Writing contest entry for Lapi5_Lazuli

8,008 words

It's early in the morning and you didn't expect people to be up this early but I was working. I work for the fishery for Alaska and we work around the clock. Taking shifts between people so we can work 24/7. I was getting sick of this whole job thing but money was tight. It's only me and my brother left. Our parents died of a car accident years back and it's been us ever since.

Me, being 20, I was able to work and help with my brother. I have been working at the fishery ever since I was 16, when my parents died. It's only been us ever since. My brother Jake, who is only 16, is around being a paper boy, waiter, or just mowing laws or people around the area. Anything to get a little bit of cash to keep us going.

Now only being about 3 in the morning, nobody was really up and it wasn't busy. The fishes wouldn't bite. I lean over the railing, feeling the ocean breeze against my skin and blowing my brown hair. I pulled down my beanie even more to keep my ears warm. It was nice and chilly for an early morning; it actually made me more awake.

I still yawned though from the lack of sleep.

Someone slammed their hand against my back. I wince as it hurt me but I didn't let it show.

"Got the early morning shift West?" Hank Rivers chuckled, he was my best friend.

I gave a small smile, "Yeah, yeah, Rivers, you too. So don't go laughing."

Hank stuck out his tongue.

"So childish." I growled.

Hank playfully shoved me, "Funny." Then we both look off out to the dark ocean. "It's quite calm this morning."

"Don't you think that's strange?"

"You always things that's strange, Tyler."

"Because I'm used to stormy seas and so on."

Hank chuckled.

"Well I have been here for 4 years, Hank. I've never seen a more perfect night."

"You mean morning."

"Oh shut it."

We both chuckled. Then we continue to look forward at the calm ocean. I kept having this feeling that something was off. There has never been a clam day like this. Something is wrong...way wrong but of course nobody would believe me.

Suddenly there was a deep thud, but yet so soft that you could barely feel the vibrations but it sounded so thick and powerful. I straighten out, "Did you feel that?"

"Feel what?" Hank asked.

I looked down in the water, as if it was the answer. Something was down there, "Hank...something is down there."

Hank laugh, "Ooo, yes and a mermaid is out to drag you down."

He started to bust out laughing. I hit him, "I mean it!"

He slams my back again, he doesn't know his strength. I wince as he leaves, laughing. Shaking my head, I again look down in the water. Something was down there, I know it. The same load thud sound came again and this time I saw the water riffle. I jumped back, something was defiantly down there.

Then suddenly the ship started to rock.

"We got water in!" A shout cut in.

I turn back and face where the shout came from. "Water is leaking in! There's a hole or something!"

Taking off to head to the entry to the lower deck, I saw men racing out so they wouldn't get trapped and drowned.

These high pitches screams cut through the air. I jerk my head back but only to see these...black shadows flying in the air and was attacking people. I heard screams of pure agony. Then a shadow came and jump towards me but it tackled the person in front of me. I end up being shoved down by the weight and I couldn't believe my eyes.

There was a female, with long brown hair, and an orange tail...she was a mermaid. The mermaid, once tackled the man, started to rip the flesh off of his throat.

"Holy!" I shouted as I crawled away from the blood thirsty mermaid.

Some more mermaids were flying in the air and attacking my fellow workmates. I needed to get out of here. I started to run....somewhere. There was nowhere to go but maybe I could hide or something. Not going to be mermaid food, I tried to go to the side that wasn't being attacked but I was so wrong.

Going around I was stopped by a mermaid eating a man in the middle of the walk way. My heart sank when I saw the face of the fallen man. Hank...Hank Rivers. With eyes frozen in fear, the mermaid with short jet black hair and a green tail and bikini to cover her breasts was eating tearing my best friend's throat. I was shaking in shock. My dear friend....gone and being eaten.

"H-Hank." I muttered in shock, some hot tears form in my eyes.

The mermaid ending my friend, raise her head with half of her face cover in blood. She hissed at me, showing her sharp teeth that had Hank between them.

I shakily took a few steps away from her bloody thirsty green eyes. Then suddenly the ship rocked and I lost my balance and ran into the railing, flying over to the freezing waters. The cold water burned my nose and throat. I immediately shot right up to the surface. Instantly shivering, I looked around to figure what to do. What's more dangerous? Being eaten or freezing to death?

As an answer, a heavy box was force off the ship, didn't know how, but it came and hit me on the side of my head. I blacked out and started to sink into my frozen grave.

Surprisingly I woke up. The bright warm sun shining through my close eye lids, the salty smell of the ocean, the heat of rocks, a heavy weight on top me ...the feeling of no clothes...wait, what?

I opened my eyes. I was on these sun warming rocks that prick my bare skin. I had no clothes on but my boxers...and something was on top of me. Through my blurry vision, I raise my head to see what was on top of me. It was a human being...at first...but I felt scales against my legs and notice it was a tail. A mermaid!

