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People who'd been partying last night were just—gone.
The remaining passengers were pale with fear:
"Are we next? I don't want to die!"
"What happened? Is it that mermaid? Weird things started when he came aboard!"
"Better safe than sorry. Kill that thing before it kills us!"
Jessica stomped her foot:
"My mermaid prince is gentle and kind! He would never do this! Besides, he's been locked up! Stop accusing him!"
One passenger glared: "How do we know he's not pretending? He's the only new variable. He has to die."
Jessica turned to me desperately:
"You're the marine bio master's student! You're smart—do something! Save my mermaid prince!"
I stepped forward:
"Fine. I'll keep watch over the mermaid. If something happens to me, then you'll know he's dangerous. You can deal with him then."
They were scared, but they agreed.
At mealtime, Jessica was visibly more irritable.
My plan was working. I felt good but kept a worried face:
"Jessica, this is only a temporary fix. Sooner or later, they'll go after the mermaid. What if... we take him and escape?"
The shore wasn't far. Jessica's eyes lit up:
"Great! Then I can be with my mermaid prince forever."
I hid my malice: "I'm just worried they might come after us on land. Then the mermaid won't stay a secret. What a shame."
