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Calibrated translation：The sky was overcast, and the sea lay shrouded in thick fog. The damp, salty breeze lashed against the face. Water seeped into black, knee-high leather boots, soaking the socks, which clung uncomfortably to the feet.The small boat swayed with the wind and waves, the roaring sea howling like a giant beast, threatening to overturn it."Lower your center of gravity! Everyone, prepare for emergency measures!"The loud and urgent shout was drowned out by the wind as the crew busily moved about on the deck.A lone black-haired man crouched in an inconspicuous spot, clutching a stack of documents tightly against his chest, pressing them between his thighs and torso. His damp hair clung to his forehead, water dripping down, and his white long-sleeved shirt had turned translucent, clinging to his pale skin.Loose objects were tossed by the wind and waves, iron barrels and wooden crates rolling with the boat’s violent movements. A tattered fishing net was haphazardly draped over the railing, and the iron door of the control room, left unlatched, creaked noisily in the wind.Yet he paid no mind to the sticky dampness or the chaos around him, focusing only on protecting the thin sheets of paper. Whatever was written on them remained unknown, but they were clearly of great importance to him."Damn it! The fishing net seems to be stuck!"A crew member’s shout was followed by the rush of footsteps as everyone hurried to the boat’s side.The peculiar man did not rise but lifted his head, dark eyes glinting with curiosity as he observed the commotion."Wonder what it is this time. Hopefully not marine debris—if it tears our newly replaced net, this trip will be a total loss. Ugh, we never should've gone out to sea in this weather. What a damn mess."One of them snorted, the boat lurching violently beneath his feet as seawater splashed onto his shoes and pants."Keep your voice down. Be careful L."Another reminded him, hands never pausing as he worked to haul in the net."Tch, that weirdo... I heard he even needs help getting dressed—""Shh, enough!"The man smacked away the other's hand, which had been covering his mouth to stifle a laugh, then shot a wary glance over his shoulder.It took several sturdy crew members using all their strength to pull the fishing net, yet whatever was caught inside dragged the boat heavily to one side. Iron barrels rolled toward the tilted edge, clattering loudly upon impact."Something’s moving in there! And it's strong—what the hell is this?!"“Hold steady, everyone! There's something big in there!”“L specifically told us to go out at this time—was it for whatever’s in this net?”Excitement and fear intertwined in the crew’s expressions, sending shivers down their spines.L remaind still. He was well aware that even with his nearly 1.8-meter height and decent physical strength, approaching in the midst of the raging wind and waves would only add an extra burden to the crew already working together to secure the net.At some point, the sky had deepened into ink, thunder rumbling overhead as rain poured down in torrents. Water and sky melded into a seamless curtain, clouds pressing heavy against the horizon. The standing water on the deck, left uncleared, had risen further, raindrops striking its surface, rippling with the boat’s unsteady