She had long brown hair and a blue tail. Her head was on my upper chest and her arms wrap around me. Then the rest of her body was on top of me and her tail wrap tightly around my legs.

What am I supposed to do?! What happened?!

I started to panic, not knowing what to do.

The mermaid notices that I was awake and raise her head. She was quiet pretty. Her bright baby blue eyes were so soft and sweet. Not blood thirsty like the others. She noticed that I was scared and panicked, so she quickly untangle herself and jumped into the water. I shot right up and tried to crawl away but I had nowhere to go.

She surface of the water.

"P-Please don't kill me." I begged.

"I'm not going to hurt you...please don't be scared." She spoke so calm.

I was still shaking with fear, "Why would I trust you! You...You creatures...are monsters!"

She swam back and a bit deeper in the water, "They are monsters...I am not. I don't do that. I don't eat people! I'm not like them. In fact I saved you."

"Yeah sure. Stripping me down and laying on top of me, preparing me for your meal."

She got offended, "Excuse me? No, the clothes were cold and wet. They would have killed you. I stripped you down to get them off of you. I keep the clothing that covers what is sacred to a male, like how we cover what is sacred to a female. Then I was lying on top of you to keep you warm. You were so cold and human like you can't stand the cold."

I just looked at her. She really didn't mean to hurt or killed me but how could I trust her? I saw her kind eating my friend and fellow workmates. I still didn't believe her.

She sighs sadly, "You don't believe me."

"Well what do you expect!? I saw you...your kind..."

"I know...but please...I'm not like them. I don't eat human. I've never eaten human. I would rather eat fish or something. Not human."

I still didn't trust her.

She just swam as little closer to me, "Please. All I wanted to do is help. I'm friendly." Shen she swam up to the rock and surface more to place her elbows against the rock, "I'll prove it to you. I'm Ceyla."

I still looked at her, "I...um...Tyler."

She smiled and I saw no sharp fangs. It was like a normal cute smile. Wait, why am I saying this?

"See. I mean no harm. All I wanted is to help."

"Did...Did you help others?"

She sigh sadly, "No. Nobody fell overboard but you. I tried to search back, once the ship sank and the others are gone...but nobody was left. They were all...gone."

I slowly nod my head, still not trusting her.

Ceyla tilts her head and looked at me, "You are quiet young. Didn't expect a man to be so young out of sea. They are usually older."

"Um...it's my job...I guess. I'm only 20."

"20? I'm 20 too." She smiled.

I gave a fake smile, "Uh...cool!"

Ceyla sighs, "Please stop. Please stop. Please! I'm not going to hurt you."

"No, she's going to eat you." A new twisted voice came. Another mermaid just surface behind Ceyla. She had long red hair, green eyes, and a black bikini. I'm guessing her tail was black because their bikini and tail are the same color.

My heart starts to race.

Ceyla turns around, "Martha!"

Martha snicker, showing her sharp teeth that still had human between them, "I do must say Ceyla, you getting the prey to trust you. Corner prey is tasty. Mind if I join?"

"No!" Ceyla growled as she faces Martha. Martha was taken aback, "Oh! You want this one yourself?"

"No! You aren't having him and neither am I!"

Martha hissed, "You fresh water!" Then Martha then shot right up, more as jump, sharp teeth opened to tear me apart. This is it, it's the end for me. "No!" Ceyla cried out as she jumped up and grabbed Martha and pulled her in the water.

They both disappeared in the water. Leaving the water calmed after a few seconds.

With my heart racing, I looked over at the water actually hoping that Ceyla wins this. After a few minutes of quiet waters, a brown haired woman popped her head above the surface. Surprisingly I gave a sigh of relief.

I started to relax more, what my body wanted to do.

"Don't worry, she's...she's not going to bother you anymore." Ceyla sadly replied.

"Um...thanks...I think."

Ceyla rubs her arm, "Yeah...I...I just didn't want you to get hurt..."

I tilt my head, "H-Huh? Ummm...why? What is so special about me?"

Ceyla looks at me with soft eyes, "Strange isn't it?"

"W-What is?"

"You."

"Huh?"

Ceyla went through her wet hair, "You are strange. Different...and cute."

My cheeks warmed, "M-Me?"

Ceyla blush sheepishly, "It's a cycle thing. I'm the age of mating..."

"Well then..."

This got really awkward very quickly. I clear my throat to push down the awkwardness.

"Don't be so weird with this...I won't do anything and by how you are acting you won't do anything...unless you really wanted to..."

"Okay, changing the subject." I just blurted out. This was really...REALLY weird. A cold breeze came in and I shiver, since I had no clothes but my underwear. "Can I have my clothes back or something? It's freezing. It's the Pacific Ocean during the middle of fall. It's cold."

