Chapter Text
Usually, when a storm hits, Pyro would be curled in the furthest corner of whatever cave his pod decided to bunker down in. That isn't an option now, and the waves are too strong for Pyro to dive down.
Loud bolts of lightning crack the sky, the roar of the water and rumble of thunder making it impossible to hear anything around them. It's dangerous and terrifying, being flung around so violently.
Pyro knows they have to find some sort of shelter or they'll never make it. They're a small mer, so the ocean has no problem pushing them closer and closer to the shore.
They know it's going to happen a moment before it does, a huge wave crashing over them, sending them flying backwards into a grouping of large pointy rocks. They black out for a moment after hitting the rocks, and though the pain doesn't register at first, Pyro knows something is wrong.
Their tail is stuck in a spot between the stone, and it only gets worse when they try to move. They can feel their scales scraping against the rock, a desperate whimper leaving their mouth as another wave hits them, wedging their tail even further.
Pyro claws at the stone, trying to free themself, but it does nothing. Their claws are useless, the attempt only serving to cut up their hands on the edges of rock.
They clench their eyes shut as another large wave comes towards them, blacking out again as their head hits the rock behind them.
-
Their eyes flutter open again at the sound of commotion above them, yelping as sharp pain shoots through their tail when they try to move.
Pyro looks up, eyeing the clear skies warily, before focusing back on their tail. They whine at the sight of blood drying on their scales, one of their lower fins torn up from their earlier struggle. They try to push against the rock again, startling when a voice cuts on from beside them.
"Don't do that. You're going to hurt yourself more."
Pyro flinches, the movement making them whimper as their tail twinges in pain.
They shrink back at the sight of a human watching them, the man's face twisted in concern. His hair is long and windswept, white with a few stripes of ginger. He steps forward, and Pyro whimpers again.
The man stops, frowning gently at them. "I'm not going to hurt you. My husband and I are here to help."
Pyro doesn't understand anything the human is saying, the unfamiliar language washing over them. They growl as a second human comes into view, this one more broad with a shaved head. Pyro eyes him nervously, their gaze flickering over the large scar across his face.
The second man moves towards them, watching them just as carefully as he approaches. His voice is low and soft when he speaks, though Pyro is still lost on the words.
"You're okay. We're going to help you out of here."
He pulls a metal contraption out of his bag, ignoring their snarl as he adjusts it over their face. It doesn't hurt, but Pyro can't defend themself like this, the metal blocking them from baring their teeth and biting. The man grabs their arms, slipping their hands into a tight fabric covering, tying it shut around their wrists.
They whine as it renders their claws useless, eyes darting between the humans fearfully. They can't do anything to keep themself safe like this. They can't get away or fight back. Their tail is trapped between the rocks, and these humans seem experienced in restraining mers with their strange items.
Pyro tries to shrink away as the bigger human touches their tail, but they can't move. The man puts both hands on them, adjusting their tail gently. He's careful as he pulls their tail out of where it's wedged between the stone, pausing when Pyro whimpers.
He looks up at them. "You're almost out, it's alright."
He continues, managing to free Pyro's tail from the space, frowning as he eyes their injuries.
They pull away, but the human has the advantage, lifting them up into his arms. Pyro tries only once to struggle, before crying out when a stabbing ache is sent through their tail and up their spine.
The human strokes their back, his hand moving up to squeeze gently at the back of their neck. Their body relaxes involuntarily, a soft keen leaving them at the unfamiliar touch. It doesn't feel bad, but Pyro can't move at all.
The first human steps up towards them as they're brought over the rocks and onto land.
He smiles at them kindly, placing a hand on the other man's back. "Let's get them to facility. You need to get them checked out as soon as possible."
The human holding them nods his head at whatever is being said, carrying them towards a small boat.
Pyro can't do anything but lean his head against the man's shoulder, their body heavy and limp. They tuck their face against the human's neck, the metal contraption on their face uncomfortable. It isn't hurting them, soft padding separating the metal from touching their skin, but they want it off.
The man shushes them as they let out a small, miserable noise. He puts them in a sizeable tank on board, big enough to hold them comfortably. He crouches down beside them as the first human goes further into the boat.
"I promise we'll get those restraints off you soon," he says, voice quiet. "I don't like it either. I wish we could do it another way, but you're too scared for us to be to trust you right now."
He sighs. "After I give you a check up back at the rehabilitation facility, you'll be able to rest."
Pyro leans back against the glass wall of the tank, staring down at their tail. It hurts badly, and though it doesn't look pretty on the outside, it feels even worse on the inside. Their fins flatten against their head, fear and pain making them miserable.
The human stands again, looking down at them with sad eyes.
"You'll be alright. I'm sure the others will love you."