movements."Quick! Pull harder!"At last, the net was dragged upward once more. As the massive, unidentified creature was lifted from the water, a flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a delayed rumble of thunder, illuminating half the horizon.Within the net, something glistened with an otherworldly radiance—scales shimmering like a divine omen.It lasted only a fleeting moment. ,The tangled mass—wrapped in seaweed, fish, and shrimp, crashed heavily onto the deck, sending water spraying in all directions.The crew panted heavily, hastily checking the net, only to realize—unbeknownst to them—L had already appeared behind them, silent as a shadow."Go do something else. I'll handle this."He spoke calmly, his voice merging with the rain, as cold as the thick, heavy air around them. L held up a lantern, the faint glow flickering in the storm, casting his pale figure in an even more chilling light.Sardines twitched within the net, their scales reflecting a silvery sheen in the dim light. L worked to untangle the knotted, fingers deft but met with unexpected resistance. Only after peeling away the seaweed did he realize—what lay beneath was an enormous fish tail.A magnificent golden tail, shimmering with the brilliance of the sun even under the storm—darkened sky. It gleamed with an opulent luster, like molten gold or smooth silk spread out in the light. The swaying tail fin rippled like sheer fabric infused with shifting colors, carrying an almost hypnotic allure.The crew members standing nearby were stunned.As the lantern drew closer, the severe injuries on the beautiful fish tail became clear.A long, slender wound gash tore through the flesh, and a mixture of fluids gushed from the torn tissue. Blood bloomed across the translucent scales, streaming onto the deck like a flowing current, with deep ligature marks and abrasions scattered across the surface.L pressed his palm lightly against the fragile tail. The lifeless tail shuddered slightly at his touch, its scales secreting a mixture of mucus and blood that clung to his fingertips, thick with the scent of the ocean.The creature stirred, trembling as they weakly lifted their upper body. Fish, shrimp, and seaweed slid away, revealing the upper half of a human child.“A… mermaid?”“My God! I can’t believe my eyes!”The crew gasped in astonishment.“The last time a mermaid was caught over twenty years ago—I remember back then…”“Judging by the size, it’s still a juvenile. A once-in-a-century sight…”The crew gathered behind L, whispering in howling storm.Waves battered the hull, wind and rain relentless. The mermaid’s shoulder-length golden hair shimmered in the mist.L lifted the child’s face, the faint glow casting soft shadows over the delicate features. With a gentle motion, he brushed aside the wet strands clinging to the forehead.Eyes as brilliant as Paraiba tourmalines burned with hatred and fury, crystalline droplets sliding down a face marred by faint abrasions.The sea breeze, thick with salt, curled around the pale, slender body like silk ribbons, ribs were faintly visible beneath his smooth skin. The taut abdomen merged into the tail with a translucent membrane, a blend of gold and white shimmered faintly in the dim light.The mermaid felt his face being pinched by the dark-haired man before him, the way those eyes examined him—like inspecting an object.A