(Warning: Cringey Content)

[Previously: Heart racing, blood burning my nostrils, I struggle to think of how to save myself when suddenly the dog is in my face, jaws opening wide and dripping drool. ]       

I flinch back throwing an arm across my face with a cry, only for the human to yank the dog back suddenly. Not only did the human attach the dog to a rope but wrap something around its mouth forcing it shut. My heart pounds as I watch it drag the dog away then harder as the human comes back. I'm embarrassed to say how it immediately works on me when the human's tone suddenly changes from loud and harsh to soft and quiet.  

"Are you okay?" The human asks in a murmur, "You're going to be okay now. I'm sorry that happened if I had known there a seal was on the beach I would have left my dog on the leash." 

Confused until now I realize why the human wasn't freaking out. It's because it thinks I'm a seal! 

"Oh my gosh," The human breaths uncovering some of the blood trail I made, "Did Honey do this?" 

I have sharp teeth, claws, and a strong tail but the adrenaline is wearing off and I'm a little traumatized. I just want to be saved. So, when the human pushes open the branches to see me I cower...and no gasp of horror I allow hands to wrap around my curled up body. Pulling at me I flinch and tremble at human contact.

'It's hands are soft and warm,' I think. Really I didn't let any creature have close contact with me, maybe that explains the weird feeling that expands in my chest. 

"It's okay buddy, I'm going to take care of you." It says hands slipping from my waist to my tail. The human jerks its hands away with a gasp, "What-" 

It fumbles with something I can't see. I look up squinting when I notice a light appear illuminating its face. It has disheveled brown hair, stubbly facial hair that should be shaved, and a pair of glasses. Suddenly a much brighter light shines right in my eyes blinding me with more pain than if I accidentally looked right into the sun. It's like I was stabbed in the eyes. I hiss in pain, making the human yell in alarm and fall backwards onto it's butt. 

I cover my eyes as they tear up. I can only assume it's starring in horror, planning to attack me, or something because it's frozen, 'Oh how could I be so stupid going back to humans?! I should have gone to a half blood as embarrassing as it would be to ask for ones help.' Feeling more miserable and helpless by the second I consider either "running away" or reaching out for help. It touches me again without warning, I grit my teeth flinching. 'No please.' I think whinpering. 

All it says is, "You're hurt." 

'I thought it already knew that?' 

Taking a breath and letting out a chuckle, I realize it's voice is shaking, "Is that why you're on land?" It touches the spot where my scales become skin briefly as though it doesn't believe it's real. As I recurl into a ball I consider what to do, should I play dumber than I am, it's not like I can fight it or run away. If I make it angry it'll sick it's dog on me. Flashing back to my lessons I remember how powerful the word 'please' is, most humans respond to it but I don't want it to know that I can speak yet. Especially if it makes the human underestimate me. It obviously likes animals. 

Finally, I decide on acting dumb just as it lets out a shuddering breath. 

"You don't look good, it lifts the cloth I've wrapped around the worst of it, "And I think your wound is infected." The cloth pulls at my torn skin and I cry out grabbing a fistful of the dirt mixed sand, trembling. The human lets go quickly, "Sorry." That's not the only thing hurting, my gills are now dry and aching, having released the water sealed in them making it feel hard to breathe the dry air. 

The human starts muttering to itself, things I don't understand. I push my gills closer to my neck sealing them off from the outside air and gasp a few times, coughing at the harsh air now dominant in my lungs. No soft, wet air aided by my gills. I reach up to touch the slits on my neck. 

I cough harder as I gasp in again, 'It hurts.' When I open my eyes squinting I worry as my vision is still blurry, 'My sight, is it gone forever?!' 

The human slowly slipping into shock kind of shifts, "Water... are you okay out of it? You have gills, duh I should know this! I just can't believe you're a merm-" He cuts himself off jumping up. "I'll be back." I listen to the human leave then slowly relax, I guess my fate is in its hands. I close my eyes swallowing dryly. 

The human runs across the road into the ocean veterinary clinic. 

"Back so soon?" His coworker laughs, " I thought you couldn't wait to go home." 

"I found an injured seal on the beach," I reply, "I'm getting the supplies for it then bringing it home until it gets better." 

"Oh. Do you need any help?" The worried expression of the young man is sweet but I know I can't trust anyone with this. 

"No I've got it, besides you can't leave the clinic." 

Realization hits him, "Oh yeah," he laughs awkwardly scrubbing his dirty-blonde hair, "Let me know if you need any help though." 

I look at him for a second, 'Why is he blushing?' "Yeah I'll be sure to." I say while thinking 'I absolutely won't need any help.' Turning to the door I take a deep breath before going back out into the night in the back of my mind I dread finding nothing other than the fact that I've finally gone insane.