Katie

I shift uncomfortably on the metal examination table, dreading what I know is coming next. The blindfold has been removed, but I still can’t see due to the waterproof tape that has been spread over my eyelids, holding them shut. When they first put it on, they’ve just replaced my blindfold over top, likely to keep me from peeling the itchy tape off. A hand pushes my shoulder in a clear encouragement for me to lie down. I shake my head and try to shift away, not willing to go through this again.

I’m pushed over and rolled onto my back. Restraints are tightened over my wrists, these one’s softer than the thick leather of the facility, but still a control mechanism that I’m beginning to hate. I tug against them, lash my tail.

“Settle down.” I’m ordered. “You're okay. I know it hurts, but this is the last time, sweetheart, I promise.” The one woman says.

“The last of a lot of things. The last treatment, the last day in this trailer, and the last time you have to sit on that table or in the cramped little tank,” the other woman adds. I frown, still aggravated that her voice sounds familiar, but I can’t seem to place where from.

“Now stay still,” the first woman says in a soft tone seconds before the needle slides in to the flesh of my cheek. I wince, tense, but know better than to pull away. Within moments, my face feels numb and cold. I gulp nervously, my fingers clenching into fists in preparation of what’s to come. Despite the numbness of my face, I can still feel the intense heat and the flash of pain that follows causes me to jerk reflexively. “I know, I know, just try to relax. You’re a brave girl, you can get through this.”

The process continues and my breathing becomes labored, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes. Another sharp flash of pain and then it’s over; the heat doesn’t come again. “There,” the one woman sighs. “Finished.”

“You did a fantastic job, Lukshia,” the other woman states, finally giving me a name to go off of. Still, it isn’t one that rings any bells.

There’s a deep sigh. “So much for cover,” Lukshia answers.

“Sorry,” comes the sheepish reply. “Still, we’ll be there in an hour anyways, right? What difference does it make?”

“Perhaps I’m just being paranoid,” Lukshia agrees. “But we still need to be cautious. Now come on, I want to get the treatment set up. It needs to sit, so we’ll wash it out at the park.”

“I’ll get the bottles,” the other woman decides.

Though far less unpleasant than what I just endured, this next thing has been done before too, and results in me bent over under a running hose in the dirt or grass on the side of the road, if the sounds of cars are anything to go by, after having a nasty smelling liquid rubbed into my scalp. And despite everything, I’ve no idea what they are doing. Changing my appearance, yet again, would make the most sense, but they don’t seem to be doing anything to Luna, thankfully, so I am not certain of their intent. It makes me antsy, not knowing anything like this. We’ve been kept blindfolded and in dark about everything.

I'm startled from my thoughts when my restraints are removed and I'm pushed over onto my stomach with my head positioned over a plastic tub. “Last time,” Lukshia’s voice says. The shocking prickle of cold water over my scalp causes me to suck in a breath. The water drizzles over my head, causing the short locks of hair to plaster to my skin, dripping water over my forehead. A cap snaps open and with a slight oozing noise, the cold gel pools in my hair. Gloved hands press against my head, her nails managing to pinch against my skin through the thin plastic. The goop squelches as it’s pushed through my locks, emitting a foul scent that nearly triggers my gag reflex.

“I certainly won’t miss this stuff,” the second female voice states.

“Smells like bad eggs,” snaps the male that occasionally speaks. “Didn’t take you for a beauty queen, Luks.”

“Get off my case, Allen,” Lukshia warns, her voice suddenly dripping sarcastic venom.

“Now who’s giving away names?” She’s teased by the unknown female case.

“You too, Liv,” Lukshia warns. “Besides, too late now anyways.”

“Would you drop that infuriating nickname already?” Liv retorts. “You know it drove me crazy when we were young.”

“Yes. Which was why I used it. Pass me that plastic bag, will you?” The rustling crinkle of a bag fills the now silent trailer. It’s tugged over my head, the smooth plastic kissing my forehead as it’s tied tightly around my hair, causing the roots to pinch as they’re pulled taunt away from my scalp. “There. Johnson, what’s our ETA?”

