Vulnerability

Chapter 1: Accidental Discovery

"What, you mean this?" Zack taunted as he held the moon ring out in front of him.
Lyla and Sirena both reached out to take it from him, but instead activated the stone in the ring. The trio watched in horror as the blast from the ring hit Rita and the chest, and she dropped to the ground - unconscious. Horror flooded Zack's senses as he rushed to close the door.
"She's breathing" said Sirena said as she and Lyla crouched down next to the fallen mermaid.
"What's this on her arm?" Zack asked as he pulled up the principal's sleeve.
"How am I supposed to know?" Lyla snapped. "Rita's not actually our aunt."
"Alright, calm down" Zack responded. "It looks like some sort of medical device, and there's something else on her thigh."
"Well whatever it is, it can't be something good so we better figure out a way to wake her up before she dies." Lyla deadpanned.
"I'll just take a picture and show my dad." Zack suggested. "He's a doctor, so he might know what they are."
"Are you kidding me?!" Lyla exclaimed. "How are you supposed to explain to your dad that you have a picture of Rita's medical devices?"
"Obviously I won't tell him that it's Ms. Santos. I'll just say I saw it somewhere on the internet." Zack sighed.
"Fine, but make it quick." Lyla said, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"You guys, this is the least of our problems!" Said Sirena. "We need to figure out how to wake Rita up!"
"Well, you got any bright ideas?" Lyla spat out.
"Just this morning, wasn't Rita saying something about how 'water is the essence of our spirit'"? Sirena wondered.
"Fine, just pour some water on her and hope she wakes up."
"Lyla, are you sure?" Zack questioned.
"Well, it can't get any worse..."
Unfortunately for Rita, Sirena was wrong. I could get worse. And it did. Zack grabbed a bottle of water from on top the the dresser and poured it on Rita's arm. However, the results were less than ideal, as Rita quickly transformed, her long tail stretching out behind her unconscious body.
Just then, a voice from outside called out, "Zack? What's going on in there?"
"Shoot," Zack cursed. "Don't worry, Evie! A bookcase just fell over."
"Really? Then why is the door locked?"
"Is it?" Zack replied, clearly playing dumb.
"Yes, Zack." Evie said, exasperated. "Now open the door!"
Zack looked to Lyla and Sirena for help, but they were too busy worrying about Rita. Just then, Nixie called from outside claiming to have found the ring. Zack sighed in relief and turned back to Rita.
"Ugh, she needs sea water. That's the essence of our spirit." Sirena exclaimed.
"And how do you suppose we're gonna get her to the ocean without everyone seeing?" Lyla sassed.
"Nixie has them all distracted, so why don't we just carry her to the canal and throw her in?"
"Zack, do you have any idea how heavy a tail is? They have to be at least 25 kilos so that we can be neutral in the water." Lyla explained.
"Well, we don't have any other ideas, and there's 3 of us, so it's possible." Sirena declared.
"I just texted Cam, and he's gonna come by and help."
The girls nodded as they carefully lifted Rita off the ground and out the door towards the canal. Once they reached the pier, they tossed Rita in the water, hoping that she would wake up. Their prayers were answered as Rita smiled and quickly swam away, leaving only a small ring of ripples behind. Lyla and Sirena dove in after her, while Nixie snuck away to follow them.
"Now, how do we explain to your parents why Rita all of a sudden up and left?" Cam asked Zack.
"Let's just use whatever medical device she had on her as an excuse, and I can show my dad if he asks more questions."
"Alright," Cam said hesitantly. "For your sake and the girls, I hope it's nothing serious."