it was just a small group of about 10 fish , but they were the right size that the mermaids were looking for . was it true that these wires carried electricity ? hed clearly been at the gate all night ; his eyes were black and blue with exhaustion and his hair a wild mess . `` lucky you did n't , since he was n't . '' they squint into the last of the afternoon sun which is still so bright it makes their eyes water . 