The Merman Sold His Baby Brother to Humans. And What Happened Next Will Shock You...

Let's go a little farther. Don't worry, you're safe. I'll make sure of that, I said with a smile. No, Elina, I'm scared already. Remember, Mom warned us not to leave home till she returned. I'm just going to find my way home without you two. Little Romeo cried out so innocently. Ashley laughed hysterically, grabbing his stomach. Run home, mama's boy, he managed to say in between laughs. Do not talk to me like that, naughty boy, Romeo blew hot. Na na na na na. Ashley teased with both thumbs stuck into each ear hole while waving the other fingers. Stop that, you two, I said, barking at them. No, I'm not going to stop. You're just as stupid as mom always describes. You were supposed to watch over us, but you and this dumb Ashley brought your foolish selves out here simply because you wanted to explore and satisfy your stupid curiosity. Little Romeo lashed swimming away. And then he paused and looked back. I'm sure going to tell mom what you both have done, he said, and then swam away. If you know what is good for you, better don't tell mom. Ashley screamed. No, Romeo, please wait, I pleaded, but he continued swimming away without looking back. If Romeo gets home before us, then we are doomed, I said with popped eyes. No, we are not. You're the one who is doomed, Ashley said with a grin. How do you mean? I quizzed, turning to him. Yes, of course. It's my mom and not yours, remember. So, you're the one who's going to get scolded for not watching over us as our big sister. And you know, mom doesn't even like you, he said, still grinning. M. Yes, I know that, I said, looking away. But we need to leave here now before your mom arrives. No, you go. I'll explore a bit more and I'll meet you all at home, say by dusk or night, he said, smiling. What? No, Ashley, I exclaimed. Please, let's go back home. I do not want any problems from your mother. I don't want to be accused of bringing you this far when you were the one who initiated it. Well, I'm still here saying I don't want to go home yet. So run along," he said, swimming away. "No, Ashley, please," I begged, and then he looked back. "Hey, just tell mom and dad that I'm fine," he said, and then turned and proceeded. And then we started to hear the sound of this very big ship that brings humans from time to time into the sea for God knows what. We would hide ourselves from them. They would come, swim back and forth, and then leave after some time. As soon as I saw the ship, my heart skipped, almost popping out of my chest. Ashley too paused, but he was a little bit away from me and closer to them. "Eshley!" I screamed, and he looked back immediately. "Turn back! Run!" I yelled, but he ignored me. "Get lost, you coward," he yelled. The ship was getting closer, so I swam hurriedly and hid behind a rock close by in the sea. I kept whispering Ashley's name, but he ignored me. He stood instead in the middle of the water, waiting for them to notice him, and they did. As soon as they saw him, the sailor halted. The humans started looking out the ship with mouth agape to take proper look at him. And then one of them spoke. "Hey little merman, care for some candy sweets?" he asked, and Ashley nodded sporadically. The human dipped his hand into his basket and brought out candy sweet. "No, Ashley, don't take it," I whispered from my hiding place. Ashley stretched forth his hand, and the human threw the sweets at him, and he caught them with excitement. He immediately unwrapped one and threw it into his mouth. One of the humans then whispered to him, lowered his arm, and Ashley grabbed it, and he was then pulled out into the ship with them. I was still there with mouth a gape, watching all that was going on. When their discussion was taken longer than expected, I sneaked out of hiding and swam home hurriedly, praying to meet dad at home instead of mom, so I could tell him what had happened. And luckily for me, I met Dad. As soon as I told him, we swam back to where I had left Ashley and the humans, but they were no longer there. Prior to that time, we had been warned severally when we were younger, never to have anything to do with humans. Ashley, Ashley, Dad exclaimed, screaming his name. We ended up combing everywhere in neighborhood, but we couldn't find him. And Dad cried like a baby. Elina, how could you do this? You know how harsh and saucy your stepmother can be. How do we explain this to her? He lamented as tears continued dripping down. I'm so sorry. Was the only thing I could voice out with a bowed head. "Come, let us return home to report to the sea soldiers," he said. And we swam back home. As soon as we reached, we cighted Ashley from afar amidst some children showing them something he was holding. Dad and I rushed to him and we discovered it was something he called a camera. Dad seized it and had Ashley locked up in a room. But when mom returned, Ashley told her otherwise that I was the one who took him to the humans and I was scolded without food that night. You must wake up as early as 5:00 a.m. to tidy up everywhere. Else that is your punishment, mom added. Dad is always afraid of her. He