surge of discomfort swelled within him.Soaked black strands of L’s hair clung to his pallid skin, hanging like seaweed. The dark circles beneath his eyes only accentuated his eerie, ghostly presence.Behind him, shifting figures loomed, heads craning forward for a better look.The mermaid shrank back slightly, yet his furious gaze remained unwavering.He tried to flick his tail to break free, but a sharp pain shot through him, forcing a cry of distress from his lips.Noticing that the mermaid’s tailbone might be damaged and unable to move, L hesitated with the sedative in hand.Judging by his estimated age, the mermaid’s total length should be around two meters. However, excluding the delicate, near-transparent tail fin, his body alone measured just over 1.6 meters. With L’s strength as an adult man, lifting him would be effortless.Ignoring the mermaid’s struggles, L secured his arms behind his back with a restraint strap and lifted him diagonally, as if carrying a rolled-up sleeping bag.The mermaid’s head rested against L’s shoulder, golden hair cascading down.Feeling his body restrained, he bit into the man’s skin in fury, his small tongue agilely sliding over the wound, licking at the blood seeping out.The salty, metallic taste sent a thrill through him, the warmth of the liquid dissolving on his tongue like a long—sought prized.L freed a hand, fingers twisting into child's golden hair, and yanked the mermaid away from his upper body.The mermaid licked the corner of his lips, glaring at L with resentment, as if displeased at being denied more blood.His tail flicked, cold mucus mixed with blood from his torn wounds seeping into L’s white shirt, staining them like spreading ink.In the dim light, the droplets of deep crimson splattered onto the deck, washing away in the rain—strange, vivid, and ominous."Don't move."L's voice was sharp and commanding.Fear and anger intertwined as the mermaid twisted his body again, trying to break free despite the pain, but it was all in vain.His slightly parted lips could only let out weak, raspy breaths, the sticky exhalation dampening L’s neck.With a Swift motion, the struggling mermaid was thrown into a transparent tank designed for large aquatic creatures, drifting like a lifeless corpse.A few crew members remained standing in the rain, watching through the fogged-up glass, while most returned to their tasks, preparing for the journey back.The small compartment in the cabin was cramped yet bright. The mermaid lay on his side atop a freshly laid waterproof sheet, his chest rising and falling faintly.His soft golden hair and lake-blue eyes, combined with his delicate facial features and slightly rounded cheeks, gave his face an unusually gentle appearance.His eyes, sensitive to the harsh artificial light, squinted slightly. Through his blurred vision, he saw the dark-haired man crouching before him, meticulously tending to his wounds.L’s slightly warm hand pressed down on the mermaid’s tail, observing how his breathing quickened in response to the pain. His lips remained tightly shut, yet faint whimpers still escaped.His fingers moved slowly, pressing down on an unusual protrusion near the base of the tail.“Ah!”The mermaid thrashed violently, his tail convulsing uncontrollably. The fin slapped against the shallow water, sending droplets flying, all of which were blocked by L.