Beyond the Shallow Waters ★ Maylor

Chapter 7

Hey, sorry I'm a bit late with this chapter. I had to deal with somethings today. I apologize if this chapter is all over the place. This was actually the hardest one for me to write so far and idk why. Just please enjoy it and I'll hopefully make the next one less all over the place.
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Roger's POV

My head throbbed when I finally came around. Something felt off. I blinked my eyes open.

My heart rate picked up. I was in some kind of room in a shallow container.

Where am I?! They've taken me!

They're going to kill me!

I moved my leg- MY LEG?! I screamed at the sight.

A curly-headed human popped up out of nowhere from the side of the bowl thing I was in.

"It's okay! You're alright! You're safe!" Was that same one that tried to kill me?

"Where am I? How do I have legs?" He seemed confused and surprised about the legs.

"You're safe, you were tried to be caught last night. We found you on the beach. About the legs, I have no idea. You had a tail before I fell asleep so I have no clue how... you're...human now." I felt around after his words. My gills were gone. My sharp teeth and claws as well; The teeth and claws were human-like. Freddie's necklace was hanging around my neck. Why? He never takes it off.

"Where's Freddie?" I inquired but the human seemed to know nothing.

"Who's Freddie?" His eyebrow was raised as he stared at me.

"He was my friend." I lowered my head, fidgeting with my fingers. I heard fumbling come from outside this room. The door was slammed open to reveal a disgruntled looking auburn.

"I heard screaming," his eyes flashed over to me, "Oh my god! He's awake... and he has legs?!" The man stared in awe at me before being fussed at.
    
"Yes now, don't yell," The brunette's attention turned back to me, "I'm Brian and this is John. What's your name?"
     
"Roger." I choked out. I was still rather scared. I don't know where I am, why I'm human, nor where my best friend is. Can you blame me for being terrified?
    
"Hello, Roger. No, we're not going to hurt you whatsoever. We're here to help and protect you from Prenter. I believe it was him that tried to capture you last night." I gulped, panicking some.

"You promise he won't find me?"

"We promise." The two promised me that he wouldn't get me. I had to believe. If I didn't, I could end up dead. Most likely...
    
There was only one problem I had.

"Umm, one thing, I don't know how to walk." Brian slightly giggled and offer to help me up. He made John get me some clothing so I could cover myself before turning back to me.

He held out his hand and I compliantly took it. My legs wobbled as he helped me to stand. This was all so new. I felt weak and nearly collapsed but Brian caught me.

"It's alright. I've got you." He helped me to rinse the seawater off that I hand be sitting in and helped me to put on under clothing. I kinda felt embarrassed. As a merman, all genitalia was cover but humans' are not. You have to put on the clothing.
    
He held on to me tightly and showed me how to walk.
    
"One foot in front of the other. That's it." He let go and I made it as far as the door before I fell.
    
I felt like a newborn, having so much trouble adjusting to a new life. I was struggling.
    
Brian helped me up again and continued to help me to his bedroom.
    
I had no idea how this happened to me, but I'll live. I care more about if Freddie's okay than how I ended up human.
    
I plopped down on the edge of Brian's bed, resting.
   
As Brian gave me the clothing, he explained what they were called. Merfolk don't wear clothes, only jewelry, and armor if you're a guard. It was fascinating. We tried on a few different pairs of pants to see what would fit me and see what I would like better. I ended up with a pair of John's because Brian's were too long on me. I was given a black shirt with a design on it next. It was a human, winged creature and said "Led Zeppelin."
    
"Here." John held out a pair of shoes to me while I slipped on socks.
    
"Thank you." They were black as well, with white and a star in a circle on the inner side.
    
"They're called converse if you'd like to know." John explained, giving a smile.
    
They showed me how to tie them and then handed me the last touch: a pair of glasses called "aviators."
    
I looked in the full-body mirror and it was different. I liked it though. My eyes wander down to Freddie's necklace and wondered if it had anything with this whole situation. It must have. Freddie was overly fond of it and never took it off.
    
"You okay?" I was startled a bit at the voice as I had zoned out.
    
"Yeah, I'm okay, just lost in thought." I took a step and fumbled. I luckily caught myself.
    
It's going to take me forever to get used to these things.
    
I slowly grasped the concept of walking more as we went down the hall. Who knows how long I could be like this? I could be human for the rest of my life. It's better to learn.
    
Everything feels rushed. What I'm meaning is being rushed into humans. Brian and John apologized if it had seemed that way. They want to help me and make sure I'm comfortable. They know it's all new to me. Sure, I've only known the two of them for only an hour and a half, but they've already done so much for me. Not to mention, Prenter could come knocking at their door at any time, looking to see if they've noticed anything. They had to have me prepared for that.

My stomach growling, catching the two's attention.
    
"You're hungry?" I nodded, sheepishly smiling.
    
"Yeah, and some other feeling...?" My hand comes up to my neck, my throat and mouth were dry.
    
