A flicker of hope ignites in my stomach, but it's so small, so fleeting, I wonder if it will ever turn into anything more.

"How?" I ask.

"If Ben agrees to this, he'll meet us in a motel or something near Marine World," Reece says. He pulls out other items like shorts, sunglasses and guest-type clothes. "Once we know the girls are still there, we'll wait until the park opens on Thursday." He turns to me now, his expression determined. "Then we're going to walk back in as guests."

I stand still for a moment, a wave of fear rolling through me. "Back to Marine World," I repeat. That fight or flight instinct begins to kick in. Yet behind my fear is a sense of relief, because up until now, getting the others out has only ever been a dream, something I've been telling myself I need to do but not having any idea how to do it. Now Reece is giving me the opportunity to go back and do what I should have tried to do in the first place: set them free.

"I'm going to give my friend a call," Reece says, pulling his phone from the pocket of his jacket before looking over at me. "If he can get down to Marine World tomorrow and give us the all clear, we'll head back Wednesday."

I meet his gaze with a look of gratitude, knowing if it wasn't for him, I'd still be locked away in Marine World. "Thank you," I say, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. "Not just for this, but for everything."

His eyes cloud over. "Don't thank me, Aura. If I were halfway decent, I would have already turned myself in."

I shake my head, about to close the remaining distance between us when he steps back and lifts up his phone. "I should go and make the call," he says, giving me one last look over his shoulder. "I'll be right back."

I nod shortly, watching as he disappears before perching myself on the edge of the bed. The others could be free in less than three days. But am I even free? I think about how my own freedom has been so far: running, constantly looking over my shoulder for a threat. Spending every minute of every day wondering if today is the day Marine World will find me. I may have broken free from Marine World's confines, but mentally I am as caged as ever, stuck in a loop of running and worrying, waiting for the day Marine World finds me.

Even if Marine World does one day give up and allow us to live in peace, what would our lives consist of? I can't imagine Jewel sitting behind a receptionist desk, or Asia waitressing tables, and the more I think about what our future could hold, the more I realize we don't belong in this world.

Maybe we never will.

When Reece comes back, the corner of his mouth is tilted in the beginning of a smile. "Ben is going to Marine World tomorrow," he says, moving towards the bedside table. "We'll know by ten a.m if they're still there. If they are, we'll make a plan. For now, I'm going to order us some dinner."

He picks up the menu and beckons me over, so I scoot over to the space next to him and peer over his shoulder while he explains each dish. I settle for pizza on Reece's suggestion, while Reece orders one hundred other things before collapsing onto the bed beside me.

I study him for a moment as he closes his eyes. His chest rises and falls gently in a rhythm that almost feels soothing to watch. It is in these small moments–when I finally get a chance to sit quietly and breathe–that I realize how much I've come to care for Reece.

Somewhere along the line my feelings have shifted, and I have gone from needing him around because he's the only way I'll survive to missing him when he's gone.

Carefully, so as not to wake him, I lay down beside him, leaving a three-inch gap between us as I watch him sleep. I study his features in a way I'm not able to do when he's awake, taking in the way his long lashes flutter against his cheeks. His lip is slightly swollen from his fight with Jackson, and I resist the urge to reach out and touch it.

Three loud raps vibrate through the hotel room door. Both Reece and I jerk at the sound and I scramble to my feet.

"Should be room service," Reece says groggily, making his way to the door.

I hold my breath. A man in a suit strolls in with a food trolley. Reece hands over some money before closing the door behind him. Reece tells me to sit at the table and serves me my food before sitting opposite. He glances at my sweet potato fries and, with a daring look, steals one before popping it into his mouth.

I smile before digging into my pizza, continuing to eat long after I'm full. Each new flavor feels as if I am getting closer to being a functioning human, and I grab another handful of fries, refusing to let Marine World's limitations stop me. I manage to keep it all down this time too, though I make sure not to make any sudden movements, afraid that the slightest jolt might force everything back up.

