"Parker?"
"Hey, Park, need you awake, man."
I moved a little in my bed, or at least began to. Pain jolted up my leg from my ankle, and my ribs smarted just as badly.
"There you are. Thought I'd have to kiss you to get you up."
"you and... your stupid... gay jokes, Oliver."
"You know it. Anyways, your roomie's outside, so you don't need to worry about him finding out."
"He's so dense, I doubt he'd figure it out even if I set up a huge flashing sign in our living room stating the obvious."
"Hey, guys, stating what obvious?" Jayson asked as he walked into the room.
I grumbled under my breath and let my good eye blink open.
"That you're the biggest dork I've ever met."
His brows rose into his messy bangs as he quirked a tired smile. Huh... his eyes were rimmed with dark circles and his complexion was pale.
"Are you okay?"
I tried to sit up, but my body just wouldn't have it.
"Yeah, you, on the other hand, look like someone painted you purple."
Oliver rolled his eyes as he picked up a big black bag.
Ah, his medical supplies.
"I'll just leave you two alone and go watch the mer."
"O-Oh! What happened earlier? I-I remember him dragging me around, but then I passed out."
Jayson chuckled a little, his shoulders rising and falling with the action while he got himself settled on the edge of my bed. He lifted his right hand toward me but then let it drop back down as he began to speak.
"Well, he definitely grabbed you and pulled you around the pool. You hit both rock formations, one got your cheek, the other hit your ribs."
Well, that explains why my chest hurts so badly and my face stings.
"I guess he hurt my ankle, too, since that's definitely not feeling so great."
"Yeah, Oliver checked it, though, and it's not broken. It's likely sprained pretty well so you need to stay off of it for a few days."
I snickered, getting a glare in response.
"You're just going to ignore him, of course."
"Of course. Um, so, did you guys get the mer's injuries treated?"
"Yeah. As he was pulling you around the pool, Oliver managed to get another dart in him, which is probably why he released you."
I nodded. That made sense.
"I dove in as soon as the mer began floating upward and pulled you out. Then, uh, CPR happened, but I'm not going into those details..."
He made a face, making my heart give an extra thump against my sore ribs. He had kissed me, and I hadn't even been awake for it.
"Anyways, Oliver and I got the mer out of the water once he changed back from the drugs. Oliver said he was likely closer to three hundred and fifty pounds, considering the amount of drugs he had to use, not the two fifty we had assumed. That's probably why the first shot didn't knock him out. When he swam to the bottom, he was likely just trying to get away from the possibility of being shot again."
I gave a slight nod before giving the prospect of sitting a second go. Thankfully, this time I was able to, with some help from Jayson.
"Okay, um, did you guys put the mer back in the water?"
"No. He's tied up against one of the support beams on the patio."
My eyes went wide, mouth opening to start talking, but Jay slapped his hand over it before I could get a word out.
"We haven't put him back because we can't treat his injuries very quickly if he keeps getting the bandages wet. Hell, he'd probably tear all the bindings off if he got the chance."
"True, so uh, has he shown any issues yet? I'd think he'd be dehydrating out of water fairly quickly..."
"Well, yes. He definitely needs water, but he keeps knocking away the watering pail when we try to give him some."
My face deadpanned. They had been trying to give him water with a spout from a stupid watering can?
"That's humiliating..."
"He probably doesn't even know the difference. And besides, it's not like we can untie him or use a glass. He bit you for god sakes."
"Yeah yeah, just help me get up, will you?"
Jayson grumbled but wrapped my left arm around his shoulders and got me to my feet. My legs were pretty shaky, but thankfully he took most of my weight as we gradually made our way to the kitchen.
"Hmm, so he hasn't drank anything you guys have offered yet?"
"No. We did turn the hose on so water could at least run past where he sat, so his legs could get wet."
"Okay, let's see..."
I opened the fridge, grinning when I saw a big grouper fillet.
"H-Hey, that's mine. That stuff's expensive."
Reaching in, I grabbed the package of fish and got busy unwrapping it.
"I'll buy you another."
"You already owe me twenty dollars and a dinner."
"Put it on my tab."
"Hmph."
I busied myself getting the fish cleaned and cut up, leaving the scales on since it seemed like the mer ate everything from what I could remember when I fed him on the beach. Except for the entrails, of course. It only took a few minutes to get the whole thing cut up into small chunks, giving me around twenty or so pieces.
"So... I've got an idea for a name."
"No."
"Wh-What? Why?"
His whining tone wasn't going to sway me. Not. At. All.
"Because." I turned, carrying the bowl I'd put the cut up fish in toward the patio doors.
"You named your oh-so-important research fish Bubbles, Sushi, Lunch, and Dinner."
"Aw, come oooon. Those are fish names."
"Yeah... one."
"Hmph, well, what do you want to name him then?"
I grabbed the sliding patio door and shoved it open, noticing the mer tied to the pole a few feet away immediately perk up from the sound. His nostrils flared seconds before he focused on the bowl in my hand.
"I think Callem would be good."
"Really, man? I can't name my fish Sushi, but you name your merman freaking Calamari?"
