by CS Patra
“Oh!” He pulled away. “I...I wasn’t...”
“Was that the wrong thing to do?”
“No, it wasn’t! It’s just...” He stopped himself. “I should get out of the water. I need to go home now. It’s getting too late.”
“Is it?” Kai had no idea why he said that. “I thought you were at your work.”
“I was but now…” Callum looked at his watch. “Oh God, it’s almost seven! I was supposed to be back on land at five!”
“Oh, no! It’s all my fault!” Kai apologized. “I didn’t mean to make you late!”
“No, it’s my fault for not paying attention. I will see you tomorrow, alright? Same place, same time. I won’t be working at those hours so I can spend as much time as I want.” He looked down at the water and licked his lips. “I did enjoy your dance and song.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear.”
Then without warning, Kai threw his arms around Callum and dipped him down so that his head touched the water. He could feel the back of his head in the surface of the water as Kai kissed him again. This kiss lasted a little longer and Callum didn’t mind. He closed his eyes and took it all in.
More and more, he was starting to believe this wasn’t something mermen did to anyone. They did it to the ones they loved.
Chapter 18
The kiss was fantastic. It was as sweet as he expected it to be and it took him away from his pain. He forgot about what he had been doing earlier. All of his coworkers were waiting for him on the shore when he arrived. They ran up to him at once and asked a million questions. Where was he? What took him so long? Was he hurt? Why didn’t he come back on time?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He apologized, drying himself off with all the towels that he had received. “I got caught up in my work and I lost track of time.”
“That’s not like you.” Dr. Campbell watched as Callum pulled a T-shirt on. They had made their way into the restrooms so he could get changed. “I expected you back on land by five. It is almost seven!”
“Well, to tell you the truth, I’ve been a little concerned about the state of the ocean,” Callum explained, putting the wet suit to the side and pulling on his shorts. He found a pair of flip flops and shoved those on his feet. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there has been a lot more pollution than usual. I came across some of these sea creatures caught in those six-pack soda rings. I had to save them.”
“I figured as much. And yes, I have seen the pollution too. That’s what I actually wanted to talk to you about earlier. I have noticed the pH levels of the ocean water and that has changed quite drastically. There’s also more garbage floating around and oil spills. That’s why I want you to be careful. The area that you tend to focus on is the most polluted right now. If needed, I may have to pull you off your assignment.”
“Oh, don’t do that!” Callum pleaded. “Please, Dr. Campbell! I’m almost done with all my research! I’ve spent so much time on it already!”
“I know that, but I’m also worried about your health. It’s becoming hazardous for anyone to go down to that area. They’re thinking about closing that part off. For the time being, I don’t think you should go there. I was walking down to it and came across a poor seagull caught in one of those soda rings. Fortunately, the medics were able to save it in time but not some of the fish that we also found. They were all dead in the water.”
Again. Callum thought about the bird that he had buried earlier. This is a lot more serious than I realized. Who is doing all this?
“That’s why I’m asking you to step off the assignment for the time being. Until that area is deemed safe, I don’t want you going in that water.” Dr. Campbell finished off. “This is not just for you either. I’m requiring this of all my employees. Your well-being is important to me too.”
“So is the ocean.”
“Priorities, Dr. Caldwell. You can’t protect the ocean if you’re hurt or ill. I still want you to come into work. Just no field work right now. Not until I can find another assignment. Is that understood?”
It wasn’t what Callum wanted to hear but he understood the concern. “I get it, Dr. Campbell. Thank you for letting me know about the situation.”
The good mood he was in had now disappeared and he felt like dragging himself back to his car. By now, it was eight in the evening and he was starving. Not being able to do field work was going to hurt. It was his excuse to see Kai in the ocean and talk to him. That meant he would have to come around at another time and find a new place to dive. The problem was how he could tell Kai about it. Their only communication was when they saw each other.
