The Neptune Decision

Chapter 2

I wake up in my hammock, screaming.

Several worried faces, including the ones of Lena, Ree, Bria, and Kallie lean over me. I can't think straight- all I can see is my mom, Tobin, Dai, Cam, and the dolphins dying over and over again.

:Did you have another dream again?: Bria asks, scared.

:It's ok, dartling, you're safe now: Raven, the oldest member of the Neptune Project soothes. She strokes my forehead with her soft hand. Raven is nineteen and has been living underwater since she was thirteen. I can't imagine what she has seen and been through.

:What was the dream about this time?: Ree asks, even though I wouldn't be surprised if they had all been listening in on my dream mentally. Dai had told me that I was a loud dreamer, and, to be honest, I wouldn't put it past them to have listened in on my dreams and private thoughts.

We've been at my dad's colony for over a month now.
This also means that I haven't seen Dai for over a month now. Everything's so different without him; I miss him so much. I haven't truly trusted anyone since he left, not even Robry or Tobin or my dad or any of the other Neptune Kids I'd travelled with. I have good reason, though. At any moment, one of them could turn on me -on us- and leave. I've had too many people leave on me lately: Mom, Charlie, Dai, even Dad. But now I'm here with him, and he's alive. He's actually alive!
But Gillian and Charlie lied to me, and I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to forgive them. I still love them, but they've put me through so much pain and despair that shattered my life, and now I'm trying as hard as I can to put the pieces back together.

:I don't want to talk about it: I sigh, not able to look at any of them.

:We understand.: Bria nods. She's no longer the timid little girl who was terrified of the ocean- she's a brave young lady ready to fight anything that this world will throw at her. I'm so proud of how much she's grown in the little amount of time that we've been here.

:It's almost time for breakfast. Do you feel up to eating?: A fifteen-year-old girl with flaming red hair kind of like Tobin's asks. Her name is Bayla.

:Yes please. Can we go there now?: I beg. I need to know for sure that this was just a dream, and when I see Tobin at breakfast, I'll know that it was all in my head. I would give anything to see Dai, Cam, or my mom, but I know that that won't happen. At least I'll be able to see the dolphins and check on them, too.

I thought everything would be so much easier here at my father's Safety Harbor, but I guess the hard part is just beginning.
•••••

I'm relieved to see Tobin and the other guys in the cave we have for dining.

We have another bubble wall guarding it so the fish can't come in and take our food. Every morning, the Dolphins go out hunting and bring back fish to eat. Sometimes we'll go out hunting with them, but most of the time it's just the Dolphins.

On some occasions, a very trusted group of smugglers will go into the mainland and bring us whatever we need, whether it's spear darts, hammocks, or some other kind of equipment.

Once, I asked a smuggler if he knew anything about the people in the work camps, particularly someone named Cam.

They all said no.

:Hey Nere. Raven told me that something scared you this morning. Are you ok?: Tobin contacts me on a private send as he swims over to where I'm floating beside Bria.

:Yeah I'm fine. It was just a dream.: I reply, even though it was so much more.

:Was it another one about Dai?: Tobin asks me, frowning, and my eyes widen. What? How does he know that I dream about Dai?