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Chained
“What in the world is that?!”
“Look at the size of it!”
“Move it! You’re blocking the way, knucklehead!”
Excited chatter echoed throughout the crew, the source of the commotion completely blocked by the bodies huddled around it.
“Jack, you gotta come see this! C’mon!”
Jack was a young man of average height, with tanned dark skin and short, curly black hair. He slowly got out of bed, having been rudely interrupted during his morning sleep by his shipmate. Whatever this thing was had better have been good.
Jack and his shipmate Oliver - a black cat of similar size and build - made their way to to the deck, where the rest of the crew were gathered into a giant mass of bodies. Jack had trouble finding what exactly they were looking at.
“What is it? A bunch of grown men in a drunken stupor?”
“Just wait a moment, they’ll lower it soon.”
The cat proved to be correct as the fishing net was lowered onto the main deck. Here, Jack finally saw it. Something he couldn’t explain for all his life.
Inside the net, sitting on top of a mound of fish, was a blue bodied creature of human size. It had a large, finned tail and a collar of frills not unlike a snake. On its head were three large fins on the sides and center. Jack was already blown away by this, but upon further inspection, the creature appeared to be a woman!
“Woah! Liv, what is that thing?”
“Who knows? Must be a siren or mermaid or some other creature of the sea.”
The creature thrashed around in the net, lunging and hissing at each sailor that tried to get close, leading them to flinch backward, laughing. Jack saw her face. Her eyes were frenzied and desperate, and her fangs were bared in any attempt to scare off the people near the net.
“She’s a cute one, isn’t she?”
“Got a nice rack on her- haha!”
Jack watched with growing disconcertion as his shipmates were seemingly oblivious to the creature’s anger, merely ogling at her appearance. A sinking feeling appeared in his throat as a sound stuck between a cat’s yowl and a siren’s screech broke through the salty air. The crew all stumbled backward, startled by this display.
“Feisty little thing, eh?”
“Some kinda sea monster…?”
“Alright, that’s enough!”
Jack watched as the ship’s captain - a clean, older man in his thirties - walked through the sea of men to the net, though he remained far enough to avoid contact with the creature.
“Emil, get the chains! And go unlock the unused cargo hold while you’re at it…”
The shipmate in question promptly rushed off. He was seemingly gone and back in a matter of minutes, returning with a large pair of shackles, which were connected by a chain that rattled in his hands.
If the creature wasn’t upset before, she was certainly upset now. Watching the chain rattle and clink against itself, her eyes widened, and her hisses and spits reached a height. With every step the young man took, her resistance grew more fierce, more desperate, until…
“RAAAORRRW!”
With a yowl, she clawed through the net she was entrapped in, landing on the deck on top of a pile of fish.
“WOAH, WHAT THE-“
“Oh nah, not like this…!”
“Someone gut this damn fish already!”
The creature was free. Though she stood on two legs, her stance was feral, her arms out showing claws that could rip through a grown man’s flesh as if it were paper. Her finned tail lashed left and right as her gaze darted around to ensure nobody left her sight.
Emil flinched, jumping backward as the creature set her eyes on him. Her eyes narrowed, though her pupils remained two sharp lines. She growled, her snout curling and baring her fangs. Just as she looked as if she might pounce on him and rip him to shreds, the captain stepped forward, causing her to snap her gaze to him, spitting.
“Relax, girl. I’m just here to give you a little gift…”
The captain stepped forward slowly, his arm extended. Though the creature was still aggressive, she was slightly calmed at his steady and gentle approach. Her breathing slowed, her fangs bared still, but her snout uncurling. For a moment, she appeared docile.
“Shh… just calm down…”
Her tenseness dissipated. Taking deep breaths, the creature relaxed. She lifted her tail, letting its tip rest on the captain’s hand. Time seemed to slow as the two looked at each other. All was at peace…
“NOW!”
Yelling out the command, the captain grabbed the creature’s tail with both hands, yanking it away and keeping it in place.
A sudden yowl pierced the air as the creature’s defenses whirred to life again. Her aggression renewed tenfold, as she unsheathed her claws, trying to pull her tail away from the man’s grip.
Her arms rushed forward, ready to tear his skin, yet- something stopped them.
“Raaorrr?!”
The creature yelped in confusion as she found her arms pinned to her sides by a thin rope, which had shot at her back and wrapped around her body. Her face changed from rage to terror, as she realized she was defenseless. Struggling to remove them, she forgot all about her surroundings. All she felt was pain as she was tackled to the floor, a hand shoving her face into the wood of the deck.
“Cuffs, now!”
Emil hesitated for a moment, only to rush forward and place one cuff around the neck of the creature.
Jack watched in horror at the scene in front of him. Clearly, this was a dangerous creature, but even still…
As he gazed upon her face, he could see little tears forming in the corners of her eyes, her expression one of dread, like a pet cowering from its abusive owner.
“This… this is wrong…”
“What was that?”
Jack turned to Oliver. “They’re hurting her…!”
The pair stood by as the creature was let up. She stumbled to her feet, her arms still pinned to her sides. The captain pulled her forward by the chain attached to her collar, causing her to let out a whine as she tried to resist.
“What are you worried about, Jack? They’ve got it contained, now.”
Her resistance only grew more spirited as several men gathered to pull her forward. All she could do was tug backward, though it was a losing battle. She was pulled across the deck, squirming and whining, her gaze panicked.
“Bring her to the hold. We’ll keep her there.”
“Yes, sir!”
Oliver tugged at Jack’s sleeve.
“C’mon, Jack, it’s over now. Sorry for waking you up, let’s get you back to be-“
“No.”
The black cat hesitated. Before he could register Jack’s curt refusal, the young man was already heading towards the hold. Though he tried to call out to his friend, Oliver could not reach him.
Jack stormed over to the hold, quickly running down the stairs. He arrived to find a small crowd watching their shipmate attempting to pull the loose shackle over to a support beam, to ensure that the creature would remain trapped there. It seemed his time was limited, however, as the creature was writhing in place, attempting to break free of the ropes subduing her.
Just as he had clamped the shackle around the beam, the creature snapped the ropes with her strength and lunged at him. Like a dangerous game of tag, the crewmate was forced to find a route to best avoid being caught, barely escaping the razor sharp claws of the creature’s advance.
As the young man watched this display, he couldn’t help but feel something turn within him. The creature lunged and hissed, viciously attempting to tear herself away and attack, but all Jack could see was that she was afraid.
“That’s that.”
The captain snickered, nodding with satisfaction at his new catch. Whatever this thing was, he would get to the bottom of it.
Jack snapped to attention as he heard the captain announce to the crowd that a keeper would be required to ensure she stays fed and kept in the hold. His heart fluttered as he saw his crew hesitate, none with the will to undergo the task.
“I will take care of her.”
The crew all looked at him, amused that a younger man would be so confident in his abilities yet relieved they wouldn’t have to take up the job themselves. The captain spoke up.
“You sure about that, bud? That creature has to be nearly twice your size!” He laughed.
“I mean it. I’m going to do it.”
“Heh, if you insist… alright men, come on! We’ve got fish to store! Can’t let them rot in the sun!”