“Stop moving. I can’t treat you like this.”Under that cold, detached gaze and the firm tone of his voice, the mermaid gradually ceased struggling, his wary eyes fixed on the man.The rough texture of the restraint straps chafed against his arms, the sharp sting making him tremble slightly. He no longer made a sound, only tensed his jaw and clenched his teeth, seething with frustration at his own vulnerability.L was satisfied that the mermaid could understand him. He estimated that the creature's perception of pain was similar to that of a human, yet his remarkable self-control piqued L’s interest.The scent of blood mixed with the musty odor of decaying wood, accompanied by a faint trace of rust. The drainage system worked continuously, the sound of dripping water echoing in the small chamber. Cold wind seeped through the window cracks, and though the lamp cast a warm glow, the atmosphere was far from reassuring.His tail was being wiped clean and bandaged, the man's deft hands moving swiftly over his body. The searing pain seemed to subside, yet an ache far deeper welled up within him.His mother and father, far away in the depths of the ocean. His distant home, the sunken shipwreck that carried his memories. The fine sand like a soft carpet, towering coral reefs standing as grand as mountains, schools of fish darting through the currents.He recalled the warmth of leaning against his mother’s embrace as a child, the gentle lullabies his grandmother sang, flowing like a stream. The melody had long since dissolved into his memory, fading away like seafoam.And now, his arms were bound behind him in an unnatural position, his tail wrapped in rough, sticky bandages. The waterproof cloth clung uncomfortably to his smooth skin, its dryness making him uneasy.Foreign scents surrounded him. Glancing around, the cramped space made his breathing quicken, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. Suffocation spread through him like creeping vines.The wooden planks pressed against his tail, layers of bandages tightly wound around it, holding the fractured bones in place with an unyielding grip.After settling the mermaid, L turned toward the simple writing desk, unnaturaly curling up in the chair in a posture difficult for others to understand. He buried his head in the documents, flipping through them with focused intent.The wooden table creaked under his movements, the overhead lamp flickering unsteadily. Outside, the wind howled, rain lashing against the windows in an endless downpour.The papers, still damp from the rain, had not fully dried. As the pen's tip met the slightly wrinkled surface, the ink bled into the fibers, spreading in uneven strokes. L clicked his tongue in irritation.— Male. Upper body structure and facial features resemble a human child. Shoulder-length golden hair, suggesting a certain level of self-awareness regarding personal appearance. Blue-green irises. Pale skin with well-defined facial features. Tail is a pale gold, with transparent edges on the scales. Caudal fin exhibits a slight pearlescent sheen. Precise measurements of length and weight are yet to be determined.The pen scratched smoothly against the paper, leaving elegant traces of ink in its wake.