Ceyla bits down on her lower lip, "I'm sorry, Tyler. Um...they're gone."

I sigh as I hug myself for warmth, "Is there anything I can wear?"

"Um...no"

I looked around. There was no boat or ship around. How was I going to go back?

"Hummm...how am I going to go back home? I can't swim all the way back to Alaska!"

Ceyla lowered her head a bit but then put on a smile, "I can take you there." I'm guessing she was a bit upset because a guy that she thinks is cute wants to leave but respects my wishes.

"Great! Now how?"

Ceyla splash in the water a bit, "swim of course silly."

"Um...it's cold water. I have no clothes on. I'm going to freeze."

Ceyla props herself op on the rock, "Not if you kiss me."

I took a step back, "Whoa what!?"

Ceyla sighs, "You human males think everything so romantically. It isn't like that at all! If you kiss me, you will be able to have my abilities to breath under the water for time and to not get so cold. Trust me, I'm not going to hurt you or do anything. I'm not that type of female. I respect the male. I respect you. You want to go home, back to land, and I'll grant you your wish. My mother taught me better."

I slowly nod my head, "Um..."

"Only if you want to go home."

I sigh, "Okay...if what you tell me is true...then I'll trust you."

She smiled so softly. Then I bent down and lean in and we kissed. It was soft and sweet. As that was going on...I was getting warm. The cold breeze wasn't bugging me anymore. Ceyla wrap her arms around my neck and pulled me in the water as we were kissing. I felt the liquid but not how cold it was. It was a bit chilly but it wasn't enough to bug me.

I opened my eyes in the salty water and it didn't burn. Ceyla smiled as she wraps her arms around me and pulled me in. I end up wrapping my arms around her. She started to swim with her powerful tail.

I looked around in the ocean. It was dark but it was amazing. It was really weird too, to be able to breath under water. Well...it was more as holding my breath and not really needed to breathe out.

After swimming a bit we surface to go up for air and Ceyla took me to a rock. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah. Just...need a rest for the moment." Ceyla panted, "I've never carried a person for a while like that."

"Okay...um...how long-"

"The abilities? Until I take them away, to kiss them back."

I gave a small chuckled as she knew what I was going to say. Ceyla gave a small smile, "I figure you were going to ask that."

I sat on the rocks to make a conversation, "What else can you do?"

Ceyla pulls her wet hair behind her ear, "Well, I can do lots of things. I can sing, since I am a siren, and I can give humans that ability to breathe under the water and the ability to not be cold in the coldness of the water. I can also walk on land."

"Really?"

"Well...how are you supposed to find a male to mate with?"

"So there are no mermen?"

Ceyla giggled, "No silly."

I chuckled at the cuteness of her giggle.

"So what happens if you give birth to a boy?"

"We don't."

I didn't really believe her.

Ceyla chuckled, "You humans over think things. We only have girls to repopulate our kind. We die like you; we don't live longer than you. Doesn't matter what those myths say. So we need to repopulate our kind. Plus hunters get in the way."

"Hunters?"

"Yeah." Ceyla then lifted her tail to the surface of the water, "Because of this. We are different...mythical creatures."

"It's a shame."

Ceyla looks up, "It is isn't it. My sisters, even though I don't agree what they do but I still love them and they suffer and it hurts me to see them suffer. These other humans...are torturers. They will capture us and abuse us and chop us up in pieces. They don't kill you...even though you wish they did."

Ceyla looks down and played with the ends of her wet hair. I then look at her softly, "I'm sorry that people do that."

Ceyla looks up, "You won't...tell. Will you?"

"Of course not. I'm not that type of person. Why would I go snitch and have someone who saved my life be torture for the rest of their life!? I'm not cruel."

Ceyla smiled, "Thank you."

"No...thank you. You saved my life and respected me. Thank you."

"Of course."

Ceyla then got close to me, "So...what do you do Tyler?"

"I work for the fishery...well...I used to..."

Ceyla lowered her head.

"Oh no! It wasn't your fault!" I quickly added, not trying to hurt her feelings.

Ceyla slowly nod her head, "Okay..."

I sigh, trying to think of something on changing the subject, "Uhhhh...I have a brother."

"A brother?"

"Yeah. His name is Jake. He's my only family I have left. He's 16."

"Oh how sweet. What happened to the rest of your family?"

"My parents were killed in a car accident 4 years back. I don't have any other siblings."

"I'm sorry."

I shrugged, "Its fine. We got through it and working our way too keep it that way."

"That's who you want to go home too?"

"Yeah."

"I understand. Even though my sisters eat people...I still love them."

"But didn't you...um....killed one of them?"

"Martha? Oh no, she isn't my sister. Sisters share the same color of tail."

"Oh...how does that work?"

