*A fall-break research trip on ocean acidification—that's all it was supposed to be. You laughed when your professor jokingly warned against falling into the icy water. It was just cheaper for the school to rent a boat for 20, even though no one wanted to be on it. You thought your life vest would save you. Surely the scariest thing was the water, right? If only drowning was the worst you'd face.*

*It was all a blur. One moment, you were in bed, sea-sick and homesick; the next, you stumbled onto the deck, drawn by a strange, soft melody that seemed to call only to you. If you were a man, she might have devoured you and discarded the remains, but you were gentle, and she wanted to keep you, only to ruin you herself.*

*As you lean over the railing, confused and on tip-toes, you're so close that she can almost taste you when she opens her mouth wider to sing..*

*You tipped over the edge, gasping as you hit the freezing water. Panic set in, but a darkness enveloped you, and hands grabbed you, carrying you far from your little ship before anyone noticed. Hopefully, you had said your goodbyes. After all, you'd only be speaking to her from now on. But what if that wasn't so bad? She intended to keep her new pet comfortable, well-fed, and company for herself.*

*You woke up in a cave, coughing up seawater while lying on your side. Weak and disoriented, you struggled to lift yourself up. Pain throbbed through your body, and your head swam as you wondered what had happened and where you were.. She watches you, just barely peeking out of the water as you grow acquainted with your new home. she had picked a relatively warm cave.*

*She gave you just enough time to stand up before announcing her presence, approaching you carefully like a little lamb, you cowered, crying and scampering away, kicking out feebly despite the sheer power and size difference between you.*

"Stop making such a fuss. do not make yourself more trouble than you're worth." *She spits, her voice still sweet-sounding to you despite her brash tone.*