I flinched, trying to hide a grin as I sat down just out of reach of the mer.
"It's spelled differently."
"Oh, that changes everything. Hmph."
Glancing over my shoulder, I grumbled at him.
"Go shower or something. He's my mer, and I'll name him what I want."
I heard him stomp off, shutting the door and locking it. Too bad for him that Oliver opened it a moment later.
"Hey, are you gonna feed him?"
He sat down next to me, crossing his legs on the concrete. I didn't mind him watching, but the mer evidently did. He began hissing the second Oliver sat down, no longer interested in the food with him there.
"Um, you may want to just watch through the glass of the sliding door."
I knew he wanted to see it firsthand since he worked as the research institute's aquatic vet, but he obviously knew being there would probably just hinder feeding the creature.
"Alright, let me know if you need anything."
I nodded, then waited until the door clicked shut again.
"Alright, it's just you and me, Callem. Are you hungry?"
His hissing stopped when Oliver left, but he wasn't exactly smiling now, either.
"Well, you obviously want the fish."
Since his hands were tied up, along with just about the rest of him, I carefully scooted closer. When I was within a foot or so of him, I stopped and grabbed a piece of fish from the bowl. His gaze was glued to the small morsel as I raised it up and slowly brought it closer to his mouth. I knew better than to bring it to his lips, though. That would easily allow him to strike out and bite me instead of the fish.
"You need to lean forward and take it. I'm not going to start collecting bites from you, Callem."
After a few minutes of staring at the piece of meat in my hand, he hesitantly leaned closer, teeth just barely able to grasp the food. The second he had it in his mouth, he leaned back, baring his teeth in warning to me.
"Haha, don't worry, Cal. I'm not interested in eating any of your food."
What I was interested in, however, was the amazing chance to be able to watch a mer eat up close without the chance of being killed. My inner scientist wanted to grab a clipboard or laptop and just go insane with writing notes, but I knew that moving would likely freak him out. I began to zone out a bit, lost in thoughts I so desperately wanted to write down. What brought my attention back, though, was a deep bark that sounded something close to what a large seal would make. Blinking, I looked at the mer, who immediately looked from my eyes to the bowl and back.
"O-Oh, you want another piece of fish?"
He barked again, but this time it was much quieter, as if he was trying to goad me into giving him another piece of the grouper.
"Okay, here..."
I reached down and got him a big piece, then carefully offered it to him. This time, when he leaned forward, he was much less hesitant. In fact, he snapped the piece up without delay.
Hmmm...
When he was just about finished with it, I calmly lowered my eyes to the bowl and waited. If he was going to be there, we might as well learn as much as we could from him before he was released. The left side of my mouth quirked up when, not a minute later, he made another barking-arf sound. I looked up, and sure enough, his eyes met mine, then dropped to the bowl of fish in my lap.
"Fish?"
He licked his lips, and I nodded, giving him a small piece this time. My attention went straight back to the bowl, waiting for the bark that came moments later. Repetition was something extremely important when training an animal, and while I had no intention of getting him to the point of understanding English, I did want him to be able to ask for simple things or get our attention without being aggressive. When I looked up, he nodded toward the bowl.
Wait. What?
I slowly grabbed another piece of fish and nodded toward it. He mirrored my action and licked his lips again.
Okay... that was scary. He picked up that signal almost immediately.
Straightening a little, I held the piece of fish up.
"Fish?"
He nodded again, making my belly squirm with excitement. I quickly gave him the fish, then another right away. The look on his face showed a bit of confusion when he got two, but it was easily pushed aside for excitement, no doubt because he got two pieces of fish instead of just the one he had been expecting. The moment he had finished them, the response was immediate. He nodded... and nodded, and nodded! It was actually kinda cute, in a vicious, 'I could kill you if you got a little closer' sort of way.
When he added a bark to the nodding, I let a quiet laugh slip through my lips and grabbed the last few pieces of fish, cupping them in my hand. His gaze was glued on the pile, and when I lifted my hands closer to him, he quickly leaned forward and took a piece. I kept my hands up so he could finish eating, but what I wasn't expecting once the fish ran out was for him to begin lapping at my palms. I guess it made sense, though, since there had just been fish on them. But then why did he suddenly raise his gaze to meet my own, staring as he continued to lick at my skin with his rough tongue?
He's got gorgeous eyes. They actually look like they're moving. Purple and blue waves crashing around a pitch-black pupil.
I felt him begin to nuzzle my right palm, then sniff a few times... right before an abrupt sharp pain snapped me out of my daze.
"N-Nn!"
Blood began to well up on my palm, then slowly dribble over the edge to pool on the concrete. My instincts told me to yank my hand away, but I knew that was the last thing I should do with a wild animal. It would just cause them to tighten their hold, and if I did manage to pull free, I'd just cause more damage than it was worth.
"Callem...?"
He blinked twice, then looked up with a quiet growl. This time, however, when our eyes met, his narrowed. Err... did he think I was challenging him now? I quickly averted my gaze, looking over at the glass door to see Oliver standing there looking worried. Jayson was right behind him and looked about ready to run outside, but I flashed them a slight smile, hopefully silently telling them that I was okay.
