Here you go. Enjoy :)

Chapter 6: Auction

Tyson and others were in standstill. It had taken all day and night until they were done calling every single number.

'Oh man... I'm out of ideas,' Tyson slumped on the couch disappointed. He had hoped at least some form of cruelty to animals but everyone was clean.

'Me too,' Max sat down next to him.

'I told you it would be waste of time,' Emily stated.

'Emily, would you be kind to check the lab results?' Judy asked.

'Sure. I can get more coffee at the same time,' she said before leaving.

'Boys, I was thinking,' Judy kneeled to their level, 'What would you do if you had caught a merman?' Tyson and Max glanced at each other.

'I would not tell anyone or... sell it?' Tyson scratched his temple.

'Exactly. This isn't really "our profession" but let's check where would be auction or that kind of sell. If we are lucky, we might find those who killed those seals,' Judy suggested.

'Underground ones too? And if Kai was taken by then, what makes you so sure that they haven't killed him?' Max pointed out.

'Those too. We would have to find someone who knows about it. And I think that selling one will bring lots of money and criminals won't pass the opportunity,' Judy said.

'Are you sure about that? Like you said, they are the bad guys and actually to find this underground action thing, that person would have to be a criminal too,' Max stated. He wasn't prepared to break the law in any means.

'Maybe if it comes to that. Let's try other ways first,' Judy straightened and walked to her computer.

'Let's roll Max. We are saving a person and stop the bad guys,' Tyson said. He had made up his mind and was ready to do anything. Max watched him shocked before nodding.

'Maybe but still... We can't break law.'

'I know that and once we have found it and know exactly where it is, we call the police, okay? We would have to hide Kai first though,' Tyson reasoned.

'And that part is worrying me,' Max sighed.

Kai had fallen asleep while leaning against the glass, but he had woken up shortly. Man was pacing around and ordering his minions left and right.

Kai's tail was starting to get sore from staying still too long but he didn't want to swim circles like a small fish he had eaten.

He just rubbed where hurt, carefully. Fins also had started to show signs of lack of salt water. Tail was drying.

'Fucking great,' Kai growled. Without salt water fins would start peeling off.

'Sir?' Angelina called out. Man raised his gaze.

'What is it?' he asked.

'His tail looks different. Like he has some kind of spots,' she said. Man stood up and walked closer to the tank.

'It seems so. Hm?' he rubbed his chin for a moment before snapping his fingers like he realized something.

'Of course. How silly of me! Take him to the new tank in the auction room and this time, fill it with sea water,' man instructed smiling.

'Immediately,' she said, took Thomas and they left outside. They would have to go get water from the ocean but they had right equipment.

'We don't want your tail ruined. It's your best and most important part,' man said and didn't wait for an answer.

In two hours Thomas and Angelina came back and walked to the tank. Thomas opened the lid and took out a long metal pole with grabbing end. Kai moved from the glass but Thomas grabbed him by the chain and pulled him up.

As Kai's head emerged from water Angelina help Thomas and took Kai's arms. Thomas unlocked the collar.

'Get lost!' Kai growled as Thomas pulled him over his shoulder and walked down the stairs next on the tank.

'Relax fish. You go to your new fish tank,' man ensured.

'Shut up! Don't call me that!' Kai yelled. Ignoring him Thomas walked through different doors until they arrived at a platform. Kai was dropped inside a tank. This time they didn't put collar around his neck and only closed the glass lid.

Kai's tail immediately felt better and started to heal when it contacted the salt water. He heard the lid getting lock.

'I have to make sure that collar stays off,' Kai was thankful about that but now, tracking device.

'Who can take it off if I can't?' he thought. Kai's thoughts were interrupted.

'This bulletproof glass so, don't even try scratching it,' Thomas said and pulled out a black blanket.

'What's that then?' Kai grunted.

'This? We can't ruin the surprise. It will be pulled off when auction starts,' Thomas said and covered the tank. Kai was in total darkness.

Tyson didn't know how but Judy had gotten a touch with a criminal. How did she do that, Tyson had no idea. They were standing in front of bar which was dark as hell.

'There,' Judy said and pointed a scary looking male drinking.