— Secretes mucus on the skin, possibly serving to retain moisture and prevent dehydration under extreme conditions, potentially enhancing immune function. Extensive abrasions and ligature marks observed on the tail, likely caused by the capture process—requires further examination. Blood is bright red, similar to that of humans. Tail exhibits a dislocated fracture, which has been given emergency treatment. The subject’s regenerative capabilities remain unknown; a full assessment will be conducted after returning to shore to monitor wound healing.“...?”L heard the mermaid behind him producing strange, rhythmic syllables, seemingly attempting to communicate.He frowned but did not respond. Instead, he swiftly added a few more notes to the file in his hands. His writing was fast, almost seamless, requiring little time for thought.— The species may possess a fully developed language system. However, the subject's pronunciation remains unclear. While tonal fluctuations and segmented phrasing are present, the urgency and evident anxiety in its intonation suggest emotional distress. Due to the inability to determine precise meaning, further observation and analysis are required… For the sake of future experiments, I will refer to the subject as "M" in this log; the specific designation remains to be decided.L stopped writing and turned around, his gaze locking onto the mermaid.“...!”Upon meeting L's cold, impassive stare with an expression devoid of warmth—like one examining an object—M grew even more furious.His bound tail and arms left him unable to move freely, so he gritted his teeth, glaring at L with unbridled hostility, as if responding to that annoying stare.When L stepped down from the chair and straightened his posture, M suddenly noticed a slight hunch in his back. He froze for a moment, struggling to understand the cause of such an unusual stance.Based on the mermaid's earlier reaction to the phrase L had said, L inferred that M might be able to understand some human language.“If you understand, blink your eyes.”The mermaid paused for a moment, then blinked, still keeping a wary eye on L.“This is a boat. Do you understand what ‘boat’ means?”L pointed downward, toward the wooden deck beneath them.M nodded and uttered an unknown syllable.“What about ‘storm’?”L continued, growing more intrigued by the intelligent mermaid.“...Storm?”The syllables tumbled from M's throat in a rough, strange pattern, the tone dragging long and wavering like a murmur, the final sound unconsciously rising, filled with hesitation and unease.— The phonetic system is similar to that of humans, and some understanding of human language exists. The subject is capable of verbally repeating simple words, but struggles with pronunciation, lacking the ability to form complete sentences and grasp grammar. Full training can be attempted in subsequent experiments.L set the paper down on the ground, placing a hard acrylic board underneath to prevent further wetting of the documents.“L.”L pointed to himself, indicating for the mermaid to repeat after him.“L...?”M blinked in confusion, adjusting his mouth shape, piecing together the syllables he knew to form the letter.“You can call me ‘L’, if you want.”