The merman, my man

Chapter 223

I fumbled through the darkness, clutching the scaffolding as I climbed up to the third floor. I almost

slipped due to nervousness, but fortunately, I managed not to cause any commotion. As I poked my

head up for a look, a black figure appeared within sight —it was the suspicious man I saw during the

day!

He stood still as he watched the sea thoughtfully, not sensing me when I appeared behind him. His

appearance was different from Dicken’s human form. He didn’t have black hair and was much skinnier.

Despite that, I was drawn to the scent that the sea breeze blew towards me—it was a scent unique to

Dicken, and it pulled me closer to him.

“It’s me, Dicken.“

I walked carefully behind him, and he seemed to flinch from my voice. I could guess that he hadn’t

expected me to find him so quickly. Still, I reached out with my hands to hug him from behind before he

could turn around, burying myself into his back as I inhaled his scent… Oh, what an enchanting scent it

was to me!

“Don’t you try to leave me behind.“

An icy hand brushed against the hands with which I embraced him, his fingers slowly stroking my skin

before he turned around. I looked up to see a pale blue radiance flashing in his eyes despite his black

shades, and I promptly leaned forward. Though I expected a passionate hug and kiss, I noticed that

there was cool metal pressing against my head.

Before I could react, he promptly grabbed my hands, held them behind me with a vice-grip, and shoved Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

in e towards the second floor . He spoke German with that familiar voice of his, and I understood none

of the words. But, his voice instantly drew every armed guard nearby, and they all pointed their black

gun barrels at me.

What on earth just happened? My head was blank through it, and I could not understand the present

situation. All I could do was stand there, stunned.

”What is it?” Another voice spoke from the deck below, and I looked down to see Gary on the first floor,

looking up at me, the suspicious character who had been captured alive.

Then, I was shoved forward to the deck below. I did my best to keep my head down while Gary made

his way towards me, so that I wouldn’t be recognized. At the same time, I resisted the urge to question

the man who was restraining me. I knew that this was Dicken, as his eyes alone convinced me that I

absolutely did not mistake him for someone else!

I didn’t know why Dicken did that. He was basically a different person, and the sweet sentiment he

showed me just yesterday was seemingly nonexistent now. Even if I threw a wrench in his plans,

Dicken shouldn’t be restraining me and handing me to Gary ! Was he crazy? It was utterly

incomprehensible!

My mind was a mess, and I was even more frustrated

as I watched Gary slowly make his way towards me. My nerves numbed with every clap of his leather

shoes knocking against the deck.

”Who are you? Why were you sneaking around the upper deck?” Gary asked then, standing a meter

away from me.

”I… Ladies’ room… ” I kept my voice raspy while I spoke in English. I could only hope that he didn’t

recognize my voice. God help me!

”Look up, show me your face.”

Damn it. I inhaled sharply as a foreboding sensation crept into my mind, when the vice -grip behind my

back tightened. Was that a signal from Dicken? What was that supposed to mean? Still, I could no

longer keep my head down now. There was nothing I could do, so I slowly looked up while feeling my

cheek muscles twitch in nervousness and fear. But, that gave me an idea, and I promptly pretended to

be drunk. I shook my head and forced a smile as I said, ” Hey, why so serious? I just need the loo… ”

Gary leveled a sharp glare at my shades as if trying to see my eyes behind them. Somehow, the

disguise I had been so confident about was suddenly risky, and I could only hope that the darkness and

dim radiance stopped him from identifying me. Luckily, my disguise and feigned stupor seemed to pass

the test. Gary appeared wary but did not seem to recognize me. He demanded as if he was

questioning a burglar , ”I’ve never seen you before. Are you David’s crew or Miya’s?”