So much unexplored Whump potential in the classic “merfolk trapped in the pool” scenario.
The frantic claustrophobia of being trapped in a space far too small for them. All they can do is swim helplessly in circles, hoping that some kindhearted person is clever enough to get them out.
Or maybe there are too many people coming by. Maybe it’s the community pool, endlessly crowded every day, and mer-whumpee has no choice but to hide before they’re found by someone who wants to hurt them.
And that doesn’t even begin to cover the scratchy concrete floors, or the potential dangers of the filters, or the disgusting stuff left behind by careless swimmers.
And things are even worse if our mer-whumpee comes from the ocean.
A saltwater mer-whumpee growing more and more ill by the day, the lack of salt taking its toll, ruining their gills, weakening muscles and organs that they used to use without thinking.
Mer-whumpee being unable to open their eyes, unable to bear the sting of the chlorine and other chemicals. Or worse, the chemicals stinging their skin, burning their scales, causing horrible wounds that our whumpee has no idea how to treat.
Just. Mer-whumpee being stuck in a pool and it’s miserable.



