There’s the cackling buzz of a radio coming on and then a grainy voice sound through it. “About ten minutes.”

“Perfect,” Lukshia says. “Be sure to pull in through the back entrance. Use the codes I gave you.”

“Thank goodness,” Liv sighs. “I don’t think I could stand to be in this damned trailer any longer. It’s making me edgy and a little crabby.”

“Agreed,” Allen states. “This mission has been all stress, no action, and is beginning to feel like babysitting.”

I shift on the table, the bag over my hair crinkling noisily as I move. I want to at least go back in the water with Luna. The tank may be tiny and made of noisy metal that echoes if it is so much as tapped, but at least the water is pleasantly cool against my scales that dry out fast in this stuffy trailer.

“Soon,” Lukshia promises me. I am pretty sure it is her hand that runs over my tail. She clucks her tongue. “Liv, you think it’s normal for the scales to dry out this fast? Is it going to hurt her?”

“It’s just dry in here,” Liv replies. “If we’re arriving in a few minutes, then she’s okay there. In fact, let’s get them both ready now.”

Feet scuff against the ground, then the sounds of a struggle ensue. A sharp hiss rings through the trailer, followed by furious splashing. Several water droplets shower over my face and body, drumming against the plastic bag on my head. Another hiss leaves my friend’s throat, followed by a grunt by someone else.

“You are being a little ridiculous,” Liv scolds. “No one wants to hurt you, sweetie, I promise.”

The metal table rings as it is smacked and I wince, knowing it was likely Luna’s tail. Her heavy breathing is noisy in the small, echo prone confines of the trailer.

“You got her?” Lukshia asks.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” Liv replies. “I’ve started to see a pattern in her antics. We’re good here.”

“Alright.” A hand rubs over my arm, tightening over my bicep and tugging. “Come on, sit up,” Lukshia encourages. I comply, and then stretch out, pulling my arms taught above my head and yawning widely. My shoulder is squeezed. “I noticed you didn’t get much sleep last night,” Lukshia whispers. “Don’t worry; you’ll get to sleep soon.”

Her words fail to reassure me, but I'm not given a chance to ponder it as the truck lurches to a stop, nearly flinging me from the table. A hand is braced against my chest scales, helping to steady me. A thin sheet is draped across my shoulders and then I’m lifted from the table and practically swaddled in the blanket, before being set into a wooden crate. My fin scrapes against the side boards and I have to curl it as I’m pushed back into the box. The lid scuffs loudly as it is placed over top and clamped on. My heartbeat steadily grows more rapid and bile rises in my throat. It feels like a ‘moment of truth’ sort of moment, as we’re finally ferried from the trailer; rolled down a ramp and unloaded. Hopefully we’ll get to see the faces of our rescuers or captors, depending on which will be more fitting.

“You got them?” a new male voice inquires seconds after a door is pulled shut, slammed slightly; likely in hast.

“Yeah,” comes Liv’s breathless reply.

“Allen, go with Dustin and take the younger girl to whatever’s been set up. We still need to wash the stuff out. Is there a bathroom or supply room with a sink we can use?” Lukshia inquires in an authoritative tone.

“Yes,” Liv replies. “Come on, I’ll show you the closest spot.”

Then we are moving again. The wheels of the rolling crate squeak on the tiles, grating in my ears, and my heart clenches as Lukshia’s words sink in. Luna and I are being separated. I can only hope that it won't be for long and that they won’t hurt her in the meantime.

The crate lurches as it stops, my scales sliding in the sheet as it does. The lid is snapped off and I’m lifted up and onto the cool surface of a countertop. “Alright, last time for this too, I promise. Lie down now.” A hand is planted between my shoulder blades and I’m pushed onto my stomach with my head hanging into the basin of a sink. The bag is pulled from my head and my hair bundled over my face in the sink. The faucet squeals as it’s turned and water begins to rush out over my hair. Fingers massage at my scalp, pushing and pulling at my hair while the lukewarm water runs. If not for the foul stench of whatever is in my hair and the water running slimy with it dripping over my eyes and nose, the sensation might not be unpleasant. I cough a little, wrinkle my noise in an effort not to sneeze, and try to sip air slowly to keep from inhaling any water. “Almost done,” Lukshia says. “Just another couple of seconds.”

