I considered my words carefully, the last thing I needed was a mob storming the cave under the lighthouse. Taking only a couple of minutes to carefully mull over my question I then spoke. "How do you treat a cut on a... Dolphin?" I asked slowly speaking my words carefully tiptoeing around the subject.
Joshua's eyebrows rose on his forehead, "D... Did you find an injured dolphin?" He looked unsure how he felt about me asking something like this. Before I could respond Joshua spoke again, "Because if you did, I'd be more than happy to come to take a look at it." He added seemingly becoming excited at the thought of seeing a dolphin.
Feeling panic rise in my chest I quickly blurted out, "No!" My voice was a little higher than what it should be and Joshua jumped a little at the volume. "No." I repeated myself in a much calmer voice, "I..." I searched my head for any excuse I could have for such a question. "I'm writing a book!" I exclaimed before I could stop myself.
It wasn't often that I spoke about my profession in front of others. It felt self-aggrandizing and kind of cringey. But more importantly than that, peoples reactions to it weren't always the best. They were either completely disinterested or way too interested. There was no in-between.
"You're a writer...?" Joshua looked surprised, "I was sure you were some sort of artist." he said motioning to my appearance. I frowned at this, what the hell was that supposed to mean? "But I didn't expect writer!" he added with a laugh. I took a deep breath to calm myself down, I just needed to get the information I wanted out of him. Then I wouldn't have to see his damn face anymore.
"Yeah, I've been published," I remarked snippy, I hated dealing with guys like this. "Like published-published?" Joshua asked looking amused, I glowered at him. "Yeah, I have a fucking agent Stutton." I snapped. Joshua's amused look turned into a more embarrassed one from my reaction and comment.
Joshua's expression then turned into one of realization, "Oh! Wait! You're Gloria West!" He exclaimed as if finally putting two and two together.
Oh, joy the vet was a fan.
"I thought that was some sort of pen name." He joked, my face remained unamused, "It's not." I deadpanned, Joshua looked uncomfortable with how displeased I was with him. But then again, it would be easier to stop digging the damn hole if he just put down the shovel.
Joshua gave out a nervous laugh at my furious glare. "So... You're writing about an injured dolphin?" he asked meekly, it was about damn time he changed the subject. I allowed myself to relax a little at the change in subject, "yeah." I replied with just a tinge of sharpness to my tone. "I want to know how'd you treat a cut for one."
Joshua's expression became thoughtful, "Well sea life isn't really my specialty... But I do know that dolphins and sharks tend to have really good healing rates. They usually heal within just a few days. If it's been a while then that probably means that something is stuck in the laceration." Joshua explained, at this point, I pulled out a notebook and began writing this down.
"How would I go about closing up the wound despite exposure to water?" I asked not looking up, sensing Joshua staring at me I looked up and saw a confused look on Joshua's face. "Speaking in terms of the book," I added, Joshua's confused look faded but I still saw some suspicion in his eyes.
"Probably some sort of waterproof glue. I'm pretty sure they sell it down at the Pharmacy." He remarked, I gave him a look, why was he telling me where it was sold in town...? "So it's sold over the counter normally?" I asked wanting this conversation to be more in general terms. At this point, I stopped writing.
It seemed everyone in this town was a damn fisherman because he was fishing for information.
"Yes." Joshua's attitude was different, less friendly then how he interacted with the others in town. Or at least from what I've seen thus far.
"Should it be cleaned out with normal antiseptic medications?" I asked slowly, "No, it would be better if it's flushed out with water." Joshua replied, his arms were folded and his jaw clenched. I opened my mouth to ask another question but Joshua cut me off.
"Gloria." he asked suddenly, "yes?" I asked in reply. "You haven't found anything... weird...?" He asked vaguely, I paused before thinking of something. "Well, I did find this weird thing..." I replied Joshua seemed interested in what I was going to say. I put my notebook and pen away in my vest pockets before saying.
"I found this really weird flashlight, it's shaped weird, lights up, and the oddest thing of all it vibrates." I lied, Joshua's interested expression turned into frustration and anger.
"Gloria!" he snapped sternly, "This isn't the time to kid!" he stressed, "If you've found any word creatures or things. You need to tell me." He hissed taking a step towards me. "There are things that hang around in these waters that are dangerous!" Joshua shouted, while his shout in the small office made my ears ring, but despite that, I refused to flinch.
