Aquata Cove Ch. 33

Merrick put his hand on the back of his neck, "It's..." He paused for a moment, "It's more of a grim reminder to me. Thanks though." He said as he lowered his hand.

"Oh, I see..." The woman couldn't help but notice a sense of melancholy from the blonde man. His voice carries a hint of longing as he gazes over the ocean, "Something on your mind?"

"A lot, really..." He responded.

"Need to talk? I'm a psychologist." Donna offered.

"What does that mean?" Merrick asked, his voice giving off just a hint of subtle aggression, as if he doesn't really want to talk.

"It's someone who is trained to talk to people about their problems. Talk them through their troubles, make them feel better."

"Maybe, but chances are..." Merrick said, "You won't understand me..."

"Well, maybe not, but it helps to talk at least. I can't tell you how many of my patients have told me that."

"That just means they're trying to cope with their pain. Would bringing it up REALLY help with dealing with it."

"That's exactly what psychologists are for," Donna said as she sat down next to the young male, "It's not always easy, but talking people through there problems and resolving their conflicts is what we specialize," She patted his shoulder, "Come on, Merrick. Let's talk."

After a short pause, Merrick bowed his head, "... I miss my p..." He stopped briefly before continuing, "... My family..."

"Ah, I see." She said, "When was the last time you talked to them?"

"Almost 2 years now, I believe..." He said.

"You have a big family?" Donna asked.

"... You could say that..." Merrick answered, "We were always traveling... We never stayed in one place for too long..."

"Who do you miss most?"

"... I miss my best friend... He had a big dream... And now I can't see where he will go with it now that I'm gone..."

"What was his dream?"

"He..." Merrick bit his lips as his fist clenched, "He wanted to be the best at hunting fish..."

"Wow, that sounds neat," Donna said as she nodded, keeping her eyes on Merrick's face. Something's off about the way he's acting, "Anyone else?"

"My Sister..." Merrick told her, "When I was..." Merrick paused again, holding back a tear, "She begged me not to leave... She didn't understand that I had no choice...

"... My Father..." He said, his hand harshly gripping his arm, "He was strict, stern, and always seemed to be kinder to my Sister than to me - or to anyone else for that matter...

"... And I feel like I let my Mother down most of all..." He said, his stomach heavy with grief, "When all was said and done, she still did not resent me..." Merrick started to tremble as his form tensed up.

"Listen, Merrick..." Donna said as she put her hand onto Merrick's hand, "They may have kicked you out for being who you are... But that is their fault, not yours..." Merrick's teeth gritted as he sat there, shaking with rage "You are who you are, and they shouldn't have done this to you..." Donna said softly, "Someday, they will understand you-"

"NO!" Merrick suddenly blurted out as he stood up. Donna scrambled around, and looked up at him, "YOU don't understand me!" He said as his eyes watered, "You don't understand a single thing about me!

"M-Merrick, calm down," Donna said she stood up, "This is natural for you to feel angry-"

"Is THIS what psychologists do?!" He demanded, "How is forcing me to talk about my pain supposed to help?! My family is gone, and I can NEVER see them again!! How is thinking about that supposed to make me feel better?!" He shouted.

"Because keeping it bottled up inside of you isn't healthy!" Donna responded, "What we do is try to get everything out in the open, and understand the deep meaning about how and why we feel about such things..." Donna sighed as she rubbed her fingers on her temples, "Alright, look, I'm sorry I brought it up, I was only trying to help-"

"I KNOW how I feel! I understand EVERYTHING that's happened to me! My pain runs deeper than you can ever understand!" He seethed as a tear ran down his cheek, "How dare you invoke the wounds of my heart?! If THIS is what a psychologist does to people, then-"

"Merrick?" Came a voice. Merrick and Donna turned their heads to see Yuri in her morning kimono, "What's going on here? Why are you yelling?"

Merrick sighed forcefully, and turned to walk in her direction, "Nothing." He snarled as he strode past her. Yuri watched after him a few seconds, and turned to the mid-aged woman.

"I have... Never seen him this angry," Yuri said as she shook her head and slowly approached Donna, "What happened?"

"It's my fault," Donna said as she shook her head tossed her hands up, "I tried to help him get over his problems, and he just blew up."

"... Listen," Yuri said, "Merrick has... A very complicated past. A lot's happened that he holds himself responsible for, and talking about it just makes it worse."

"Yes, I know that NOW." Donna said, rather aggravatingly, "Adam already told be his parents kicked him out when he came out of the closet. But there was no reason for him to snap at me."