After the meal, Reece slumps into the armchair while I hover by the window, staring at the empty pool. It's not long before I feel his body snake up behind me.

"You feel like taking a walk?" he asks.

I turn to him, unable to keep the smile from my lips. I follow him out of the hotel room and into the elevator. The pool area is empty now that the sky has darkened, bringing with it a slight chill to the air.

I don't let it stop me. I lower myself onto the ledge of the pool and dangle my legs in the water.

"I think the pool is technically closed," Reece says, his eyes flitting over to the pool sign.

I flash him a smile before submerging the rest of my body. "Since when are you afraid to break the rules?"

He doesn't smile back, but his eyes shine with a strange mix of mischief and danger, a look that causes my stomach to flip. Slowly, he lowers himself onto the ledge of the pool, dangling his legs in the water.

Without a word, I turn and swim as fast as I can from one end to the other. It feels nice being able to hold my breath for as long as I like, without limitations or consequence. I can push the limits of my own accord; a freedom I'd never known existed.

When I finally break the surface, Reece is watching me with a strange expression, leaving me to wonder if my display has only reminded him of what I am.

"You ever wonder what all of those tests in the tank were for?" he asks.

My chest tightens with the memory. I swirl my hand in the water before me, watching as my fingers create ripples in the stillness. "Marine World told us they were to improve our performances," I say, forcing my eyes to meet his. "Are you getting in anytime soon?"

He pulls a face, glancing at the water before meeting my gaze. "And get my clothes wet?"

I can't help but laugh. "The great mermaid rescuer," I say, giving him a playful splash, "afraid to get wet."

Clearly not one to be challenged, Reece gives me a dark look before pulling off his t-shirt. He jumps into the water, disappearing for several seconds before breaking the surface. His grins at me, wiping the droplets of water from his face. My heart jumps like it always does whenever he smiles.

"Is it strange that I miss it sometimes?" I ask, glancing at the water. "Not just the water, but–" I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I utter the words. "Marine World."

I feel him shift slightly so that he can stare at my profile. "It was the only home you've ever known," he says. "It would be strange if you didn't."

I slip behind him, taking in the bird drawing I'd spotted that night in the motel. Hesitantly, I reach out and brush my fingers against his skin, tracing the outline of its wings.

"It's a bald eagle," Reece says, his muscles tense beneath my touch. "The emblem of our country."

"What does it stand for?" I ask.

Slowly, he turns to face me, his body so close our noses almost touch. "Freedom," he says. "Bravery. I got it in honor of my mother." He pauses for a moment to study my face. "She died when I was eleven."

I stare back, having no idea what it is I should do or say to comfort him. Losing Muriel and Crystal had felt like the world was imploding, and I understand now why Adrian was so desperate to hold onto his son, no matter what the cost: Reece is all he has left.

"I'm sorry," I say, noting the way the water droplets cling to his lashes. "I know what it's like to lose somebody you love."

Reece looks away for a moment, lost in his memories. "I want you to promise me something."

"What?" I ask.

Finally, he looks at me. "That you'll stay behind."

Confused, I study his face, taking in his serious expression. "What?"

"You going back is an unnecessary risk," he continues, cupping my face. "I can get them out without you. I'll bring them–"

"No."

He stops mid-sentence, dropping his hand. "No?"

I sigh. "Reece, I need to be there. If something went wrong–"

"If something went wrong you'd be in more danger than anyone," he says. "Believe me when I tell you I will get them out, but I can't do it and worry about you at the same time."

I stare back at him, knowing that what he is asking of me is impossible, because what kind of person would I be if I refused to save them twice?

"I've already turned my back on them once," I say, more determined than ever. "I won't do it again."

"If you go back there, you might not be walking back out," Reece warns, and I am about to protest when somebody clears their throat.

A man not much older than us stands at the side of the pool, a stack of towels in his hands. "Uh, the pool's closed, folks."

"We were just leaving," Reece says, lifting himself over the ledge. He grabs his t-shirt and starts off in the direction of the hotel, leaving me to trail after him.

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