I mimic the other guests, pressing my nose to the glass as I search for Asia and Jewel's familiar faces. I spot them swimming up and down the enclosure, looking far happier from this side of the glass than when I'd been in there with them.

I press Jewel's interactive button, flinching when that same enthralling voice echoes through the underground tunnel.

"This is Jewel," the voice rings out, and at hearing her name, Jewel spins and swims toward her interactive point, shooting me a familiar smile. Then she looks at me, really looks at me, and for the first time in Marine World history, her smile falters. "The best performing mermaid we have. For more information on our one-on-one experiences, be sure to stop by the gift shop situated outside of the Aquarium and speak to a member of staff. Have a Mertastic day!"

Jewel remains frozen on the other side of the glass. I press my hand against it, my eyes threatening to spill over with tears. "I love you," I mouth, grateful to at least be able to say goodbye, but I can see from Jewel's expression that this was a mistake. Showing her I'm free while she is trapped inside of there–no matter how badly I wanted to see her again–was a mistake.

She doesn't mouth it back. She doesn't say anything. She just stares at me as though I'm a stranger–no, a traitor, and deep down, I know that's what I am.

Slowly, Asia turns to Jewel, and, upon realizing something is wrong, swims over. Her eyebrows furrow just for a second, her hand instantly covering mine on the glass. How? I know she wants to ask. How did you get out? But Jewel is already pulling her away, forcing Asia's hand to slide down the glass and away from my own forever.

I dart back out of the tunnel and through crowds of guests, following the directions to the nearest restroom. I walk fast, but not fast enough to draw attention to myself, paranoid that somebody might recognize me.

"Excuse me, ma'am." I blink back the tears, my fingers already clasping the scissors in my pocket. "You work here, don't you?"

I turn to find a the plump woman surrounded by three noisy kids. I glance at my uniform in a daze.

"Can you tell me how to get to Merland?" she asks.

"Sure," I say in a tight, controlled voice, pointing in the direction I'd just come from. "It's just straight down there."

She forces a smile, nothing like the kind the guests would give me as I twirled for them. "Thanks."

I make my way to the restroom, disappearing around the side of the building, where Reece agreed to leave a bag of clothes in the foliage. Sure enough, a small, black backpack pokes out from the bushes.

I grab it and join the line for the restroom, nervously scanning the other guests. As soon as I am at the front of the line, I'm darting into the first available cubicle and changing into what Reece calls my guest clothes–black shorts and a gray t-shirt with trainers and a summer cap. The trainers are a little too big for my feet, forcing me to shuffle as I make my way out of the restroom.

Anxiously, I head toward the exit, trying to appear calm as I approach the black rotatable bars. I slow down a fraction, watching as the woman in front places her hand on one of the bars and pushes it forward before slipping through. I quickly slip through, my heart pounding faster the closer I get to freedom. I head in the direction of the monorail, taking a seat in the station before waiting for the next train.

Time seems to crawl. I let out a breath when the monorail arrives, getting to my feet. As soon as I do, electricity jolts down my spine and through both of my legs, throwing me to my knees. I bite down on my teeth, trying to silence the scream in my throat, but it is too late.

I have gained the attention of a nearby man, who pulls away from his family to kneel down beside me, his fingers reaching for my arm. "Are you okay, miss?" he asks. "Do you need medical attention?"

"I'm fine," I say between short gasps. "Just help me onto the monorail. Please."

The man looks conflicted, his hand still on my arm. "Are you sure, honey? You look like you're in a lot of pain. I really think–"

"Now," I hiss, panting for breath. "I need to get on now."

He helps to lift me up and we hobble onto the monorail, lowering me onto a seat by the window. My legs continue to throb with pain, but I try to force a smile.

"Do you need me to get somebody for you?" he asks.

"I'm fine," I say. "It happens all the time. I'll be fine."

He looks hesitant. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, you can go. Thank you."

He dithers for a moment before disappearing down the carriage with his family. I hold my breath to block out the pain, keeping my gaze on the window.

The monorail moves forward, jerking me along. Once out of the station, I'm able to catch glimpses of the lake in the distance, engulfing most of the horizon. I sit tensely in my seat, my shallow breathing drowned out by the sound of the automated intercom thanking us for visiting. As if I had a choice.

Red and white buildings sit on an island in the distance, their roofs seemingly touching the sky. The buildings get closer as the monorail picks up speed, the words Marine World Hotel coming into view. It shoots straight through the lobby, offering flashes of a colorful reception before shooting back out the other side.

Time hangs in the balance, every minute more excruciating than the last. In two minutes' time, my trainer will notice I am not in my night enclosure; I can't be in this park when she does. I stretch my legs out, realizing the pain has subsided–at least, for now.

As soon as the monorail stops, I hop off onto the platform and follow the guests down the ramp toward the parking lot. I walk swiftly through each row, scanning the letters until I spot Reece in the distance, leaning on a car door.

I close the distance between us, resisting the urge to throw my arms around his neck. The air feels thinner somehow, easier to inhale, and Reece gently takes me by my arm and guides me toward the passenger seat.

"Where's Muriel?" he asks.

I freeze, knowing that telling Reece what I've done–what I'm capable of–might just jeopardize everything. "She wouldn't come," I say, my voice sounding hoarse.

Reece shoots me a sympathetic look before opening the passenger door. Once seated, we give each other the briefest look. Then he drives right out of Marine World's gates and straight into freedom.

Who's excited to see what happens next?? 🧜🏽‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️🧜🏿‍♀️