I guess I have no choice but to find another place in the beach and look for him tomorrow. I hope he isn’t waiting in the same area. He thought as he dumped his bag into the trunk of his car. It was hard to think about anything other than the state of the ocean and Kai. After what he saw happen to that mermaid, he was more determined than ever to save it. He couldn’t let this happen to anything or anyone in the ocean.
I’ll figure out a way to fix this. First, I need something to eat. He decided, making his way to the driver’s seat. I can’t think straight on an empty stomach. Maybe I can get something from that taco place I like.
He never got the chance to fish around for his car keys because he saw the shadow of someone approaching him from behind. “Well, if it isn’t the eco-terrorist himself. I’m surprised you’re out late tonight.”
Callum whirled around to find Knoll and a couple of other men surrounding him. More than ever, he tried to find his keys and get into the car. “What the hell do you want? I haven’t done anything to you. Are you spying on me or something?”
“Mmm, no. I figured you would be down here. You do love playing in the ocean...or rather you enjoying hanging out with your boyfriend.”
There was that cold feeling running down his body, but Callum pretended he didn’t understand. “I have no idea what you are talking about. I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“It’s okay to admit it, Dr. Caldwell. You’re queer. In this day and age, that’s not uncommon. Maybe that’s why you didn’t take my offer. You want a place where you and your boyfriend can spend some quality time.”
“I’m telling you I don’t have a boyfriend! Even if I had one, what concern is it to you?” Callum lowered his gaze. “You want something from me. I don’t know what but you have been bothering me for a while now. If you don’t leave me alone, I will…”
“You will what, Dr. Caldwell? Scream?” Knoll chuckled. “That was very cute, by the way. You really think anyone will come to your rescue if you scream? There are ways to silence you.” He grabbed Callum’s wrists to keep him from squirming. “I’ve seen you on the beach, Dr. Caldwell. Swimming with another boy. I hardly ever see him on the land with you though.”
That’s because he can’t be on land. Callum thought, grateful that Kai was a merman and could slip into the waters. He could be safe from these men.
“Hmm, I wonder how anyone would feel if they found out about your little affair.”
“You really think that scares me? There are a lot of worse things, I could...like you.”
That may not have been the best thing to say because he found himself pushed against his car. Knoll peered down on him, tracing his collarbone with his finger. “Hmm, I guess I underestimated you. You’ve got a bigger mouth than I thought. I bet you can do a lot of things with that mouth.”
“Look, if it’s about your deal, forget it! I’ve seen enough pollution in the ocean lately and I’ve been pulled off field work as a result. I’m not going to do anything that could hurt it.”
“Here’s a thing; you judged me before I said anything. You already had your mind made up. Even after roughing you up, you didn’t change your mind. Speaking of which, how is that bruise of yours? It’s starting to look a little yellow now.”
“So, I was right. You were behind that,” Callum muttered. “Why are you after me like this? Is it because of
my father?”
“Oh, your father is a part of this too. In fact, this was all his suggestion.”
“You’re lying! My father wouldn’t tell you to hurt me!” He wanted to believe his own words but was struggling to do so. “Let me go! Let me go! Let me…”
He never finished because someone stuffed a rag in his mouth. “One more word out of you and we’re taking out your tongue.” Callum stopped trying to talk at that moment. “Good. You do follow directions. Now here’s the deal. You work with us and we will leave you alone. In fact, we’ll leave your little boyfriend alone too.”
“Mmmmm....” Callum tried to yell that he had no boyfriend but he couldn’t do much with the rag. It was hard enough to breathe through his mouth. The only sounds he could make were the guttural cries from all the way back in his throat.
“Now if you still refuse...well, I can’t say the consequences will be in your favor, Dr. Caldwell. It will affect everything. Who you are, what you do, the people you surround yourself with...you know most people don’t look at gay men with kindness, right? I can only imagine how your coworkers would feel if they saw you making out with your little boyfriend during work hours.”
