[Hello everyone, this is the Iris Crimson ( nom de plume) and I'm proud to present my first story! I have no idea how this is going to look until I post it so I will be back to edit it...or not if it turns out fine.] 

(Warning: cringey content, mention of blood, wounds, pain, and fear.)

I wrap the torn cloth around my fin delicately, trying to ease the wound. The infection is spreading, prospering from my shredded scales, chest, tail, and dorsal fins. I grit my teeth from the pain unable to stop shaking. Too weak to swim the journey to the healers, I've tucked into some rocks. Near the surface where I was gathering human wears to trade before I was so rudely interrupted. 

I run some salve down the length of my shredded body but it would only slow the spread, not treat it. I grind my teeth looking up towards the surface, unless I wanted to die I'd need stronger medicine. Curling into a ball for warmth I wait until night falls. 

The moon flickers on the gentle waters of the windless night, only disturbed when a body splashes to the surface, arms working hard to drag itself just enough above the surface to scan the beach for humans or other dangerous land-beasts. Though the thrashing would have alerted them anyway. The weight of it's tail drags the mer-creature back under, only for it to resurface, holding itself up on it's arms with the water just barely covering it in the shallows.                                                                                                                     

Bile rises in my throat as I search for a place to hide on land. Dense undergrowth before a sharp slope leads to a long black thing called a road. I duck as a car passes, its roars hurting my ears and burnign my nose. It smells bad. I bear my teeth feeling stupid, 'It's not alive,' I remind myself, 'It can't leave the road. Be strong,' I know there is help on the other side of that road. I have to drag myself to it. 

Letting out a guttural noise I start to drag my body onto land, immediately I realize how impossible this was going to be. Each fistful of wet sand gives way as I try to pull myself forward, I'm only able to gain inches. The land is hard and gritty, little pieces of sand dig their way into my unwrapped wounds. I cry out in pain and frustration once I reach the dry sand part. Now I can't even get a hold. 

'Rest.' My brain tells me, body trembling from it's efforts. I lay my head down, keeping my ears perked. They aren't as human as some mer-creatures were, I've heard them referred to as more elf-like, long and pointy with fin-like ridges. Good for listening on land one of my teachers had said. But I didn't realize everything would be so loud.

Car after car pases by, I used to tense up but I soon realize the humans inside couldn't see me. After I catch my breath and the sense of urgency returns I continue my struggle, cries of pain becoming louder and more desperate. It's so hot up here, it's hard to breath and move. I start to think about going back but when I glance behind I see that not only have I bled into the water but the medicine I put to hide the scent has worn off. Sharks would greet my exhausted body if I returned now. 'But what dangers would greet me out here?' I decide I have better chances making it to the veterinarian.                                                                                                                 

The mercreature manages to crawl a little further. Time passes swiftly. Finally, after much experimentation and pain, it finds it can pull itself better by holding itself up with it's arms, and dragging it's heavy tail like that rather than chest on the ground.                                                                               

Panting, face caked in sand, I lay much closer to the undergrowth than the sea. Pain is coursing up and down my body. I feel tears on my face. 

'Almost to safety then I'll rest for a while.' I comfort myself. Or I would have been when I hear a seal barking, which is strange because they usually rested on the islands just offshore. Lifting my head wearily I feel a bolt of electricity race up my spine as a four-legged animal comes running towards me jowls flapping, sharp teeth lit up as a car passes. 

'That isn't a seal!' My brain screams helpfully as I flop hurriedly, clawing and heaving until I can roll half into the underbrush. Just in time before the dog, I'm assuming, and its human running and yelling behind, reaches me. Frightened, without thinking I raise myself up as tall as I can and hiss flaring out my gills to make my face twice as big. The beast skids to a stop, jumping forward to try to bite my tail which I smack it with. It yelps and I let out a silent scream of pain. I can't use my tail as self-defense I realize in fear not unless I want to face more agony. 

Getting angrier the beast barks non-stop; it leaps at me and jumps back over and over while I can only bemoan the approaching human. The beast gets my wounded tail with it's claws and I shriek in pain, immediately forgetting the consequences and using my tail to smack the dog so hard it rolls backward. Sobbing I force myself to move using the opportunity to huddle deeper into the underbrush. I curling my useless tail around myself protectively. Adrenaline is now numbing the pain but I can barely handle it. 

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.