Mermen in Melbourne

The Discovery

Austin gripped weakly at the sword in his right hand, focus drifting. "Austin, prepare for a parry!" Mason shouted, swinging his trident in Austin's direction. Austin blocked somewhat halfheartedly, and Mason pulled back, staring at him curiously. "What is wrong? You seem distant."

"You've got that right, pal." Austin mumbled. He rubbed at his eyes warily, exhaustion sinking into every fiber of his being. He and Mason had spent the day preparing for his duties at night- swimming, defending, and much to Austin's dismay, preparing for killing. He didn't want to be like these people, he wanted to be normal. There was no way in hell that was going to happen.

"Well, Austin, you need to focus on the prize if you want to remain in the Teach. For all I know, Russell might throw you out overnight, and we all know what happens to the Teachless at night," Mason said, staring ominously at Austin.

"Dude. You say 'we all' like you mean it, and yet I have no idea what the fuck you're even talking about," Austin said. This seemed to be something Mason did often- assume the best of people, oftentimes overestimating.

"You are robbed, pillaged, or killed, after which to be eaten," Mason said, before adding creepily, "Unless they opt to eat you alive."

"What is wrong with you guys?" Austin said, shaking his head.

"More than you could even imagine," Mason said. With that, Austin looked out passed the grounds of the Teach and into the areas westward. Dark ocean blended with light in a way that Austin would have usually found beautiful - today, though, it was far from it.

"Hey, Austin! Mason!" Austin heard Tanner call, and he pivoted to see the boy.

"What," Mason said, not even bothering to ask it as a question.

"No need to sound so happy,"  Tanner said, moving steadily closer. "Austin, I would like to talk to you when Mason's done, if that is okay."

"Um, sure," Austin said, twiddling the makeshift fencing sword between his fingers.

"Great! You two have a good time then, and let me know when you are done," Tanner said, waving as he left. Mason started the boy down as he left, turning to face Austin.

"You are so lucky. You just joined the Teach, and already there are two guys after you," Mason murmured, grimacing. "Lunge." Austin dodged Mason's lunge in the last second, responding with a quick passata-sotto.

"You are getting good at this, Nguyen," Mason said, a small smile fading over his cheeks. Austin smiled halfheartedly back, not caring all that much. Hell, there wasn't much he cared about right now, anyways.

"We might put you out to hunt tonight, test your worth," Mason added. Austin's smile slipped.

"You mean Tanner wasn't kidding? You want me hunting? Tonight?" Austin said, stunned. Everything was rushing so fast.

"Yeah, why not? You are already better than me, clearly," Mason said. There was an underlying tone of bitterness there.

"Mason, I'm not ready. I just learned to walk - swim, whatever - today. This is ridiculous," Austin said. And he was right, it was ridiculous. There was no way Mason expected him to actually hunt and not die, right? Was Mason trying to trap him?

"You are ready," Mason said, nodding. His eyes were squinted.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm gonna go talk to Tanner," Austin responded. He was suspicious of Mason, something he wouldn't expect. Austin left in a huff, stumbling over nothing. No matter what he did, he felt like he would always be bad at swimming.

"Austin, you're already done?" Tanner said, a sloppy grin falling over his face. Austin liked Tanner more than most of the Teach, but that didn't mean he was oblivious to the way the guy looked at him. It was almost as he was looking at the stars, or a bouquet of flowers. Complete and utter bliss. It was a shame that Austin didn't - couldn't - feel the same way.