“L.”M repeated again, as if understanding the man's intent.There was no food within reach, so L, as usual with other test subjects, patted the mermaid's head as a gesture of praise, only for it to be quickly avoided.The boat rocked, and M struggled to keep his balance, slipping on the waterproof cloth and letting out a pained cry as water splashed around him.L placed a finger to his lips and quietly crouched beside M, not offering any help. His gaze moved up and down, curious about the mermaid's next move.Would he struggle against his bindings? Attempt to sit up? Lash out?However, M didn't do as L had hoped. Instead of struggling against the bandages and restraints to right his body, he lay face down on the waterproof cloth, his wrists raw from friction."Turn over, face me."L gave a brief command.The mermaid refused to follow, twisting his body and flicking his tail to make himself more comfortable as he stayed in place.— Refusal to comply with the command, possibility of misunderstanding the meaning cannot be ruled out.L glanced up at the old clock, decisively putting down his pen. It was getting late, the sky nearly black, and the boat was about to dock. It was time for him to prepare for the mermaid's transport.He organized the papers and took out the tranquilizer he carried with him.His fingertip stroked M's damp, pale arm, tracing up along the blue veins with light pressure, causing M some confusion.Face down on the waterproof cloth, M's golden hair hung down, covering his cheeks, his arms bound behind him, rising and falling with each breath.L gently placed his left hand on M's shoulder, lightly pressing and kneading, his fingertips and palms alternating in a calming motion.He leaned down and whispered something into M's ear, causing the mermaid to freeze, his body pausing for a moment.In that instant, the needle pierced M's shoulder, sinking into the muscle. The piston was pressed, the liquid injected, and the sufficient dose of midazolam would make M fall into a brief sleep within ten minutes.The cold liquid surged in, like seawater flooding a drowning victim's lungs—chilling and suffocating.M shuddered violently, then struggled fiercely. His tail, fixed with bandages and wooden planks, slapped against the cabin floor with a loud crash. Wooden barrels piled by the porthole were knocked over, clashing and rolling onto the floor, tearing off a large dust cover.Dust settled, and both of them were in disarray. The mermaid twisted his body, trying to escape this invisible cage.L sighed. This sea trip hadn't been part of the plan, and the hastily assembled fleet hadn't even provided him with an assistant.To prevent further damage to the wound from struggling, the man pressed down on M's back, trying to stabilize the chaotic situation. However, he hadn't expected M's strength to be so great, breaking free from his control in an instant.M huddled in the corner, his bluish-green eyes wide with terror. His fingers trembled as they gripped his shoulder, the sharp sting of the needle still vivid in his mind. His tail instinctively whipped, but was pressed down by L's hand."Don't move, calm down, I won't hurt you."The pitch-black eyes hidden in the shadows of damp hair reminded M of an underwater cavern, seemingly able to devour everything, yet so alluring, drawing one closer, closer, into the endless abyss.M's fingers trembled, his chest heaving violently. His golden hair clung to his forehead, with water droplets dripping down, making him appear disheveled.The waterproof cloth, once secured, had long since become a pile due to M's movements, now gathered beneath him. The pooled water from the ship's rocking