Jack stood there as the crowd funneled up the stairs. He was alone. Alone, save for the blue sea creature sitting in the corner. He turned to her, and her head fins spiked up, looking at him with distrust and contempt. Though she was shaped like a human woman, her stance was that of a cat perched on a pillar, her tail wrapped around her front paws.
She looked away, swaying ever so slightly as her tail flicked. Getting up, she gently walked on all fours to sit in the dark corner, seemingly trying to hide herself, and shut out any vision of Jack in her mind.
Jack was lost. She was safe now, at least safer than she would have been with anyone else… but what was he supposed to do?
“Hey.”
He spoke up. The creature did not respond.
“…I’m really, really sorry for what they did to you.”
Silence again.
“…are you okay?”
This time he was met with a low growl.
Jack sighed, unable to figure out what to do. He laid down. It was time for him to get back to bed anyway. Shooting one last glance at the sea creature, he felt his body fall into a deep sleep, where his conciousness followed.
…
Clink. Clink. The sound of chains moving against chains cut through the crisp night air, contrasting the gentle white noise of the endless blue expanse.
Jack stirred in his sleep. Whatever woke him, he paid no mind, though the shape in front of him piqued his interest enough to let his eyes slowly open.
A black humanoid figure lunged and lashed out in the darkness. Though Jack should have been afraid, his drowsiness led him to believe it a dream.
The figure writhed and darted about, seemingly held back by its own force. But as Jack slowly came to his senses, he could make out a pair of arms reaching to what would be a collar. Pulling and pulling, lunging and tugging…
It was the sea creature. She was trying to escape! Jack’s eyes flew open, and in a moment’s notice, he was ready to jump to his feet, to action, but…
The movement ceased. Like Jack, the creature laid still. Standing there, like a haunting image of the night, all was silent.
She lowered herself. Not with care for herself or the ground below her, but a collapse. She sat on all fours, her tail wrapped around herself again.
The young man laid there, his being stricken with confusion yet not the desire to reveal his presence by moving. The flat boards of the hold gently supported his head, allowing him to stare intently forward, capturing every detail of the still, silent scene.
She lowered her head. Even though time seemed frozen in the moment, Jack could detect slight movement…
Shaking.
Though she sat still, her body vibrated and convulsed. In the darkness of the cabin, he couldn’t see what was wrong, but as she gently lifted her head to look out the window, the moon shining on her face, he saw her true self. Tears streamed down her cheeks, eyes showing a muted, miserable acceptance.
He understood then, more than ever, where she truly belonged.
“…hey.”
She flinched violently, throwing herself backwards to face him and instinctively hissing. However, he didn’t react. He remained still, before moving up to a sitting position. His eyes were dull and mournful as hers were. He struggled to look at her.
“…you don’t deserve this…”
He thought he could feel a tension ease. The creature sat back down, organizing herself. Jack took a shakey breath.
“I don’t know what to do…”
She raised her head.
“You’ve already suffered so much…”
Her head tilted, her face softening.
“I just want you to be free… I want them to let you go… you don’t belong here.”
He felt a warmth at his eyes. Little drops, salty as the sea, trickled down his face the way they did hers. He began to take deep, shaking breaths, choking back his full sorrow.
“I-I’m so sorry…”
Silence. All he could sense were the tears leaving his eyes. At this moment, he thought, he realized there was no getting through to her… she was a wild animal. She belonged in the sea, not trapped onboard this… prison…
A new warmth spread across his face. He snapped to attention, beckoning his eyes towards the side of his face.
The creature sat, nearly touching him. Her mouth opened to reveal a rough, sandpapery tongue. It gently caressed his face, wiping his tears away.
He didn’t know what to say, what to do. All seemed still, though he heard the sound and felt the sensation of the creature’s tongue licking away his tears.
After a moment, Jack let out a deep exhale, letting the creature do what she wished. It was only fair. He reached his hand out to touch her face, only for her to recoil and quickly run away… though she turned around immediately, looking at him and blinking slowly… no hissing.
He smiled, not pushing his affection further. She wasn’t just an animal, it seemed…
He smiled to himself. Maybe… maybe there was a chance, after all… He told himself as he laid down. I’ll find out in the morning… in the morning…
…
“Jack, son, come on. Wake up.”
Jack stirred.
“Let’s go, we don’t have much time in here, it’ll wake up any moment!”
“Hm…?”
He got up, looking at the man standing over him.
The captain frowned, impatiently scowling down at Jack.
“You’ve got 5 seconds to get your lazy behind up and out of this room. Come on.”
Jack rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stood up. Standing over him was the intimidating and impressively built captain, ushering him to get up. As he finally did what he was told, he shot a glance at the creature. Asleep, thankfully.
“Your captain asks you to rise, boy, you say how high…”
The captain muttered to himself as he yanked Jack by the ear and shoved him towards the stairs. Too tired to fight back, Jack simply followed his captain’s orders.
“Let’s head to my quarters. I need to speak with you. Big, grown up stuff.”
Jack rolled his eyes as he did so, making his way across the deck and towards the captain’s chamber. The sun stung his eyes, as he was forced to grow accustomed to it.
He looked around. It seemed as if several of his fellow fishermen were hurriedly whispering, as if spreading an information virus, caught only when they sensed him.
The captain dragged him all the way over to a furnished, baroque-style door, behind which lie a comfortable and handsome room, fit only for the most pampered of the ship.
“Sit down, son.”
Jack did so, resting on a stylish wooden chair just across the table from the captain’s.
“What’s this about, sir?”
“You know full well what this is about. You’re aware that that… thing, it’s not normal.”
Jack gulped away his vitriol at the description. “Mm, y-yes, sir.”
The captain smiled, and turned around to fetch a book off a shelf. He slammed it on the table, revealing its cover.
Compendium of Nautical Threats and Beauties.
“Go ahead. Open it.”
“U-um…?”
“Page 67.”
Jack pulled open the heavy book to the requested page. Drawn in front of him, was a blue, cat-like creature. On its neck was a collar of frills. Its head held three fins, and its tail resembled that of a dolphin. Jack read the name aloud.
“Vaporeon.”
The captain nodded with a smile.
“You might have noticed that there aren’t any-“ The captain made a squeezing motion with his two hands. “On it.”
Jack curled his lip. “Yeah, so?”
The captain ignored Jack’s disgust. “Looks like we got ourselves a freak~”
“What?!”
“Son, this type of animal doesn’t come around easy. Tell me, does that page say anything about vaporeon that look like humans?”
“N-no, sir-“
He slammed the table, pointing at Jack.
“And THAT’S the ticket. What do you think the world would say if we brought home a freak like that?”
“…”
“Heh, not too far off. But fame’s not what we want… imagine, the loads of fresh dosh we could get, see how one of those meek little science boys would react, seeing such a beauty!”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying we’re going on vacation!”
“Huh?!”
“You think we’re gonna need to do any more of this crap once we’re done with her? No! Listen- I’m tired, you’re tired, let’s face it- we’re done working for pennies.”
Jack went silent. He… wanted to… sell her? The very thought made his skin crawl.
He grit his teeth. “That’s- I-I don’t even know what to say…”
“Then I’ll say it for you. You take care of this little vaporeon, and you pocket a nice little chunk of the reward, yourself! Get you a boat of your own, hm? How’s that sound?”
Jack looked at him with a conflict within him of both disgust and confusion. The captain seemed genuine: he really did want what was best for all of his men. But… was toying with a life like this worth it…?
