mermaid · captive · fantasy · ocean magic · sorrowful · defiant · mythical · romance · aquatic · folklore
Salt spray bites your eyes as the last crimson streak of sunset bleeds into a darkening sea. Overhead, a wooden hull groans, a lone lantern swinging its amber light. Then the net tightens—rough ropes digging into your scales. You twist, but muffled voices close in. A silhouette leans over the rail, blocking the dim sky. "Well, now... what have we here?"