sat there unable to utter a word. The following day, very early, I got up as instructed and went ahead to start doing chores when all of a sudden I saw Ashley and Romeo through the glass window swimming away. "This early?" I asked myself in whispers. I hurried outside to ask Ashley where they were headed, but they were nowhere to be found. The fear of mom didn't allow me to voice out. I returned in wondering where they were headed that early. After a few hours, Ashley returned with another camera and what he called a phone without Romeo. As soon as I saw him approaching, I rushed to him and asked him about Romeo. He didn't know that anyone saw them. He wanted to deny it, but then he succumbed. For having the guts to ask me, "I'm going to report you to mom," he threatened. "I don't understand," I said. "Well, you see, this is called a phone, and this a camera," he said, raising both. "One of these can be yours if you keep your mouth shut," he added. "I still don't get you," I said. Well, he said and then looked around. I sold Romeo to the humans in exchange for these, he said, raising the phone and the camera again. What? I exclaimed. Tad, Dad, I started to call at the top of my voice swimming away. As soon as he noticed what I was going to do, he in turn swam to his mom in a hurry. I just got to dad when his mom screamed my name and then approached us with a frowned face. Where's Romeo? She quizzed, staring at me. What? I I managed to say, but Ashley cut in. Do not deny it. You sold Romeo to the humans in exchange for these, he said, showing them the phone and the camera. Oh no, that's not true, I cried. But dad was left with mouth a gape. I was then chased away to return with Romeo within 7 days. I swam farther and farther so I could find the land of the humans, but I couldn't seem to find my way there. Tired, hungry, and exhausted and very cold. I saw a tent at the seaside, and I paused. After contemplating for a while whether to go there in search of Romeo or not, I finally made up my mind to do so. I swam very close to the seaside and was about swimming out when I saw a human kneeling by a fire, holding a fish over the fire. I retreated immediately, hiding myself under the water. But then I had stayed inside the water for too long without warmth and food. I then decided to swim out and approach the human to at least beg him for food, so as to save myself from starvation first. As soon as he saw me swimming out of the water, he flung the fish he was roasting aside and started to run and scream for help. "No, no, please wait," I said at the top of my voice. But he continued running and wasn't even going to stop. "A mermaid, help!" He kept screaming as he ran. I tried as much as I could to tell him that I don't bite, but he wasn't ready to listen, and he ended up running away. I went closer to the fire and knelt before it, spreading my arms over it, and then I picked up the fish, continued roasting it, and kept it aside after it was done. I was tempted to have a bite because of how I was feeling, but then it wasn't mine, so I had to control myself. After some minutes, the human arrived with an older human who was holding a long stick ready to attack while the younger human hid behind him. "Dad, there she is," the younger human said, pointing at me from his hiding. "The older human then looked back swiftly at him." "Smith, I don't understand, but this is a mermaid," said the older human, looking so surprised. Yes, replied the younger human, still trembling. But you told me that you saw a strange creature that looked dangerous, said the older man. Isn't she? asked the younger human. How? No, she isn't. This is a very beautiful mermaid at that, he said. And as soon as I heard that, I became more relaxed. I was immediately able to close my already opened mouth. M Thank you. I said with a faint smile. But please, I'm very hungry, I added. You are? The older human asked with popped eyes and then approached me and picked up the fish from beside me. You can have this. Eat it, he said, stretching it forth. What? The younger human said in exclamation. But that's mine, he added. Smith, don't be ridiculous. Is that how you treat people you're meeting for the first time? The older human quizzed, looking at him. And then he turned to me. I'm looking for my little brother. Have you both seen him? I asked. Nope. They both replied. I sat on the ground and took a bite. And after I was done, the older man asked Smith, his son, to excuse us. He then asked me who I was and where I was from. and I told him everything that had happened. He felt sorry and promised to help find Romeo, my brother. You can pass the night here in our tent. Don't worry, you're in safe hands, but it's not safe out here for your kind. By tomorrow, I'll help you find your brother, he said, and I lit out a smile. Thank you, I said, and he smiled back. A few hours later, everywhere was already getting dark. I was taken into the tent by the older human, but Smith, his son, wasn't comfortable with the whole idea. I could see it on his face. He left the tent and then went to sit by the seaside. M I think I should just go away from here. Your son isn't comfortable