spread across the cabin floor.The fishing boat sailed into the port, and the waiting crew had already prepared to watch at the dock. The sea breeze had lessened, and the fine rain under the lights draped a layer of silver gauze over the dusk.M struggled to prop up his upper body but finally slid reluctantly onto the mottled water stains under L's silent gaze.The black-haired man's gloomy face before him gradually blurred in the light. The sound of the waves faded away, and breathing became steady and slow. Drowsiness, like a tide, washed over M. He tried to regain control over his body but felt more and more exhausted.The last thing he saw was L quietly watching him.M felt as if his consciousness was melting away, ultimately disappearing into the endless darkness.L gently patted the face of the now-asleep merman boy. Soft light fell on him, and long eyelashes rested on his eyelids, casting a shadow. His delicate cheek resembled a sculpture from the Renaissance period.The boat slowed its speed, eventually docking at a hidden port along the shore. The sea breeze blew gently, and the deep night concealed all traces. 中文原文：天空灰蒙蒙，海上被浓雾笼罩，湿咸的海风吹打在脸上，黑色长筒皮靴进了水，袜子湿透，裹在脚上，令人感到十分不适。小船随着风浪摇摆，海浪如巨兽般咆哮，伴着风声怒号，似是要把这小船掀翻。“降低重心！大家做好紧急应对措施！”洪亮而又焦急的喊声被淹没在风中，船员在甲班上忙碌不停。唯独一位黑发人独自蹲坐在不起眼的位置，怀里好像还抱了一沓文件，夹在大腿与胸前。他的黑发被打湿，贴在额头上，水往下滴落，白色的长袖变得透明，与他洁白的肌肤相贴。杂物被风浪掀翻，铁桶与木箱随船的摇晃而颠簸，破旧的渔网胡乱的搭在船沿上，操作室的铁门没有关进，在风中吱呀吱呀的响。他倒是不在乎这恶心的黏腻感和船上的纷乱，只是一心守护着那薄薄的纸张，不知道那几张纸究竟记录了什么，为何对他如此重要。“该死的！渔网好像被缠住了！”船员大喊道，又是一阵纷乱的脚步声，大家纷纷赶往船侧。那古怪的男人依旧没有起身，只是抬起头观察大家的举动，乌黑的眼中透出几分好奇。“不知道这回又是什么，最好不是是海洋垃圾，如果把我们新换的网划破，那这趟出行可真是得不偿失了。唉，我们就不该冒着风浪出海，真是倒霉。”其中一人冷哼道，船身在他脚下剧烈晃动，溅上船的水拍打在他的鞋裤上。“小声点，L还在那里。”另一人提醒道，没有停下收网的双手。“切，那个怪人，听说他穿衣都需要别人的帮助……”“嘘，别说了！”男人拍下对方捂嘴笑的手，警惕的向身后看了一眼。几名身材高大的船员卯足了力气才拽动渔网，船身被渔网中的不知何物拽得侧翻。铁桶纷纷滚向倾斜的那侧，发出了杂乱的撞击声。“里面的东西在动！好大的力气，这究竟是什么！”“大家站稳了，这里面有大家伙！”“L指明要我们这时下海，难道就是为了渔网里的这东西吗？”兴奋与恐惧同时出现在船员们的身上，他们感到战栗。L没有移动，他非常清楚的知道，即便他有将近一米八的身高和过人的体力，巨大的风浪之下，他的靠近只会给已经在分工收网的船员们增加额外的负担。天空不知何时已经压暗，黑墨在头顶翻涌，雷声响起，大雨倾盆落下。水天成幕，云海相接，甲班上未能及时清理的积水又涨了不少，雨点砸在水里，随着船身晃动荡漾，水面起伏翻涌。“快！用力啊！”渔网终于又被拖动，那不知名巨物脱离水面被高高抬起时，闪电伴随着延迟的雷声照亮了半边天空，网中不知什么生物的鳞片绽出奇异的光彩，如同神迹。那只是短暂的一刹，随后那团东西便裹挟着海藻鱼虾缠绕在一起，重重的砸在甲班上，溅起了不小的水花。船员们粗喘着，焦急地查看渔网，却没料到L已经悄无声息地站在了他们身后。“去干别的吧，这里我来处理。”他冷静道，声音融在雨声中，和四周粘稠的空气一般冰冷，L手提灯具，温暖的微光在风雨中把他映照得更加冰冷。沙丁鱼隔着渔网抽动，鳞片在昏暗的光线下泛起银亮的光辉。L尝试解开打结缠绕的渔网，有些费力。剥开海藻才发觉，那竟是一条硕大的鱼尾。那美丽的金色鱼尾，在暗淡的天色中闪耀着太阳的光辉，珠光宝气，好像流淌的黄金，又像平铺的绸缎。甩动的尾鳍如同流光溢彩的薄纱，仿佛具有蛊惑人心的能力。驻足的船员吃惊不已。灯光凑近，才看到那美丽鱼尾上的严重伤情，细长的伤口血肉撕裂，组织混合液体汩汩涌出，鲜血绽放在半透明的鱼鳞表面，溪流一般流淌在甲班上，勒痕与擦伤遍布。只见L用手抚上那美丽脆弱的鱼尾，充满死寂的鱼尾瑟缩了一下，鳞片间分泌的粘液与鲜血，带着浓浓的海腥味黏着在L的指尖。鱼尾的主人动了动，颤抖着微微直立，鱼虾海藻被抖落，露出的竟然是人类幼童的上半身。“这是人鱼吗？上帝啊！我简直不敢相信我的眼睛！”船员不住惊叹。“上次捕捞到人鱼还是在二十多年前，我记得当时……”“看这体型还是幼年人鱼吧，百年一遇啊……”船员围拢在L身后小声议论着。海浪击打船舱，风雨不停。人鱼齐肩的金发在水雾中熠熠生辉。L托起人鱼的脸，微弱灯光打在那孩童脸上，
伸手拨开他额前的湿发，帕拉伊巴碧玺般的明亮双眸饱含仇恨与怒意，晶莹的水滴从他略带有擦伤的面部滑落。海风裹挟着咸腥气，如丝带般缠绕在他苍白平坦的身体上，根根肋骨清晰可见。收紧的小腹与鱼尾的衔接处好似金色与白色混合的透明薄膜。人鱼感到自己的脸被眼前黑发男子捏起，那人盯着一件物品般反复打量的眼神令他不适。黑发被雨水浸湿，附着在苍白面部宛若垂落的海藻，眼下的黑青为他平添了几分鬼气。身后人影攒动，都在探着头打量自己，人鱼向后瑟缩了一下，依旧不掩饰眼中的愤恨。他试着摆动尾巴挣脱束缚，尾部剧烈的疼痛却让他不由得惊叫出声。察觉到人鱼的尾骨可能因受损而不能活动，L从口袋里掏出镇静剂的手迟疑了。根据他的目测年龄判断，人鱼的总长应当在两米左右，但抛下那薄如蝉翼的尾鳍不谈，他的总长度应该只有一点六米有余，以L自身成年男子的力气足矣把对方抱起。L不顾人鱼的挣扎，用束缚带将他的胳膊反绑在其身后，像抬起一卷睡袋一样把他斜抱了起来。人鱼的头颅搭在L肩膀上，金发披散下来。感到身体被桎梏的他，愤怒的咬住男人的皮肤，幼小的舌头灵活的滑动，舔舐渗出的血液。咸腥的味道让他感到兴奋，温热的液体在他口中融化，如同战利品。L腾出一只手，攥住他的金发，把人鱼扯离自己的上半身。人鱼舔舔嘴角，愤怒的看着L，仿佛是在为没能品尝到更多鲜血而感到不满。他摆动鱼尾，冰凉的粘液混合破碎伤口中渗出的血液，在L洁白的衣服上晕染开。暮色中如同浓墨的血迹，淅淅沥沥落在甲班上，被雨水冲刷开，诡谲艳丽。“别动。”L厉声呵斥。恐惧与愤怒交织，M不顾疼痛再次扭动身体企图挣脱束缚，仍旧徒劳无功。