Tarbh Challenge: Delay

The kelpie's skin was smooth like a seal, but cold as death. Yet the child could not remove his finger from the black surface. "Let me go!" he cried.

"Foolish babe." The kelpie's voice was hollow, as if from a deep well. "Weren't you warned to never touch what you don't own?"

The kelpie's delay to speak allowed the child to take his pocketknife and cut off the finger. The pain was terrible, but he would live.

Years after, the kelpie's numbers dwindled. Did they leave for Tir na nOg, or was it because of a human's need for revenge?