I had plenty of experience dealing with men raising their voices to get their way.
Taking a slow breath through my nose I glared at him, "Dr. Stutton I have no idea what the hell you're going on about. I just came here to ask some questions for a scene I'm writing in my book." I replied with as much of self-righteous anger I could muster.
"I don't appreciate you accusing me of hiding anything or raising your voice at me." I snarled at him taking a step towards him. Once we were close enough I lowered my voice, "I can assure you, even if I did find anything weird, strange, or even dangerous. I can handle it myself. I've had far more experience dealing with danger than you do." I hissed through my teeth.
Joshua replied to my glare in kind, "I hope you're right about that Miss West." He growled, I saw the flame of suspicion in Joshua's eyes. "One more thing before I go Dr. Stutton." I added as I turned for the door. "If I ever catch you near my lighthouse, I'll show you exactly how well I can take care of myself." I threatened before leaving his office and slamming the door shut.
Everyone in the waiting room stared at me, I looked at them with a nonchalant expression as I could manage despite my anger. "We disagreed on spaying and neutering," I explained with a lie. I would say I was uncomfortable with the concept of lying. But honestly, I had more than enough practice.
As I briskly walked out of the building I considered what I should do. The mermaid definitely needed treatment. But at the same time, I'm pretty sure Joshua was now onto me.
Scratch that, I'm definitely sure.
I don't know what he was worried about. She wasn't dangerous! My arm throbbed dully reminding me once more about its injury. My eyes shot down to it as I considered things.
It seemed I had some things to think about as I went to pick up supplies.
As I got into my car, I saw Joshua standing in the window of his office staring at me through open blinds. I spotted a phone in his hand and once we made eye contact he quickly shut the blinds.
That was probably something bad.
Remembering that he mentioned waterproof glue being sold at the local pharmacy, I decided it was probably better if I went to a town over. The last thing I needed was to prove him right. Checking the time I cursed, it was almost noon and I hadn't checked on her yet.
Starting up the car I let out a scream when the same seagull bomb dived my car and smacked against the glass. "What is your issue!?" I yelled at the seagull who screamed at me from on the hood of my car.
The seagull then attempted to get inside my car through an open window. But I quickly rolled it up and took off. The last thing I needed was an angry bird attacking me in my car.
Taking off back towards the house, I was a little paranoid that the crazed bird was following me. As soon as I got out of the car I had to duck out of the way of the very same seagull. "Why do you hate me!?" I shouted before rushing inside. I heard the seagull hit the door head-on, but I tried to brush it off.
I was more worried about the mermaid and less about the vengeful rat of the sky trying to kill me. Though it was a little unnerving. But it wasn't the first time I had been targeted by strangely behaving animals.
Pushing the seagull into the back of my mind. Due to more important matters. I made my way around my house among the small maze of boxes that still littered it. Living alone made packing a slow process, due to me avoiding it for the most part.
Once again choosing to ignore the chore, I made my way over to the kitchen grabbing a few sandwiches for the mermaid and myself. I had suddenly realized how hungry I was. I also managed to grab some supplies, I grabbed a first aid kit and a couple of flashlights.
Though I would've preferred to do something about her wound once I got waterproof glue, I was worried that it would've gotten worse. So just in case, I brought it with me.
Pausing at the door I suddenly felt hesitation. Furrowing my brows I tried to remember why I would feel this way. Unable to remember I shrugged it off heading outside.
Locking my door behind me I adjusted my pack and headed down towards the beach. The moment I step foot on the crunchy pebble filled shore I heard a loud screech and my head was nearly taken off by a very angry seagull. Ducking just in time I began rushing towards the cave with the seagull hot on my heels.
Barely making it inside the cave with my head intact I slowed my pace as the seagull let out another screeching dive at me before flying off. Resting my hands on my knees I caught my breath before adjusting my bags and walking inside.
"Hey, I'm here!" I announced looking around the dimly lit cave. Not hearing any splashing I looked near the water. Worry bubbled in my stomach, what if someone found her? What if something bad happened to her? Slowly setting my bags down I also considered another possibility.