“N-no, sir.”
“Eh?”
“I said no. I-I can’t.”
“Why not?? Imagine what you could do with that money!”
“I know, but I-“
“I am HANDING this to you. Listen, you’re not turning this down if you have any sense.”
“…”
“Capt-“
“Sir!”
Jack was interrupted just in time. He looked to his left to see one of his fellow shipmates standing in the door. He seemed concerned.
“What the? Now what in the world are you interrupting me for?”
“Sorry, sir, it’s just, the creature! I-it won’t eat, no matter what we throw at it!”
The captain groaned. “At this rate, we won’t have a vaporeon to sell…” He gave Jack a stern look. “Now you better get going and take care of it. I don’t know what’s going through your head, boy, but work it out!”
Jack sheepishly nodded. This was a good opportunity for him, anyway. He happily followed his shipmate back to the hold, preparing for what he might have to do.
The vaporeon was still there. She faced away from the door, her finned tail lashing with frustration, and her head drooped. Jack hadn’t seemed to notice the fish that had been left around the room since the day previous, likely given when she was first put into the room. They remained uneaten, despite obviously being within her diet.
Jack flinched as his shipmate threw another fish, which landed on her back with a wet slap, and slid off to land on the floor.
“Can you just- leave.”
“What?”
“I said, leave. Scram. Get out of here.”
His shipmate scurried away, up and out of the hold. Jack was alone with the creature. Now, how to get her to eat…?
He was lost in thought. At first, he stared at her, thinking of how scared and hungry she must be, silently lamenting about how she just would not eat. Then, he looked down at the floor, unable to face her. Every moment she remained chained up, he was failing her. It made him feel sick to his stomach.
His thoughts were interrupted by a shift in movement. Just as he raised his head, a fish plopped to the floor in front of him. He looked up, seeing the vaporeon staring at him and the fish, a second in front of herself. Had she…?
He couldn’t eat it raw… could he? He lifted the fish up, the vaporeon still staring at him. He gulped, looking at his meal like a live pest he didn’t know how to handle. Eventually, he caved in, and took a hearty bite of the animal.
Just as he seemed to do this, the vaporeon leaned down and began eating her own fish. Jack looked in awe. Truly? He watched her eat, seeing her shooting almost… concerned glances at him. It seemed, almost, that she was just as worried to see him eat as he was for her. Jack eased her worries at his own expense, digging into the fish best he could. Only then, did she truly eat.
The two ate together, relishing in the meal. Though it was not particularly nutritious or filling, and neither did it taste particularly well, the pair were simply content to eat at all. The vaporeon especially.
After Jack had finished, he looked up. She had long been done, in fact having consumed three fish, rather than one. She stared at him blankly, before giving him a slow blink. He returned it, before laying down again. In the silence of the hold, his mind couldn’t help but wander.
What was he supposed to think? Was this truly the right thing? Who was he to deprive such an opportunity from himself? From everyone on the ship? How could he truly trust his instincts? Wou-
His thoughts stopped as he felt a repeated pressure in his torso. He looked up, and saw the vaporeon… kneading him. Her paws dug into his torso in a massage, and she stared straight down to her target. What was she doing?
He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself, instead holding his hand out to touch her cheek. She recoiled violently, shaking, before slowly swaying and mushing her cheek against his palm.
It was at this moment his mind was made. This girl deserved to be free, no matter what riches must be sacrificed.
…
Jack watched as the afternoon sun turned to an evening sunset, before disappearing entirely to a quiet night. He sensed the noise of the ship dying down as everyone made their way to bed, save for himself and a few night guard.
He looked to the vaporeon, who stared back at him curiously. He held out his hand, letting her rest her paw, before giving it a reassuring squeeze. Now he knew what to do.
In darkness, he slipped out of the hold. Focused, he turned the corner, and made his way to the main storage room, just under the captain’s quarters. The boards creaked under his feet, seemingly louder than ever before. He paid them no mind as he arrived at the storage room door.
“And what are you snooping around for this late?”
Jack tensed as he faced the familiar voice of his shipmate, Oliver.
“Hm? Oh, right- could you be so kind and tell me where the captain keeps the key to the chains?”
Oliver tilted his head. “Why?”
“Sorry, it’s just, that creature looks fit to burst any minute now, and I don’t want her soiling the cargo.”
“Hahaha! Right, right. It’s just in there, right shelf in the back. Hurry before you have to grab some towels, too!” Oliver laughed as he walked away.
That was close. For now, he had to hurry. He rushed inside, looking for the shelf Oliver mentioned. There, he found it. A silver, shining key, begging for him to take it. He held it in his hand.
“Do the right thing.”
Almost sprinting out of the room, Jack burst through the hold, finding the vaporeon, who looked up at him with a startled and confused face. He stormed over to her, causing her to back away in fear. She recoiled as he jabbed something at her throat, only to hear a click, and feel the tightness around her neck disappear. She stopped, looking at the chains in awe, now free from their imprisonment. Her gaze moved to Jack, who was deadly focused, but she couldn’t help but see stars.
“Come on, let’s go.”
He got up and started walking out. He stopped at the stairs, looking behind him.
“Come on, now! We have to go!”
She simply stood. In that moment, silhouetted in the moonlight, Jack saw her full figure for the first time. She was tall, with a frame that suggested a strength much greater than her physique showed. She walked forward with a gentle elegance, her large, finned tail swaying behind her with every step. Jack could do nothing but stand there as she approached, tilting her head down to look at him face to face.
“What are you…?”
She placed her paws on his cheeks, and pressed her muzzle to his lips.
“Mm?!”
Jack was caught entirely off guard, but an arm wrapped around his back and held him in place. He tasted fish, though that couldn’t compare to the light, fluttery feeling in his stomach. The vaporeon deepened the kiss, showing him deep love and affection. He didn’t know if she fully understood, but whatever she did, she was grateful. For this, he was fulfilled, and accepted the kiss, the two passionately lovemaking in the moonlight.
The vaporeon broke the kiss with a smile, and life in her eyes he hadn’t seen before.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
He grabbed her paw, and led her outside.
The night air was crisp and frigid. It pierced Jack like a cold dagger, as he had only seemed to notice it now. Perhaps it was leaving the warm embrace of someone who needed him. Or maybe it was his fear. Fear of abandoning people he had spent time with. Of throwing everything they worked for into the sea. Figuratively… and literally.
He clenched his fist. No. He was doing the right thing. He squeezed the vaporeon’s paw one more time, before leading her across the ship, making sure he was unnoticed. Luckily for him, her feline traits allowed them an easy passage, bringing them to the edge without issue.
Jack turned to her, looking into her eyes. She met his gaze gently.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again…”
She tilted her head.
“…I can live with that. All that matters is that you’re free, now.”
She smiled, bringing their foreheads together in an embrace, before pulling back to yet again look into his eyes. For a moment, they stood there, basking in their last moments together. The vaporeon sighed, opened her mouth, and drew breath, before-
“BOY, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?!”
They both flinched in terror. Standing before them, covered in darkness save for a single lamp in his hand, was the captain. He had a stern, yet confused and worried look on his face. His leg came forward as he began to walk closer.
“Go, NOW!”