True to her word, heartbeats later the stream of water slows and I’m allowed to sit up. A towel brushes against my forehead and the back of my neck as my hair is toweled dry. “There.” A finger lifts my chin a little. “What do you think?”

“Perfect,” Liv replies. “You’ve done a fantastic job. You are going to let us take the tape off her eyes now right?”

“Yes,” Lukshia agrees. “To be completely honest, it wasn’t entirely about security that I insisted they remain blindfolded. It’s to make this moment a little bit more, well, special, relieving, you know what I mean,” the woman fumbles.

“Yes, I do. Ready, sweetie. Keep your eyes closed, let me get both pieces off first,” Liv’s words are directed at me as her fingers brush the corner of my eye, pulling up the corner of the tape. It’s pulled slowly and gently from my eyelid, tugging free with a slight popping noise. The next piece quickly follows. “Okay. Careful though, it’s been a few weeks since you’ve seen anything but the inside of your eyelids. Don’t strain your eyes.”

I bring my hands up to rub my eyes, slowly cracking them open and squeezing them shut once more when light bombards my vision, leaving swarming dots dancing behind my eyelids. After a moment, I reopen them, blinking rapidly until my vision clears. The first thing that comes into view is one of the women. “Can you see okay?” she asks, her voice allowing me to label her as Lukshia.

I take a moment to observe her. Long black hair is pulled into a tight braid, a black top and pair of black tights hug earthy colored skin, and her hazel eyes gleam with a dangerous, mischievous attitude, but also with an openhearted friendliness.

“Katie.” I stiffen at the sound of my name, my real name, spoken by someone besides Elizabeth. “Can you see okay?” The repeated question fails to dawn on me as my brain slowly continues to realize that someone knows me, recognizes me. “Katie?” My name is repeated with a laugh and my head whips towards the speaker, my eyes definitely widened. The wavy blonde hair and soft brown eyes framed by light blue glasses spark a recognition in my brain almost instantly, although it still takes me a moment to realize exactly who I am looking at.

“Olivia,” I breathe, uttering my first word since the break out. My eyebrows furrow. “Lewis’s friend.”

She laughs again. “Yes. Honey are you alright?”

I nod. “Uh, yeah, I guess. It’s just been a while since someone, well…”

“Used your name?” Lukshia offers.

I shake my head. “No, since someone who actually knows me has used it. Since I-” I glance around, half laugh half sob. “Since I’ve been in a bathroom, since I’ve been out of that place. I-” I break off as a sob lodges in my throat and tears well in my eyes.

“Oh, don’t cry, it’s okay,” Lukshia says as she pulls me against her and embraces me tightly. “You're safe, Katie.”

“Why don’t you take a look in the mirror,” Olivia suggests in a soft tone.

“In the mirror? Why?” I ask as I spin around and catch a glimpse of my reflection. Every muscle in my body tenses up, my lips parting slightly as I see my face starring back at me. My face, not the face of Bailey. Red and bruised across my cheeks, my hair still short but returned to its proper color, and my skin pleasantly freckle-less. Tears water up in my eyes all over again.

Olivia puts a hand on my shoulder. “We haven’t figured out how to fix the, uh, well the tail yet, but as for the rest of it; it’s over. You’re safe and you're never going back. And we will out how to fix everything else.”

“You can’t fix it,” I sigh. “It’s pretty permanent.”

“You don’t know that,” Olivia argues. “They could have just told you that to make you think that there was no going back.”

“No. I endured the procedure, I know. It’s permanent.” I shift my tail, bring the fin into view, and stare at the curling tips. “It’s okay,” I decide. “It’s actually not so bad.”

“Well, I still want to look into it. Katie, you look exhausted so we should get you and your friend settled for now, but we need to talk later. In depth. You need to tell us what happened in that facility, okay? Then we’ll go over the plan with you.”