"By sister...sometimes...we have the safe father and mother...but also...we are all related. Like as an example for me...The first blue mermaid had kids and they had kids and so on."

"Oh, own family trees but you all call each other sisters. Makes sense."

Ceyla smiled, happy that I understood, "So what can you do?"

"Well...I can do any normal human things...I can play piano..."

"A piano? What's that?"

"An instrument."

Ceyla looks at me in awe, "So cool."

I chuckled, actually having a good time with her. She wasn't so bad after all. She was kind and sweet...and cute. I've never really met a girl like her. I looked at her softly as she giggles. Then she looked up and slowly stops laughing. We looked into each other's eyes. Her soft and beautiful baby blue eyes glistens like the ocean. Mine were dark brown eyes that match with my light brown hair. People say my eyes are like chocolate but I bet she doesn't know what chocolate is....but I didn't care.

I felt myself leaning in a bit. Ceyla let me leaned in...but then quickly turn away. I notice what I was doing and I pulled away. What was I doing?

"We...We should get going before night fall. It gets colder at night and I bet you want to be home before night falls." Ceyla spoke to break the awkward tension. I nod my head, "Yeah." I then jumped in the water and Ceyla got a hold of me and I held on to her as she started to swim again.

We swam a bit more and then took another break. We didn't talk much in the second stop, since the first one was awkward. Then we continued again. After about a few more stops we finally made it to about dusk. We were under the docks.

Ceyla looks exhausted. "Are you okay?"

Ceyla looks at me with her tired eyes, "I'm fine..."

"Are you sure?"

"I just need rest. Probably find some rocks to hid and sleep. Of course after you are back home and safe from everything...all of this..."

Ceyla looks at me with regretful eyes. I looked at her with soft eyes, "Thank you."

Ceyla smiled, "Of course." Then she lean in and kissed me. At this I was getting freezing cold. We broke away.

"Holy..." I shiver. My body instantly stiffens up from the freezing water. Ceyla presses her forehead against mine, "I'll never forget you." Then Ceyla kissed me again. Nothing change...only that it was kiss. Not a kiss to give me special abilities...but a kiss of passion. Then she releases me from the kiss and went under the water.

I wish I could say something but I was too cold to move and she was too fast. I tried to swim to be in the view.

"H-H-Help!" I tried shouting, "P-P-P-Please!"

Luckily for me, there was a couple that was walking on the docks and heard me. They helped me and took me to the hospital.

The doctors were amaze how I could survive in the cold water with barely any clothes on. They were even more amazed how I wasn't showing any sighs of getting sick from anything. Not even the cold. After spending the night I was sent home. Even though the doctors would love to do tests on me but I just wanted to get home.

I was tackled with a hug once I walk through the doors, "Tyler!" I hug my little brother backed. Jake was a young boy, same looks at me but with blue eyes and shorter than me by only a few inches.

"Tyler! Thank goodness you are okay! What happened?" Jake asked me, after releasing me from the hug.

"Well...there was a ship wreaked and I was just floated over here." I replied.

Jake nods his head, "Thank the heavens." Then he hit my arm, "How dare you scare me like that bro?!"

I rubbed my arm, "I'm sorry, Jake. I didn't want the ship to wreak. It just happened. I had no control over it."

"Are you the only one that survived?"

"Yeah." I looked down. Jake hugged me again, "I'm sorry. Even Hank?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm sorry, Tyler."

I rubbed his back, "It's fine...and I'm sorry for scaring you."

"I'm just glad that you are safe."

Then we broke apart and Jake took a look at me, "How come you only made it out? I bet there would have been others?"

I looked up a little to think. Should I tell him about Ceyla? I trust him to keep secrets. I'm his older brother and I'll hit him from telling. He wouldn't tell, and I know it. I then sigh and lean in to my brother's ear, "Promise to keep a secret."

"Of course."

"A mermaid saved me."

Jake just started to bust out laughing. "I think you've been in the water too long brother."

"Jake this is serious."

Jake wipes some of his tears from laughing, "Oh, that was funny."

I then grab Jake's arms, "Listen...do you honestly think I could survive out there? I was in the freezing water in the middle of fall with only my shorts on? Then how I got here perfectly fine, and how I'm not sick or getting sick. Also I was miles and miles away and I got her within a day? Jake it's impossible for anything normal to happen."

Jake then looked at me, "A-are you serious."

I nod my head, "yes. Her name is Ceyla and she is still here...I think."

Jake's eyes widen, "Wh-What?"

I then grab his hand and we went outside and out to the docks. Jake walks next to me, "Are you sure? Are you crazy?" He kept asking me questions. "Jake...shut up." Jake nod his head, "Okay."

Then I looked around, "Ceyla! Ceyla!" I kept calling out.

