Wake up, idiot. I know you're not asleep anymore. Your breathing has changed and you're beginning to shake. I hope it's from fear too, 'cause you should be afraid."

His arms slowly moved from beneath his body to rest near his head as that, too, moved. When his eyes finally opened, they were absolutely terrified and I could hear little whimpers coming from him as he tried to scoot back, but he obviously was unfamiliar with the cold concrete floor and kept slipping.

He looks like a scared seal. Not so tough now, are you, you little bastard?

After moving back a little so he couldn't try to grab me through the steel bars, I began scribbling information about his current status on the specimen sheet I'd fastened to the clipboard.

"It's too bad they didn't get your friend. Maybe I'll go out later and see if I can shoot him myself. That sounds like fun, doesn't it?"

I wasn't expecting him to answer so when he let out a quiet "N-No," I blinked and glanced up at him. He had managed to scoot a little farther back, obviously trying to get as far away from me as he could.

"Why so scared? Don't have your friend to protect you now, hm?"

Instead of answering me, he whined again and began licking at his arms frantically.

What the hell?

"What are you doing?" I asked, honestly curious. I might hate him, but I was still a scientist that always wanted answers. When he didn't give me one, I sighed and licked my dry lips.

"Is that a nervous habit?"

He glanced up, dark brown mop of hair, which I could finally tell wasn't black, swishing in front of his scared dark purple eyes.

Interesting color... kind of like Callem's, but his change depending on his mood. Maybe this one has the same ability.

"Well then, what are you doing?"

Right after I'd finished asking the question, he promptly bit down on his right forearm.

"Wh-what the hell are you doing? Stop! You're drawing blood!"

There was no way in hell I was going in there with him, but he was going to seriously injure himself if he kept tearing at his arm like that.

"Dammit, just tell me what's wrong!"

He quickly leaned back and released his arm, only to begin spreading his blood all over himself. I was going to go grab a dart gun to sedate him again, but then I realized something.

"You're uncomfortable...?"

His dark eyes looked up at me, stress obvious in his features. Then he began scratching himself with his claws, quickly opening new wounds on his right thigh through holes he tore in the swimsuit he was wearing.

"Shit! Okay, hang on a second."

I forced myself to get up and grabbed a hose kept against the wall and unwound part of it. Dragging that over to his cell a few feet away, I turned it on and let it run between the bars. Not even a second later, he was scrambling toward it. He rolled around in the flow of water heading toward the drain in the middle of the small eight-by-six cell, honestly looking like an ecstatic puppy who finally got to roll in the mud in the backyard after a rainstorm. Relief was crystal clear on his face, too, telling me that his skin had likely been drying out with help from over-stressing, causing discomfort.

When he was finally content and his body was thoroughly wet again, he grabbed the end of the hose and hugged it to his chest, then began lapping at the stream coming out thirstily. I was just about to tell him that he'd had enough and shut the water off, when a loud noise from his back sounded and he blew a mist of water and air from it.

Damn, that's seriously cool. Callem and Mellac don't have blowholes, even though they are dolphins. Guess it's just how the different species evolved.

Still, I was definitely intrigued, especially since he kept the blowhole while in his human form. I hadn't really been focused on their backs when they had turned to begin leaving so I hadn't noticed it.

"Do that again."

He glanced up at me with worried eyes and tucked his tongue back into his mouth, no longer licking at the hose water.

"I said, do it again."

He hunched, letting the water from the hose run along his cheek. It almost looked like he was sulking about being told to do something he obviously didn't want to.

Hmph. Gonna have to get used to that.

"Do it now, or I'll turn the water off."

His eyes widened a fraction as he eyed the knob I'd turned to make the water flow.

I bet he's connecting the dots. He's definitely more educated than Callem had been. By how much, I'm not too sure yet.

After a long minute of looking around, he took a deep breath and then blew it out from his blowhole. Since he was drying off from his roll in the water he barely had any come from the action, but I still took several notes. When I had finished writing, I looked up at him. He was watching me quietly but not moving, allowing me to get a good look at his whole body. He seemed to be about twenty, but that generally meant he could be a few years younger or a few years older. There were no orca mer skeletons anywhere in the world that I knew of, so aging him would likely be impossible. Leaning forward a little, I noted that he had several old scars on his body likely from predator attacks and even a few boat motor cuts on his upper arms and the back of his legs. Of course, there was also the bullet wound that had caught him a month ago when my colleagues went out to try to catch him.

I noted his body condition, then checked his actual weight. I couldn't get him onto a scale just yet, especially since I was alone in here for the moment, but I could at least see that he needed a bit more food to be at a healthy weight. I could see some of his ribs, even when he was hunched over. Once I finished writing, I walked over to the knob for the hose.

"N-no!"

The whimpered growl from behind me had me glancing over my shoulder, right hand on the knob.

"What? I gave you water. You should be fine for a while... and did you just growl at me?"

I knew he was afraid, but I wasn't going to deal with him being any kind of aggressive. He seemed to realize that quickly because he scooted away from the bars a little.

"Need."

"You just got some."

He gave me an agitated look but kept himself from growling as he answered.

"Need... sometime hurt away to water when worry."

He was doing just fine when he and his friend were harassing me.

"You didn't look like you were hurting when you were bothering me."

His face fell and he moved until he was lying down, curled up a bit with his hands fisted by his face again, left cheek leaning on his left one.

God. Why are they all like cats and dogs?

"Not hurt short..."

It took me a minute to think through his words before I realized what he meant.

They were still wet when they had started bugging me and he also didn't look too stressed. I also remember the bigger one's cold cheek against mine.

I really didn't think he deserved the water after what he'd done to me, but if my boss found out I'd caused him to bleed out because of something so simple, I would lose a job I still needed, and wanted. Sighing, I turned the knob a little, stemming part of the flow before turning to glare at him. He had the hose tucked beneath his body, flowing between his right cheek and his right arm.

"If you destroy that hose, you're out of luck, and if you don't listen to me or growl again, you'll lose it. Do I make myself clear, mer?"

He tucked his head and rubbed his forehead in the water for a moment before replying. "Mm... name."

Stepping closer, I tilted my head and grumbled, "What?"

He hesitantly looked up at me but wouldn't meet my eyes. Good. "N-name..."

"Oh yeah? You got one? 'Cause I'd much rather just call you a stupid mer or a bastard."

His eyes began to cloud over, but I had hardened my heart enough not to care that I was making him cry.

He deserves far worse.

"N-no... Ocar gived me..."

"Ocar?"

He gave a little nod so I rolled my eyes and clicked my pen so I could write the dumb name down.

I'm not gonna ask him how he spells it since he probably doesn't even know how to spell, but eh, it sounds like Oaker so I'll just use that.

"No!"

I paused, glaring down at him.

"What? You wanted me to use your name, but now you don't?" I hissed angrily, about ready to throw something at him.

"N-no... name Ocar gived me... Lyric."