The Broken Queen

Chapter 4

I was back in Rosewood Manor again, only this time I wasn't alone. My heart was racing as I swam up and down the endless hallways, banging on every door. Ella was here; I could feel it. The only problem was, I wouldn't be able to hear her if she shouted. My mouth was dry, my skin clammy as I swam, struggling to push down the horror and defeat struggling to rise to the surface.

When a hand landed on my shoulder, I had a dagger in my own before I'd even turned around. Worried grey eyes stared back at me, confusion on the merman's face. I could hardly remember how to move my hands, much less how to sign. Ella. It was all I could manage.

David nodded, anger chilling his features as he swam away, his dagger clenched in his hand. I panted as I swam, tears of defeat streaming down my face. It was only when I'd gotten to the end of a hallway that I noticed one of the doors ajar. My hands shook as I swam towards it—and froze as the full surroundings of the room came into view.

It was small—no more than an attic, really—and mostly bare, save for a chest of drawers and a small cot. A small window above a sitting bench provided some semblance of light. But what scared me more than anything, what made my heart stop dead in my chest and fear steal the water from my lungs, was the little mermaid on the floor. Her tail was tucked up under her as she stared at nothing. But as I swam closer I saw something glinting around her neck.

I froze with my hands outstretched as realisation hit me. The pendant came into view, its dark blue stone glittering in the dim light. I reached for her, my hand trembling—and failed to stop the scream that shattered from me as the room disappeared, a black void swallowing me. When I opened my eyes again—even though I had no recollection of closing them—I immediately felt a small, trembling body against mine.

I grabbed my notepad, scribbling a message before attempting to hand it to Ella. Are you okay?

Her hand didn't so much as move. She continued staring at nothing, her face so pale it was almost white. I bent down so my face was level with hers. I blinked, and I could suddenly see, not just the wall, but what lurked before it. Ghosts. One in particular caught my eye: a merman with pale skin, dark blond hair, and aquamarine eyes. He stared down at Ella, a furious expression on his face.

His stare was like a brand, snapping her out of her trancelike state. Her face drained of colour, her brown eyes widening as her mouth opened. "Please! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!"

Realisation hit me like a slap in the face. This was Drew and the girls' father. I'd never heard Carla or Drew speak of him. My eyes darkened, anger rushing through me. I rushed to her side, putting a protective arm around her. "Leave her alone!"

I couldn't hear myself, but I tried to sound as assertive as I could. The merman's eyes widened as he noticed me, then he scoffed. He focused on Ella, a cruel grin on his face. Her own crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks as she struggled with whatever horror she was experiencing. I wanted to help her, but didn't dare move.

My eyes opened slowly, the world spinning in my vision. For the first time since Ella's death, I felt... heavy. Tears filled my eyes, quickly spilling down my cheeks. That familiar feeling of hopelessness snuck back up on me, filling me with guilt.

I flinched as I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder. I didn't have to look up to know it was Jay. Do you need anything? His hands were steady as he signed.

I buried my face in his chest, that pent-up guilt and sadness coming to the surface. Tears cascaded down my cheeks like a waterfall, dripping onto the blankets. Jay just rubbed my back until they subsided. I finally pulled back to look at him, my head throbbing from lack of sleep and excessive crying.