'Who is he mom?' Max asked. Tyson was also interested. This didn't seem like a good idea after all.

'His name is Lee and he... knows about underground. I've heard about him before but it still took time to find him. Let's go and not waste any more time,' Judy said walked closer to Lee. Tyson and Max followed closely behind really nervous.

'Excuse me sir? Can I ask you a question?' Judy asked. Lee put his glass down and glanced at them with narrowed eyes.

'Sure,' he replied.

'Would you know where underground auction is going to take place?' Judy asked like there was going to be auction she knew about. Lee watched them for a while before turning away and took his beer.

'Planning buying something? You don't look like... people who have business behind the law?' Lee smirked.

'We are and that's true but you should never judge the book by its cover,' Judy said matter-of-factly.

'You have a point... There is one in the abandoned warehouse tonight. I hope you have a lot of cash. I've heard that there is something very intriguing,' Lee drank his beer and left.

'Let's go,' Judy said and they returned to the car.

'Man, that was scary,' Tyson said.

'I told you this is a bad idea. Something tells me that we can't just buy Kai,' Max said as Judy started the car and left the bar.

'True. That's why I planned that when we learn who buys Kai, we knock the buyer out cold and take Kai,' Judy explained.

'I like that. We have to wear masks and everything,' Tyson said.

'That's why you might want to start changing. Here is the bag,' Judy threw a bag from front to back and continued driving. Tyson and Max changed quickly and prepared themselves.

After they arrived, Judy hid their car near the back entrance, changed clothes too and they walked straight in. Every person had something to cover their faces.

Kai's eyes had started to get used to the darkness. He tried to listen what was going but everything was quiet but not for long. And then, bright lights came on and someone started shouting.

'Welcome tonight's show! We have something so unusual that starting price is 100 000 dollars! I hope your wallets are ready!' and black cover was pulled off. Kai had to cover his eyes but he immediately could hear cheering. As his eyes adjusted to the light Kai watched the audience angrily. There had to be at least over thousand humans.

'Why are they all have masks?' Kai thought as shouter patted the glass.

'We must congratulate our man here for the great catch! Now, let's hear price shouting!' seller encouraged. Kai's anger was boiling over when different prices came left and rigth.

'800 000!' yelled one,

'1 000 000!' shouted another one. Kai clenched his fists. His knuckles were white. It was getting ridiculous and the final price was, 100 000 000. Who in earth had so much money?

'We have our winner! Come backstage and let's sign some papers,' seller said. Everyone else, left.

Tank had wheels under it and it was pushed in backstage where man was standing with a wide smirk.

'We have only some things we have to tell you but there is nothing else,' man explained.

'It's fine. What is it?' Kai's buyer had still his mask on.

'When we were keeping him, we learned a few things. He eats cooked fish and his tank has to have salt water. Otherwise his tail got all messed up,' man explained.

'Good to know. We don't want to ruin, do we?' buyer stated, 'Does he have a name?'

'It's Kai.'

'Strong one... We have to change it.' Kai snapped in rage.

'In your fucking dreams!' Kai punched the glass.

'We have to work on your attitude. Here is the money,' buyer gave envelope to the seller.

'Here is the controller to tracking device on his tail,' man said as envelope changed owners. Buyer nodded and called some of his friends to help push the tank.

'You're welcomed back anytime,' man said. Kai tried not to panic as they went through halls and arrived at their car.

'I have to find a way to change you water when oxygen is exhausted,' buyer thought out loud.

'Just let me go!' Kai punched the glass again.

'Fat chance. You cost me 100 000 000 dollars. Get him in,' buyer ordered his two men.

'No one told you spend so much money!' Kai reasoned. He watched two men put something under the water tank and raise it up. Suddenly there was a thud and buyer was down.

'Sir?' both men stopped what they were doing and kneeled next their boss.

'What happened?' Kai thought and he jumped when new human stepped out and knock two men out too.

'What is this? Who are you?' Kai asked and watched human come closer and lower the tank.

'Was he jealous or something?' Kai thought when he saw two others come out. They had a blanket and jacket with a hood.

'Shh,' tallest one whispered and opened the lid.

