Part 2The Siren's Debt

Carve.

What a cold, painful, and bloody word.

But six years ago, I did indeed do that to Caspian.

I still remember that day. The little merman was strapped to my operating table, his two small hands clenched into fists.

Even though his claws could tear through metal, he didn't struggle an inch.

He just opened those eyes and looked at me quietly.

As if this was no different from the past.

I wasn't about to dissect him cruelly; I was about to feed him milk, help him bathe, and comb his beautiful hair with a seashell comb.

The scalpel I held could not fall.

The voice in my earpiece was exceptionally cold. It said, "Professor Vance, think about the future of humanity. The human population has dropped off a cliff. Only by finding a method for multiple births can we change the fate of human extinction. We need the merman's genetic data."

I looked at the little merman, my hand shaking.

"He is just an experimental subject. Bred by humans, he must sacrifice for humans," my superior was impatient. "If you can't do it, send him to Professor Stone. Someone will do it for you."

Professor Stone, the notorious devil researcher.

Creatures falling into his hands would suffer endless torture, living a life worse than death until every last bit of use was squeezed out.

Caspian was destined to die. I couldn't bear for him to suffer like that.

The scalpel fell, blood splattering onto my eyes.

Caspian was very polite: "Professor, you've made up your mind. Are you killing me?"

I nodded, holding back tears.

"Oh," Caspian raised his hand and touched my eyes, "Don't cry. Professor can't bear it either. Professor said he would love me forever, right?"

The scalpel in my hand sliced through the merman's lower body. The beautiful fishtail was cut open, the blood scalding hot, burning my fingers.

"Right?" Caspian was persistent.

Mermen, what a mysterious and ancient species. They can live forever on love, or become immortal through hatred.

I could no longer fulfill the love he wanted.

What about hate?

"Don't be so sure," I endured the pain in my chest. "After all, you are no different from other experimental subjects. So baby, don't trust anyone easily again."

"Still calling me baby," Caspian smiled, as if the knife hadn't pierced his chest.

"Professor just can't let go of me. Even if we are experimental subjects, I'm your favorite. Otherwise, why would you only help me through my heat cycle?"

"Right?" Caspian asked me.

His tone was calm, his eyes gentle and firm. That was the look of someone who had been spoiled by my complete bias.

"Right?"

"Right?"

"Right?"

Receiving no answer, Caspian asked again and again, his voice on the verge of collapse.

I only remember my hand getting steadier and steadier, until finally, I cut his throat.

His clear voice became exceptionally hoarse, like an abandoned broken bellows.

And the confidence in his eyes was on the verge of collapse.

The sky outside the window was covered in blood red. The little merman slowly closed his eyes, and a crimson pearl finally rolled down from the corner of his eye.

He nodded obediently, his voice so light it seemed about to be scattered by the wind.

"Okay, baby remembers. Baby won't trust anyone easily again."

"From now on, Professor is not Professor. Professor is just someone else. Really, I mean it."

So...

Caspian wouldn't believe my words.

He wouldn't believe the hideous scar on my stomach.