“I’m okay,” I argue. “I’d rather talk now. I want to know what’s going on. How did you know I was there? Who else knows? When can I go-”

Olivia holds up a hand, silencing the tirade of questions streaming from my mouth. “Not right now. You need to rest and we need still have things to take care of. I promise you’ll get your answers, but you need to hold on to those questions a little longer, okay?”

I sigh and nod reluctantly. “Just answer me one thing,” I beg. “Sophie?”

“As far as I know, she’s alright. It’s been rough on her, but she’s pulling through. As for this, she doesn’t know. We didn’t want to involve her because she wouldn’t be able to help. She’s going to be the first person they suspect in this break out. There had to be no links between her and us.”

I sniff and rub at my nose, lick my lips. “I miss her.” Lukshia and Olivia don’t bother offering up a response.

After a moment of silence, Lukshia clears her throat. “Katie, can you sit on your tail? I mean by curling it under you, like a child might sit on their knees?”

“Mhm. Why?”

She moves out of view and brings a wheelchair back into view. Fastened to the footrest is a pair of shoes filled with plastic legs that go up a few feet and taper off. “To keep it out of view. We’re going to have to keep a blanket covering everything, but this should allow you some motility and this way, no one’s asking questions.”

“Wow, you really thought of everything,” I comment.

“Well, we had to,” Olivia points out. She wraps an arm around my waist and scoops up my tail before setting me down in the chair. I shift so my tail is folded underneath me with my fin fanning out against my spine. Lukshia unfolds a thick blanket and tucks it around my tail until everything is hidden. Then I’m handed a folded brown shirt.

The material is soft and the t-shirt is plain, no wording or design. I eagerly tug it on, only to find it almost irritating against skin and scale that’s been bare for months.

“Here, I’ll wheel you out for now and we’ll teach you how to use it properly later, alright?” Lukshia says.

I shake my head, hands moving to grip the back of the rims. “I know how to use it,” I reply. “A few years ago, I was helping Lewis unload a truck. Took more than I could carry, dropped the crate, and broke both feet in one go. I had to use a chair for a month.”

“Oh, well, that makes things easier. Go ahead then.”

“Just give me a minute,” I request. “It has been a little while.” Pushing the rims, I slowly move forwards and manage to maneuver out the door without bumping anything. The halls are tiled in smooth faint blue diamond patterned tiles and the walls are papered in a soft green. The rich smell of salt water lingers in the brightly lit halls, making tears water in my eyes. It smells like home.

Lukshia and Olivia walk by me and I'm spurred into motion, pushing the wheels so I’m rolling beside them at a comfortable pace.

“Okay, I’m going to go regroup with the team,” Lukshia decides. “We’ll get the truck out of here and cover our tracks. I’ll meet up with you tomorrow and we’ll work out some details.”

“Alright,” Olivia agrees. I watch her pause to hug the other woman tightly. “Thank you for all of your help. I really appreciate it.”

“Hey, anything for my childhood best friend. Just stay out of trouble; don’t attract any attention to yourselves, alright?”

“Will do,” Olivia promises.

“Thank you,” I pipe up. “For getting us out of there. You have no idea how much in means.”

Lukshia bends down so that we can be at eye level. She offers me a smile. “Don’t mention it. Just stay out of trouble, okay? Be safe.”

I lean forward and hug her, tightening my muscles as I squeeze her as much as possible.

Lukshia laughs, but hugs me back, very nearly crushing me in a fierce embrace. Instantly my muscles fall slack, and I melt into her hold for a few wondrous heartbeats where I can feel warm and safe without being yanked back into a terrifying reality.

I sigh softly when she gently untangles herself from me.

Lukshia waves to Olivia and then turns and walks away further down the hall, the clack of her heeled boots echoing in the empty hallway.

“Come on you,” Olivia says as she rounds the corner and pulls open a door, holding it for me. I twist the chair around and roll through the open doorway.