"I know, and I'm sorry for him, but..." Yuri sighed, "Like I said, it's... Very complicated."

~~~

The next day, Luther and Donna are walking along the forest path.

"Ugh, I thought to point of coming here was to visit Adam," Luther complained, "Why are hiking out here alone??"

"The kids are out for their own thing," Donna said, "Besides, I'm still mad at that Merrick for he yelling at me. All day yesterday after that, he didn't even look at me!"

"Oh lord, is that what this is about??" Luther asked, "He didn't want to talk about his past, you dug into his business, and he got mad. It's not that hard!"

"That's not the point," Donna responded, "He just out right bellowed at me. He flagrantly disrespected me, and he hasn't even bothered to apologize. I doubt Adam even knows about it."

"Come on, Donna," Luther said as he put his arm around her.

"Get off me, Luther" Donna said as a smile forced its way onto her mouth, "You're heavier than brick wall."

"I can't, I'm using you as support."

"Oh, get off me, you old buzzard!" Donna laughed as she shrugged her husband off. Luther grunted as he put his arms around her, and stopped moving his legs, "Ah! Luther!"

"My legs! They're numb!" Luther jested as he dragged his feet as he held onto Donna.

"Stop it, you're gonna make me trip!" Donna said as she struggled to get the man off of her.

"We're gonna fall! Help meh, Love, help meh!"

"For God's sake, Luther! Ohhff!" With that, Donna fell to her hands onto the tree roots. She laughed as Luther scruffed and climbed onto her, and tightly wrapped his arms around hers. "Luther, stop it! Hahaha!" Luther cackled as he wrestled her along the fallen leaves, "Luther! I swear, I'm gonna kill yooouuu! HAHAHA!" Donna couldn't stop laughing as her husband rolled them in the mild dirt and twigs.

Luther laughed as he moved above her, with her back to the ground. She growled annoyingly as she gripped his hair with both hands, "Grrrrr! Heh heh heh!" She laughed as her goofy man kissed her, "In all my years in psychology, you're the only madman I can't figure out."

"Good!" Luther said, "The less you figure me out, the better!"

"Oh whatever! Help me up, I think you rearranged my insides!" Donna said as Luther got off of her, took her hand, and pulled her to her feet, "Come on, we're almost to the waterfall."

The old couple strolled further into the woods until they started to hear the familiar rush of water. "Are we there yet?"

"Oh for God's sake, Luther!" Donna retorted. They walked through the woods, until they can see the white cascade of water, and the familiar rainbow sheen from the sunlight.

As well, they hear voices.

"Aw dammit," Luther complained, "There's people here already."

"Oh, stop complaining already," Donna said as she swatted Luther's chest, "I'm sure they won't mind us dipping our feet in the water."

Luther and Donna continued on, until they could see the grotto, as well as make out the people hanging around the area.

"... Hey, wait," Luther said as he spotted a buff black man in a red speedo, pumping a brightly colored Super Soaker in his arms, "Isn't that one of Adam's roommates? Jamal, right?"

"Yes, I think..." Donna said, "And there's Yuri!" She pointed out as Yuri screamed and covered herself from a stream of water jetting upon her by a slender Latino guy with intricate black tribal tattoos on his right arm and left thigh, "Oh lord, and there's that other kid again," She said, rolling her eyes as she noted Nick wearing a green and white speedo - one more revealing than the one Jamal is sporting.

"Oh, come off it, Donna," Luther said as he nudged his wife, "We used to wear those kind of swimsuits when WE were that age, didn't we?"

"Not THOSE kind!" Donna said as Jamal came up behind Nick, and gave his partially exposed behind a surprise spank!

-

"AH! Whaaa- Ahhh!!" Nick lost balance, and fell into the grotto.

"Hahaha- AHLGGL!!" Jamal laughed, right before Yuri nailed him in the mouth with her own squirt gun.

"Eat that!" She shouted.

-

"Ha ha!" Donna silently cackled, "Nice shot on that one," She snickered as Jamal sputtered and coughed.

-

"Yo, Yuri! I ain't into watersports!" Jamal said as he shot another burst at her. Seconds later, Nick's head breaks out of the water, gasping for air. While he swam to the edge, Jamal looked down, and grinned, "Hey babe, where's yo swimsuit?"

"*Cough cough* It got pulled off me, man!" Nick blurted, "Freakin Merrick, man!"

"Good grief. Merrick's here?" Danna grumbled, "Lets go, Luther."

"Oh, come off it, woman," Luther said, "Hey look, there's Adam!" He said as their son pulled himself onto the rock with the water rushing off his body. He wildly shook his head to get the water off of his hair, and sat on it.

"Yeah, he BETTER be wearing trunks," Donna said as she saw Adam sporting his blue/golden fish swimming trunks, "He and Yuri the only ones wearing decent swimwear." She pointed out.

Just then, a blue and silver humanoid pulled himself onto the rocks, next to Adam. Webbed hands, gleaming blue and silver skin, a head of shard fins, and no legs, but a long, singular appendage below his waist.

"Holy Jesus, what the hell is that?!" Luther exclaimed. Both he and Donna stared with eyes wide open at the fish-like person next to their son. Adam had turned, laughing as the bizarre creature held up the green and white thong/speedo. Adam laughed as he kissed the creature's mouth, and ruffled the side of its head playfully.

"What in the world IS that?!" Donna gapped.

-

"Babe, you're so crazy!" Adam said as he took the speedo.

"C'mon, man!" Nick said after Adam tossed his speedo back to him, which he tucked into the water, "I'm not used to you yet!"

"I'm not gonna maim you, Nick~!" Merrick said, "I just want to expose and take advantage of you in the water. THAT'S all~"

-

"Why did Adam KISS that thing?!" Donna whispered harshly, "And where's Merrick?!"

"Donna..." Luther said, "I think that IS Merrick..."

"What?? What makes you say that??"

"Look at his wrist. He's wearing that bracelet." Luther muttered.

-

"Easy, babe," Adam said, "Yuri's here, save that kind of thinking when she's not here to spectate."

"Yeah, Merrick!" Yuri said as she aimed her bright orange water weapon, "Are all merfolk this pervy? Or is it just you??" She then shot directly at the merman. Not even flinching, the merman giggled pleasantly as the water ran down his form. He brought his hands up and rubbed down the find of his head, and along his arms.

-

"That HAS to be a costume!" Luther said as he squinted through his glasses.

"I don't think so..." Donna said as he saw the fins on the top of the merman's head flutter a little, "Why would anyone go through the trouble of putting on that much make-up to swim..."

-

Adam chuckled as he kissed Merrick's cheek, "You're so cute, babe."

Merricked turned his head, and chuckled evilly before he slipped back into the water.

Jamal looked up with his super soaker dipped into the water. He winced as he saw the aquatic being come up to him. "Merrick, I'm just reloading! NOOOO!"

-

"Just, how is this possible??" Donna whispered as she saw the fish-like creature break out of the water as Jamal pulled his water gun out of the surface - too late. He howled as the waterman pulled the darker man into the pool. Adam and Yuri howled with laughter from the large splash that came from Jamal's downfall.

Luther nudged her on the arm, and nodded his head to leave, "Come on, Donna. This isn't the time or place..."

Reluctantly, Donna turned around, and walked with her husband away from the cove.