Jake hits my arm, "people are looking at us weirdly."

"I don't care."

I then headed down do the beach, and headed to the rocks since she said that she was going to rest on some rocks, "Ceyla!"

She had to be close. She wouldn't just go that far. She was so tired and wouldn't be able to swim so far.

Jake was dragging his feet behind me, "Tyler...I think you've gone crazy."

Then suddenly someone grabbed my ankle and pulled me down more down the rocks.

"Tyler!" Jake cried out as he races over.

I knew who grabbed me and it was Ceyla. I smiled at her, "I knew you were here."

Ceyla looks at me softly with a sweet smile.

"Holy..." Jake gasp out. Ceyla looks up and panic. I grab her arm, "He's my brother. He's good."

Ceyla gave a sigh of relief. Jake still had is jaw wide opened, "Dude...if you aren't going to have her...I am."

Blush rose on my cheeks, "Jake!"

Ceyla gave a giggled.

Then she touches my arm, "Why did you come looking for me?"

"To show my brother. He didn't believe me. Then you said you are going to find some rocks to rest...and well...these are the only rocks around that would do great cover for you."

Plus...I miss her.

Ceyla gave a small smile. She was glad to see me again, like me. She had that spark in her eyes. Jake still couldn't believe it, "So cool. So pretty"

Ceyla giggled, "Thanks."

I then look at him, breaking away from looking at Ceyla's pretty blue eyes, "You are not allowed to say anything! She will be hunted down...the same for us."

Jake nod his head, "Cross my heart and hope to die."

Ceyla was confused, "Why would you want to die?"

I chuckled, "It means he won't tell."

"Oh good, but you shouldn't wish to die."

I chuckled, "It's an expression. Don't worry about it."

"Okay."

Jake looks at both of us, "Just kiss already."

I look up and gave a scolded look at my brother. Ceyla looks away and giggled. My cheeks grew warm. Jake got offended, "What? It's me are you! You got that look on your face, Tyler."

I growled and shove him. He slipped on rocks and fell back, "Ah!"

I bust out laughing. Ceyla giggled. I looked at her softly. Maybe...Jake is right...but we can't really be together anyways. So we can't...make this work.

Jake got up with a glare, "Curse you Tyler!"

I laugh even more. Jake then got up, "Fine...I'll just leave you two be." He had this smug look on his face as he left. I scowl at him. Ceyla ran her fingers through her dry hair, "So...just showing me to your brother the only thing?"

I looked at Ceyla, wanting to say no. I found it strange how I loved this girl. I've only seen her for one day...but she was beautiful, kind, sweet, she saved my life over and over again, and I can't keep my mind off of her.

She thought I was cute. She could have leaved me to the other to be eaten but she didn't...because she loved me from the first sight.

Ceyla looks at me with her soft eyes, "Tyler..."

I couldn't help myself and I just went up and kissed her. Kissing her was a mistake but I didn't care. I can't just leave without anything. Then we broke apart. I looked at her, "One day...One day and you already got me under your spell. I couldn't believe that I would fall for you."

Ceyla gave a small smile but it faded, "But you can't be with me..."

"I don't want to take you away from your family...your sisters."

"And I don't want to take you away from yours. Jake is a sweet boy."

I gave a small smirk, "At times."

Ceyla chuckled. Then I press my forehead against hers, "Ceyla...I will always love you."

Ceyla smiled, "I will always love you, Tyler." Then we kissed passionately. I ran my fingers through her long hair and softly rubbing her soft skin of her shoulders and back. She ran her fingers with my hair and running her fingers down the collar of my shirt to just touch my warm skin.

"Tyler." Jake called out to me, which broke us apart. I raise my head above the rocks to see why my brother was calling me. Then I saw that trucks where coming down along the beach. I got down and grab Ceyla's arm, "You got to go! Go now!"

"But..."

"Just go!"

Ceyla didn't take another second. She jumped back into the ocean. I quickly got to my feet and headed over to Jake. The trucks came in front of us and some of these men came out. I'm guessing the head guy, came up to me while the others stayed back.

He was older than me by like 10 years or so with black hair mix in with gray and cold eyes. He came up with his broad shoulders and his chest puff out. I'm guessing to show how big he was, "You Tyler West?"

"That's me." I replied.

"Who are you?" Jake demanded.

The man places a hand on his chest and bowed a little, "Tom Quinn."

"Okay...Tom...what do you want from me?" I asked.

Tom pulled out the newspaper and hand it to me, "Read you in the newspaper. You are quiet famous Mr. West."

I shrugged, "I guess."

Then he just stepped up and grabbed my chin and forces me to look at him and up more, "Now how could a young man like you...floated ashore in the freezing Pacific Ocean with nothing but his boxers and coming out perfectly fine and with no risk of getting any illness from the freezing waters. It would be just like he was only been on the water for a few minutes."

