Sunlight streams in through the balcony doors, casting feathers of light across the old wooden floors. I sit by the window, legs crossed, and allow myself to bask in it, not knowing when–or if–I'll get the chance again.

Perhaps Marine World will capture me again and force me to perform for the guests. Or maybe they'll kill me this time, replace me with another mermaid who finds it easier to pretend.

No, regardless of what happens tonight, I could never sit back and let the same thing happen to somebody else. The girls and I might not have been the first mermaids to arrive at Marine World, but I will make sure we're the last.

I shower and dress, putting on the clothes I'd bought last night: a black t-shirt, blue jean shorts and a pair of trainers. I slip on the baseball cap laid out on the table and peer in the mirror. At a glance, I look like any other tourist visiting Marine World; I pray it's enough.

Downstairs, Reece and Ben are sat in the living room, going over last minute details. The pair look up as they hear me approach, with Reece giving me a quick nod before continuing to fiddle with something on his bag. I scan the table, taking in the several phones and metal water bottles with uncertainty.

"I made you some breakfast," Reece says shyly. "It's in the kitchen."

I smile and head into the kitchen, where a strawberry yogurt and a bowl of fresh fruit await me. I try to swallow it down, but I start to feel sick–the same way I'd felt the day I escaped Marine World; it is a feeling I'm going to need to somehow push through if I want to be useful.

When I return to the living room, the table is clear and three black rucksacks sit in a perfect line. "We each have a burner phone, a metal water bottle and a stainless-steel pen," Ben says. "Our guns will stay in the car, and Asia and Jewel's guest clothes are in Aura's bag."

I'm about to nod when a knock at the door commands my attention. I turn quickly, honing in on the figure behind the frosted glass. "It's too late," I whisper. "They've found us."

Ben moves towards the door and swings it open, revealing a short, dark-skinned brunette on the other side. He towers over her, pulling her into a hug before leading her into the house. "This is my girlfriend, Hayley," he says, squeezing her hand.

I glance at Reece, who gets to his feet before scooping up his rucksack. "Mind explaining?" I ask. There is a bite to my voice, but I can't help it. Introducing Ben into the fold seemed bad enough, because the more people who show up, the more responsible I feel for their safety.

"When we get to Marine World, it's better if we split up," Reece says, unfazed by the deadly glare I'm shooting him. "It will look less suspicious if you and Hayley go in together. We can meet up at some point once we're all inside."

I'm silent as I grab my bag off the table. "You should have told me."

Ben and Hayley look between the two of us with before Hayley steps forward and pulls me into a hug. "Don't worry," she says. "Ben's told me everything and I'm here to help. I even ordered our Marine World tickets online so we don't have to wait in line."

I smile tightly, about to follow Ben and Hayley to the car when Reece grabs my hand and pulls me into him, a small frown on his lips. "I promise I'll find you once we're inside," he says.

I search his eyes, knowing it's not him I'm mad at, it's this, this awful situation we're in. Reece grabs my hand and squeezes it tight, relaxing me somewhat.

"Let's get this over with," I say.

Out on the driveway, Hayley and Ben climb into Hayley's car while I slip into the passenger side of Reece's. His forearms are tense as he grips the steering wheel, and I know deep down he is as nervous as I am, even if he won't admit it.

"Why are we taking two cars?" I ask, stretching out my legs.

"Just a precaution," Reece says. "If we get split up or if some of us make it out of the park before the others, there's no point in anyone hanging around."

The rest of car ride is deadly silent. It takes us roughly thirty minutes to get to Marine World's parking lot, and Reece navigates the car into a parking bay as I scan the mermaid signs separating each section. Ben's red car pulls up beside us. I watch as he and Hayley climb out and scan the Marine World entrance.

Reece turns to face me, his eyes clouding over. "Are you sure about this? You could still wait in the car."

I look back at the entrance before meeting his gaze. "I have to go in."

His jaw contracts, but he'd expected as much. "Okay." He grabs my hand and holds it tight. For a second, we don't speak. "If you need to talk once we're inside, use the burner phone. Are you ready?"

I don't take my eyes off the Marine World entrance. "Ready," I swallow, but deep down, it's a lie. I'll never be ready to step foot in Marine World, to face the enclosure I've grown to despise. I'll never be ready, but I get out of the car anyway, slamming the door shut behind me.