Shattered Souls

Chapter 5

It was an out-of-body experience. I saw all the shocked and saddened faces around me, Waverly sobbing in my arms, her tears soaking my dress, but I didn't feel anything: no sorrow, anger, or grief. Something deep inside me had cracked open yet again, revealing an endless pit of nothingness. I wanted to scream at Zander, to make him feel even an inch of the soul wound that the mermaid currently sobbing in my arms was feeling.

But I couldn't. It was all I could do to keep my grip on Waverly, especially as she struggled in my arms. Drew was in front of us a heartbeat later, grief and shock reflected in his eyes as he stared into my blank ones. "C'mon, Faye," he said, his voice distorted and muffled. "Let's go home."

Laguna swam up beside us—had she been here the whole time?—her eyes blank as she stared at us. Wordlessly, she wrapped an arm around my shoulder, supporting us as we swam home. Had it only been a few hours ago that I'd seen Carla and Ella's graves? It seemed like an eternity had passed since then.

When we finally arrived back at the palace, I was flagging. My tail felt impossibly heavy like a boulder was resting on it. I heard the low murmur of voices—Drew? Merrick?—but couldn't identify the speakers. When I felt multiple hands on me, I couldn't help but jerk away. I heard voices again—clearer, closer this time—their words filled with concern and worry.

"Faye?" "Waverly?" "What happened?" I knew the last question was directed at Drew, so I didn't answer. I stared at nothing, my grip on Waverly faltering ever-so-slightly.

Dad spoke again, his voice softer. "All of you need to sleep. Jonah, why don't you take Faye—"

The words cracked out of me before I even realized it. "N-no! I-I need to stay with her." I didn't recognize my voice—it was hollow, empty.

Jonah swam up to me, his eyes filled with grief as he looked into my own. "You're exhausted. I'd be willing to bet that adrenaline is the only thing keeping you upright. They'll be right next door. It's okay, Faye." He squeezed my hand.

I kept desperately shaking my head, terrified of leaving her side for even a heartbeat. Laguna spoke next, her voice quiet despite the agony that had to be coursing through her. "I've got her, Faye. Get some sleep, honey."

Finally, giving in, I let go of Waverly and collapsed into Jonah's arms. Mom swam up to me, grief and heartbreak in her eyes. She put a trembling hand on my cheek. "Oh, honey. I'm so sorry."

I didn't react to her touch, nor did I respond. I'd retreated into myself, a place where no one or nothing could touch me. Even the heaviness that had plagued me for who knew how long was gone. Everything after that was a blur of motion and voices: Jonah coaxing me into my suite and bed; my parents conversing quietly with Laguna, Drew chiming in every so often; the quiet sniffles of Waverly as exhaustion slowly began to overtake her.

I knew that I had to be in shock, but I didn't feel it. Jonah smoothed the sweaty hair off my face, his eyes swimming in my blurry vision. "Get some sleep, Faye. I'm not going anywhere."

Every part of my body suddenly felt unbearably heavy—even the act of keeping my eyes open was an impossible task. When I finally drifted off, I didn't dream; I floated in a sea of nothingness, my body heavy and light all at once. Whenever I tried to open my eyes to regain consciousness, I was dragged under by that enticing darkness.

I kept seeing flashes of blue eyes and hearing bone-chilling screams, the sound sending chills down my spine. When a face finally materializes through the darkness, I startle so violently that I almost regain consciousness.

"Faye, you have to help me." Her voice is pleading, borderline hysterical. Waverly's face swims in my vision, eyes so wide I fear they'll pop out of her head. She grips my hands, the feel of her skin under my own so lifelike a shudder runs down my spine.