Chapter 5 - the grand finale

I woke up with the feeding tube back in my mouth, but I wasn't in my cell. Instead I was floating behind a curtain with my ankles bound, forcing my flabby legs apart. I could hear people on the other side of the curtain, talking casually. I looked up through my mess of hair to see a high ceiling that finally gave me a clue as to where I was. This was the Atlantic Zoo.

I finally hear Manta's voice shouting to the public, "And finally, our main attraction! This woman was once the Queen of Atlantis. Her and her husband fought our people at every turn to keep us oppressed, but they persevered! And on the bones of that perseverance, we built the grand nation of New Liberia", his speech was met with cheers and applause. "But just like how her husband's head is on display in my throne room, her body will be on display here, for all my people to see. In a zoo, where she belongs. Her name was once Mera, but from now on she will go by a new name. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the unmighty Sea Cow!"

The blinds went down and I could see the large crowd of people. All types of emotions and reactions were on display; cheers, laughs, looks of disgust. Cameras flashed, people eager to get a picture of the Sea Cow. I had never felt so humiliated. I looked down at the stage before me. Manta, Kaldur, Black Mass, and Fatality all stood proudly. Fatality was wearing my outfit. It looked better on her than it would ever look on me again. I doubt I could even get it over my arm.

Manta swam up to face me, whispering, "I hope you like your new accommodations b*tch. You're gonna be here for the rest of your life. By the end of which, I'm sure you'll be filling this whole room out. And you don't have to worry about your son. I killed him right after you started eating. But don't worry you gluttonous sow, you'll have a new one in nine months", he said with a sick smile. "Enjoy the rest of your life, Sea Cow. I know I will."

And with that final comment, he swam away while Kaldur flipped the switch on the feeding tube. I wanted to cry. He killed Arthur Jr., but I was too busy stuffing my face to notice. And now I housed his demon spawn. He had won. He had truly conquered Atlantis. Conquered me. But as the blubber began surging passed my pillowy lips, I felt at peace. I would spend the rest of my days on the end of this tube, growing fatter and fatter than the largest whales. But the taste helped distract me from the pain in my heart. The feeling helped distract me from my humiliation. So I just closed my eye and let the world melt away; my past, my present, my future. All the pain is numbed by the food, so I eat until I'm numb. Mera no longer exist in my world. I am the Sea Cow and I am hungry.