Aquata Cove Ch. 39

"Yes, that is correct."

"Ok, great." Adam crossed his arms, "So is someone finally going to tell me why I've been sitting around, doing nothing all month long?"

"Yes," Nigel smiled softly, "We are ready for you now."

~~~

Showered and fed, Adam now sits in a smaller room, at a table with a box on Nigel's end of the table.

"Ok, Mr Bryant. Can I call you Adam?" He asked. Adam shrugged.

"Sure, I guess."

"Alright, lets get down to Brass Tax." Nigel began, "This is the Agency of Oceanic Research."

"... Ok..."

"Heh. You seem confused, Adam." Nigel said.

"Yes, I am." Adam retorted, glaring at the man, "And pissed off too. I've been sitting locked-up around a dingy cell like a criminal, filling up cans and hooks for my job for hours and hours at a time, I haven't seen a second of sunlight the whole time I've been here, and I don't even know what the hell I'm doing here! I've got a life! I've got friends who're probably worried sick about me! I have a boyfriend, sitting at home and crying his eyes out because I just up and vanished! WHY AM I HERE?!" Adam demanded, "I'm not a Marine Biologist, I don't study fish, I'm nobody!!"

"Hmph," Nigel gave a soft smile, "Oh, I think you know more than you're letting on..." He leaned forward, "Have you ever considered taking up Photography Classes, Adam?"

"What?"

"Because we found some interesting photographs from this old treasure of ours..." Nigel picked up, and placed an old camera on the table. Adam's face felt cold as he looked at the old-fashioned contraption - a bulky camera so out of its time, it practically belongs in a museum. The initials 'H.D.' written on the top of it.

"That's..." Adam took the camera, "This is my grandfather's camera!!" He looked back up at that half-bandaged face, "What are YOU doing with it?!"

"We found it broken almost 7 years ago when we were following a lead on an undiscovered sea animal." Nigel reported, "We've seized it for evidence, and we've taken the liberty of repairing it and developing the pictures inside it."

"And it didn't occur to you to give it back to my grampa?!" Adam said, "He wouldn't even LOOK at me for a week after I lost it!"

"For that, I offer my humblest apologies. Our search for this creature has taken a lot of set backs, but we're closer than we've ever been before."

"So what's the creature? And what does it have to do with me?"

"Hmhmhmhmph, tell me, Adam," Nigel leaned forward, "What do you know about mermaids?"

Adam blinked, showing a confused expression, when he really feels his stomach turning inside out.

"So that's it?" Adam responded, "You mean to tell me you've been keeping me locked up for a whole month for a fairytale?"

"I notice your tone has calmed down, Adam." Nigel said with a smirk, "I can already tell that you're a terrible liar." Adam sighed as he looked aside.

"Fine, you got me. But I don't know anything." Adam said, crossing his arms, "I've only seen one in my life, and that's it."

"Have you now?" Nigel asked as he plucked up a photograph, "Well, did she look anything like this?" He placed the picture in front of him. Adam gazed at the image, making out a red and purple mermaid sitting on a rock in the middle of the water. No doubt about it - Merrick says all Sirens are that color.

"Yes, that's the one." No point in denying this one anyway.

"Interesting." Nigel said, "What else is interesting is that you claim this was your grandfather's camera - very important from the sound of it - and yet we found it discarded on the ground. It's a miracle the film wasn't damaged at all." He raised a brow, "What would make you leave behind such a precious item of your grandfather's?"

"... To be perfectly honest, I'm not exactly sure myself..." Which is half true. That was the day he and Merrick first met, and he says that Adam was hypnotized by a Siren's singing, but it just seems like a big blur to him now, up until he woke up in a watery cavern with a young naked teen.

"Are you sure about that?" Nigel asked.

"Yeah... Why?"

"You sure you don't have any... informatives about the blue world, Adam?"

'Does he mean Belinda?' Adam thought, 'How much can I cover this up?'

"No, I don't know a damn thing." Adam denied, "The only mermaid I've ever seen is on that picture."

