Return to the Sea

Chapter Six

"Busted," thought Senda as she turned to see Cassy standing behind her.

Taking a moment Sedna studied the woman. She looked angry as always. Sedna couldn't tell if the scowl had been on her face since birth or if she got it surgically placed.

"Chair. Now." Cassy snapped pointing to the wheelchair in front of her.

Obeying her captor, Sedna reached for the chair only to be met by it being brought closer. Hesitantly Sedna sat down, she wasn't fully seated as Cassy began to move full speed ahead.

Feeling all of her hopes vanish with each of Cassy's steps, Sedna couldn't help but notice the lack of clicking that normally accompanied Cassy's steps.

"You're not wearing your normal shoes?" Sedna questioned.

"No, I'm not," Cassy replied picking up her pace. Finally looking around Sedna realized this was not the way she had come, but the direction she had been heading.

"Cassy, what are you doing?" Sedna whispered.

"Shut up," Cassy said pushing them into a quiet room. Locking the door behind them, Cassy pulled a bag out from a tall cabinet and began throwing things at the naked mermaid. "Put this on. Quickly."

Obeying the normally rude and grumpy woman, Sedna was bearly dressed before they were walking quickly through the halls towards an emergency exit along with several other people. A group of people could be heard yelling for more fire extinguishers and water. Sirens screamed as fire trucks raced down the road, men in large jackets jumped out of the truck and began running hoses into the building.

A group of school kids were pointing at the smoke as their teacher tried to push them into the bus that sat nearby. Other groups began to pull out phones and record the events while some returned to their cars and began their travels home. Workers were doing head counts and ensuring the safety of everyone.

It was the grumbles of the old scientist that set a spark under Cassy as she cautiously pulled Sedna towards a group of workers doing check ins. Once the old man had left Cassy pretended to take a call and walked away from Sedna. Trying to follow Sedna was caught up in a crowd and pushed away from Cassy.

The soft but firm grip that had tangled in her hand pulled her from the crowd, quickly leading her down the stairs on the side of the building to the sea. Sedna didn't say a word as she touched the sea for the first time. Not sea water that had been filtered in or fake stuff that had scared her skin for years but real, fresh salt water.

"Sedna." the male voice called from behind her. Turning to see her savour was the new scientist and Cassy.

"Devin? Cassy?"Sedna asked with fear but gratefulness.

"It's not right to keep you here, we hear you crying, we watch you suffer. You need to be out there with your real family. Not trapped in some tank being poked and prodded. I'm sorry we couldn't free you sooner. We had to face many trials." Devin explained.

"I'm sorry for the way I treated you, but it was the only way to get you out without raising too many suspicions." Cassy continued.

"Who are you?" Sedna asked wanting to know more. The water lapped at her toes making her curl them into the sand. She never wanted to forget the feeling.

"We're...friends. Now go. Swim west. You'll find Shay waiting for you. Listen to her. We will join you as soon as we can." Cassy said hesitantly before turning and racing up the stairs phone in hand acting like she was back on a phone call.

"I know you have no reason to trust us, princess," Devin said coming closer to brush her hair away from her face. "But trust what Shay says. She knows everything."

"How do you know about Shay?" Sedna asked.

"Who do you think let her into your tank?" Devin said with a chuckle. "Go, we will explain everything, I promise." Kissing her cheek, Devin pulled back up his hood and raced up the stairs.

Sedna watched for a moment as Devin pretended to just be running up on the situation. Hesitating for only a moment more, Sedna walked into the water stripping off the layers of clothing she had hastily put on mere moments before.

Whimpering as her legs contorted back into her familiar and forever loved fins, Sedna took a moment to breathe in the freedom. Then with every ounce of strength, energy and anticipation she had in her body, Sedna raced as hard as she could through the water. On one fin she wanted to take her time and admire every single spec, corner, nook and cranny that the sea had held around her. But on the other, she knew that she had to get away from that place as fast as she could. She also wanted to stretch the muscles in her fins that were forced to swim in circles, always worrying about the glass she could slam into at any given moment if she lost focus for even one moment.

"Sedna!" she heard Shay call over the wooshing of water.

"Shay!" Sedna yelled back coming to a stop and looking around. Smiling from ear to ear as Shay came flying at her. For such a small creature, she really packed a punch. Sedna went with the motion as Shay crashed into her chest, both giggling as Sedna let the sea gently push them onto the sand.

"I'm free Shay!" Sedna cried hugging her best friend. "I'm free!"