"Thirst?" John question causing me to raise an eyebrow.
     
"What?"
     
"You're thirsty." I still had no clue what he was talking about.
      
"I guess it makes sense. Living underwater, you constantly have water. Up here, being thirsty is when you need a drink or you can dehydrate." The taller male informed me. He was right. Living underwater, no one needs to drink. We constantly had water to keep us hydrated.
    
"Now, let's get you some food. What would you like?" I followed the two into what I supposed was their kitchen.
    
"Fish." I informed. John opened a tall, box looking thing and pulled out a plastic bag. Yuck, plastic. I've had to save many sea creatures from choking on plastic. I'm not fond of the material.
    
"I have Salmon if that's okay with you." I loved Salmon, it was among my favorites.

"Yeah, it's good with me." I let out a slight snicker, flashing a smile. I expected him to hand it to me but instead be pulled out a weird looking bowl item with a handle. He ran the fish under some hot looking water and threw it into the bowl.

"What?" John asked, noticing the confused look on my face.

"What are you doing to it?"

"Cooking it?" Now was his turn to look confused.

"Do you just eat things raw?" Brian finally pitching in again.

"Yeah, that's what we do." My voice lowered as I spoke. Resting my chin on my crossed arms that laid upon the counter. I watched as John sprinkled stuff on top of it and later on, flipped it. The smell was like nothing I'd ever smelled before. It was almost heavenly.
    
"Here," Brian was handing me a clear, see-through cylinder with water in it, "It's a glass of water. You were thirsty." I quietly thanked him and brought the glass to my lips. It felt so great to have water. My throat felt so much better now. I quickly downed the rest pulling a chuckle out of the brunette.
    
Soon, John was done cooking and handed me a plate. I graciously took it and was about to dig in when John handed me a thing that looked like a small trident. He showed me how to use it and I followed his instructions.
    
I still ended up scoffing it down within a minute, like I'd never see food again. The humans grinned and giggled at my behavior. John asked if I'd like the other piece. I took it no questions asked. While I took my time with the second piece, the other two moved around the kitchen. John grabbed a box of the cabinet and Brian picked up a red, almost circular thingy.
    
"What's that?" The two turned to look at me.
     
"What's what?" Brian inquired, taking a bite of the red thing.
    
"What are you eating?" Whatever John had, he placed them into slots in the machinery he had on the counter.
    
"Apple."
    
"Pop-tarts."
    
Even though I didn't understand what they were, I went on and finished my breakfast.
    
Afterward, they took me into the living room and sat me down. They informed and taught me some more about the human world for hours. They spend the whole day doing so. Brian eventually brought in something he called a guitar and played it for me for a while. John, even though Brian wasn't fond of the idea, made us watch something called a movie. It was called "The Little Mermaid." It didn't understand it though much. I did on a certain level. I was more fascinated by the fact that it was a moving and talking picture. Oh the irony though: becoming human and never getting to see your friends or family ever again. I wondered if I'd ever get to see my "family" again. I let out a sniffle and my eyes watered. How are they do that? I guess that's another thing we don't notice underwater. It overflowed and ran down my face. It was salty like seawater.
    
"Are you okay?" Brian asked with a calm voice. I nodded and wiped the water away.
    
"I just miss my family." For the next while, I told them about my life and Freddie. I began to cry more, which Brian decided to wrap his arms around me. He stroked my hair and rocked me slowly back and forth.
    
"It's okay, We'll figure this out. Don't worry. You will see them again, just have hope." I listened to his words and let them sink in. These humans were so kind to me and nothing like how humans were predicted in our world. 

Well, at least these two are, can't say the same for the ones last night.

"Come on, it's time to sleep. Goodnight Deaky."

"Goodnight, you two." The green-eyed male let out a yawn and sauntered off to his room.

Brian stood and I followed him back to his bedroom. He laid out some sleepwear for me and left the room to let me change. I got under the covers just as he entered the room once again.

"You comfortable?"

"Yes." I managed to squeak out. He nodded, flipping the light switch and opening the door to leave.

"Stay, please." I could see him thinking about it for a second before walking over to the bed.
    
"Okay." He crawled in beside me and rested his head in the pillow. I scooted closer to him and nested my head in his chest. He stiffened at the action, making me pull back.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that. When Freddie or I were usually upset or scared after a nightmare, We would sleep with each other and hold each other in our arms for comfort. I keep forgetting that you're not him." When I looked up at Brian's moonlit face, it softened and sympathetic looking.

"It's okay, I understand. Come on." He held his arms open and I moved back in.

"John was the same way once. He used to have terrible nightmares and being comforted was the only way to soothe them." I understood since Freddie and I have gone through the same thing.

"Thank you, for everything." He replied a quick "you're welcome" before his hands found their way to my hair again, stroking it.

"Goodnight Roger." He mumbled into my hair.

"Goodnight Brian." He continued petting hair and rubbing my back until it eventually lured me into a dreamless sleep.