"Alright. So you've never seen any other mermaid..." Nigel took out another photo, "But, how about something a little more... Masculine?" He places the other photograph onto the first one - a blue and silver merman, sitting upon a rock over at Aquata Cove's waterfall, "Have you seen this merman before?"

Adam felt his stomach sink lower as he looked at it. His face feels so much heat and pressure just from looking at it, as if a secret has been found out about him for the first time ever.

"... No..." This one pained Adam to say, "I've never seen him before in my life..."

"Hmph." Nigel sneered at him, "You ARE a terrible liar. I'd hate to see you in a poker game."

"What, why?"

"Because he seems to know you."

Adam's face felt stone cold from that statement, "Wait... You've talked with him?"

"To put it loosely. I try and talk, but he doesn't like to cooperate."

"What do you mean??"

"Here at the Agency of Oceanic Research, we strive to learn every mysterious sea creature that dwells in the ocean. And for the first time in human history, we have a living, breathing, and intelligent merman in our midst. Think of all the possibilities of such a creature could present to the human race! Think of everything we could achieve if we formed bonds and ties to society in the ocean!"

"Fat chance of that." Adam commented.

"HAhhh" Nigel shook his head, sighing, "Can no one really see the beauty of my vision?"

"No, I meant that contact with humans of any kind is strictly forbidden. Even a single word towards any human is grounds for banishment right there."

"Really." Nigel raised a brow, "And how would you even know that? Not five minutes ago, you claimed ignorance about the existence merfolk."

"Yeah, I think we're passed that," Adam said, "Alright, cards on the table. Yes, that merman is my boyfriend, and I know about merfolk. What I want to know is where and when you questioned my boyfriend."

"Are you sure you want to know?" Nigel asked.

"Stop talking in riddles!" Adam demanded, "What did you mean when you said that he doesn't like to cooperate?"

"We've kept him detained here for as long as you. I've asked him many, many questions about his kind, but he refuses to help me whatsoever."

"Hmph. Wise move." Adam said, feeling his anger grow as he glared at the old man, just learning his own lover has been contained in this prison.

"Excuse me?"

"In case you haven't noticed," Adam said, "We don't have the best track record for affiliating with other people."

"Once again, ye of little faith," Nigel responded, "How do we know if we don't even try. You and he seem to work just fine, and one of you is human enough."

"I'm not a nation wanting to rule over anybody." Adam said, "I think merfolk are fine the way they are - AWAY from all the drama and chaos of human society."

"Worse statements have been said to greater feats achieved, Mr Bryant." Nigel said wisely.

"Whatever. Now where IS he?!"

"You want to see him?"

"YES I want to see him!!" Adam shouted, "I've been locked up here for a month, and according to you, so has he!! He hasn't seen me for so long, he's probably been terrified the whole time! Alone, being bombarded with all sorts of questions, probably kept in a tank like a pet Beta Fish! Are there anyone else you're keeping prisoner here, while I'm at it?!"

"Heh heh, no." Nigel said, "Just me and the employees."

"Then take me to see him! Now!"

"I'm not so sure you want to see him right now." Nigel calmly said.

"What do you mean?"

"Over the time he's been here, there have been some... Complications..."

"Like what?"

"Recently, we had put him in a huge tank that allowed him to swim a mile out to sea," Nigel pointed to the gauze and bandage on his face, "See right here? After the tests, he slapped me with Box Jellyfish stingers. I almost died, right on the spot."

"What..." Adam gazed in shock at Nigel, "No... I've known him for years... He would NEVER do such a thing!"

"Really." Nigel untied the bandages around his head, and lifted the white fabric off of his wound. Adam gasped as he looked at the raw red flesh streaked along the man's cheek, "And I suppose this could be an allergic reaction to a new shaving cream I've been using?" He rewrapped his injury.

"Listen, I know him," Adam said, still shocked at what he just saw and heard, "He's a kind, gentle, and understanding guy. He would never harm anybody unless he had a good reason."

"If you really want to see him," Nigel picked up the walkie from his belt, "You can ask him yourself."

Adam breathed deeply, before nodding.