It leads to a spacious office. One wall is filled by three large filing cabinets, while a large desk takes the center floor. A small fish tank and a potted tree, along with some paintings, decorate the room painted a creamy color that reminds me of the inside of a clam’s shell. I allow my eyes to wander, find my attention focusing in on the small fish tank. Tiny, tropical saltwater fish swim in out of the small castle and skull decorations. Black and white pebbles line the bottom and the filter bubbles noisily, my sensitive hearing picking in up clearly from across the room. A decent sized starfish grips the front panel of glass, its six limbs splayed, one a twisted stub far shorter than the other arms. Luna’s starfish was left in the other tank and I begin to wonder if they would let her have this one in replacement since she seems to love them so much.

“Leave my fish alone. If you’re hungry, we’ll get you something from the kitchen. Those are not for consumption.” The tone is light, but still startles me and my head whips towards the front of the room and the owner of the new voice. His lips are twisted into a teasing grin and his dark eyes shine from behind a pair of black glasses. Scruffy black hair is sits atop his head, and he’s wearing a loose gray collar shirt with a black tie.

I blush slightly and shake my head. “No, I wasn’t wanting to eat them, I swear. They just caught my eye is all,” I defend. I chew my bottom lip. “Um, so who are you?”

“Katie, this is Dustin; he manages the park and got everything here set up for the two of you,” Olivia introduces. “Dustin, meet Katie.”

“Hi,” I offer, giving him a small wave and moving closer to the desk.

Dustin smiles and extends a hand across the wooden surface. I take it in turn. “It’s nice to meet you Katie,” Dustin replies. “We’ve been pretty concerned about you the past month.”

“Month?” I ask.

“It took a while to get things organized to bust you out. We’ve known for about a month.”

“Oh. I suppose that makes sense. I don’t know why I figured it was a spur of the moment thing,” I state with a frown. “My brain isn't operating properly at the moment. I haven’t really been expected to do a lot of thinking lately,” I admit.

“It’s okay,” Dustin replies. “You’ll have plenty of time to ease back into a proper lifestyle. For now, do you have any questions? We haven’t worked out all the details of a game plan yet, but I’ll do my best at answering.”

“How did you know?” I find the question tumbling from my mouth before I’ve even processed it.

“Dustin was interested in the mermaid craze that the exhibit caused. He was considering hiring someone to dress up here at the park to draw some attention. When I saw a picture, it just didn’t look right and reminded me of you. We began to realize how nicely the events of your death and the exhibit’s opening lined up and then realized exactly who you were,” Olivia explains. “We figured that the other girl is in the same situation. Do you have any idea where she’s from?”

“As far as I know; the ocean,” I say. “She’s not like me. She’s the real thing. But that doesn’t mean she should be locked up,” my tone turns dark. “She’s fully fluent in English and no different from us.”

Dustin holds up his hands. “Katie, I’ve no intention of abusing that child. If you’re right, then we’re going to have a hell of a time locating her family, but we’ll figure it out. Now, is there any chance that she’s just been told that? Led to believe that she’s a fish in an effort to better control her?”

“I don’t think so,” I say, bringing a fist up to rub at my eye as I attempt to swallow a yawn.

“Well, we can discuss it later,” Dustin decides. “It’s a little early for bed, but definitely late enough to warrant supper. Olivia, take the poor girl and get her settled with something to eat. Katie, we’ve made accommodations for the two of you and while you’re free to do as you will, you're not a prisoner; I do request that you remain in your room. It’s spacious enough to keep you both comfortable, but very few people know you are here and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

I nod. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Here.” Olivia moves behind me and pulls the wheelchair around. “”Just relax. We have a ways to go.”

“I thought that you didn’t want to risk anyone seeing me,” I say as we leave the office.

“The park is closed today,” Olivia replies. “And any mandatory staff has gone home by now. I’m clocking a few extra hours stocking medications.”

“What?”

“Oh, false alibi. Just in case,” she explains. She pushes us down the hall and out of the building into the setting sun.

“Wait!” I stop her.

“What’s wrong?” Olivia asks, the wheelchair lurching to a halt.

“Nothing,” I whisper, tilting my nose towards the sun. “It has just been far too long since I’ve been outside. I want to enjoy it for a moment.”

