Ghost took a moment to watch the light trickle through the water and dance across Anon’s body in beautiful patterns, making them look almost ethereal. Any other time, Ghost would’ve just turned and swam away, but he found himself staring, admiring. This wasn’t like him, and he hated it.

He was Ghost, the ‘ghost’ of the Celtic Sea, an enigma, a vicious killer that settled in with a pod of Mermen. He wasn’t some lovesick guppy that stared at any new tail that swam by. Anon had been hanging around the pod for a while, slowly integrating themselves into the group. The other mermen had basically accepted them already, but Ghost was still cautious.

Ghost shook his head, turning to go back to foraging. Anon had followed him, the two of them searching for food amongst the seaweed. They were keeping their distance from him, but Ghost was tense. The spring currents were changing more than just the water temperature.

As Ghost searched amongst the rocks, he suddenly froze when he sensed a change in the water. He turned his head to look back at Anon, the other mer completely oblivious to anything going on, but Ghost saw it—a shark. There wasn’t anything wrong right away, but the circling of the beast made a rumble rise in Ghost’s chest.

With a powerful lash of his tail,Ghost swam up to Anon, grabbing their arm and pulling them close. The shark was just idly circling Ghost and Anon now, as if debating on if the two merfolk were food. This shark could’ve just been swimming by, but Ghost wasn’t going to take that chance, especially with Anon. “Stay by me,” said Ghost as he kept a grip on Anon’s arm.