The vaporeon looked at Jack, her initial, instinctual fear of the captain morphing into concern. She hesitated, staring at Jack with some kind of uncertainty… a fear, not for herself.
“I’ll be fine! It’s okay! Just go, get out of here!”
The captain walked closer, hand outstretched.
“H-hey now, it’s dangerous on the edge! Don’t do anything hasty!”
The vaporeon got up on the edge.
“Don’t you dare!! Don’t even think about-“
With one final glance of melancholic gratitude, she jumped off the ship. All that was heard was a splash.
“…”
“…”
“What. Did you. Do.”
Jack knew there was nothing he could say. He hissed as he took a deep breath through his nose, and let it out gently, staring his captain in the face with terror, yet a sliver of gall.
“Do you… have any IDEA what you just cost us?!”
A firm, furious hand gripped Jack’s collar and hoisted him into the air.
“EVERY one of us could’ve lived in luxury the rest of our lives! Even-“
His grip trembled.
“Even you…”
Jack trembled as he was thrown to the side, his captain not bearing to even look at him.
“Why did you do that…? Why, boy…?”
Dozens of footsteps creaked and bent the floorboards. Jack’s heart sank as he saw the entire crew surrounding the two, with Oliver at the front, having a clear view of them. He didn’t even know what to say. It was too late, anyway. He made his decision.
“I… I just…”
“You just what?”
Jack looked up to Oliver, who had stepped forward. His ears were back, and his tail twitched spitefully.
“What’s wrong with you?!”
Nothing could have rang through his ears so much. His friend’s voice echoed, bouncing off the edges of his brain.
“You just threw away our futures! What happened to us?! When did some sea monster become more important than all your friends, huh?!”
“She’s not a sea monster, she’s-!”
“SHUT UP!”
Another man silenced Jack, shouting and punching him in the face.
He landed hard on the wood, dazed. The sounds of rage and contempt echoed all around him, though they fell on deaf ears. All he could do was stumble to his feet, confused, before yet another man grabbed him and shoved him to the ground again.
“You see, boy? This is what you chose.”
The captain’s voice cut through the air and pierced into his ears, somehow the only thing he could hear. Even when a foot came crashing down into his face, he remained conscious enough to hear him.
“They’re angry. Angry for the life you just stole from them.”
Jack’s ears were ringing at this point. He didn’t even fight back when he felt a swift and painful jab into his side, a kick that sent him rolling over across the boards… followed by a hunk of spit that another man launched to land square on his chest.
“That’s enough.”
The captain parted the crowd, lifting a dazed Jack up.
“Let’s deal with the little twerp.”
All he could feel was footsteps. He had long stopped fighting back, so he simply remained in a daze. That lasted all but a few seconds when his feet hit the ground hard, and he found himself facing away from the open ocean. Only then did he awake, and look to his captain in fear.
“W-wait, you’re not going to…!”
“Jack… words can’t describe my disappointment.”
“…”
“I thought you were a good boy, you did as you were told… nothing more.”
“…I-I…”
“Don’t speak.” The captain took a step forward, grabbing him again. “If you throw your lot in with the sea, then the sea you’ll GO!”
The word “go” bounded across the deck and into the ocean, the weight of the word realized by Jack’s realization that he was no longer on the ship. Time seemed to freeze. He found himself floating above the waves. Then falling. And eventually, he crashed through the surface.
“Mrnbl?!”
Only here did he find himself again, the cold water bringing him to his senses, as much as he seemed to want to ignore them. He kicked and clawed his way to the surface, gasping as he breached it again. There, he watched in horror as the ship moved on without him.
“No! NO! W-WAIT!”
It didn’t stop.
“STOP! PULL ME OUT!”
A figure looked down at him from the edge. Its face was full of spite, but it was marked with two pointy ears.
“OLIVER! HE- blrblglubl!”
His screams for help were drowned as a wave cascaded over him.
“Glk-! Cough cough! Geh! Oliver! Please! Plea- blubrblm!”
Yet another wave crashed into him, silencing his cries for help. He thrashed and fought, but all that was left was a hand, reaching out for help that would never come. He sank, despite his best efforts to swim. Deeper and deeper, a trail of bubbles marking his descent.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t fight forever. Air bursted from his lips, desperate to leave his lungs and race for the surface. Silvery bubbles were his only sign for help, gently popping on the distant surface. But it was for nothing. No one could save him, now. No one would.
His lungs didn’t even fight when they were met with the cold seawater. Why fight it? Why fight it, he thought, no, his body felt, as he took in water. No use trying now. You made your choice.
You made your choice.
All he could sense as he lost himself for the last time where a quiet whimper, and the sound of something moving in the water.
…
The waves washed against the shore in a song of white noise. The night sky was only just breaking away as the first shreds of sunlight crept across the sand. There was no sound, save for the sea, and the seagulls crying.
A violent cough pierced through the air. A curly haired man shot up from laying in the sand, expelling lungfuls of water. He gasped the salty air greedily, getting his bearings.
He looked around. Where… was he? Last he remembered, he wasn’t on a beach… All he could do was stare out into the horizon, trying to remember…
“Good morning~”
A seductive, gentle voice met his ears. He quickly turned his head to the sound, only to recoil in surprise.
A woman, with a blue body and long, finned tail sat next to him. Her face showed a warmth that could be felt in the air, one that was only matched by his relief. And yet, he was still surprised.
“Since when could you talk??”
“Since always, handsome boy~”
“Uh… so… why didn’t you…?”
“Would you want to talk to a bunch of crazy sea creatures holding you captive?”
“I… I guess not, but… hm. Yeah, I guess they wouldn’t have just let you go if you asked nicely, heh~”
The vaporeon laughed gently. She scooted over, holding Jack in her arms.
“So, now that all that’s over with, why don’t we get a little closer, hm~?”
“You mean like, names?”
Jack was met with a purr in response.
“W-well… my name’s Jack.”
“Well, Jack, my name’s Katariah. Thank you, dear, for saving me. You’re a good, kind human~”
“A-ah, ahehe, t-thanks. And, you know, thank you for saving me, too. I’m guessing that’s why I woke up on a beach…”
Katariah chirped in response. “Mhm~! And, it’s only fair. What kind of person would I be if I just let you drown after everything you did for me? Especially something so easy, compared to… all that you had to go through…”
Jack sensed… what felt like guilt. He rubbed her shoulder.
“Hey now, it was all to do the right thing.”
Katariah looked up at him again. She found herself lost in Jack’s eyes, as Jack did the same in hers. Slowly, as if working as one, the two moved closer, and kissed once again.
It was a deep and passionate kiss, one showing all the love and gratitude of a life repaid. There was no greater bond between species than trusting each other with their lives. It was this bond that Jack and Katariah now shared, and as long as they knew each other, that would not be broken.
“Mmm~”
“Mm…”
The two broke the kiss, yet again exchanging gazes. Neither of them knew what to say. But… perhaps they needn’t say anything. This, they did know, as they stared out to the slowly rising sun.
Jack took a deep breath, and let it out. After a moment, he chuckled, much to Katariah’s curiousity.
“Heh… I guess I’m gonna have to find myself a new job…”
-----------------------------------------
Chained
“What in the world is that?!”
“Look at the size of it!”
“Move it! You’re blocking the way, knucklehead!”
