Captivity

Chapter 3: Unyielding

The morning air was filled with the deafening sound of shrieking and the hum of machines. The crane struggling to not drop its captive onto the concrete as the workers proceeded to transport the trashing animal; said animal was the disgruntled black mer currently attacking the tarp with a newfound ferocity.

Sam could only watch from afar, sipping on an iced coffee whilst her uncle observed the proceedings. Never had she seen such a powerful and unique creature outside of its element. It made her bristle on the inside. Despite her efforts to remain calm, she couldn't help the overwhelming feeling in her chest to free the tortured animal. Its screeches continuing through the halls as it strained to break free of the restraints. The only think holding her back was the look in her uncle's eyes. The deep contemplative scowl they held reminded her of her own distaste for the situation.

A sigh of relief graced everyone present once the tarp was unveiled and its captive released into the new enclosure. It boasted as one of the aquariums largest tanks, hosting a large variety of marine life in an almost realistic setting. Any number of plants littered the surface of the rocky outcrops and ledges, from coral, sponges, kelp and the like. It gave the appearance of stepping into the rocky reef as the viewing window on the next floor down loomed over the hallway, all but encompassing it in an underwater world. From above it looked like an over dramatic pool, with places the concrete jutted out into platforms, the platforms serving as the base for the formation of sea caves and alcoves in the ecosystem below.

The sea caves were quickly favored by the jet black mer, his form darting off into the tank and disappearing under the rocky outcrops. At the moment he wasn't sure where he was, only that they'd put him back into the water and his first instinct had been to hide. The sight of the small dark cave became the perfect place to disappear from the prying eyes above.

He remained hidden in the shadows for what felt like an infinite amount of time, only allowing himself to peer out when he was certain the humans had left and their shadows no longer hovered over the water. From what he could see from the confines of the cave was that he was in an unfamiliar reef; schools of fish passing by, not in the least bit concerned by his presence. They only distanced themselves respectfully from him when he appeared on the reef.

His eyes searched for any sign of a threat, but when none was found he let himself wander, exploring the new reef an hoping it could help him pinpoint a way home. There were only a couple of caves that he could see, most of them interconnecting on some level. Sea weed clustered into a small forest on the north side of the reef, and the corals growing to the south. But the coral ended abruptly in a fine line along some sort of invisible force.

Growing instantly suspicious, he approached with a wary eye. He was almost certain he could see a reflection there. Reaching out, his fingers brushed the solid surface of the glass and he bristled instantly. This was no reef. It was another trap, another cage to keep him in, hidden under a false illusion.

He lunged at the glass, ramming the unyielding surface before darting about trying to find the limit of his new prison. The mer was quick to find the back wall behind the patches of sea grass. Following it along in both directions, he found himself boxed in by the rocky protrusions that held him here and gave a false sense of security to everything else present. Frustrated, he took to the surface, looking for some way to escape this horrid place, only to find an enclosed concrete patio.

They could not keep him here, he would not be kept here, and from his chest he voiced his defiance. The shrieks echoed throughout the building. He would not submit to these people, and would not yield like the walls that confined him. Thus he continued to scream.