with me here, I said. You mean Smith? The old man quizzed, and I nodded. Don't mind him. He's just being childish. Even though I'm a fisherman, you're safer here. If you leave at this time, there are fishermen out here who would not think of any other thing but to sell you off for money. And you need to be here so we can leave together very early in search of your brother, he said. Okay. Thank you for the information, I said, and he nodded. That night, I was so tired that I didn't even know when I slept off. But I woke up a few hours later in chains and with a gagged mouth. I tried screaming, but I couldn't. And then I started to hear voices from outside. I paused to see if I could hear what they were saying, and I did. The man and some other humans were already discussing how to have me sold to some wealthy humans and how they were going to share the proceeds. I struggled to get up, but I couldn't swing my tail. I tried screaming, but my gagged mouth wouldn't let me. I fell helplessly to the ground as tears dripped down my face. I cried beos. I wasn't even sure yet of my safety. The men were still outside making merry and jubilating. While I was there in chains, thinking about where help would come from. After some minutes, I heard footsteps. I turned my head around immediately but found no one. But after a few seconds, the person revealed himself with a finger over his lips. "It was Smith, the man's son." "Shh," he said, and I kept mum, wondering what he was up to. He walked on tiptoe towards me, turning and looking around. I didn't know what he was up to, but I was there praying that whatever it was that he was up to should be for good. He approached and then whispered in my left ear, "I'm here to save you." My eyes filled with tears immediately, and I muttered the words, "Thank you." He brought out a key from his pocket and then unlocked the padlock on the chain. As soon as I was freed, I removed the gag and Smith helped me up. He grabbed my arm and sneaked me out of the tent. "Let me take you into the water so you swim out of here before they notice." He whispered and I nodded. He carried me and we took the first step, second, third, fourth, and then the fifth step, but suddenly one of the fishermen flashed his torch light on us. Smith and I froze and couldn't look back as our hearts continued pounding so hard. The mermaid, one of them exclaimed, and they all stood up. But who is the person with her? The same person quizzed. Could Could this be? Smith. His father questioned in stutters. Smith stood there shivering. Of course it is," one of them yelled, and they started to approach us with flashlights as shiny as the sun. "Hurry, hurry up and dive into the water," Smith said in silent whispers, dropping me. "Are you sure? I don't think I can do this," I said, so afraid. He tried forcing me to, but I couldn't, and the men were already a few steps away, unknown to us that one of them had already left to get a net. "Throw the net!" We heard all of a sudden, and Smith pushed me forward, and I staggered into the water just a few steps away. The net missed both of us, but Smith rushed forward by the water to make sure that I was safe. I swam a little deeper and then peeped through the water. As soon as they saw what Smith had done, one of the men pulled out an arrow and hit Smith on his arm, and he fell backward into the water. That is for betraying us," he said, nashing his teeth. "No," his father screamed at the top of his voice, diving into the water. But I grabbed Smith as soon as he fell into the water, and I swam away with him deep into the water. I paused halfway, pulled out the arrow, and we again proceeded. I watched from afar as his father searched for him, but couldn't find him. I swam with him to another seaside, took him out of the water, and laid him on his back in the dry land, but I noticed he was no longer breathing. I tapped his cheeks multiple times and even felt his pulse, but nothing. "Hello, Smith," I said into his ear, but he didn't respond. "Is he dead?" I asked myself with popped eyes. And then he sneezed, opening his eyes. I sighed, placing a hand on my chest. "You scared me," I said, and he started to look around, but found neither a human nor a tent. "Where am I?" he quizzed, still looking around. "I thought I was dead," he said, and just as he was about turning again, he felt a sharp pain on his hand. He grabbed the arm and then let out a scream. "Sorry, you'll be fine," I said, tapping his back. We found a bow and some arrows by the sea, and as soon as he saw it, he asked me to bring them closer, which I did. We tore apart of what he was wearing, and we tied the wound with it. "I'll help you find your brother," he said, looking at me. "Wow, thank you," I said with smiles. "I know where he is," he added, and my jaw dropped in awe. "I don't understand," I said. I know those humans who buy live mermaids, he said. What? I exclaimed again. But what do humans need mermaids for? I quizzed. For money, he said. These live mermaids are bought by big men and then sold to people who own museums. The live mermaids are then put up in show glasses so some humans come to watch them after making some