What if she just left?
A new emotion washed over my senses, sadness.
It was entirely possible, she didn't owe me anything. But still, I... My thoughts trailed off as I let out a sigh. I began reaching for my bags being unable to spot the mermaid within the dark waters of the in cave pool. Just as my fingers grasped the handle, I was suddenly soaked with seawater.
My hair stuck to my face as I sputtered and took a few steps back. It was bit of a shock to the system to be suddenly soaked to the bone in cold Atlantic seawater. I let out a few gasps trying to catch my breath as I pushed my hair from my face.
I heard a familiar irritated voice ring from nowhere.
'You're late.'
Looking down at the source of the water, I saw the mermaid there half submerged looking at me with a very angry expression. Without thinking I responded to the voice.
"I was looking into some stuff." I explained, the mermaids face wavered into a much more pouty expression as she 'humphed' and turned away. Indignant I exclaimed at this reaction, "Hey you don't get to act so high and mighty you splashed me with water!" I shouted only to be splashed with water again as she dove down into the pond.
"Hey!" I blocked the water as best I could, managing to keep my hair from falling into my eyes once more. I saw her linger underneath the water's surface and laugh at me. Her mischievous smile and an amused twinkle in her eyes. Or at least from what I could tell, the water distorted a bit of her image.
"Don't you laugh at me!" My tone changed from offended to amused, not thinking I started to take my boots off to jump into the water. Catching my arm on my vest, I let out a hiss and paused. Joshua's words from earlier rung in my mind once more.
She was dangerous.
I stopped, not thinking I took a couple of steps back from the water. My mind raced, I couldn't believe I almost jumped into... She could of... The terrifying moments of our first meeting finally managed to process in my mind. It was at that moment I noticed that I had sunk down onto my knees.
The mermaid slowly rose out of the water looking at me confused and a little hurt. She leaned on to the edges of the pool. Then she let out a sound that sounded like musical notes and the babbling of a brook. I had no idea if that meant anything or what.
I couldn't even bother to consider the noise after all my mind and heart were racing. I kicked myself mentally for almost jumping into the water with her! Clutching my face with my free hand, seeing as the other was busy holding onto my still throbbing arm. I nearly started crying at my own stupidity.
Here I was in a cave, with a thing I didn't even understand! But I had been treating her like a person because she looked like a pretty girl! My gaze flickered to her before I turned and winced feeling embarrassed and disgusted with myself.
How desperate was I?
I screamed this question at myself internally. I was a fucking mess, so damn desperate for any positive interaction... That I nearly jumped into the water with the equivalent of a crocodile! I had already seen what she could do! But I almost did it anyway-.
My internal rant stopped dead in its tracks when the mermaid's hand delicately touched my cheek. I slowly moved my hand away from my wincing eyes and looked to her. Her eyes were filled with so many emotions, I heard a soft clicking coming from the back of her throat. I faintly wondered if she was going to attack me.
But she didn't.
She reached for my arm and I flinched instinctively. Her hand quickly jerked away noticing my reaction. I looked back up into her eyes seeing the hurt on her face.
"I..." I started to say as the mermaid slowly moved away towards the pull of water once more. As she did this, I saw the wound on her tail. It seemed swollen and festering. Gulping at the sight as she sunk into the water once more. I slowly stood up, my heart rate quickened once more. I felt like I was having a panic attack at the thoughts of what I was thinking. I probably was.
But I knew-- I knew that she needed my help. Person, animal, or something in between I knew I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try.
My mouth was dry as I slowly began to slip off my vest. Taking greater care this time to avoid my arm. This was going to ruin my bandages but I needed to change them anyway.
I inched towards the water, as the mermaid surfaced in confusion. She looked up at me concerned, I let out a shaky sigh and looked at her.
"Don't make me regret this," I told her, I sat down at the edge rolling up my pants. I spotted the seashell tattoo on my ankle, I had forgotten about that spring break mistake. I thought back then, that was the dumbest thing I did to impress a girl.
Looking to the mermaid, I knew now just how stupid I really was.
Carefully dipping one foot in after the other, I had briefly considered just keeping my legs in the water. After all, it didn't make sense just to jump in that'd be crazy.
Just then with one swift movement, I was pulled under.
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