“How did you know?” Callum wanted to ask but he didn’t need to wait long. Knoll pulled out his phone and showed him the picture. Somehow, someone managed to capture these two in the middle of the ocean. Callum’s arms were around Kai and Kai was almost dipping him into the water. He could still feel the water in his hair. It was like Kai had laid him down on top of the ocean.
“It’s kind of dangerous for your boyfriend to be out there without diving equipment, huh? Well, you do whatever you two want to do. You clearly care a great deal about each other.”
Ah, so Knoll didn’t know that Kai was a merman. That was one good thing. From the picture, it didn’t capture the scales on Kai’s side so they were safe. For now, they were both safe. Callum began to calm down when he realized that Knoll didn’t know everything about them.
“Bottom line is to watch your back. You go too deep, Dr. Caldwell, and you’ll drown. Provided that the sharks don’t get to you first.”
They finally removed the rag from Callum’s mouth, but he wasn’t done with them. “You can threaten me all you want, but I will never be on your side! I will die before I do anything to help you!”
“Suit yourself then.” Knoll let him go. “You think you’re strong, Dr. Caldwell, but you really aren’t. I can tell that you are terrified. You are the kind of man who breaks down when faced with his fears. You can’t fight them. You don’t have the strength.”
“That’s not true.”
“If it weren’t true, you would have ended me right now. You would have done everything to fight me. Instead, you gave up when you knew you had lost. You’re really pathetic compared to the rest of your family.”
It hurt to hear that, but Callum couldn’t say anything. The man was right. He was pathetic because he couldn’t fight back. “Are you going to tell people that I’ve been with a man? You really think that’s going to ruin my reputation?”
“No, I don’t. It will affect you though. You don’t want to lose what you worked so hard for, do you?”
Callum felt his blood boiling inside but stayed quiet. As much as he hated to admit it, Knoll was right. People weren’t going to accept two men that easily despite what times they were living in now. More importantly, Kai was a merman. He wasn’t even the same species as Callum. That would be an even bigger scandal and it would no doubt ruin him. He wouldn’t be able to show his face again.
If he stayed with Kai and the secret got out, he was doomed. If he left Kai, he was heartbroken. Either way, he was going to suffer. He just needed to know what was worth losing more.
“Think about it,” Knoll nodded. “I’ll let you go for now. After all, what you decide now will determine your future.”
He turned around and walked away, leaving Callum more confused with his feelings. He was so certain about how he felt earlier. Now, he didn’t know what else to feel.
Chapter 19
Callum was still shaken by the encounter on the beach, but he managed to make it home. Once inside, he locked the door and went straight to the kitchen for some food. Despite how frightened he was, he was still very hungry. His fridge had mostly leftover pizza, veggie burgers, and some pie from last week. None of it truly appealed to him right now so he opted to order a veggie pizza and have it delivered to the house. He didn’t feel like going out anymore. With Knoll and his goons nearby, he didn’t feel safe.
He paced around the living room for a while, thinking about everything. He was not at all surprised that Knoll had been the one to send those creeps after him. He was also not surprised that his secret had been found out. The one good thing was that Kai’s secret was safe. No one knew that Kai was a merman. They only saw him as Callum’s boyfriend.
Boyfriend. He supposedly had a boyfriend. He still didn’t know how he felt about Kai, but he did like kissing him. Maybe Knoll was right; he was queer. His sexuality wasn’t something he thought too much about. He always felt like there were other things to be more worried about. It wasn’t that he didn’t have the ability to love and earn it in return. He wanted to be loved more than anything. He did like romance but never knew how to approach it. He didn’t think anyone in the world would find him fascinating.
Then Kai came along and thought the whole world of him. He saw him as something fascinating and wonderful. He would look at him with those big brown eyes filled with curiosity and wanted to learn so much. He wanted to know what was in the human world. He wanted to be able to walk down a shore one day and dance on feet. It just wasn’t possible.
