A Mermaids Tail

2: Trapped

Even for a human he was a confusing creature, and it was still unclear what he wanted, she'd relax more if it were not for the ravenous glint that flashed in his eyes when he watched her. They followed the rising and dipping headland until a fork in the road came a signpost she couldn't read pointing down the right fork, without a pause he headed left starting to make way uphill. Not really questioning it she followed him until upon reaching the peak of the hill she turned to look down at the sea she noticed a harbour town, the white sails of ships bobbing dots in the quay. She had expected, half hoped, that he would head to the nearest town, but here he headed towards a small forest, across a wildflower meadow, in a dip in the landscape. Partway into the meadow he slowed to a stop and unslung the pack from his back putting it down, reaching the hand back up to rub at his shoulders. With one last look to the town she set off quickly down the hill to him.

Still using one hand to ease the pain in his shoulder he passed her a satchel she had watched him fill with berries along the way that morning. The sun was now tipping onto its downward arch, stretching her legs out she lent back and gazed up at the cloudless blue sky then to the eyes of the same colour that watched her intently. Popping a few berries into her mouth she smiled at him, fluttering her eyelids coyly. He smiled back but it was tainted with a grimace as his hand pressed into an obvious sore spot. Putting the satchel aside she moved to her knees and shimmied behind him, his keen eyes watching her. Even at his back he looked over his shoulder at her as she softly pushed his hand away, using her own to ease the tension from the muscles.

Despite himself the sensation of her soft gentle hands moving over him and the warm sun beaming down with just the right breeze coming from the ocean lulled him into a state of relaxation. Finally he lets his eyes leave her and lose himself, it'd been so long since he'd spoken to or touched anybody if it wasn't to steal from, fight or kill them. Now he had this beautiful woman rubbing away his aches and pains, his eyes closed feeling as if he was already in Valhalla.

Seeing him do this she wastes no time ripping the moss from his ear and screaming as loud as her lungs will allow her down it. Instantly his body goes from completely relaxed to completely tense, veins straining in his head. She turned still on her knees and stumbles into a run, he collapsing to the ground as blood began to trickle from his ears, laying motionless amongst the wildflower.