I jerk away from his grip, "Just luck I guess."

"Now what happened to your clothes?"

"You see...I floated to a rock first and stripped down so I wouldn't freeze to death. I wanted to try and live. Then a stupid wave took them away. That's all."

Tom looks like he didn't believe me, "So what about...a mermaid eh?"

I laughed, "A mermaid? Oh please. They are just mythical creatures."

"Oh they are not just mythical creatures. Don't worry...I...we won't think that you are crazy."

I looked at the other people around us. Then Tom forced my head to look at him again, "I know they are real and you know that too."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I just got lucky okay. Pure luck and I'm grateful that God blessed me to live and to return home to my brother safely. It's just another miracle."

Tom laughed, "2000."

"Huh?"

"In the year 2000, another young man like yourself turned out the same. A ship wreaked and he just floated up to shore with nothing but his underwear too."

"So? God bless many people. Don't you know that? Don't you go to church?"

He back handed me. "Hey!" Jake shouted as he stepped up, "That's my brother you jack head!" He shoved my brother down to the ground. After doing that, Tom grabbed the collar and jerk me forward, "Listen boy! I know they are real because I was that boy in the year 2000. I was in the same place as you...and I know...a mermaid saved you. I was that young man!"

He tilts his head, "What are you doing out here?"

"Taking a walk you crazy man."

He back handed me again.

"You better watch your mouth! Getting slapped isn't the worse thing I'm going to do to you."

I tried to jerk away from him, "I'm going to the cops about this! This is an assault against me and my brother!"

Tom and his friends laughed, "Oh...you won't be seeing the cops."

Then some of his friends grab Jake. "Let me go you butt heads!" He wasn't really good at calling them names but good at putting up a fight. Jake slams the back of his head to one of them and kicked out to the other man's gut.

I was going to join in this fight. Throwing down a hard right at Tom, I got him to let go of me. These must be hunters. An old victim of a ship wreaked and a mermaid had saved him. Now he was out to hunt them down. How cruel and heartless.

I then tackled another man that was going after my brother. There were too many guys and the both of us couldn't take them down. With our arms pinned and tied behind our backs, black hoods were thrown over our heads, and we were for in the car. I didn't know if Jake was with me, and I didn't know where they were taking us. I hope that Ceyla was far away from here...far, far away from here. From these heinous people that will punish her worse than death. She didn't deserve that.

After a while, I think we were at the docks. The familiar smell of salt water came to my nostrils. Once the car stopped, I was force out of the car and walked on the docks into a boat. Then shove down. I felt someone being shoved down next to me. My guess was Jake.

The boat's engine started and we were off to...somewhere.

"Jake?" I muttered. The hood muffled it but I could still hear the voice of my younger brother, "Tyler?"

I sigh with relief that he was with me...and okay, sort of. As good as he could be, I guess, for this type of situation.

"Jake, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Angry."

Jake chuckled a little, "I bet. Don't worry. We don't know anything."

By him saying that...Jake won't talk, no matter what. That's good.

"Don't worry...we will see your girlfriend again." Jake continues.

I blushed a little when he said that, knowing that he was talking about Ceyla.

Then suddenly the boat stopped and the hoods were taken off of me and Jake. We were in the middle of the ocean.

"Okay...you are going to tell me what I want or there is going to be trouble. First question, where is the girl!? Where is the mermaid!" Tom shouted at us.

"What mermaid? They don't exist! Just mythical creatures!" I shouted back.

Tom tighten his jaw, being furious with me, "Want to play that game do we? The brother will know nothing. Maybe he knows that she exists but wouldn't know where." Then Tom grabs Jake and jerks him up and shoves him to two of his friends.

"Now...one more time before we work on your brother. Where is the mermaid?" Tom sneered.

"I don't know what you are talking about! Please! We know nothing about this mermaid you talk about! I was just lucky and just floated to shore! Please!" I begged him.

"Wrong answer." Tom then pulls out a knife and stabs Jake in the leg. Jake screams out in pain. Tears swell into my eyes, "Please! We don't know anything!" I begged, seeing blood oozing out of my little brother, my innocent little brother.

"Lies! Where is she!?"

"Please! Please! We don't know anything...just please don't hurt him anymore! Just let us go!" tears went down my eyes. I couldn't lose another part of my family. He was all I had.

Tom stabbed my brother again, in the other leg. Jakes screams eco through my head...just like that one day.

I was 16 and my little brother was12. Cops came and carried us away. He screamed and cried, not wanting to leave our parents' side. We were just in a car accident and only me and Jake got out, our parents were trapped in the crush car.

"Jake! Go with them!" Mom called out to try and sooth her younger child.

"Mommy! Daddy! No!" Jake screamed and squirm in the cop's grip.