Excited chatter echoed throughout the crew, the source of the commotion completely blocked by the bodies huddled around it.
“Jack, you gotta come see this! C’mon!”
Jack was a young man of average height, with tanned dark skin and short, curly black hair. He slowly got out of bed, having been rudely interrupted during his morning sleep by his shipmate. Whatever this thing was had better have been good.
Jack and his shipmate Oliver - a black cat of similar size and build - made their way to to the deck, where the rest of the crew were gathered into a giant mass of bodies. Jack had trouble finding what exactly they were looking at.
“What is it? A bunch of grown men in a drunken stupor?”
“Just wait a moment, they’ll lower it soon.”
The cat proved to be correct as the fishing net was lowered onto the main deck. Here, Jack finally saw it. Something he couldn’t explain for all his life.
Inside the net, sitting on top of a mound of fish, was a blue bodied creature of human size. It had a large, finned tail and a collar of frills not unlike a snake. On its head were three large fins on the sides and center. Jack was already blown away by this, but upon further inspection, the creature appeared to be a woman!
“Woah! Liv, what is that thing?”
“Who knows? Must be a siren or mermaid or some other creature of the sea.”
The creature thrashed around in the net, lunging and hissing at each sailor that tried to get close, leading them to flinch backward, laughing. Jack saw her face. Her eyes were frenzied and desperate, and her fangs were bared in any attempt to scare off the people near the net.
“She’s a cute one, isn’t she?”
“Got a nice rack on her- haha!”
Jack watched with growing disconcertion as his shipmates were seemingly oblivious to the creature’s anger, merely ogling at her appearance. A sinking feeling appeared in his throat as a sound stuck between a cat’s yowl and a siren’s screech broke through the salty air. The crew all stumbled backward, startled by this display.
“Feisty little thing, eh?”
“Some kinda sea monster…?”
“Alright, that’s enough!”
Jack watched as the ship’s captain - a clean, older man in his thirties - walked through the sea of men to the net, though he remained far enough to avoid contact with the creature.
“Emil, get the chains! And go unlock the unused cargo hold while you’re at it…”
The shipmate in question promptly rushed off. He was seemingly gone and back in a matter of minutes, returning with a large pair of shackles, which were connected by a chain that rattled in his hands.
If the creature wasn’t upset before, she was certainly upset now. Watching the chain rattle and clink against itself, her eyes widened, and her hisses and spits reached a height. With every step the young man took, her resistance grew more fierce, more desperate, until…
“RAAAORRRW!”
With a yowl, she clawed through the net she was entrapped in, landing on the deck on top of a pile of fish.
“WOAH, WHAT THE-“
“Oh nah, not like this…!”
“Someone gut this damn fish already!”
The creature was free. Though she stood on two legs, her stance was feral, her arms out showing claws that could rip through a grown man’s flesh as if it were paper. Her finned tail lashed left and right as her gaze darted around to ensure nobody left her sight.
Emil flinched, jumping backward as the creature set her eyes on him. Her eyes narrowed, though her pupils remained two sharp lines. She growled, her snout curling and baring her fangs. Just as she looked as if she might pounce on him and rip him to shreds, the captain stepped forward, causing her to snap her gaze to him, spitting.
“Relax, girl. I’m just here to give you a little gift…”
The captain stepped forward slowly, his arm extended. Though the creature was still aggressive, she was slightly calmed at his steady and gentle approach. Her breathing slowed, her fangs bared still, but her snout uncurling. For a moment, she appeared docile.
“Shh… just calm down…”
Her tenseness dissipated. Taking deep breaths, the creature relaxed. She lifted her tail, letting its tip rest on the captain’s hand. Time seemed to slow as the two looked at each other. All was at peace…
“NOW!”
Yelling out the command, the captain grabbed the creature’s tail with both hands, yanking it away and keeping it in place.
A sudden yowl pierced the air as the creature’s defenses whirred to life again. Her aggression renewed tenfold, as she unsheathed her claws, trying to pull her tail away from the man’s grip.
Her arms rushed forward, ready to tear his skin, yet- something stopped them.
“Raaorrr?!”
The creature yelped in confusion as she found her arms pinned to her sides by a thin rope, which had shot at her back and wrapped around her body. Her face changed from rage to terror, as she realized she was defenseless. Struggling to remove them, she forgot all about her surroundings. All she felt was pain as she was tackled to the floor, a hand shoving her face into the wood of the deck.
“Cuffs, now!”
Emil hesitated for a moment, only to rush forward and place one cuff around the neck of the creature.
Jack watched in horror at the scene in front of him. Clearly, this was a dangerous creature, but even still…
As he gazed upon her face, he could see little tears forming in the corners of her eyes, her expression one of dread, like a pet cowering from its abusive owner.
“This… this is wrong…”
“What was that?”
Jack turned to Oliver. “They’re hurting her…!”
The pair stood by as the creature was let up. She stumbled to her feet, her arms still pinned to her sides. The captain pulled her forward by the chain attached to her collar, causing her to let out a whine as she tried to resist.
“What are you worried about, Jack? They’ve got it contained, now.”
Her resistance only grew more spirited as several men gathered to pull her forward. All she could do was tug backward, though it was a losing battle. She was pulled across the deck, squirming and whining, her gaze panicked.
“Bring her to the hold. We’ll keep her there.”
“Yes, sir!”
Oliver tugged at Jack’s sleeve.
“C’mon, Jack, it’s over now. Sorry for waking you up, let’s get you back to be-“
“No.”
The black cat hesitated. Before he could register Jack’s curt refusal, the young man was already heading towards the hold. Though he tried to call out to his friend, Oliver could not reach him.
Jack stormed over to the hold, quickly running down the stairs. He arrived to find a small crowd watching their shipmate attempting to pull the loose shackle over to a support beam, to ensure that the creature would remain trapped there. It seemed his time was limited, however, as the creature was writhing in place, attempting to break free of the ropes subduing her.
Just as he had clamped the shackle around the beam, the creature snapped the ropes with her strength and lunged at him. Like a dangerous game of tag, the crewmate was forced to find a route to best avoid being caught, barely escaping the razor sharp claws of the creature’s advance.
As the young man watched this display, he couldn’t help but feel something turn within him. The creature lunged and hissed, viciously attempting to tear herself away and attack, but all Jack could see was that she was afraid.
“That’s that.”
The captain snickered, nodding with satisfaction at his new catch. Whatever this thing was, he would get to the bottom of it.
Jack snapped to attention as he heard the captain announce to the crowd that a keeper would be required to ensure she stays fed and kept in the hold. His heart fluttered as he saw his crew hesitate, none with the will to undergo the task.
“I will take care of her.”
The crew all looked at him, amused that a younger man would be so confident in his abilities yet relieved they wouldn’t have to take up the job themselves. The captain spoke up.
“You sure about that, bud? That creature has to be nearly twice your size!” He laughed.
“I mean it. I’m going to do it.”
“Heh, if you insist… alright men, come on! We’ve got fish to store! Can’t let them rot in the sun!”
Jack stood there as the crowd funneled up the stairs. He was alone. Alone, save for the blue sea creature sitting in the corner. He turned to her, and her head fins spiked up, looking at him with distrust and contempt. Though she was shaped like a human woman, her stance was that of a cat perched on a pillar, her tail wrapped around her front paws.
