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The rough waves rocked the ship like it was a hollow barrel. Water leaked through every crack and no crew mate could sleep through the storm.
Taehyung, I think I’m gonna throw up. Jimin clutched his stomach. The two of them had to share a bunk. Only cabin boys, they didn’t have the ranks to earn them a bed each.
Jimin I swear to god. If you’re gonna barf please turn the other way. Jimin groaned at the intensity of the motion of the ship. He was pale white with a sheen of sweat coating his skin. It seemed somewhat ironic now that the two of them had run away from home when they were barely teens in search of adventure at sea only to find that Jimin gets rather sea sick.
Jimin’s uneasy stomach was enough to keep Taehyung up to put a cool cloth on his friend’s forehead to ensure he didn’t burn up. This was better than most nights though. Taehyung would rather tease his friend about being a pirate who hates the sea than dry the same boy’s tears over the huge mistake they made when they were 16. At their age, they could never have known the reality of the life of a pirate, not until they snuck about The Inari Fox and found themselves surrounded by careless, bloodthirsty and unrelenting men obsessed with gold. They brought bloodshed everywhere they dropped anchor, leaving no village unscathed. The mythical islands and creatures were sparse and far less easy to locate than the stories had suggested. There was no adventure in being a pirate, it was bloodlust and greed.
Jimin and Taehyung grew up in the same small village too far inland to have ever seen the ocean, but the two longed to sale the waters nonetheless. Stories were passed down through generations, or travelled from far reaching corners of the kingdom, that delved into the world of pirates and treasures as well as mystical creatures in the depths of the ocean and far corners of the land. These fairy tales told of adventures of mischievous heroes or curious sea creatures who stumbled upon gold or mythical objects. The two young boys, wide eyed and curious by nature, lapped up such tales until they both turned 16 and jumped on a wagon heading to a big port city and never looked back. But now, they found the excitement they once held had dissipated amongst the cold, harsh reality of life on board this ship. Sailing from island to island and city to city in search of treasures held no excitement, there was an unrelenting anger that hung around the crew and the captain in searching for what they desired and no satisfaction when they had found what they came for. Greed had cursed them all to sail the waters for eternity without ever finding anything to truly satisfy their hunger.
The current course had been set for an island that was furthest from the mainland the two boys had ever been. It had now been days without seeing land and even Taehyung was starting to feel dizzy from their time trapped on deck. It was unfortunate that this trip followed from the others in what was not a search for gold but the captain’s obsession with a mythical creature that Jimin and Taehyung did not believe existed beyond fairy-tales or folk songs. It was often told that lurking in the depths of the ocean was a creature of unimaginable beauty and a voice like bells on a bright summer day that gently lured sailors to their death. Why their captain would want to find such a deadly monster was unfathomable. But the crew blindly followed his demands believing the creature held valuable properties, almost a kind of treasure, that were beyond any human creation; eternal life, resurrection, even eternal youth were such things many claimed such a creature could provide. This search had continued for 9 years to no avail. To Jimin and Taehyung it seemed a hopeless cause, but the crew continued on blinded by greed and their own unrealistic desires.
It wasn’t until their arrival to the mysterious island that Jimin and Taehyung were free for the first time in a long time to be alone together. After dropping anchor, the captain demanded that most men go ashore to join the hunt, including the cabin boys. They were sent off into the overgrown forest and told not to return til nightfall. It was a shame, Jimin had thought, that such a paradise had been disturbed by these disgusting men who brought their swords to hack at the shrubbery sending birds flying and screeching into the sky. From their days of greys and blues, the two young boys finally disappeared into an explosion of beautiful colour; bright greens, pinks, oranges and a blue that was bright and shimmering rather than grey and rough. Being sent off alone seemed like a dream. Both had run off amongst the greens as fast as they could and as far as they could from the other parties. They were instructed to stay close to the shore and the water unless they could find lagoons or water inland. The island was rather small, but the boys could still put a significant distance between themselves and the pirates.
Out of breath they finally slowed down to a walking pace side by side. They breathed in the air filled with smells of a tropical forest after rainfall and let themselves walk through the quiet, only distant noises of the island inhabitants could be heard.
I think this might be heaven. Jimin spoke softly.
They emerged out of the greenery to an alcove, a small lagoon with a gap in the rocks leading out to sea. The water was still, blue and shimmering. The two sat amongst the rocks staring wide eyed at the beautiful scenery. They both wandered to the edge of the lagoon, taking a seat on the rocks looking out into this hidden space that was a world away from the misery of the ship. It was like being on a star. A star where flowers bloom and the sky is blue. It was here, the two boys confessed their disappointment at the life they’ve chosen, and what they lost in order to get here. They considered staying on the island and abandoning the ship. But the island is so far from anything they doubt they’d be picked up again. In the end, they decide that at the next city they dock at, they’ll leave this ship for good.
