s slammed by

he saltwater burned his eyes. But his legs-wow, his legs!-they were kicking, strong, and f

ming?" he asked himself, bu

t also like home. He took huge breaths and looked around, checking out the never

Earth?" he whispe

e silk. At first, he figured they were fish, but then they got closer. Their faces were smooth and

were

s glowed with shiny scales. Their tails loo

mai

ild and crazy. He had to find out where he was. His voice was sha

idn't say a

smiles were too spot on like

re they seaweed? No, alive rope-wrapped around his wrists and feet. He kicked ar

hold

water before

en though he was scared, part of him was like, wow-his legs w

ixed, ev

s gave off light. The colors were wild, makin

ice sounded like bells ringing underwater. "We have

the ropes, which only got tighter. The mermaids' tails bru

Liang choked out. "I just want

ser. "You must be cute since you caught our eye qu

ck. His face went hot-not just from being scared, but from weird feelings. He was

ight scales said. Her voice was

traight. He wanted to get away, but their b

are what I think?" h

ed wider, showing

nd, the one with dark hair whispered. And you.

fast. Tell me where I am, he b

e in Hai Zhen-the Hidden Abyss. Even

amiliar. He had read about a lot of place

he asked, trying to find something he knew. "D

ed at each other,

ords, the dark-haired one said. She was acting

.. you don't know? Is this a

ter ripple. "You ask too much, landwalker." She s

ulped.

ghtened, and he gasped. More strands

. "Tell us your story, guy. Tell us about the peopl

him like they were going to eat him. Their tails to

short breaths. "Why... W

t one whispered. Pain. We're hungr

e using him. Not his body, but his heart, his memories.

ed. "I... I lov

n's name. He had to keep her fac

shed her nails into his ch

ld lose something if he gave in. But the

e stam