A cop grabbed my arm and started to pull me away. I was in shock. The accident, being covered in blood...mine, Jake's, Mom's, and Dad's. It was bad....and it just got worse.

The car just exploded, we were all forced to the ground from the explosion. I sat up, seeing the car burning like wildfire...eating my parents alive. I could hear them...their screams...then silence form them...

I lost them.

They were gone in such a horrible way.

Jake wouldn't stop screaming, "Mommy! Daddy!"

A cop had to help me up to my feet and back away from the car. I could feel the heat...the smell...the smell of my parents' bodies...nothing that a 16 year old boy should experience....neither should a young and innocent 12 little boy....

Jake was all I have....

Jake was everything to me....

Jake....

I have to protect him....

What was I doing now?

Not protecting him.

Tears kept on crawling down my cheeks, and I didn't care that I was a 20 year old, "Please! Please don't!"

"Then tell me where the bloody mermaid is!" Tom shouted.

I shook my head, weeping, "I don't know....I really don't know...she's gone...I don't know where she is...Please don't kill him...please don't hurt him!"

Tom growled. Then out of anger he slit Jake's throat.

"JAKE!" I screamed.

The two guys holding him just dropped him like a piece of trash.

Jake was choking on his own blood.

"JAKE! NO!" I screamed and cried even more.

Jake twitched a little...and then his head tilt to the side as his eyes dimmed on his wet fearful face.

He was gone.

My little brother.

My only family.

Was gone.

I screamed even more, "JAKE! NO! NO! WHY! WHY!" I just cried. Cried like a worthless little kid. I've lost him. My little brother and the only family I had. I was supposed to protect him! Now he's gone! He was only 16! Too young to die! Too....young.....

"Jake! No! Come back! No!" I sobbed, "Don't leave me..."

"Dump his body over board." Tom ordered as he wipes my brother's blood on a cloth. I raise my head, "No! No!" I tried to get up but I was backhanded to be shoved back down.

I watch as they picked up my little baby brother's dead body.

"Jake! Jake!" I kept on screaming his name...but I know he would never answer.

Then they just toss his body overboard...like he was nothing. He was just a pest that they just got rid of in such a horrible way. He was nothing to them...but he was something to me....

I couldn't help but just sit there and sob.

"What a shame." Tom spoke up, "He was so young don't you agree? Oh...your little brother I see....what a worthless big brother you are."

I just continue to sob.

Yes I was a worthless older brother.

I didn't protected him.

Then Tom lifted up my chin, "You had nothing left...just tell me where the mermaid is."

"I don't know where she is." I sniffled, "I don't know..."

"I found it hard to believe you."

"You just killed my brother...why...why would I lie to you."

"You love her don't you? The mermaid...so of course you will lie to protect her but you lose Mr. West. You lose them all."

Tears just continue to stream down my face.

He was right.

Then he back handed me again, "Worthless."

Then all of the men just disappear somewhere and I didn't care. It just left me to grieve for my dead brother...the only family I had....the only family I just lost when I should have protected him. Jake should have be alive, I'm the one that should be dead.

"Tyler." A voice just whisper out to me. I slowly raised my head and I saw Ceyla over the railing of the boat.

She just went over the railing with a low thud and came towards me and started to untie my bonds. "W-What are you doing here? You are going to be capture!"

"I don't care. I can't lose you to them."

Then she kissed my cheek, "I'm so sorry for your brother."

I slowly nod my head, "I just want to leave this place."

"I can sink the boat and let them drown for you...as revenge...and then...I can get your brother's body back...and we can do a proper funeral."

I gave a small smile at Ceyla's kindness, "Thank you."

"Of course. I love you...I will always love you." She kissed me on the lips. It was a small peck but the thought count. I then picked up Ceyla in a bridal style. I then headed to the railing to drop her in and for me to just jump in.

Before I could do that, a net just shot at us and trapped us. I tried to get the net off but it shocked us both. I screamed out but I wasn't going to let it stop me but I was tackled down. I was feeling dizzy and my vision blurred.

I felt hands ripping Ceyla away from me. I was holding her closely and tightly. Not going to lose another person to these monsters.

"Tyler! Tyler!" I heard Ceyla crying out for me. Then I heard some screams, "She bit me!"

"Monster!"

"Get them freakin apart you boneheads!"

Then I was hit with a boot at the side of my head. I was stunned and I felt Ceyla being pulled out of my grip. I lost her from my grip, I lost her to these monsters.

"No! No!" I mumble, wanting to scream but I was unable to for the love of my life.

I was still under the net but Ceyla was out...and in the hands of the hunters. I was getting my sense back as I heard the men laughing.

"I know it would have worked. Waiting for the mermaid to come to him...I knew she would come. It's love. People do stupid things out of love." Tom laughed.