Jimin gave a small smile. Yes. It’s not like anyone would miss us. And maybe, I don’t know, maybe we should go home.
Taehyung was silent. It seemed like they would be giving up on their dreams to see the world but perhaps they’d seen enough even if it wasn’t as exciting as they hoped. Yes. Maybe we should.
With that, a head suddenly popped up from the rocks in front of them. Wide eyed and soft features, but nonetheless the shock of the moment sent Jimin and Taehyung flying back and screaming. They dived into the trees before peeking out to see if they had imagined it or not. Sure enough, a small head poked out from amongst the rocks, but a little more cautiously following the commotion.
Ummm…who are you? Jimin called out.
Don’t speak to it! Taehyung whispered urgently
It?
Did you not see the tail on that thing?!
Tail??
Suddenly the head popped up further, a wide grin with long brown hair sticking to his face from the water. But instead of a greeting, he let out a series of soft clicking sounds. Jimin stared, mouth agape.
Is that what I think it is?
If it is, I think we needed to get the hell out of here don’t you?
Oh come on Taehyung, does that siren look threatening to you? What’s he gonna do?
He might eat us?! Can you see the teeth???!!!
Taehyung please stop being so dramatic, Jimin rose from the shrubs and walked over to the rocks where the siren began to click more excitedly, water splashing up from behind.
Wait. Taehyung I don’t think this is a siren.
Huh?
Would you come out already?!
Taehyung cautiously scurried over to Jimin. What do you mean?
Look at him?! Does that look like a bloodthirsty creature that’s gonna sing you into willingly diving headfirst to the bottom of the ocean so he can eat you?
… I don’t know Jimin those clicks sounded a little musical to me-
This isn’t a siren, it’s a mermaid.
Okay. That’s wonderful Jimin. Can we leave now?
No! What if the others come find him and drag him back to the ship thinking he’s a bloody siren?!
Your tone is suggesting this should be my problem-
Taehyung. You’re really gonna tell me you don’t want to protect this cute little fishboy? Let’s just stay here for a bit just in case. Jimin perched on a rock right by the mermaid, who leaned forward right into Jimin’s face with wide eyes.
Hey little guy, Jimin smiled softly. The mermaid let out a sound that somewhat resembled a giggle before clicking excitedly and splashing in the water. Taehyung sighed. He couldn’t argue with Jimin.
As the afternoon sun seeped through tree line, making the lagoon shimmer like diamonds, Taehyung watched as Jimin, sleeves rolled to his elbows, splashed around with the mermaid who would duck behind the rocks or dive down into the lagoon before resurfacing and drenching Jimin in water. Jimin’s laughter echoed among the trees in the quiet alcove and the mermaids clicking and cooing grew louder the more he played. As night approached, the skies became a little threatening and the seas beyond the lagoon a little rough causing the stillness of the lagoon waters to swell and froth.
Taehyung and Jimin sat along the treeline of the clearing looking on as the merboy played amongst the swelling water. Rather attached to the soft creature, they’d called him Koo. Very dangerous to give a name when they had the intention of leaving.
Maybe we should stay. Jimin had said. And Taehyung seriously considered it.
A sudden wave from the rough seas came rolling into the lagoon sending Koo crashing into the sharp rocks. Jimin and Taehyung rushed over in a panic to find the poor merboy bleeding from grazes on his arms and legs. Legs! Jimin gasped and the two boys rushed to dress Koo with their spare clothes.
What do we do?!
I don’t know! This changes everything!! We can’t leave him like this he probably doesn’t know how to walk!
After a debate filled with panic and urgency, they decide to take the Koo with them: sneak him aboard and then with them off the ship at the next port. It was risky. The journey would be long and the crew would be suspicious. There would be nowhere easy to hide him and keep him hidden. But they also couldn’t just leave him here.
The journey back to the ship is somewhat bittersweet. Knowing they were so close to escaping brought them courage and determination. Koo walked like a deer on ice, legs without strength or coordination he had to be carried by Taehyung most of the way clicking nervously with the unfamiliarity of it all. Upon reaching the ship, they could see the disgruntled crew stalking the deck after the unsuccessful search. No doubt the captain’s anger left them even more frustrated after being scolded. Jimin went aboard first muttering that Taehyung was late, not that anyone cared as they prepared to set sale. Jimin had run below deck to the bottom of the ship where the cargo was stored where he met Taehyung and Koo at one of the small windows. Thankfully the merboy managed to squeeze through. Unfortunately, they were forced to leave him, confused and scared, amongst the cargo so they could help prepare the ship and avoid suspicion. At nights, they decided to take turns sleeping with Koo down below.
