For the first time, we glimpse the sun.

It peeks out shyly from the thick clouds in the sky as the last of the storm drifts away. In the past, Gramps had a saying that he loved to repeat to us—always be optimistic about life. Faced with setbacks, we should keep our head pointed towards the sun, for it will light the path for us.

I used to think that he was simply overplaying his words. Now, I'm experiencing the exact meaning of his words.

Lush trees frame along both sides of the road as the car drives through, like the gateway to the netherworld. It feels like one of those video games that you play where the undead come out from the shadows and hunt you down for a quick, nice snack.

I shudder at the chilling image in my mind. The deeper we go, the more abandoned cabins and RV camper vans we see litter along the side of the road. This is a camping site that Mom brought me to when I was a kid and the sight gives me a feeling of nostalgia. I don't recall all the details, but there are snippets of memories that I remember. A bonfire. Roasting S'mores. Joining a game of Flashlight Tag with other kids of my age.

My eyes keep glancing out of the window repeatedly. I'm kind of expecting creatures to intercept us on our way towards Milliken Pond, but it seems like they've gone into hiding, fearing the approaching light.

Sadly, they won't be gone forever.

I glance down at Zarius worriedly. From what I've seen so far, he doesn't seem susceptible to artificial light as compared to the other mutants, but I don't know for sure if he would have any reaction to sunlight. Can he withstand it?

The road eventually ends, but opens up to a spectacular view of Milliken Pond. The storm has washed away the brutal details of the invasion—blood stains and all—and now the place looks undisturbed, as if the apocalypse never happened.

Before this, Milliken Pond was a hot fishing spot that's five acres wide. The water is at least ten feet deep and should be good enough for Zarius to swim around and recuperate. This pond is pretty isolated and might not be as polluted as the rest of the other areas, but suddenly, another worrying thought springs to my mind.

What if there are creatures hiding in there?

But what other choices do I have? This is the only plan that I can think of. Where else can merfolk truly rest if not in one of their habitats?

An unconscious Zarius squirms uncomfortably in the backseat, burrowing his sickly pale face into my lap. His thick arms somehow snake around my knees and grasp at them. Looking at his wound tells me that the bleeding has slightly slowed, but there's just no sign of him looking any better.

My fingers slowly reach out, almost touching his cheek, but I pull back when the car comes to a stop.

Jace clears his throat and announces in a professional tone. "We've arrived, ma'am. Fifty bucks please."

I let out an amused snort. He's the only person whom I know can joke like this in an apocalypse situation. "You would be a con artist if you're charging that high for a quick ride."

"What can I say? Someone highly demanded my service. Where else can you find another driver like me in this godforsaken town?"

"You're an idiot."

We let out a quick burst of laughter before Jace turns and his curious gaze lands on Zarius's sleeping form. "Is our alien buddy getting better?"

"Nope," I sigh, "but he will be."

Jace frowns. "I'll wait for you after you dump him in the water."

The way he says sounds as if we are releasing dolphins in captivity back into the ocean, but that is not how I view Zarius. He may not be human, but he embodies a soul full of emotions and thoughts, just like the rest of us. If we think about it again, we're not much different after all.

I shake my head slowly. "Jace, I appreciate the thought, but you should just take the car and go. I know there are places you want to check out to find your family. I don't want to hold you back. And Zarius needs me."

The boy inclines his head in the merfolk's direction. "But what about you? Do you need him?"

More than you ever know. He's the key to me knowing more about the merfolks. About Dad. "He saved my life a few times. I'm not leaving him behind."

At my unwavering decision, Jace pins me with a long, hard stare. It's like he's trying hard to dissect my mind and understand my decision, but he fails terribly.

He turns away from me with a dejected exhale. "Alright, if that's what you want."

I stare at the back of his head and drooping shoulders. I don't miss the flicker of uncertainty and fear swirling in those eyes. He is as scared as I am to venture out there alone, much less finding out what has happened to the rest of our family.

"We should stick together," I suggest. "It's better to travel in a group than move alone."

Jace swallows once and shakes his head slowly. "You know I can't do that, Delia. If my family is alive out there, they'll need me."

Despite the slim chance of survival, I know that even if I were to stop him again, he would still go. If they are still alive, it gives him more reasons that he should find them. He even left the school compound, which clearly shows how determined he was.

After all, it's either the sea creatures that eat him alive first or his frustration of not knowing drives him insane.

I reach towards the driver's seat and place a hand on his shoulder. "Jace?"

"Yeap?"

"Stay alive."

Shooting me a small smile that doesn't reach his eyes, Jace gives me a salute and we leave the car. A minute later, I stand on the road with my backpack, dagger and a heavy Zarius drape over my shoulders. I watch as Jace drives off and leaves us all alone.

From here onwards, it all depends on me.

I look at Zarius again. As I struggle to hold up his weight, he pries an eyelid open and stares at me with a dazed look, still clutching his bleeding side. A painful frown etch in the crevices in his forehead.

"Delia...?"

"Hang on for a little longer." I check for my dagger, making sure that it's tucked between the belt and the waistband of my pants. "I'll put you into the water now," I say, hesitating. "Hope this might help you."

He doesn't answer me, so I'm assuming that he agrees with my plan. His thick arm is slung across my shoulders and I move him along with me closer to the pond. Our feet tread through the wet grass. A strong, earthy scent hits my nose and I can literally taste rain on the tip of my tongue. The water reflects the gray sky, serving like a reminder of the lack of hope and vibrancy in our current lives.

We stop right at the edge and I lower Zarius to the sitting position, dipping his legs in first. But it feels like the water is calling out to him, because he releases me and sinks the rest of his body completely. Disappearing out of my sight.

I wait for several minutes, crouching and waiting for Zarius to resurface. When everything remains still and calm, I feel panic bubbling up in my chest.

Did I make a mistake?

I rise to my feet and peer into the water. "Zarius?" I whisper fast. "Zarius! Where are you?"

There is still no sign of him, not even a shadow of him swimming around. I'm left wondering if something has happened to him? Did he faint? Or did the other mutated creatures get him—

Suddenly, a trail of small flying creatures swamp around me. A blur of bright, colorful wings flutter frantically, attacking my face and my arms. I spin around and attempt to swat them away, protecting my eyes with my hands, but my retaliation only fuels their anger. They nip at my fingers, my arms and my neck as I yelp helplessly and try to scramble away.

Amid my struggle, I risk a quick glance, and am stunned at what I find.

Water faeries.

They are real, like those mentioned in the fairy tales. Long, curly golden hair shimmer down their spines. Translucent-like wings protrude from their backs. They may not have legs, but they have glossy, turquoise mermaid tails.

However, as charming as they look, they aren't as nice as how they are depicted in the books.

Because, for some reason, they look really, really pissed off with me.

More of them attack me, leaving scratches across my skin. I gasp out loud, shuffling backwards for safety. "Oh my god—"

Before the rest of my words leave my mouth, I trip on a rock and plunge myself right into the water.