“Well enjoy it as we walk,” Olivia replies, pushing the chair into motion once more.

A slight breeze picks up, tossing my drying hair about. “So how did you get it back to normal?” I ask, twirling a lock of it.

“Well, Lukshia got a bottle of hair dye remover,” Olivia says. “It’s about to hit the markets, so I'm not sure how she got it so early, but I tend not to ask. Anyways, you bleach the dyed hair and then apply three separate doses of the stuff. It’s supposed to draw the natural pigment out from the roots, but I'm not fully sure how it works. And I imagine you already know how the freckle tattoos were removed.”

I nod. “Yes. That was painful. But at least now I can safely say I'm never getting a tattoo…well, again, I guess.”

“Mhm,” Olivia agrees as we approach the far staff building of the marine park. She pauses to pull open the door before she resumes pushing the chair along. “So, you really think that she’s an actual mermaid?”

“Mer,” I correct, remembering Luna’s insistence about the terminology. “And I shouldn’t have said anything to that man. Perhaps not to you either.”

“Hey,” Olivia protests. “I can understand your unease with Dustin, since you just met him, but what did I do? I know you don’t see me often, but have I ever struck you as untrustworthy?”

“I guess not,” I concede.

“Well, you can relax then. I just want to see you both home safely. And Dustin, while a business man, has a huge heart. I’ve known him for a long time and he would never do anything at the expense of a child, human or otherwise.”

She pulls us to a stop in front of an elevator and presses the button. I fall silent and glance around. The hallways of this building are similar in design, with the same tiled floors and evenly spaced lights, but the walls are decorated in a sea themed wallpaper coated in shells, starfish, and assorted tropical reef fish.

I brush my fingers along the design of a creamy conch shell, tracing the spikes and grooves on its surface.

For a few seconds, the silence is pleasant, before the sharp ‘ding’ of the elevator breaks it and the doors slide open. Olivia remains quiet as she pushes me in and presses the highest button and swipes a clearance card. The doors slut shut with a gentle hiss and then the elevator lurches into motion. It dings up two floors before jolting to a halt and reopening the doors.

They open to reveal a wide corridor that is dimly lit and filled with stacked boxes and crates shoved up against both walls over old, wooden panelling. Everything is covered in a fine layer of dust that itches at my nose, and cobwebs hang from every available corner and rafter.

“Uh, this place is kinda creepy,” I whisper.

“It is just an attic,” Olivia replies. “It’s fully functional. It was designed to be a quarantine floor, for severe rescues, illness outbreaks, and critical projects or studies, but then we ended up having the twin building built and had no need for this place. Until we opened up one of the rooms for you two, no one came up here except the security guard and once a year, an exterminator scopes the place for infestation. We’ve never had anything worse than a couple of mice. It’s a good spot to keep the two of you than likely won’t be found in case any parks on the coast are routine checked after the break out.”

“Makes sense,” I agree. I lean back in the chair as Olivia pushes it down the long hall. “Are you sure you don’t want me to do it? I can keep up with you.”

Olivia reaches down and gives my shoulder a squeeze. “Just relax. You’ve been through enough lately. Let us worry about things for a bit, okay?”

“I’m not worried. I just want to gain some independence back,” I admit.

“You will,” Olivia promises. “I know it’s been rough on you, I can only imagine what you’ve been through, but for now; I just want to get you settled for the night, okay?” She moves in front of me and twists the handle to an old wooden door. The inside room is brightly lit and warm. The walls are painted a soft, ocean blue color and the floors are made of sandalwood boards. What catches my eye the most is the massive, deck-like wooden platform a raised several feet off the floor and is reachable by a smooth, ramp that looks rather easy to wheel the wheelchair up. Connected to the platform is a pool. Not a tank but what looks like a swimming pool. As Olivia pushes the chair up the ramp, I get a proper look at my new living quarters. Two mattresses rest on the platform, which is actually coated in spongy green mats. Both are neatly made with comforters and pillows. I notice the plastic sheets rather than fabric ones, but considering the salt water, it makes sense. But my attention is drawn to Luna, curled up on the edge of the platform, her wet hair plastered down her back and her eyes wide, like a deer caught in headlights. As we get close, she shrinks back, looking ready to bolt, and bares her fangs, hissing sharply.

