Chapter 4: The Prisoner Jane POV

“Move! Keep an eye on the tank! As the transport truck slowed, Paul's piercing voice broke over the roar of the engines.

A team of white-coated personnel rushed toward us, their movements swift and mechanical, as if they had rehearsed this a thousand times.

“Secure the area!” The back of the truck was opened, and Paul let out a bark. The glass walls of the merman's tank, now completely human, were frosted from the inside, and it was carefully lowered onto a dolly.

With my arms folded securely across my chest, I stood to the side. My stomach turned when I saw him imprisoned there, like an animal in a cage.

"Jane, help unload and stop staring!" Paul’s tone was biting, and I flinched.

I mumbled, "On it," and moved ahead to seize some of the monitoring apparatus.

As the merman's tank was brought into the building, the team labored in nervous quiet. Following them, I observed how the light bounced off the glass. He sat still inside, his head leaning against the tank's side, his sharp eyes half-closed.

Paul told one of the technicians, "Make sure the restraints are ready in Lab 3. We’re not taking any chances with this one.”

After giving a nod, the technician vanished down the corridor. I quickened my pace to catch up with Paul. “Do you really think all this is necessary?”

He resisted looking at me. “Jane, don’t start. You understand exactly why this is required in light of what we witnessed last night."

I countered, "He hasn't done anything since we captured him. He’s just sitting there.”

Paul snapped back, his jaw clenched, "For now. But let’s not forget what he is—or what he could do if we’re not careful.”

"What he is," I said again, my tone tinged with annoyance. “We don’t even know that yet.”

“Exactly,” Paul snapped. “Which is why we’re going to find out. This discussion is over."

As we arrived at the lab, I suppressed a retort and fell silent. The sterile antiseptic odor permeated everything, and the air was colder here. The merman’s tank was positioned in the center of the room, surrounded by monitors and restraints.

Paul took the stage and spoke to the group. “Prep the restraints and double-check the sedatives. I don’t want any screw-ups.”

I stood close to the back of the room, staring at the tank while the others moved to comply. He stirred for the first time since we got him on board. He gently sat up, moving fluidly in spite of the tranquilizers.

Then he gave me a direct glance.

I gasped. He fixed his focused, unblinking blue-green eyes on mine. He seemed to be able to look right through me, removing each layer until nothing remained.

Paul's voice brought me back to the present with the words "Jane. What are you doing? Stay back!”

I hurriedly said, "I'm fine," moving away from the window.

Paul took a defensive stance and stepped between me and the tank. “You don’t need to be anywhere near him. He’s not safe.”

He turned to face Paul, his face unreadable. He tugged at the corner of his mouth with a small smirk that vanished nearly as fast as it had emerged.

One of the techs muttered, "Is he... smiling?"

Paul's tone was stern as he yelled, "Pay attention to the restraints. Let's finish this up."

Despite his weakened state, the team kept their distance, treating him like a live grenade.

Paul assumed command and gave orders with military accuracy. “Get the restraints on him now. Treat him like the threat he is, regardless of how human he appears."

As two technicians walked up to the merman wearing heavy metal handcuffs, I flinched at what he said, feeling guilty.

One of them said, "Hold still," and reached for his wrist.

He remained still. His eyes followed every motion, but his stance was easy as he sat on the side of the chamber bed.

The other technician cautioned, "Be careful."

The first and second cuffs clicked into position. He said nothing, his face composed, almost bored.

The technician stepped back immediately and said, "Done."

Paul said, "Good. Keep him under sedation. We start the scans in an hour.”

It was more than I could handle. "Don't you think this is a bit much, Paul?"

His eyes narrowed as he turned to face me. "This is a beast, not a person, Jane. A risky one. Why are you now so concerned?"

“You don’t know that,” I shot back. "He hasn't even made an effort to oppose us."

“Yet,” Paul said coldly. “But I’m not waiting for him to make the first move. Now, either get on board with this or get out of the way.”

Even though his remarks hurt, I didn't back down. I instead focused on the merman, who was silently amused as he observed us.

"What's so amusing?" Before I could stop myself, I asked.

He looked directly into my eyes and spoke for the first time.

"You," he murmured in a silky, deep voice that was tinged with derision.

There was silence in the room.

"What were you saying?" Paul moved closer and demanded.

The merman kept his eyes on me and ignored him. "The truth frightens you."

"The the truth?" With a dry throat, I repeated. "What is the truth?"

He said plainly, leaning back against the wall as though the whole thing were beneath him, "You'll see soon enough."

Paul became agitated. "That's enough. Jane, get out of here. Right now."

I paused, but Paul's frown made it impossible to argue. I gave the merman one last look before turning to leave the chamber, my thoughts racing.

I tried to steady my breathing by leaning against the wall back in the hallway. "Are you alright?" I looked up, surprised by Elara's words, and saw her standing a few feet away.

I forced a faint smile and lied, "Yeah."

She arched an eyebrow. "You don't appear well."

I insisted, "I'm fine." "I'm just... exhausted."

After examining me briefly, Elara nodded in the direction of the lab. "What do you think about that thing in there?"

Uncertain of how much to say, I paused. "He's... different. Not what I expected.”

“Different how?”

I gave a headshake. "I'm not sure yet."

Elara crossed her arms and scowled. “Just be careful, Jane. I don’t trust Paul, and I sure as hell don’t trust that thing.”