~~~

A couple of guards escorted Adam down the hall. As they walked, Adam's chest feels like it's about to explode. He hasn't seen Merrick in a whole month, and now he's just finding out that he's been trapped here just like him.

'Poor Merrick...' Adam thought. Curled up in a tank, all alone, no one but scientists poking and prodding him for a month, away from everyone he knows and loves. It's like the movie Splash in real life! 'How are we going to get out?'

Adam shook as one of the guards stopped at a door. First, he unlocked it, and took out a strange device. Once Keith entered into the room, a weird, low-rhythm sound came from inside.

"What's that noise?" Adam asked.

"During the research, they found out the merman reacts and associate with sound. They were able to make a noise to keep him from moving." Said the guard.

"Keep him from moving?? How? Why???"

"I don't know, I'm no egghead. We were just told to unlock him when we take you to him."

"Unlock him???" Adam said, right before the guard came out.

"Fagfish is all ready..." Keith said, "We're going to be out here in the meantime."

"Ok..." Adam walked to the door, and entered the room, and barely noticed the guards closing it shut behind him.

Adam gasped as he looked at Merrick - backed up against the wall, sitting with his face down to his knees, and his arms around his legs. Adam covered his mouth as Merrick sat there, shaking, mumbling lowly in a dark tone.

"Oh my God..." Adam whimpered as he observed his lover wrapped in many bandages. His eyes teared up as he looked at the blond hair - once vibrant and bright, now matted with several red spots on his scalp. He huffed as he made out the cuts on the sides of his head, around the ears in particular.

-8 Years Ago-

Adam paces on the rocks over above the grotto. It's been six months since he met a merman! I real, live merman! It's been so long since he's last seen this guy; he's still not sure whether or not it was real to begin with! But he has noticed that he can hold his breath underwater for up to an hour. That's how he and this Merrick managed to escape that cave anyhow.

He looks towards the crystal clear water again, and gasped as he saw a large shape glide its way into the pool from the rocky entrance. Adam skidded to the edge of the rock, onto the one closest to the water, before the spiky-fin head broke the surface. He looked and grinned as he saw the human crawling up to the water.

"You... You came!" The merman said.

"Yeah... So did you!" Adam responded, his chest pounding with excitement, "I still can't believe you're real."

"So you... You remember me? ... Adam?"

"Yes! You're name's... Merrick, right?"

"Yes, it is!" The merman nodded with glee. Merrick put his hand out, and Adam took it. They both smiled as Adam's hand examined Merrick's webbed one.

- -

Adam shook with horror as he looked at Merrick's individually wrapped fingers, which also joined his hands in the bandages, wrapped up all up to his elbows. He also spotted the chains next to him on either side, with the discarded cuffs on either side. "Oh baby..." Adam whined as he looked at his muttering lover.