I jerk back a little at the same time that Olivia sighs. “I am really getting sick of putting up with this behavior,” she scolds. “Now you stop that; no one has done anything to warrant it.”

I place a hand on Olivia’s arm and shake my head. No one is getting through to Luna like that. I push the chair forward to get closer to her and the reaction is surprising. She shrinks back further, bracing herself to dive, and offers me another hiss. Aside from the time that she was blinded, I’ve never been hissed at before; it is a little terrifying and I'm not sure what I’ve done to be on the receiving end.

It takes me a moment to realize the problem and the second I do, I reach out towards her, ready to reassure her. The motions seems to be the final straw and she spooks, twisting away and diving into the water.

I sigh and dive after her, shoving off from the seat of the chair and making the jump into the water. I tackle the fleeing Mer into a hug, one that causes her to thrash violently in.

“Luna!” I exclaim. “Calm down, it’s just me.”

At my words, she falters and relaxes slightly, turning to face me with furrowed eyebrows and slightly parted lips. ‘Katie?’ she mouths my name.

I nod. “Yeah, Luna, it’s me,” I confirm.

‘You do not look like-”

“Do you know many other purple tailed girls that sound like me?” I counter, interrupting her.

‘No.’

“Exactly.” I drape my arm across her shoulder. “You remember I told you that Dr. Auldon had my appearance altered right?”

‘Yes, I remember,’ Luna replies with a nod of her head.

“Well, they fixed that. This is what I looked like before. What I really look like,” I tell her. “Well, my hair was longer, but that’s beside the point.”

Luna tilts her head, wide blue eyes fixed on me. ‘I am sorry that I hissed at you.’

“It’s okay Luna, no harm done. I know how you are around strangers and I should have been expected it. You okay?”

She nods her head and then begins to shake it. ‘I am scared.’

I respond instantly by tugging her into a hug. I wrap my arms around her torso and squeeze tightly, trying to make her feel a little safer and calmer. I think it works; she relaxes a little and wraps her arms around me in return, resting her head on my collarbone. “We’re going to be okay, I promise.”

‘We do not know these people,’ she states once she moves away. ‘What if they are as bad as the scientists? What if they are worse?’

“Do you really think anyone could be worse than those bastards?” I counter. “Besides, I do know these people. Not well or anything and… actually, it’s only Olivia I actually know, but I'm confident that she doesn’t want to hurt us.”

‘Are you sure?’

“Yeah, I'm pretty sure. Look Luna, let’s just give them a chance before we get defensive okay? They did go through the trouble of breaking us out of that place.”

‘I guess,’ Luna relents.

“Okay. Let’s go back up there; I want to find out the plan, and hopefully get some food.”

Luna nods and after a moment’s hesitation follows me up to the surface. The pool isn't all that deep, about a meter or two, but it’s definitely big enough to be comfortable for both of us to swim in.

I shake water droplets from my eyes as I break the surface and my hands sink into the soft foam of the mats as I haul myself out of the water. Luna doesn’t leave the water, but instead leans her elbows against the mats and rests her chin on her arms.

“Everything okay?” Olivia asks.

I nod. “Yeah, everything is fine, sorry about that. Olivia, this is Luna,” I introduce.

Olivia smiles and moves to sit cross-legged in front of us. “Hi,” she greets.

Luna lifts her hand and waves her fingers a little.

“Are you okay?” Olivia presses. “You’ve been very stressed, stubborn, I'm guessing terrified, and a little angry the past few weeks.”

Luna shrugs, shifts a little, and stares down at the little pool of water forming on the mat.

Silence lapses and Olivia glances at me with furrowed eyebrows. “Did I say something wrong?”

Luna glances up, rubs her arms, and very visibly hesitates.

“No,” I say, responding to Olivia’s question. “Luna’s just a little shy.”

