The Mermaid of Santa Monica

Chapter 8

Elsewhere in the Institute, Adrien had arrived. In addition to the shorts gifted to him by the cop, he was also now sporting a grey Santa Monica-themed tank top as well as a pair of flip-flops. He was greeted by the receptionist at the desk.

"Welcome to the Sea Life Institute. How can I be of assistance for you today?"

"My name's Adrien," he rleplied, "I'd like to speak to whoever's running this place. It's extremely important."

"How important are we talking?"

"The 'My sister was kidnapped by one of your scientists and they're gonna cut her open' kind of important."

The receptionist looked baffled at hearing what Adrien said, but decided to placate him anyway if the situation was as important he claimed.

"Dr. Laguna," she spoke into a speaker, "We have a young man at the front wishing to speak to you. He says it's extremely important."

"Very well. I'm on my way," the doctor replied over the speaker.

The receptionist nodded before turning to Adrien.

"Dr. Laguna will be with you shortly."

Within seconds, Dr. Laguna walked out on the lobby, ready to greet Adrien.

"Hello, sir. I'm Dr. Constance Laguna, Director of Operations here at the Sea Life Institute," she stated as she extended her hand for a handshake, "You wished to see me?"

"Yes, Doc," replied Adrien as he shook her hand, "My name's Adrien. My sister has been kidnapped. I received word that it was one of your scientists who took her and she's somewhere in this place."

"Huh. Do you know which one was it who took your sister?"

"Well, I don't know his name, but I have a description: a short, balding man with a big nose, pale blue eyes, round glasses and had a white coat that read Sea Life Institute on it."

"Dr. Mongrell?" Laguna asked, raising an eyebrow, "That's not possible. He's not allowed to be here. We suspended him yesterday for splashing water...on a girl..."

As Laguna finished that sentence, she was looking at Adrien and remembered Adrianna, who Mongrell had soaked the prior day. Laguna's eyes widened in shock as her brain connected the dots. Her face turned dead serious.

"Follow me, Adrien," she ordered and the two headed off.

"Oh, and before I forget," Adrien added, "He also kidnapped a little boy with red hair and a metal arm. His name was Tommy."

Laguna's eyes widened again.

"I know precisely who you're talking about," she said, "We must make a quick detour to Dr. Fishbach's office."

Back at Mongrell's lab, the bad doctor broke out a dissection tool kit, which consisted of a scalpel, forceps, scissors, dissecting pins, and probes.

"Tucker," Mongrell barked, "Bring me the mermaid!"

Tucker begrudgingly took Adrianna, who was still unconscious, out of the tank, despite Tommy's protests, carrying her in his arms.

"Trust me," Tucker whispered to Tommy as he carried Adrianna to an operating table. He placed her on the table, and Mongrell drew dotted lines on her shoulders and upper torso, making it clear how he was going to cut her open, infuriating Tommy.

"No! Stop! Don't you dare!" Tommy screamed as he angrily pounded on the glass of the tank.

Ignoring Tommy's screams of protest, Mongrell broke out a scalpel and forceps and prepared to dissect Adrianna.