"You monster! You fresh water!" Ceyla shouted. I then saw her in a cage that just magically appeared. Maybe it was hidden somewhere, I don't know...and I didn't care.

I struggle to my elbows. I was twisted so much in the net that it was hard to get up but I wasn't going to let that stop me from making sure that I wouldn't lose Ceyla. I can't lose her.

"Leave her alone!" I shouted.

Tom laughed as he bent down, "Awe...you do love her. She is a beauty, got to admit that, but we are hunters...so we don't care. You see...it's all about the money." Then he stepped on my back, forcing me down.

"W-Why? Why are you doing this?!" I snapped.

"Well you see...a mermaid had saved me...she didn't love me...only to mate with me and she did. Then she left me. I thought she was the love of my life but it was all a lie. Then I learn about everything...about these creatures and what they do. I also learned how much money I can get out of them. Skinning their scales, selling their tears and hair, making more mermaids to study. Once you had one...you have as many as you want! Then more money you will get."

"You are a cruel person! You'll pay for everything! You'll pay for everything! For my brother and for her!" I shouted, anger than ever.

Tom laughed, "Oh how am I going to pay? You? Oh you are going to make me pay for killing your brother and torturing your girlfriend."

Then everyone started to laugh at me mocking me.

Tom leaned down, getting closer to my face, "You see...you won't get your revenge. You can't get your revenge."

I struggle under Tom's foot, "I don't care what you do to me! I'm going to stop you!"

"Good luck with that."

Finding strengthen with my anger I shot right up, forcing Tom to the ground and getting untangle form the net. I kicked Tom down again as he was coming up. There were three guys facing me. Three man between me and Ceyla. They won't for long.

I just grabbed the net and threw it at them. The net wrapped around one and I shove him towards the railing. He went over and fell into the water with a loud splash. Two more...well...there with Tom but I didn't care for him, since he was on the ground stunned from my kick. I'm just going to get the people busy so I can just jump off this hell boat and swim off with Ceyla by my side. Then of course going back to get Jake's body back to do a proper and better funeral then just being thrown over like trash.

One man came up to me and threw his left first and I duck under it. I then ram my fist into his stomach as hard as I could. He double over and I brought my knee up and knee him to the face. Then I shove him towards the other guy.

One went over the railing but one stay on the boat. He got to his feet and ram his fist to my jaw and I stumble back.

"Tyler!" Ceyla cried out for me.

I simply wipe the blood from my broken nose. I didn't care...I'm going to cream these punks for killing my brother, capturing Ceyla...everything they have done to us and any other mermaid or human from the past.

The man came at me but I lean against the railing and kick up my feet and force him back. I used all of my strength to push him back, hopefully getting him over board. Successfully he did go over but he grabbed a hold of the railing, stopping him from going into the water. At least he is out of the way. Tom was struggling to get to his knees. So I better get the chance to escape with Ceyla.

So I went over to her cage and opened it, "Don't worry, Ceyla. We are going to get out of here."

She gave me a shakily smile as she wrap her arms around my neck to boost her up and I brought my other arm to pick up her tail.

This is it...we are going to escape, together. Away from these people and everything. I just wanted to be with Ceyla. We will live off somewhere in the ocean and have a family. We both love each other. Ceyla wasn't like the mermaid that saved Tom and used him. No, Ceyla loved me and wanted to be with me and I wanted to be with her. We love each other. Tom was wrong. Not every mermaid is like a Tom's mermaid.

Then I turned around to head on to my future when I felt a shooting pain in my side and feeling a twisting motion.

"Tyler!"

I coughed up blood as I felt myself be so weak...but looking at the twisted look of Tom.

I fell to the ground.

When I fell I saw the knife to my side, blood oozing out of me.

"Tyler! No!" Ceyla cried out as she cradling my body in her arms.

"I told you...you will never get your revenge." Tom laughed evilly.

Ceyla started to cry, her tears falling on my face, "Tyler..."

"I-I'm...I'm sorry."

I was losing my sight very quickly but I was going to fight the sleepiness...to say one last thing to her, "Ceyla....I'm sorry."

"It's okay...I won't blame you..." Ceyla stopped because she broke into tears.

"C-Ceyla...I....I will always love you."

Ceyla kiss the top of my head, "I will always love you."

Then men grabbed Ceyla and she started to scream and squirm, "No! No! Let me go! Please! No! Tyler! Tyler! TYLER!"

I couldn't see her through my blurry vision. I felt hands grabbed me and was about to throw my overboard.

"I will always love you Tyler! I will always love you!"

That was the last thing I heard from Ceyla, my love of my life who was going to be punish for the rest of her life. Something worse than death. I was thrown over board and the salty water swallowed me up. Only leaving me to darkness.

My Ceyla

My love

My Jake

My brother

I will always love you.........