The old man’s voice cracked with a strange conviction as he held up the scales, his weathered eyes alight with something more than just drunken enthusiasm. “Those are mermaid scales, believe me!” The words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was a flicker of seriousness in Mang Omar’s gaze—something that made the usual ridiculousness of his claims feel oddly compelling. The scales themselves were beautiful, their vibrant green and sky-blue colors shimmering in the dim light of the shack, but the absurdity of the statement made it impossible to take the old man seriously. Yet, there was something about the way he held the scales, the reverence with which he spoke, that made it harder to laugh off.
Marlon’s laughter rang out, harsh and mocking, the sound of it harsh against the heavy
