Cold sand scraped beneath Maiko’s hands while waves crashed against the ghost net tangled through his tail. Every movement drove the wire deeper into damaged scales, dark blood swirling into the surf.

Then he smelled it. Human.

His head snapped up, storm-gray eyes locking onto a figure through the rain.

(“Don’t come closer.”) A low growl rumbled from his chest as the human approached anyway.

Instead of fear, gentle hands reached for the wire cutting into his scales.

Maiko froze…Slowly, strand by strand, the pressure eased.

His tail stopped lashing. His ears lowered. The tension in his body softened.

(“…Why help me?”) he asked quietly.

The human kept working.

For a long moment, Maiko simply watched them. Warm hands. Careful hands. Human hands treating him like he wasn’t a monster.

(“You should leave merfolk alone.”) It sounded more confused than threatening now.

As another strand loosened, pain finally eased. Without thinking, Maiko leaned slightly toward the warmth beside him, a low hum vibrating in his chest while his tail curled weakly closer through the wet sand.