Chapter 51

"So, you have seen it all, little prince," said Skelmis.

"Then you were just like us," said Rory. "You just want to go home."

Skelmis grimaced. "I have no home anymore, little prince. That's the whole point." He swam over to the cave's opening and looked out into the wide, blue expanse. "This whole ocean is my home now. Thus, it is mine. And I mean to take. No humans, no merpeople. Just me and my lovelies." The twin octopi circled around Skelmis and they gently caressed him with their tentacles. He turned back to Rory.

"Humans will destroy this ocean one way or another. They are a filthy, arrogant, and selfish people. Even if you dismantle the factory on the island, ten more, one hundred more will rise to take its place," he said.

Rory twisted in his chains. "No! Humans are better than what you think. They are better than that. They are good and kind and loving." Tears came unexpectedly to Rory's eyes. "They have their weaknesses and faults, but at their core, they are good."