Of course, Jimin and Taehyung are actually no good at being subtle and it’s not long before Koo is discovered. Although the cargo deck is off limits when the ship is sailing, it is common for the crew to sneak below and steal some of the alcohol in the crates. Upon hearing some suspicious clicking, one particularly nasty crewmember had found Koo huddled away in a corner and dragged him above deck to the dismay of Taehyung and Jimin. Believing he was just a stowaway they threw him before the captain who was less than interested until someone suggests he could be infiltrating the ship from another vessel. Taehyung and Jimin rushed forward and claimed he was merely stranded on the island so they had felt they should rescue him.
It was only until we reached port! Jimin protested.
But the captain was less than convinced by what actually wasn’t far from the truth. The captain demanded that Koo speak up, but he couldn’t which only angered the captain further. Jimin and Taehyung were quickly apprehended as they tried to stop the crew tying Koo up to force the answer out of him. Not knowing they would not get what they wanted, as mermaids cannot speak at all, they begin to toss buckets of water onto the poor boy as he whimpered and cried. About three buckets in, Koo began to shake and convulse, collapsing tangled up in rope as he transformed back into his true form with a long purple-scaled tale draped over the deck.
Silence. Taehyung and Jimin froze.
With that, the captain became hysterical. A siren, he thought, he finally had what he desired most. He demanded Koo to be bound and gagged and taken below deck. Anger stirred within Taehyung at the thought of them hurting Koo. They had no idea of the captain’s intentions with him. Taehyung freed himself from the harsh grip of the pirate who apprehended him. Successfully stealing their sword he turned on the captain in an incredibly brave but foolish attempt to stall the process. Jimin followed suit, rushing sword drawn to the pirates that were attempting to drag a bound Koo below deck. Chaos erupted at the sudden mutiny from the quiet and submissive cabin boys.
It all went shockingly well at first. Jimin was able to free Koo and drag him to the edge of the ship and into the water below. A scream from the captain was cut off by Taehyung’s sword slashing his cheek as Taehyung tried to buy Jimin time to ensure Koo swam away. Jimin cut the ropes of the crew who scrambled to try and descend to the water and grab the merboy before he swam out of reach. Koo had hesitated at Jimin’s initial screams at him to swim away but eventually he disappeared below the surface of the water and vanished. Quick and nimble Jimin dodged most attempts by the crew to grab him.
An underestimated swordsman, Taehyung managed to keep up with the captain, deflecting lunges and strikes of anger. But eventually he was backed into a corner. The corner being the plank and the ocean below. One strike and a moment of losing balance and Taehyung fell to the freezing water below. It was like hitting a wall of ice, his body immediately seized up as he floated down and down to the depths below.
When Taehyung was a boy, he had fallen into the lake near his village. He couldn’t actually swim, never learnt how and still hadn't. Ironic considering his current line of work. He’d been so scared, sinking and sinking thinking no one would save him. But a hand had pulled him to surface. Jimin. However, at this moment he wasn’t sure Jimin would be there. He was still aboard the ship. Maybe the crew had got him and tossed him into the rig. Maybe this time, Taehyung would just keep sinking.
He felt he had imagined someone reaching out and taking his hand and pulling him up. It wasn’t until he broke the surface of the water and gasped for air that he realised Koo was holding him up clicking at him with worry in his eyes. Taehyung looked around and saw they were far from the ship, it stood in the distance, slightly looming, but far enough away that they couldn’t reach them now.
Jimin?! Taehyung spluttered anxiously looking around only to see his friend clinging to a wooden box floating nearby. He looked exhausted, out of breath, but also relieved. When he’d run below deck, he’d stolen a box before, to the shock of the crew, throwing himself out of a lower deck window where Koo had unexpectedly been lurking. He’d pulled Jimin as far away from the ship as he could before going back for Taehyung.
The three of them floated aimlessly for a few minutes, a little in shock at the events of the last half hour. Eventually Taehyung, with a sudden joy beginning to fill his chest at the realisation they were free, turned to Koo.
Can you swim far? He asked with a soft smile. Koo clicked excitedly in response. They turned to Jimin whose eyes lit up with his gentle smile.
Good, he spoke quietly, then let’s go home.