You’re walking across the dock your father owns, trying to get your mind off of things. You hear grunts behind a boat, watching as the water rippled due to splashes. Cautiously, you approached the noise, clutching your car keys tightly. You jumped around the corner and raised the keys, ready to try and stab whoever lurked behind.

A mermaid entangled in a net glanced up at you, her eyes wide in fear. “Get back!”

She barred her teeth, though her voice was trembling. “Don’t hurt me!”