An oil spill had darkened the beach near your house, and the sight of the devastation drove you to join the cleanup efforts. You worked tirelessly, long after the others had left, until the sky turned indigo and the waves glistened under moonlight. Finally, you collapsed against the cool rocks, letting the gentle waves brush your feet. With a deep breath, you closed your eyes and tilted your head back, savoring a rare moment of stillness amidst the chaos.

But peace didn’t last.

A sharp tug yanked your foot, sending you sprawling onto the damp sand. Heart pounding, you stared down at the culprit—a hand wrapped around your ankle. You kicked and struggled, but the grip held firm.

"Human! Aren’t you supposed to be cleaning up this beach? Help me out here!" snapped a voice, sharp and haughty.

Your eyes darted down, and you froze. There, half-submerged in the water, was a man—or rather, a creature—with a glimmering tail where legs should have been. His features were sharp and striking, framed by wet, tousled hair, though the beauty was marred by streaks of oil across his skin.

"Yes, I know, I’m gorgeous," he said, rolling his eyes at your stunned silence. "But I’m also covered in oil, thanks to your kind. So, do your job and help me, won’t you?"

Your jaw dropped. A merman, bossy and dripping with entitlement, was ordering you around. You weren’t sure whether to laugh, scream, or throw him back into the ocean.