"Humans..." Merrick mumbled indistinctly, barely audible at all, "Humans... Everything..."

~~~

Nigel watches closely onto the surveillance screens, keeping his ears sharp as he observes the two males.

-7 Years Ago-

"Adam..." Merrick said as he blushed, "I... I don't know how it is with humans..."

"What do you mean, babe?" Adam asked as they sat with each other in the luminous cove.

"That's another thing," Merrick pointed out, "That's not my name."

"I know."

"So, why do you keep calling me that? This is the fourth moon we've met, and... Recently, you call me these strange names - Babe, Baby, Sweetie... I don't get it."

"Oh, uhh..." Adam blushed as he scratched the back of his head, "See... Those are just terms of endearment... Some humans call each other little nicknames when they..." He chuckled nervously, "Well, I call you those things because... I like you..."

"Huh?"

"Or... I don't know..." Adam looked at the naked blonde teen, "I know we've only met a few times, whenever either of us have the time, but..." Adam smiled sheepishly, "... I think I love you..."

Merrick's sapphire blue eyes beamed up at him with happiness. "Every morning, I wake up thinking about you... You're on my mind almost constantly, I-I can't stop thinking about you..." Adam continued, "The days just seem slower ever since I met you, because I keep anticipating our next meeting..." Adam looked away, totally embarrassed, "I-I understand if I sound really stupid right now, I just-"

"N-No!" The blonde crawled a little, "I-I actually..." Adam looked back at him, feeling a little surprised, "I..." Merrick blushed as he looked at the human, "I feel the same... I... I love you... Adam..." Adam smiled with glee as he looked at the humanized merman.

"Since..."

Merrick nodded, and looked up at Adam, "Since the day I met you..."

- -

"Humans... Are beasts of..." Merrick snarled as he stayed in his spot, still trembling in pain and spiraling hatred.

"Merrick...?"

Those blue eyes looked up at the human wearing white sails on his body.

Adam cringed as he saw Merrick's blue, pinkish eyes.

"Oh my God..." Adam croaked as he trembled head-to-foot, "Merrick..."

"... Humaaannn..." Merrick growled as his fingers tightened and pressed onto his leg.

-6 Years Ago-

Merrick and Adam snuggle on the smooth, stone floor of the glowing cavern. Merrick moaned peacefully as he cuddled against his lover, kissing Adam's smooth chin as he cuddled close.

"I just love you, Merrick..." Adam mumbled

"I love you too..."

"I know... We're always having to wait so long to see each other, but..." Adam huddled in his boyfriend lovingly, "We'll always be together... Right?"

Merrick's hand tightened around Adam's, "... Yes..." Merrick kissed Adam's chest, "Always..."

- -

"Merrick?" Adam said, sniffling as he slowly came closer, shuddering as he looked at his legs, which held a lot of red blotches where the skin has been severely damaged, and his butchered feet. "Merrick... It's me... Adam..."

"Humans..." Merrick mumbled, "Are liars..."

"Merrick... Can you hear me?" Adam said once again.

"Humans... Want... Everything..."

"Merrick..." Adam's voice is so thick with emotion as he crept closer, "Merrick, are you..."

"..." Merrick's body tensed as Adam approached closer, "Stay back..." He whispered harshly, so Adam could hear.

"Merrick... It's me..." Adam's heart is breaking... Shard by shard.

"Don't touch me..." Merrick growled as he looked up, "Or I'll KILL you."

Adam's stomach lurched at the death threat. "Mah... Merrick, please..." Adam begged softly, moving a hand toward the blond, "We have to-" Adam placed his hand on Merrick's shoulder.

WHHHH!

CRACK!

"GAHHHH!!" Adam screamed as he was knocked onto the floor. He curled and seized his knee - it feels like it was broken in half! "MERRICK!" He moaned, "Why did you- GGHHEEHHH!"

Merrick's arm slowly lowered, his index and middle knuckles firmly stuck out, as they have struck a severe blow to Adam's kneecap.

Keith smirks outside their door. The other guard takes his communicator, and holds it to his mouth, "Mr Bryant has been injured, sir. Should we separate them?"

"Negative." Nigel responded on the other side, "Let's see how this plays out..."

"Sir, with all-"

"DON'T." Nigel interrupted. The guard opened his mouth to protest, but sighed and obeyed, putting the communicator back onto his belt.

"Nnnnhhh!" Adam panted and whined in pain. He looked, and saw Merrick glaring at him, but not making eye contact as he slowly stood up on his legs. Merrick's mouth opened like a ravenous tiger, "Merrick-"

"HHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEGGGGHHHHHH!!"

"AHHHH!" Adam covered his ears as the merman fiendish, unleashed a blood-curdling roar. The shriek ended almost as soon as it began. Adam whined and grunted as he tried to move away, while still looking at his lover.

"Merrick! It's me! Adam! Look at me!!"

"Monster..." Merrick snarled, "You would dare..."

Nigel studied closer as the merman advanced closer to Adam.

In Merrick's eyes, all he can see is white hot fury, and another human, who would dare touch him after everything they have done to him. He can't even look at this monster's face.

"Merrick, stop!" Adam pleaded as he was backed up against the wall.

"Humans... Are monsters..."

"Merrick, listen to me!" Adam said, shaking with terror as he attempted to stand himself up, careful not to even touch the leg with the busted knee, "It's me! Your Adam! I'm your boyfriend! I love you!"

"LIAR!!" Merrick sent a punch to Adam's stomach, before grabbing his throat. Adam gagged as he felt Merrick's hand press on his neck, "You would dare..." Merrick's arm pressed on him, and Adam felt his feet leave the floor.

"Interesting..." Nigel said as he watched the merman lift Adam up against the wall by his throat, "He's a lot stronger than I thought..." He mumbled, noting the face that Adam's build is taller and a little wider than Merrick's own figure.

"You would dare..." Merrick's hollow, wrath-filled blue eyes looked up at Adam's face, "Talk about him... After everything you humans have done..." Sparkling tears flowed down his cheeks.

"Merrick..." Adam panted, his hands trying to hard to pry Merrick's bandaged fingers off, "It's me... You save me from the... Siren...!"

"These words... Are your last... Human monster..." Merrick growled as he held Adam a little higher, and tightening his grip.

"I-I..." Adam's voice is hoarse from the firm one-handed chokehold.

"Monsters..." Merrick pushed his palm against Adam's Apple, "Deserve to die."

"Merrick... I'm the mistake... You never should've made..." Adam wheezed out, "But I... Love... You..."

"..." Adam's sense is beginning to fade, "... Adam?" Came a softened voice.

Suddenly, Adam felt himself drop from the wall. He gasped and coughed as he cringed on the floor, clutching his neck from the harsh pressure, still feeling dizzy. Adam's body tensed as it attempted to recover itself.

"... Adam..." Merrick looked down in horror at the human, looking directly at his head, "Adam, my Adam..." He fell to his knees as Adam attempted to compose himself. "You're my Adam..." His voice shook as he looked at his long-seen mate.

"Merrick..." Adam coughed a few times, still rubbing his neck, "Why..." He can barely speak, both from emotion and physical pain, "What happened to you..."

The next thing Adam feels is a pair of arms wrapped tightly around him, "ADAAAAAMMMMM!!" Merrick shrieked. The merman sobbed hysterically as he clutched onto his human, "Ahhhhaahhhhh!" Merrick cried uncontrollably as he held onto his boyfriend. Adam, pushing the pain of his busted knee out of his head, hugged Merrick back tightly, with emotion running down his cheeks as well as he held Merrick close.