~~~

Dinner is reaching its awkward end. Adam nervously glances side to side as Merrick sat beside him at the table, while Donna and Luther were both staring at the blonde eating his slice of chicken.

Luther kept a sharp eye on Merrick as he hate, trying to figure out where all those fins and scales went. Donna tilted her head a little as she tried to make out SOME trace of the creature she saw today.

Could this boy REALLY be the same fish they saw playing with Adam, Yuri, Jamal, and Nick?

Adam swallowed, and put down his fork, "*Ahem*... U-um... Merrick? Is there something you want to say to Mom?" He said. Merrick gave Adam a heated glare, before sighing, and turning his head to look at the woman.

"... I'm sorry I yelled at you yesterday morning," Merrick said begrudgingly, "I was out of line, and I shouldn't have shouted."

"O-Oh, what?" Donna said, just snapping out of trying to study Merrick, "Ah, that's alright, I already forgot about that."

"... Really?" Adam asked.

"Yes! Don't worry about it," Donna said, "Water under the bridge!"

Merrick sighed again, and pushed his dish, "I'm not hungry," He said before getting up, "I need some air." As soon as he left the front door, Merrick scowled as he yanked off the shirt Adam had him wear.

"... I uh..." Luther said awkwardly, "I need to take my pill..." He said before wiping his mouth with the napkin, and left the table too.

After a pause, Adam broke the silence, "Merrick has... A few problems..."

"I know, sweetheart," Donna said, "So does your father, but that never stopped me." Adam chuckled at that, "I think it's safe to say that dinner is over though," Donna said as she stood up and picked up hers and Luther's plates.

"No, Mom, I got this," He said as he took the plates from her.

"You sure?"

"Yes, it's your vacation. Just make sure Dad takes the right pills."

