Mermaid By the Shore Chapter 11

He would stare at each candle as it burned out.

Watching the long, flickering flame gradually become smaller and weaker, it is like a young and beautiful woman bending, loosening and shriveling under the ravages of time.

However, before it goes out, it always seems to gather all its energy and burn to its heart's content. After the last burst of bright light, it will collapse into the size of a bean, a grain of rice, or a needle, until it slowly disappears.

The crackling sound before darkness fell was as if it were screaming.

Whenever this happened, he would let out a long breath. He often thought that this must have some meaning. On the ground, the passing of light meant the alternation of day and night. Underground, it meant that he had merged with this place. He did not like the sewer. He chose this place because he had no other choice. When there was still light, he could be the master of the underground. Once the candle burned out, he was just a brick, a section of well wall, a pool of sewage - he could not even be compared with rats and various reptiles.