She looked away, swaying ever so slightly as her tail flicked. Getting up, she gently walked on all fours to sit in the dark corner, seemingly trying to hide herself, and shut out any vision of Jack in her mind.
Jack was lost. She was safe now, at least safer than she would have been with anyone else… but what was he supposed to do?
“Hey.”
He spoke up. The creature did not respond.
“…I’m really, really sorry for what they did to you.”
Silence again.
“…are you okay?”
This time he was met with a low growl.
Jack sighed, unable to figure out what to do. He laid down. It was time for him to get back to bed anyway. Shooting one last glance at the sea creature, he felt his body fall into a deep sleep, where his conciousness followed.
…
Clink. Clink. The sound of chains moving against chains cut through the crisp night air, contrasting the gentle white noise of the endless blue expanse.
Jack stirred in his sleep. Whatever woke him, he paid no mind, though the shape in front of him piqued his interest enough to let his eyes slowly open.
A black humanoid figure lunged and lashed out in the darkness. Though Jack should have been afraid, his drowsiness led him to believe it a dream.
The figure writhed and darted about, seemingly held back by its own force. But as Jack slowly came to his senses, he could make out a pair of arms reaching to what would be a collar. Pulling and pulling, lunging and tugging…
It was the sea creature. She was trying to escape! Jack’s eyes flew open, and in a moment’s notice, he was ready to jump to his feet, to action, but…
The movement ceased. Like Jack, the creature laid still. Standing there, like a haunting image of the night, all was silent.
She lowered herself. Not with care for herself or the ground below her, but a collapse. She sat on all fours, her tail wrapped around herself again.
The young man laid there, his being stricken with confusion yet not the desire to reveal his presence by moving. The flat boards of the hold gently supported his head, allowing him to stare intently forward, capturing every detail of the still, silent scene.
She lowered her head. Even though time seemed frozen in the moment, Jack could detect slight movement…
Shaking.
Though she sat still, her body vibrated and convulsed. In the darkness of the cabin, he couldn’t see what was wrong, but as she gently lifted her head to look out the window, the moon shining on her face, he saw her true self. Tears streamed down her cheeks, eyes showing a muted, miserable acceptance.
He understood then, more than ever, where she truly belonged.
“…hey.”
She flinched violently, throwing herself backwards to face him and instinctively hissing. However, he didn’t react. He remained still, before moving up to a sitting position. His eyes were dull and mournful as hers were. He struggled to look at her.
“…you don’t deserve this…”
He thought he could feel a tension ease. The creature sat back down, organizing herself. Jack took a shakey breath.
“I don’t know what to do…”
She raised her head.
“You’ve already suffered so much…”
Her head tilted, her face softening.
“I just want you to be free… I want them to let you go… you don’t belong here.”
He felt a warmth at his eyes. Little drops, salty as the sea, trickled down his face the way they did hers. He began to take deep, shaking breaths, choking back his full sorrow.
“I-I’m so sorry…”
Silence. All he could sense were the tears leaving his eyes. At this moment, he thought, he realized there was no getting through to her… she was a wild animal. She belonged in the sea, not trapped onboard this… prison…
A new warmth spread across his face. He snapped to attention, beckoning his eyes towards the side of his face.
The creature sat, nearly touching him. Her mouth opened to reveal a rough, sandpapery tongue. It gently caressed his face, wiping his tears away.
He didn’t know what to say, what to do. All seemed still, though he heard the sound and felt the sensation of the creature’s tongue licking away his tears.
After a moment, Jack let out a deep exhale, letting the creature do what she wished. It was only fair. He reached his hand out to touch her face, only for her to recoil and quickly run away… though she turned around immediately, looking at him and blinking slowly… no hissing.
He smiled, not pushing his affection further. She wasn’t just an animal, it seemed…
He smiled to himself. Maybe… maybe there was a chance, after all… He told himself as he laid down. I’ll find out in the morning… in the morning…
…
“Jack, son, come on. Wake up.”
Jack stirred.
“Let’s go, we don’t have much time in here, it’ll wake up any moment!”
“Hm…?”
He got up, looking at the man standing over him.
The captain frowned, impatiently scowling down at Jack.
“You’ve got 5 seconds to get your lazy behind up and out of this room. Come on.”
Jack rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stood up. Standing over him was the intimidating and impressively built captain, ushering him to get up. As he finally did what he was told, he shot a glance at the creature. Asleep, thankfully.
“Your captain asks you to rise, boy, you say how high…”
The captain muttered to himself as he yanked Jack by the ear and shoved him towards the stairs. Too tired to fight back, Jack simply followed his captain’s orders.
“Let’s head to my quarters. I need to speak with you. Big, grown up stuff.”
Jack rolled his eyes as he did so, making his way across the deck and towards the captain’s chamber. The sun stung his eyes, as he was forced to grow accustomed to it.
He looked around. It seemed as if several of his fellow fishermen were hurriedly whispering, as if spreading an information virus, caught only when they sensed him.
The captain dragged him all the way over to a furnished, baroque-style door, behind which lie a comfortable and handsome room, fit only for the most pampered of the ship.
“Sit down, son.”
Jack did so, resting on a stylish wooden chair just across the table from the captain’s.
“What’s this about, sir?”
“You know full well what this is about. You’re aware that that… thing, it’s not normal.”
Jack gulped away his vitriol at the description. “Mm, y-yes, sir.”
The captain smiled, and turned around to fetch a book off a shelf. He slammed it on the table, revealing its cover.
Compendium of Nautical Threats and Beauties.
“Go ahead. Open it.”
“U-um…?”
“Page 67.”
Jack pulled open the heavy book to the requested page. Drawn in front of him, was a blue, cat-like creature. On its neck was a collar of frills. Its head held three fins, and its tail resembled that of a dolphin. Jack read the name aloud.
“Vaporeon.”
The captain nodded with a smile.
“You might have noticed that there aren’t any-“ The captain made a squeezing motion with his two hands. “On it.”
Jack curled his lip. “Yeah, so?”
The captain ignored Jack’s disgust. “Looks like we got ourselves a freak~”
“What?!”
“Son, this type of animal doesn’t come around easy. Tell me, does that page say anything about vaporeon that look like humans?”
“N-no, sir-“
He slammed the table, pointing at Jack.
“And THAT’S the ticket. What do you think the world would say if we brought home a freak like that?”
“…”
“Heh, not too far off. But fame’s not what we want… imagine, the loads of fresh dosh we could get, see how one of those meek little science boys would react, seeing such a beauty!”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying we’re going on vacation!”
“Huh?!”
“You think we’re gonna need to do any more of this crap once we’re done with her? No! Listen- I’m tired, you’re tired, let’s face it- we’re done working for pennies.”
Jack went silent. He… wanted to… sell her? The very thought made his skin crawl.
He grit his teeth. “That’s- I-I don’t even know what to say…”
“Then I’ll say it for you. You take care of this little vaporeon, and you pocket a nice little chunk of the reward, yourself! Get you a boat of your own, hm? How’s that sound?”
Jack looked at him with a conflict within him of both disgust and confusion. The captain seemed genuine: he really did want what was best for all of his men. But… was toying with a life like this worth it…?
“N-no, sir.”
“Eh?”
“I said no. I-I can’t.”
