Predator Lurking in the Waters

Chapter 7: The Feedings

By the time nightfall had descended upon him, Richard had found a quaint, but viable cave. It was pretty well hidden by the cascade of vines, and other foliage, and when he went further inside, there was a cenote—which meant there was drinkable water-especially since there was a storm that passed only a day ago. He worked fast to make a fire, piling the sticks he picked up on his way there, the clashing of stones igniting the flames.

It was getting cold, and with nothing but tattered shirt and pants, did he have anything but the fire to keep him warmth.

The sky was covered in stars, and he relaxed under their gaze, letting his mind drift. The past two days had been more than eventful. His men died, he was on an island with a siren, and he never arrived at the Allied Conferance in Maydel. He wondered if his father was alright, and if perhaps news of his disappearance had already spread.

The king had been very sick when he left. He had been sick for a while, but of course, being the stubborn, strong-willed man that he was, he pretended that he was fine, despite being bed ridden most of the time. Richard was worried, been worried for the man, and if he ever got off this island, and his father was still alive, he swore he'd give him the biggest hug and tell him he loved him.

The prince and the king were close, but never so close as Richard was with his mother. It was easier to tell her he loved her, but his father was strangely against it. The older man always went on a tangent about how keeping feelings to yourself was a man thing, and by showing them you were displaying weakness—though Richard never thought so.

What was there more important than telling your loved one you loved them? It would probably something he'd never understand from the man.

Slowly, but steadily, his eyes began fluttering close and he shutter off into slumber, under the stars.

——-

Weeks had passed since he first got on the island. Weeks since he established this place as his own. And a day since he last saw the beast. He had originally tried to fight the urge, distracting his mind with menial tasks, but as the hours passed, and the more his eyes wandered from the direction that he came, did he feel filled with anxiety and guilt.

So like a fool he was, did he provide it nourishment. And if he had happened to be late, the creature would scream, cawing into the skies to beckon him to come.

He lifted the stick onto the cave's walls, tallying mark thirty.

By now the creatures legs have progressed wonderfully. It was now able to move on its own—although not fully functional—it could stand, limping side to side, finding ways to amuse itself.

Richard wondered why it hadn't gone back to the water, but then again if he had someone constantly providing food, would he want to go back to defend for himself?

Probably not.

The creature was sitting down, legs opened wide, palms digging into the hot sand, naked in all its glory. When it saw that Richard had creeped away from shadows, coconut in one hand and bananas in the other, it let a trill of excitement.

It smiled, white fangs blazing back at him. Once it would have been a sign for him to run, but now, he knew in all genuinity that it was quite happy to see him.

It was difficult in the beginning. At first the creature would hiss, and roar at him, throwing sand in his direction. There were days where it would even rebuff him, and ignore the food given to it. There were days that Richard would fear that it would suddenly stand up, fully healed, chase after him and brutally kill him like prey. But those days were long gone, and now, they had developed this kind of relationship.

He even felt a slight bond of trust, though he still would prefer to remain several feet from the mer.

He smiled back, throwing the bananas, and rolling the coconut to it.

Richard crossed his arms, leaning up against the palm tree. The creature let out a little chirp in response, and used its claws to crack the young coconut open, drinking up its essence. The mer then reached up and devoured the bananas whole, not even bothering to remove the peel.

"Hungry again I see," the prince chuckled, to which the mer responded lolling its head to the side in curiosity.

Richard had to admit, although he was still a little on edge with the creature, knew all of its capabilities, could it sure be cute—even charming at times.

It giggled, throwing sand in the air like they were fire works, scooting itself closer.

Richard took notice of this and backed a way a little. "You know the rules." He then proceeded to grab a stick from the floor, pointing towards the creature and then at himself.

The mer rolled its eyes, and let out a long huff in frustration.

Yes, Richard understood that the creature surly didn't have the same intent to eat him as it did before. But the siren was still a wild animal—even with pretty with its big eyes, full lips, generous hips and

—anyway, like he said a wild animal.

And then the creature hobbled on one leg—the leg that was healing faster than the other, and tried to get closer to him.

"No," Richard warned, but the mer was adamant to get closer. "No. No."

The siren squealed in excitement.

And with that, Richard threw the stick to the side in attempts to distract it, and ran away.

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Author's note:
Probably rushing things too fast but yeah. Enjoy.