'Wha-' Kai started but shh-ed again. Human put a box next to the tank and stood on it.

'Come. Hurry before they come check and they wake up,' human-woman spoke. Obvious kids nodded. Kai swam up and allowed woman to pull him out. As she carried him down they covered his tail.

'Put this on,' woman showed a jacket. It fit and hood was pulled over Kai's head.

'Let's talk when we are in safe distance, okay?' woman said and pulled Kai up.

'Wait! They put tracking device on my tail,' Kai quickly pointed out. Woman put him down, raised the blanket and after glancing a second she found it.

'How do we take it off?' one of the kids spoke this time.

'They gave him a controller,' Kai pointed towards the buyer. Woman moved, checked his pockets and found the black control pad and pressed few buttons. With a click metal circle around his tail came off. They covered him again carried him while running to a car.

'You go in front,' she said to other kid. In minutes Kai was sitting inside, sideways, and the other kid was sitting under his tail.

No one spoke over half an hour. Then, Kai heard a sigh.

'That was scary!' kid in front said.

'Wait a minute!' Kai thought. That voice very familiar, 'Are you...' Kai began and kid turned and took the mask off.

'Yeah, it us,' Tyson said. Next Kai recognized Max and Judy.

'How did you- What?' Kai stuttered.

'It doesn't matter now. We need to get you back to ocean,' Judy said, 'And try to stay out of trouble... you know. I think your friend is waiting for you,' she added.

'Who?' Kai asked.

'He said that his name was Ray,' Max replied.

'Ray?! You saw him?!' Kai jumped forward.

'Yes. Why is that so big surprise?' Tyson was completely turned and Judy tried to get him sit forward.

'Ah... well, I...' Kai's words got stuck in his mouth. Who would it hurt that they know?

'I made a mistake and Ray paid for it. He was thrown into jail but his friends broke him out. I don't know what will happen next,' Kai explained. They looked at him shocked.

'Jail?' Max's voice was shaking.

'It's a long story and our kind is not even allowed to come surface,' Kai sighed.

'Is it because of us?' Tyson asked.

'I think so. It has been hundreds of years. Maybe even thousands,' Kai said.

'We won't tell anyone about you but we can't promise anything what bad guys will do though,' Judy apologized.

'It's fine. Thanks... by the way for saving me. Did Ray tell you about me or something?' Kai wondered.

'Yeah. That's why we knew you were captured. Rest is our work. We are here,' Judy said and pulled over to a beach. They took Kai out and carried him towards the ocean. Max pulled the blanket away and Kai took the jacket off.

'I'm off. Did Ray tell you where he was going to go?' Kai asked.

'He should be around here and not too far. Good luck and... if you need anything, come to us,' Tyson said. Kai nodded and went underwater.

'Let's continue our work. We don't know who killed the seal,' Tyson said.

'Sea lions,' Max said and turned back to the car.

'I know that!' Tyson ran after him. Judy let out a chuckle.

Kai felt amazing while swimming. It had been too long. Now, he was trying to find Ray. Kai checked the underwater caves and everything where someone could be hiding, but nothing.

'Ray, are you here?!' Kai called out carefully. He didn't see anything but small fish, a very small fish.

'Ray!' Kai raised his voice and changed directions. He called out fifteen minutes when there was answer.

'Kai? Kai!' Ray swam from behind the big rocks. Before Kai could say anything, Ray grabbed him into a hug.

'Are you okay?' Ray asked.

'Y-yeah, I'm f-fine. Can't b-reathe,' Kai gasped out as Ray let go.

'What now then? We are both running,' Kai asked. Ray opened his mouth to answer but stopped.

'That's a good question,' Ray pondered, 'Maybe we should go back?' his eyes narrowed.

'No way! They will force me to marry their stupid kid and throw you in jail. Who knows what happens to Michael and others,' Kai sighed.

'Any other idea?' Ray asked.

'Just... swim around for now and try to think what to do. Maybe we should try to hide under the humans or something. King seems to want everyone stay away from them,' Kai suggested.

'That's fine for me,' Ray said and they headed towards the land. They had taken a short cut to the ocean. Kai leaded Ray towards the place where Kai first met Tyson.

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