“You are so lucky,” Kai told him constantly. “You’re not bound to the sea like I am. You can go anywhere you want. I just wish I could follow.”
Callum didn’t think much about that at first. It sounded like a lot of wishful thinking. Now that he remembered this, it did sound like Kai wanted to follow him for life. He wasn’t just seeing Callum as a friend; he saw him as someone to love. He saw someone that was hurting deep down and needed a hand to hold onto. He saw someone that suffered inside and only wanted that person to smile again.
I would do anything to see you smile. I would give up anything.
It was a sweet sentiment but Callum hoped Kai didn’t follow through with it. Give up anything just sounded like something terrible would happen. It did feel like Kai was hiding something from him. There were days where he acted like a ball of sunshine and there were days when he seemed to keep a ton of secrets. Sometimes, it seemed like he was getting close to revealing something but he would stop. Whatever he wanted to say, he wasn’t ready for it.
The pizza delivery man showed up after fifteen minutes and Callum was happy to see him. He tipped the guy well and dove into the food. The smell alone was enough to fill him up. Any other time, he would have called up one of his siblings or a coworker and asked if they wanted to come over. Usually, he didn’t get an answer but at least he tried. It was too bad Kai had no idea about the pleasures of pizza. According to him, merfolk ate things like plankton and other plants below the sea. He wasn’t sure if a merman’s digestive system could handle human food.
“You don’t want to try the peanut butter I have?” Callum asked, holding out a carrot stick with peanut butter on it. “It’s nothing impressive but it’s still delicious.”
“I don’t want to get sick.” Kai told him gently. “I don’t know what that could do to me. What’s good for you may be poison for me.”
It did make sense so Callum didn’t offer food again. He did tell Kai about the human foods out there; pizza, hamburgers, tacos, ice cream, and various other delicacies. He admitted that he didn’t eat anything with meat in it and hadn’t done so in ages. He was currently vegetarian but slowly moving toward veganism. His love of cheese was what held him back at times. Talking about food did make Callum hungry so he had to stop himself. He was careful not to mention seafood.
He didn’t think Kai would take lightly to humans eating fish and other creatures from the sea.
“You make it all sound divine,” Kai murmured. “It probably is better than what I have to eat.”
It was true. Pizza was divine. He only had one slice and already felt like he was floating away. He almost forgot about his feelings but they were still there. Now that Kai was in his life, he could feel his heart beating again. There was something deep inside that he couldn’t reach. It was something that was changing him and everyone saw it. They saw how happy he could be now. Unfortunately, that happiness wasn’t enough to wipe out the depression or sad moments in his life.
He looked down at his phone and saw all the messages from his family. They were all asking about him and if he had heard about part of the beach being closed down. He had to text them back to say that he did know. He couldn’t do field work but that didn’t mean he was out of work. It also didn’t mean he was going to stay away from the beach. He would find a way around the barrier. He would go back to Kai. The other reason he wanted to go back was because of Knoll and men like him. He wanted to stop them. If he saw them do anything to that ocean, he would be there.
They keep calling me an eco-terrorist. Well, fine, that’s what I’ll be to them. He decided. I will keep my eye on them too. Wherever they go, I’m going to follow. I’ll keep them from destroying this ocean.
Deep down, he began to put together a plan. He wasn’t pathetic. He wasn’t weak. Now was the time to prove that to the world.
~ ~ ~
Kai noticed that Callum seemed more glum than usual when he had come down. He tried smiling a few times but those were forced smiles. He was trying so hard to be happy. He came alive when they kissed but he went back to his gloomy self. He couldn’t understand why that was the case. What was he doing wrong?
Maybe he doesn’t love me. Am I trying too hard? Kai wondered. No, that can’t be. If I were, he would tell me. He would always be honest with me. I hope he doesn’t think I’m bothering him. I’ll leave him alone when he does his work next time.