It took a minute or two before the merman finally released my hand. I quickly scooted away, then stood up, getting a hiss from him but deciding to ignore it for the moment. Right then, I needed my hand tended to. Oliver grabbed my elbow as soon as I stepped into the house while Jayson wrapped my hand in a towel to keep blood from getting everywhere. Then I was whisked off to the kitchen sink and had to stand there and deal with Oliver scrubbing my wound and then, stitches. I hated stitches.
"I-I should have known not to do that," I grumbled, trying to keep my mind focused on something besides the needle being threaded through my skin.
"Yeah... that wasn't exactly smart."
"Always the voice of reason, Olive."
"Don't you mean logic?"
"Hah! No. That's me."
Oliver gave my hand a tug, making me squeak as I turned my head to glare at him.
"All done, again. Now then, I would appreciate it if you kept your hand out of mer-mouths for a while, 'kay? I'm gonna go home and crash, just give me a call the next time you almost get yourself killed."
"A-Aren't you gonna keep treating him?"
Olive smirked and patted my shoulder.
"Yes, but I'm sure you'll manage to hurt yourself again long before he needs his bandages changed."
Oh the bastard! I know the mer needs his bandages changed tomorrow.
The front door slammed a minute later before I heard Oliver's truck backing away from the house.
Well, guess that is that for now.
"Hey, you hungry, Park?"
Err, hadn't realized Jayson was still in the kitchen, and evidently he'd already gotten down a pot and some stuff.
"Oh, yeah. I owe you dinner so I'llâ"
"Yeah, right. So you'll what, bleed in our food? Go sit down on the couch. You can cook when you aren't broken."
I rolled my eyes, but he had a point. My left hand was definitely not going to be used much anytime soon except for simple things. So, I did as told and dropped onto the beige recliner.
"Mmmm, feels good to sit down."
Leaning my head back, I was just about to close my eyes when I heard a muffled bark from outside.
Darn it, we don't have any more fish.
Sitting up, I glanced over toward the sliding glass doors, only to find a set of gorgeous purplish blue eyes staring back at me. He seemed to be able to see me through the glass because as soon as our eyes locked, he looked over at the hose, then back to me with a nod.
Oh man, is he actually asking for a drink?
"U-Uh..."
"Just ignore him for now, you really need to relax for a bit, or your injuries could get worse."
When I didn't move, Callem gave another bark, this time louder.
"If I ignore him, the neighbors are going to get suspicious. I think he just wants water."
Jay walked over to me while wiping his hands on a damp dish towel.
"How the hell is he telling you he wants water? He wouldn't take any from us earlier."
"Well, uh, when I was feeding him earlier, he nodded after I did, and I gave him a piece of fish. Then, each time he wanted one, he nodded at the bowl. Now look at what he's doing."
Jayson watched quietly as the mer looked down at the hose again, then back to me with a nod. When I didn't respond, he did it again, and again. Then barked another 'arf'.
"Shit. He's learning..."
"Dangerously fast, yes."
"I'll go give him some water. I don't have to get close so I won't get hurt."
Jay looked down at me with hesitation but eventually nodded.
"I know he doesn't like Oliver or me much since he's always hissing at us, but seriously man, be careful, okay?"
"Yeah yeah, I know."
Getting up, I sauntered over to the door and was just reaching for the handle when Jay's arm gently wrapped around my sore waist.
"I'm serious, Park. If he hurts you again, I'm going to call the research center."
My blood chilled at his tone. Knowing it all too well. He wasn't joking or lying. He would tell them if I messed up again... and they would take Callem away to die in a lab.
"I-I will be careful. He won't hurt me again."
Jayson was quiet for a moment before releasing my waist and silently walking back to the kitchen. I wasn't too sure what that sudden tenseness was about, but I needed to take care of Callem first. I could worry about Jay later. Stepping outside, I slid the door mostly shut before walking over and squatting down to grab the hose in my right hand.
"Hey there, Callem. Is this what you want?"
He nodded and licked his lips, making me grin as I carefully moved the hose so that it was close enough for him to drink from. Callem quickly lapped at the water eagerly. At first I thought he was just drinking, but then I noticed dark slits were opening along his neck and water was running through them.
H-He's flushing out his gills!
The other set I had seen when at the beach were also partially open, draining the rest of the water he was taking in that the upper ones had missed.
"Wow..."
I wanted so badly to reach out and gently run my fingers along those amazing machines. That's what they truly were, machines. Gills were one of the most interesting things I had ever had the pleasure of studying, and seeing them used so close by something so incredible had me flabbergasted. I really needed to stop spacing out, though. He was staring at me now, having already done what he wished with the water.
"O-Oh, um, is that all you need, Callem?" I asked as I gently set the hose down so it could continue to run against his legs like it had been before. When he didn't respond, I slowly got to my feet and headed for the door. Dinner would be ready and man was I starvâ
"Callem."
Wh-What did he justâ