certain payments, he said. But that's not fair, I said. Yes, it isn't, he replied. So, when do we go in search of your brother? He quizzed. How about now? I asked curiously. Okay, then let's go, he said. Forgive my manners, please. But your wound, I said, pointing at it. No, it's okay. I love to swim, so the water will help heal it, he said with a smile, and I nodded, smiling back. We swam for hours, rested by the seaside for a few minutes, and then proceeded again. We talked about so many things and how the water world and the human world look like. We shared ideas and then I taught him my favorite song. After swimming for another hours, it was already morning and we finally arrived somewhere with plenty tall buildings by the sea. "Wow," I exclaimed with my eyes glued to the buildings. "Where's this place?" I asked Smith as we both swam out. "Well, let's call it the wealthy man's land. You can't live here if your pocket is empty, he said with a giggle. Oh, I see. I said. So, how do I find my brother? I asked. Relax. I'll help you, he said. And then we started to hear little children's cheering voices from nearby, which seemed as though they were playing with something. "Hold on," Smith said, and I paused. Let me check what they are up to before we sneak into the museum. We'll check there if he's there," he said, and I nodded. Smith left but ran back after a few seconds. I was shocked to see him. "What is it?" I asked with popped eyes. "I don't know, but the kids are playing with something that looked like a little merman." "I don't know if it's your brother," he said. "What?" I exclaimed, trying to rush there, but Smith quickly grabbed me. What are you trying to do? He questioned. To see if it's my brother, I said. Wait, you can get yourself into trouble. Don't you know that? If these people see you, then God has answered their prayers. They will end up making so much money from having you sold, he said. So, what do we know? I quizzed. Just wait here. I have an idea, he said. and then left and returned after a few minutes carrying the bow and arrow we had found. Come, he whispered, and I followed from behind. We hid behind a building. I peeped from there, and lo and behold, I saw Romeo being trapped in a show glass. "Yes, that's him," I exclaimed, but Smith quickly covered my mouth. "Is Is this the mouth?" I stuttered, but Smith cut in. You mean the museum? He asked, and I nodded. No, it isn't. But I wonder why he's kept out here, he said. How do we get him out? I quizzed with a stare. Watch me, he replied, and then tiptoed forward. Be careful, I whispered, and he nodded. He set his arrow on the bow, shot directly at the top of the show glass, and the arrow pierced through with a crack. As soon as the children around the show glass saw this, they turned to see who shot it, and Smith stood there, ready to shoot another arrow, and they took to their heels, screaming at the top of their voices. Smith rushed to the show glass, punched the cracked place, and the glass shattered. He brought out little Romeo, and as soon as he saw me, he screamed, calling my name, and Smith handed him over. "Go now, dive into the water somehow!" Smith screamed. What? Let's go, I said to him, stretching my hand forth towards him. The people are coming. Take your brother and go. Get out of here. He screamed again at the top of his voice. But how could I leave and abandon him there? And then I saw some humans running after him, and he in turn took to his heels. I held Romeo's hand, and we both dived into the water. We paused, waiting for Smith too to dive into the water so we could escape together. But all of a sudden, he was shot from behind and he fell into the water. Those people still followed him and they shot him again and again in the water. I screamed. Tears dripped down my face. So did Romeo. We then swam deep into the water, unable to even utter a word to each other. I really felt bad for Smith. I was already thinking of how best to appreciate him for helping me find my brother, but now he lost his life in the process. After several hours, Romeo and I finally found our way home drowning in our own tears, unable to utter even a word to each other. As soon as the other mermaids and mermen in our settlement saw us, they ran toward us, chanting my name. They carried Romeo up and began singing songs, but I ignored and went straight into my room. Later that day, after hearing all that had happened, the king summoned us, including my stepmother, Dad, and Ashley. I was asked to narrate everything, but Ashley denied it. Romeo counted him and told us all how Ashley lured him to the humans and then gave him to them in exchange for a phone and a camera. The king felt so sorry and then banished Ashley and my stepmother and he rewarded me with a piece of diamond and pearls. Ashley and my stepmother left our territory. Until now, no one knows their settlement. I remember Smith each day that passes. And every year on the same day he lost his life, I fast and pray for his soul to find rest. I hope you enjoyed this story. Tell me where are you watching from. Make sure you are subscribed and watch this video on the screen next. Until my next story. Bye.