“Oh. Sorry, sweetie, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that.” `After a moment, when Luna offers no reply, Olivia turns her attention to me. “I’m going to go down and get you something to eat. It won’t be anything grand it’s getting late and we need to start closing up; so I was just going to boil some fish and a few vegetables into a soup. Do you feel up to anything more? Some fruit maybe?”

I shrug. “Whatever is fine; to be honest, I just want to sleep.”

“I figured as much, it looked like you two had a rough night. I can imagine too, that road was pretty bumpy and that tank made a lot of noise and seemed to jolt you around.”

A yawn parts my lips and I nod. “Yeah, pretty much sums it up,” I agree.

“Well, I’ll go get on that then. Is there anything else you need tonight?”

I shake my head. “I think we’ll be fine.”

“Okay. Well, it’ll probably be about an hour before the food is ready. If you happen to fall asleep before then, I’ll leave it on a little heater and you can help yourselves when you wake up, okay?”

I yawn again and bring a fisted hand up to rub at my eyes and nose. “Yeah, thank you,” I respond. “For everything.”

Olivia smiles. “You're welcome. It’s just good to know that you're okay now. I'll be back in an hour, alright?”

I bid her goodbye and watch her turn and leave. The lighting in the room is dim, the pool pretty dark, but would still enough to see in comfortably even if I couldn’t see in the dark.

“You were quiet,” I comment to my friend, who still has her head lowered and is tracing designs in the pools of water on the mat.

She shrugs. ‘I am not comfortable telling her about sign language,’ she admits.

I sigh and shake my head as I drape an arm around her shoulders and tug her closer. “I know that it has been a rough go and I acknowledge you trust issues, but Luna, you're going to have to relax a little. Olivia is just trying to help us. I’m not saying you have to give her your life’s story, or trust her to have your back, but you can at least talk to her and acknowledge her presence. It’s only polite that you do,” I state, trying not to sound too lecturing.

‘I guess so,’ she responds.

“Look, don’t worry about it right now. It’s been a long day, so how about we get settled and wait for food,” I suggest.

Luna nods and raises an arm, finger extended to point at the mattresses. ‘What are those?’

“Those are beds,” I tell her. “You sleep on them. They’re really soft and warm.”

‘Oh.’ She pulls herself from the water to reach out and press a palm into the one. ‘I have never slept out of the water before, aside from when they left me strapped to a table for days.’

“Would you like to try it?” I ask. “The water is right there if you decide you don’t like it.”

Luna nods in agreement and tugs herself up onto one of the mattresses. I climb up onto the other one and slip beneath the covers.

After a moment of watching me with wide eyes and a tilted head, Luna mimics my actions and slips her tail beneath the thick pink, green, and purple patchwork blanket. She shifts slightly and then rolls onto her stomach. ‘You are right. It is very warm,’ she comments.

I nod in agreement and roll onto my side, letting my head rest against the pillow and allowing a yawn to part my jaws. “Yup,” I murmur lazily. “That they are.”

I’m pulled from sleep groggily as I sit up and squint, staring around the darkened room as I try to determine what woke me. I nearly jump from my skin as something beside me moves. Turning to look, I relax when I see Luna curled up against me. She’s opened her eyes and lifted her head, but otherwise remained lying down.

‘Everything okay?’ she asks as she yawns widely.

“Yeah,” I reply. “How come you're over here? Is there something wrong with your bed?” I ask.

Luna nods hesitantly, but doesn’t elaborate until I raise an eyebrow and poke her gently. ‘It is over there,’ she states.

“And?”

‘It is over there and you are over here. It made me feel like when I was by myself, before you came. I got lonely,’ she admits.

I can’t help but smile and give her a sideways hug. “I haven’t gone anywhere,” I say. “But you can stay over here if you like.” I refuse to admit that I had secretly felt lonely myself.

Luna blows out a soft breath and smiles. She doesn’t say anything more as she curls up tighter against me and lowers her head back down to the mattress. I do the same, feeling, for the millionth time, grateful that I’ve not been alone through all of this.