微张的口中只能发出无力的嗬嗬声，黏腻的气息沾湿了L的脖颈。停止扭动肢体的人鱼被丢进专门为大型水生动物准备的透明水箱，好似漂浮的死尸。一两名船员仍矗立在雨中，隔着微微升起水雾的玻璃驻足观看，更多则是回到自己所忙碌之中，准备返航。船舱的小隔间狭小却明亮，人鱼侧躺在新铺设好的防水布上，胸口微弱起伏。柔顺的金色头发，碧蓝色的眼睛如同湖泊，立体的五官与略带有肉感的脸颊使得面部线条变得更加秀气。他的眼睛因强光刺激而微微眯起，模糊的视线中，黑发男人蹲在他身前小心地检查他的伤口。L微微带有温度的手按压住鱼尾，观察人鱼怎样因为疼痛而加快呼吸的节奏。人鱼紧闭双唇，细小的呻吟却从他口中溢出。手指缓缓移动，直到按压在他尾部怪异的凸起处。“啊！”人鱼剧烈挣扎，鱼尾不受控制地抽搐。尾鳍拍打在浅水上，溅起的水花被L尽数遮挡。“别乱动，你这样我没法给你处理伤口。”被这样冷漠疏离的眼神盯着，感受到对方严肃的语气，人鱼渐渐停止了动弹，警惕地看向男人。人鱼的手臂被束缚带粗糙的质感摩擦，细碎的疼痛使他微微颤抖。他不再出声，而是紧绷下颚，咬紧牙关，为自己的脆弱感到恼怒。L因对方能听懂自己所说而感到满意，他估测人鱼对疼痛的感受与人类一致，而这条人鱼的自制力却让他对其产生了兴趣。隔间内血腥气与腐朽木材的味道混合，伴随着铁锈味。下水系统不停运作着，水声滴答作响。寒风从窗缝渗入，即便灯光温暖，这样的环境下也无法令任何人感到安心。鱼尾正接受着擦拭与包扎，男人灵巧的手在自己身上翻飞，剧烈的疼痛似乎在减轻，内心的痛苦却在他心中升起。远在深海的母亲与父亲，遥远的家，承载回忆的海底沉船。细沙好似地毯，高大的珊瑚礁如同山石一般伟岸，海底的鱼儿成群结队。他回忆起小时候倚靠在母亲怀里时那温暖的触感，外婆口中如溪流般缓缓流淌的优美童谣。旋律早已融化在他的记忆里，如同泡沫般消散。而如今他却以一个扭曲的姿势被反绑双臂，鱼尾包裹在粗糙又粘稠的纱布中，防水布黏在光滑的身体上，皮肤干燥得令他不适。他被陌生的气味所包裹，环顾四周，逼仄的空间促使他呼吸急促，心脏在胸腔内如同擂鼓般悸动，窒息如藤蔓蔓延在他的全身。木板与尾部贴合，纱布层层缠绕，死死的固定住了尾骨骨折的部分。安置好人鱼，L转身走向简易写字台，以对方难以理解的蹲姿蜷缩在椅子上，埋头整理手中的文件。木桌吱呀作响，头顶的灯晃了又晃，窗外狂风怒号，风雨不止。纸张被雨水打湿还没完全干燥的缘故，笔尖在接触到有些褶皱的纸上时，墨迹晕染开来。L不耐地咋舌。——雄性，上肢体型和面部与人类儿童相似，金色齐肩短发，推测对自身外貌有一定重视程度，蓝绿色虹膜，皮肤白皙，五官立体。鱼尾呈现浅金色，鳞片边缘透明，尾鳍边缘略带有珍珠光泽，体长与体重等具体数值还需进一步测量。钢笔在纸上唰唰地记录着，墨水以优美的方式流畅的滞留在纸张上。——体表会分泌粘液，疑似作用于锁住水分，并起到保湿效果，作用于防止个体在极端条件下脱水，提高免疫机能等。尾部有大面积擦伤，勒痕，目测是捕捞所致，待进一步检测。血液呈鲜红色，与人类相似。鱼尾有错位性骨折，已进行紧急处理。个体的自愈能力未知，待返航后进行彻底治疗，以便于后续观察伤口愈合情况。“……？”L听到身后的人鱼发出奇怪而连续性的规律音节，正试图与他交流。男人皱了皱眉，没有回应，而是迅速在手中的档案上增添了几笔，他的手速很快，几乎不需要停顿思考的时间。——种族可能有完整的语言体系，不过实验体发音不明确，虽有声调起伏与词句分段，语调急切且带有明显的焦虑情绪，但由于无法确定内容的具体含义，仍需进一步观察和分析……以便日后实验，我将在日志中称其为M，具体称谓再议。L停下笔，转过身，目光凝视人鱼。“……！”M看到L俯视自己，眼神冷漠到像是在看什么物件，便更加气愤。鱼尾和手臂都被束缚，他咬牙切齿地怒瞪着对方，好像是在回应对方的凝视。L走下椅子，身子直立起来，M才发现那人竟有些微微驼背，他微微愣住，有些不太能理解这种体态的成因。基于人鱼在之前对L所说短语的反应，L推测M能够理解人类的部分语言。“如果你听得懂，就眨一下眼。”人鱼愣了愣，眨了下眼，仍旧警惕地看着L。“这里是船，你能听懂‘船’的含义吗？”L指了指身下承载着他们的小型捕鱼船。M点点头，嗓子里发出不知名的音节。“那‘风暴’呢？”L继续询问，对这条聪明的人鱼提起了一些兴趣。“风……暴？”喉咙滚动，生涩怪异的音节从M口中挤出，声调较长，如同呓语，尾音不自觉地上扬，带着犹豫与不安。——发音系统与人类相似，且对人类语言有一定理解，能口头复述简单词汇，但音节拼读能力较弱，缺乏叙述完整句段的能力与语法概念，可在后续实验中尝试进行完整训练。L把纸张放在地上书写，硬亚克力板垫在二者之间，防止资料被进一步打湿。“L。”L指向自己，示意对方跟读。“……L？”M疑惑的眨了眨眼，口型变换，用自己掌握的音节零星拼凑出了这个字母。“你可以叫我‘L’，如果你愿意的话。”“L。”人鱼又重复了一遍，好像理解了男人的意思。手边没有食物，L如以往对待其他实验体一样摸了摸人鱼的头，以示赞美，却被他飞快躲开。船只摇曳，M难以保持平衡，滑倒在防水布上，水花溅起，他痛呼出声。L将手指放在唇间，静静的蹲坐在M身旁，没有伸出援手。目光上下打量，他为人鱼接下来的举措感到好奇。然而M却没有如L所期望的，在纱布与束缚带的包裹下奋力反抗，扭正自己的身体，而是面朝下趴在了防水布上，身后的手腕被磨得破了皮。“转过来，面对我。”L下了简短的口令。人鱼不愿听从他的命令，而是扭了扭身子，甩动尾鳍，让自己趴得更舒服了些。——拒绝听从指令，不排除无法理解其含义的可能性。L抬起头看了看老旧的时钟，果断放下了笔。时间不早了，天空近乎全黑，船舶即将靠岸，他应为人鱼的运输做接下来的准备了。L整理好纸张，再次掏出随身携带的镇静剂。他的指腹抚摸上了M充满湿气的苍白手臂，顺着青色的血管向上摩挲，力道不重，令M感到些许疑惑。M面朝下趴在防水布上，金发向下垂落，挡住了他的两颊，手臂被反绑在身后，随着他的呼吸不断起伏。L将左手轻轻搭在M的肩膀处轻轻按压，揉捏，指尖与手掌交替按压，好似在安抚。他俯身在M耳边轻声说了些什么，人鱼愣住，身体也随之停顿了一下。就在这一瞬，针头刺入M肩部的皮肤，埋进肌肉里。活塞被按动，液体注入，足够剂量的咪达唑仑将在十分钟内使M陷入短暂的沉睡。冰冷液体的注入，犹如海水灌入溺水者的肺腑，寒冷而窒息。人鱼猛的一颤，随即剧烈挣扎，用纱布和木板进行固定过的鱼尾拍打在船舱地板上，发出剧烈的响声。堆积在舷窗下的木桶被扫落，互相撞击，滚落在地板上，扯下一片巨大的防尘布。灰尘抖落，二者都狼狈不堪，人鱼扭动身体，企图逃离这无形的牢笼。L叹了口气，这次出海本就不在计划之内，零时组建的船队连助手都没有给他配备。为防止因挣扎而对伤口造成二次损伤，男人按住M的后背，试图稳住混乱的局面，却不想对方力气如此之大，一瞬便脱离了他的掌控。M缩在墙角，蓝绿色的眼睛惊恐地瞪大，他的手指扶住肩膀不住颤抖，针尖刺如的感觉还历历在目，尾巴本能地甩动，却被L用手按住。“别动，冷静些，我不会伤害你。”漆黑的眼睛埋没在湿发的阴影里，让M想起了海底的水窟，仿佛能吞噬一切，却又极具诱惑，吸引人走近，走近，坠入无尽深渊。人鱼手指发颤，胸腔剧烈起伏，金发紧贴在他的额头上，水珠向下低落，使其狼狈不堪。原先被固定好的防水布，早就因M的动作褪成了一团，全部堆在人鱼身下，随着船只摇晃而流动的积水遍布了整个船舱。渔船驶入港口，接应的人早就准备好蹲守在码头，海风减弱了不少，绵绵细雨在灯光下为暮色披上了一层银纱。M竭力支撑起自己的上半身，最终却在L的沉默注视下，不甘地滑落在了斑驳水渍上。眼前黑发男人阴郁的面孔在灯光下逐渐模糊，阵阵海浪声渐渐消失在耳际，呼吸变得匀速而缓慢，困意如同潮水，M试图找回对自己身体的控制权，却感到更加疲惫不堪。他最后看到的，是L静静注视自己时的样子。M感觉自己的意识好像在融化，最终消逝在了无尽的漆黑里。L拍了拍已经陷入熟睡的人鱼男孩的脸。灯光打下，修长的睫毛垂落在眼睑，投下一片阴影，精致的脸颊如同文艺复兴时期的雕塑。船只航行的速度减慢，最终停泊在了岸边一处隐蔽的港口，海风阵阵，夜色深沉，掩盖了一切行迹。