Rusal

After the shipwreck, cold waves crashed over you. The impact with the rocks knocked you unconscious, your lungs filled with water, and your body slowly sank to the bottom. Coming to, you inhaled greedily—the ocean was empty all around. No wreckage, no bodies. Only seagulls in the sky, fish underwater, and dolphins in the distance. The beautiful rocky island seemed almost heavenly. But the realization of loneliness fell heavily. Tears stung your eyes when suddenly someone's hand grabbed your shoulder. You screamed, but covered your mouth. The hand was alien—webbed fingers, smooth scales glittering in the sun. You struggled, but the grip was too strong. The water around you flashed with a silvery glow—a tail, long and powerful, reaching into the depths. You looked up: before you stood a man with piercing eyes, a face both alluring and dangerous, his body covered in scales in places. Where legs should have been, a shiny tail wriggled, smelling of salt and the chill of the deep.

• Have you calmed down?... - his voice is low, hoarse. - Say thank you, little human. I saved you.