“Why not?? Imagine what you could do with that money!”
“I know, but I-“
“I am HANDING this to you. Listen, you’re not turning this down if you have any sense.”
“…”
“Capt-“
“Sir!”
Jack was interrupted just in time. He looked to his left to see one of his fellow shipmates standing in the door. He seemed concerned.
“What the? Now what in the world are you interrupting me for?”
“Sorry, sir, it’s just, the creature! I-it won’t eat, no matter what we throw at it!”
The captain groaned. “At this rate, we won’t have a vaporeon to sell…” He gave Jack a stern look. “Now you better get going and take care of it. I don’t know what’s going through your head, boy, but work it out!”
Jack sheepishly nodded. This was a good opportunity for him, anyway. He happily followed his shipmate back to the hold, preparing for what he might have to do.
The vaporeon was still there. She faced away from the door, her finned tail lashing with frustration, and her head drooped. Jack hadn’t seemed to notice the fish that had been left around the room since the day previous, likely given when she was first put into the room. They remained uneaten, despite obviously being within her diet.
Jack flinched as his shipmate threw another fish, which landed on her back with a wet slap, and slid off to land on the floor.
“Can you just- leave.”
“What?”
“I said, leave. Scram. Get out of here.”
His shipmate scurried away, up and out of the hold. Jack was alone with the creature. Now, how to get her to eat…?
He was lost in thought. At first, he stared at her, thinking of how scared and hungry she must be, silently lamenting about how she just would not eat. Then, he looked down at the floor, unable to face her. Every moment she remained chained up, he was failing her. It made him feel sick to his stomach.
His thoughts were interrupted by a shift in movement. Just as he raised his head, a fish plopped to the floor in front of him. He looked up, seeing the vaporeon staring at him and the fish, a second in front of herself. Had she…?
He couldn’t eat it raw… could he? He lifted the fish up, the vaporeon still staring at him. He gulped, looking at his meal like a live pest he didn’t know how to handle. Eventually, he caved in, and took a hearty bite of the animal.
Just as he seemed to do this, the vaporeon leaned down and began eating her own fish. Jack looked in awe. Truly? He watched her eat, seeing her shooting almost… concerned glances at him. It seemed, almost, that she was just as worried to see him eat as he was for her. Jack eased her worries at his own expense, digging into the fish best he could. Only then, did she truly eat.
The two ate together, relishing in the meal. Though it was not particularly nutritious or filling, and neither did it taste particularly well, the pair were simply content to eat at all. The vaporeon especially.
After Jack had finished, he looked up. She had long been done, in fact having consumed three fish, rather than one. She stared at him blankly, before giving him a slow blink. He returned it, before laying down again. In the silence of the hold, his mind couldn’t help but wander.
What was he supposed to think? Was this truly the right thing? Who was he to deprive such an opportunity from himself? From everyone on the ship? How could he truly trust his instincts? Wou-
His thoughts stopped as he felt a repeated pressure in his torso. He looked up, and saw the vaporeon… kneading him. Her paws dug into his torso in a massage, and she stared straight down to her target. What was she doing?
He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself, instead holding his hand out to touch her cheek. She recoiled violently, shaking, before slowly swaying and mushing her cheek against his palm.
It was at this moment his mind was made. This girl deserved to be free, no matter what riches must be sacrificed.
…
Jack watched as the afternoon sun turned to an evening sunset, before disappearing entirely to a quiet night. He sensed the noise of the ship dying down as everyone made their way to bed, save for himself and a few night guard.
He looked to the vaporeon, who stared back at him curiously. He held out his hand, letting her rest her paw, before giving it a reassuring squeeze. Now he knew what to do.
In darkness, he slipped out of the hold. Focused, he turned the corner, and made his way to the main storage room, just under the captain’s quarters. The boards creaked under his feet, seemingly louder than ever before. He paid them no mind as he arrived at the storage room door.
“And what are you snooping around for this late?”
Jack tensed as he faced the familiar voice of his shipmate, Oliver.
“Hm? Oh, right- could you be so kind and tell me where the captain keeps the key to the chains?”
Oliver tilted his head. “Why?”
“Sorry, it’s just, that creature looks fit to burst any minute now, and I don’t want her soiling the cargo.”
“Hahaha! Right, right. It’s just in there, right shelf in the back. Hurry before you have to grab some towels, too!” Oliver laughed as he walked away.
That was close. For now, he had to hurry. He rushed inside, looking for the shelf Oliver mentioned. There, he found it. A silver, shining key, begging for him to take it. He held it in his hand.
“Do the right thing.”
Almost sprinting out of the room, Jack burst through the hold, finding the vaporeon, who looked up at him with a startled and confused face. He stormed over to her, causing her to back away in fear. She recoiled as he jabbed something at her throat, only to hear a click, and feel the tightness around her neck disappear. She stopped, looking at the chains in awe, now free from their imprisonment. Her gaze moved to Jack, who was deadly focused, but she couldn’t help but see stars.
“Come on, let’s go.”
He got up and started walking out. He stopped at the stairs, looking behind him.
“Come on, now! We have to go!”
She simply stood. In that moment, silhouetted in the moonlight, Jack saw her full figure for the first time. She was tall, with a frame that suggested a strength much greater than her physique showed. She walked forward with a gentle elegance, her large, finned tail swaying behind her with every step. Jack could do nothing but stand there as she approached, tilting her head down to look at him face to face.
“What are you…?”
She placed her paws on his cheeks, and pressed her muzzle to his lips.
“Mm?!”
Jack was caught entirely off guard, but an arm wrapped around his back and held him in place. He tasted fish, though that couldn’t compare to the light, fluttery feeling in his stomach. The vaporeon deepened the kiss, showing him deep love and affection. He didn’t know if she fully understood, but whatever she did, she was grateful. For this, he was fulfilled, and accepted the kiss, the two passionately lovemaking in the moonlight.
The vaporeon broke the kiss with a smile, and life in her eyes he hadn’t seen before.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
He grabbed her paw, and led her outside.
The night air was crisp and frigid. It pierced Jack like a cold dagger, as he had only seemed to notice it now. Perhaps it was leaving the warm embrace of someone who needed him. Or maybe it was his fear. Fear of abandoning people he had spent time with. Of throwing everything they worked for into the sea. Figuratively… and literally.
He clenched his fist. No. He was doing the right thing. He squeezed the vaporeon’s paw one more time, before leading her across the ship, making sure he was unnoticed. Luckily for him, her feline traits allowed them an easy passage, bringing them to the edge without issue.
Jack turned to her, looking into her eyes. She met his gaze gently.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again…”
She tilted her head.
“…I can live with that. All that matters is that you’re free, now.”
She smiled, bringing their foreheads together in an embrace, before pulling back to yet again look into his eyes. For a moment, they stood there, basking in their last moments together. The vaporeon sighed, opened her mouth, and drew breath, before-
“BOY, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?!”
They both flinched in terror. Standing before them, covered in darkness save for a single lamp in his hand, was the captain. He had a stern, yet confused and worried look on his face. His leg came forward as he began to walk closer.
“Go, NOW!”
The vaporeon looked at Jack, her initial, instinctual fear of the captain morphing into concern. She hesitated, staring at Jack with some kind of uncertainty… a fear, not for herself.