"Ok, honey." Donna said before turning around and walking away. Adam looked after his mother while he gathered the dishes. He groaned as he went to the sink.

"This isn't going well at all..."

~~~

"I don't get it," Luther said, sitting on the bed "I just don't get it!"

"Me neither," Donna said as she rubbed her forehead, "It's like he's not even the same... Well, the same THING we saw at the cove!"

"Is Adam dating some fish or something? If that's true, then that blonde kid hangin around here is just a cover!"

"That wasn't some fish, Luther," Donna said as she paced around, "I heard that thing talk. Wasn't there some..." She stopped and snapped her fingers a few times, "Mermaids, mermaids... The body thing, where they found some chunks of mermaid in a stomach?"

"Yeah, but the ones in THAT video wasn't blue."

"It just, it doesn't make ANY sense! It HAS to be two different people. I mean, dating a weird fish creature would be... Well, it IS strange to ANYBODY." She said, "I suppose it's only natural to want to hide something like that, but making that blonde lie to us just cover up... It just doesn't seem like Adam... He hasn't hide anything from us since he came out..."

"Would YOU want to know if I were going out with some fish, Donna?"

"I should hope so," Donna said before giving Luther a light slap on the head.

"Look, maybe we should just-"

Then, the door opened. In comes Adam, holding up a small orange bottle. He lightly shook the container of tablets to make it rattle, "Found your pills in the kitchen, Dad..." He said.

"Oh..." The man said as his son put them on the shelf next to the door. Adam leaned back, and crossed his arms.

Almost a whole minute passes by as Adam and his parents looked at each other. Adam uncrossed his arms, and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Adam reopened his eyes, "How long have you guys known?"

"..." Donna paused, and crossed her own arms, "Since this morning." She said.

"So what are you playing at, son?" Luther said as he stoop up, while Donna sat down on the bed, "Are you dating a guy ONTOP of a fish?"

"It's..." Adam said, feeling himself shake a little, "It's more complicated than that... I'm only dating one guy... We were hoping to keep this a secret, but..." Adam hesitated, before walking around to his bed, and slowly sitting himself down, "I think you guys should know the truth... But... You have to keep this a secret too..."

~~~

Merrick gazes up at the full moon as he sits on the familiar cliff, wearing just some satin shorts, and his discarded clothing on the sandy turf. He prays silently to the Sea Mother Atargatis, seeking for a sense of soothing peace in his soul. He wants nothing more than to just jump into the water right now. He feels so far away from his real self, despite having a good time at the cove.

"... Hm?" He hears footsteps. He turned his head to see three people coming towards him. Merrick turns himself further to see it's Adam leading his mother and father to him. He groaned as he stood himself up to face them.

When they reached him, they said nothing, merely looking over him. Merrick's eyes looked straight into the eyes of the three humans before him. They don't need to say a word for him to know what this is about.

"My Mother," Merrick began, "Is an Arctic Veil Mermaid. My Father is a Navyn Fish Merman." He said, to the astonishment of Adam's parents. "I was the Son of the two leaders of my pod, and I was to take my Father's place in leading my pod when I came of age.

"I wasn't 'kicked out of a house' for simply being gay. I was banished from my pod for the crime of mating with a human, and a male besides. So it is virtually the same thing, if you wish to see it that way."

Merrick turned himself around, and tapped the back of his neck, "You see this symbol on my neck? This 'grim reminder' of mine?" He pointed at the tribal heart design imprinted on his flesh, "All banished merfolk are branded with the symbol of their crime. This image on my skin is the symbol of Forbidden Love." He turned back around, seeing Donna's hands over her mouth, and Luther looking at him dumbfounded. This kid... This isn't the grumpy blonde they have been passing by in the house for the last few days.

"I'll never know whether my pod hates me or not for being what humans call homosexual - I broke two of our laws, and so I was punished for it. What they feel and think of the matter is irrelevant.

"I can never see my pod again. And on top of that, I can't even go into the ocean anymore because a creature that hunts banished merfolk is after me, no matter where I am in the sea. So in a way, I am banished from the ocean itself. I may never have a true home again." He said as a sparkling tear rolled down his face.

"If I have seem unpleasant, it's because of all this in my mind, and the fact that I have to hide my true identity from the human world," He turned his face to Donna, who has moistening eyes herself, "And talking about it doesn't help. I am sorry for my outburst yesterday, Donna, but talking about what happened to me will never help me in the slightest." He then turned his head to Luther, "And I am still adjusting to this different way of life, Luther. All I know is to hunt in the sea. I still know nothing of life of human society, and quite honestly, I am very reluctant to learn. I will not abandon who I am."