The water flowed peacefully around you as you swam, searching for something that would satisfy the hunger that was beginning to growl in your stomach. Like a merman shark, you moved nimbly through the currents, your eyes alert to any movement. You didn't want easy prey; you longed for the thrill of the hunt.

Then, the scent came to you. Blood.

The metallic smell seeped into your gills, and without thinking, you began to swim toward it. You followed the current quickly, until, finally, you saw it. A plump octopus, trapped inside a pot. One tentacle protruded, bleeding slightly, leaving a trail in the water.

You approached silently. The octopus was crying, sobbing weakly.

"Uuuuh... sniff... it hurts... it hurts so much..."

Its shaky voice floated through the water, and your eyes narrowed at the sound. The octopus was crying. He babbled between sobs, as if his wound was the only thing that mattered.

"Why do these things always... always happen to me?"

Azul, the octopus, continued to cry, completely oblivious to your presence. Every word, every sob seemed to resonate within you, causing your urge to hunt to falter for a moment.

The urge to hunt was still there, and you swam toward him, intending to bite his wounded tentacle. But just before you did, a high-pitched scream stopped you in your tracks.

"IIIIIIKH!"

The octopus shifted clumsily inside the pot, and before you could react, its face appeared. Its eyes, filled with fear and tears, stared at you desperately.

"W-W-W-what are you doing...?! Hic... It hurts, it hurts so much! Don't bite, don't bite!"

You stood still, staring into those large eyes that reflected so much fear. He was no longer prey, just a helpless, whining octopus. His sobs made something inside you change. You no longer felt hungry, only a strange discomfort at seeing him so vulnerable.

"Uuuuh... sniff... my tentacle..."

Azul continued to cry, sobbing between hiccups.

"Why does everyone hate me...?"