“I’ll be fine! It’s okay! Just go, get out of here!”
The captain walked closer, hand outstretched.
“H-hey now, it’s dangerous on the edge! Don’t do anything hasty!”
The vaporeon got up on the edge.
“Don’t you dare!! Don’t even think about-“
With one final glance of melancholic gratitude, she jumped off the ship. All that was heard was a splash.
“…”
“…”
“What. Did you. Do.”
Jack knew there was nothing he could say. He hissed as he took a deep breath through his nose, and let it out gently, staring his captain in the face with terror, yet a sliver of gall.
“Do you… have any IDEA what you just cost us?!”
A firm, furious hand gripped Jack’s collar and hoisted him into the air.
“EVERY one of us could’ve lived in luxury the rest of our lives! Even-“
His grip trembled.
“Even you…”
Jack trembled as he was thrown to the side, his captain not bearing to even look at him.
“Why did you do that…? Why, boy…?”
Dozens of footsteps creaked and bent the floorboards. Jack’s heart sank as he saw the entire crew surrounding the two, with Oliver at the front, having a clear view of them. He didn’t even know what to say. It was too late, anyway. He made his decision.
“I… I just…”
“You just what?”
Jack looked up to Oliver, who had stepped forward. His ears were back, and his tail twitched spitefully.
“What’s wrong with you?!”
Nothing could have rang through his ears so much. His friend’s voice echoed, bouncing off the edges of his brain.
“You just threw away our futures! What happened to us?! When did some sea monster become more important than all your friends, huh?!”
“She’s not a sea monster, she’s-!”
“SHUT UP!”
Another man silenced Jack, shouting and punching him in the face.
He landed hard on the wood, dazed. The sounds of rage and contempt echoed all around him, though they fell on deaf ears. All he could do was stumble to his feet, confused, before yet another man grabbed him and shoved him to the ground again.
“You see, boy? This is what you chose.”
The captain’s voice cut through the air and pierced into his ears, somehow the only thing he could hear. Even when a foot came crashing down into his face, he remained conscious enough to hear him.
“They’re angry. Angry for the life you just stole from them.”
Jack’s ears were ringing at this point. He didn’t even fight back when he felt a swift and painful jab into his side, a kick that sent him rolling over across the boards… followed by a hunk of spit that another man launched to land square on his chest.
“That’s enough.”
The captain parted the crowd, lifting a dazed Jack up.
“Let’s deal with the little twerp.”
All he could feel was footsteps. He had long stopped fighting back, so he simply remained in a daze. That lasted all but a few seconds when his feet hit the ground hard, and he found himself facing away from the open ocean. Only then did he awake, and look to his captain in fear.
“W-wait, you’re not going to…!”
“Jack… words can’t describe my disappointment.”
“…”
“I thought you were a good boy, you did as you were told… nothing more.”
“…I-I…”
“Don’t speak.” The captain took a step forward, grabbing him again. “If you throw your lot in with the sea, then the sea you’ll GO!”
The word “go” bounded across the deck and into the ocean, the weight of the word realized by Jack’s realization that he was no longer on the ship. Time seemed to freeze. He found himself floating above the waves. Then falling. And eventually, he crashed through the surface.
“Mrnbl?!”
Only here did he find himself again, the cold water bringing him to his senses, as much as he seemed to want to ignore them. He kicked and clawed his way to the surface, gasping as he breached it again. There, he watched in horror as the ship moved on without him.
“No! NO! W-WAIT!”
It didn’t stop.
“STOP! PULL ME OUT!”
A figure looked down at him from the edge. Its face was full of spite, but it was marked with two pointy ears.
“OLIVER! HE- blrblglubl!”
His screams for help were drowned as a wave cascaded over him.
“Glk-! Cough cough! Geh! Oliver! Please! Plea- blubrblm!”
Yet another wave crashed into him, silencing his cries for help. He thrashed and fought, but all that was left was a hand, reaching out for help that would never come. He sank, despite his best efforts to swim. Deeper and deeper, a trail of bubbles marking his descent.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t fight forever. Air bursted from his lips, desperate to leave his lungs and race for the surface. Silvery bubbles were his only sign for help, gently popping on the distant surface. But it was for nothing. No one could save him, now. No one would.
His lungs didn’t even fight when they were met with the cold seawater. Why fight it? Why fight it, he thought, no, his body felt, as he took in water. No use trying now. You made your choice.
You made your choice.
All he could sense as he lost himself for the last time where a quiet whimper, and the sound of something moving in the water.
…
The waves washed against the shore in a song of white noise. The night sky was only just breaking away as the first shreds of sunlight crept across the sand. There was no sound, save for the sea, and the seagulls crying.
A violent cough pierced through the air. A curly haired man shot up from laying in the sand, expelling lungfuls of water. He gasped the salty air greedily, getting his bearings.
He looked around. Where… was he? Last he remembered, he wasn’t on a beach… All he could do was stare out into the horizon, trying to remember…
“Good morning~”
A seductive, gentle voice met his ears. He quickly turned his head to the sound, only to recoil in surprise.
A woman, with a blue body and long, finned tail sat next to him. Her face showed a warmth that could be felt in the air, one that was only matched by his relief. And yet, he was still surprised.
“Since when could you talk??”
“Since always, handsome boy~”
“Uh… so… why didn’t you…?”
“Would you want to talk to a bunch of crazy sea creatures holding you captive?”
“I… I guess not, but… hm. Yeah, I guess they wouldn’t have just let you go if you asked nicely, heh~”
The vaporeon laughed gently. She scooted over, holding Jack in her arms.
“So, now that all that’s over with, why don’t we get a little closer, hm~?”
“You mean like, names?”
Jack was met with a purr in response.
“W-well… my name’s Jack.”
“Well, Jack, my name’s Katariah. Thank you, dear, for saving me. You’re a good, kind human~”
“A-ah, ahehe, t-thanks. And, you know, thank you for saving me, too. I’m guessing that’s why I woke up on a beach…”
Katariah chirped in response. “Mhm~! And, it’s only fair. What kind of person would I be if I just let you drown after everything you did for me? Especially something so easy, compared to… all that you had to go through…”
Jack sensed… what felt like guilt. He rubbed her shoulder.
“Hey now, it was all to do the right thing.”
Katariah looked up at him again. She found herself lost in Jack’s eyes, as Jack did the same in hers. Slowly, as if working as one, the two moved closer, and kissed once again.
It was a deep and passionate kiss, one showing all the love and gratitude of a life repaid. There was no greater bond between species than trusting each other with their lives. It was this bond that Jack and Katariah now shared, and as long as they knew each other, that would not be broken.
“Mmm~”
“Mm…”
The two broke the kiss, yet again exchanging gazes. Neither of them knew what to say. But… perhaps they needn’t say anything. This, they did know, as they stared out to the slowly rising sun.
Jack took a deep breath, and let it out. After a moment, he chuckled, much to Katariah’s curiousity.
“Heh… I guess I’m gonna have to find myself a new job…”
A young fisherman named Jack finds himself conflicted when his fellow crew members fish up a creature from the sea.
This story was made for Mermay! Just in time, eh? :3
This story was made for Mermay! Just in time, eh? :3
Category Story / All
Species Pokemon
Gender Multiple characters
Size 50 x 50px
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