The Test, for Love and for Life

Chapter 7

Ashley had been working at a local store. She was stocking shelves, and had swam towards the back to get something when she suddenly got snatched into the supply closet. "What the?!" She freaked out. "Shh! Dont scream! Youll give us away." The light came on. "Silver?!" Ashley was stunned. Silver chuckled. "Surprise!" She smiled. Ashley smiled and hugged her. "I had some time to spare. Thought Id come check on you." Silver said. "Im so glad you're here. Ive missed you so much." Ashley said. They pulled away and Ashleys eyes widened down towards the floor. "Where are your legs? How do you have a tail?" Ashley asked. "I can have whatever I want. Besides I blend in better this way." Silver said. "You look great." Ashley giggled. Silver put her hand on the side of Ashleys face and she leaned into it. "I was starting to get worried about you. You havent been answering me." Silver said. Ashley silently panicked and looked to the side. "Im sorry. Ive just been busy." She lied. "Its alright darling. Im just happy to see you." Silver smiled. Ashley smiled back and leaned in to kiss her. Silver didn't realize that anything was wrong. Not until Ashley suddenly pulled away and stared at the door in horror. "Whats wrong?" Silver asked. "I have to go. Im sorry. Ill see you this weekend at the meeting. Bye!" Ashley quickly left, but not before Silver caught a glimpse of the bruise that she has accidentally uncovered with her hand. Silvers eyes widened in fear, but she couldn't do anything. Ashley was already gone.

When Sunday rolled around, it had officially been two months. So everyone put aside everything to come back to their house in the Summer Field. "What is up bitches!" Blade was surely happy to see them. She had endured two months of nothing but boredom and was extatic to leave Hell again. "Hey Blade." Crystal smiled at her. CJ had rode up on her horse and Jax had teleported there with Nova. Dakota and Randy drove there together. Leah had been slightly late, but still made it. "Look whos late this time, white wings." Blade said. "I had a show last night. I hardly got any sleep ok?" Leah yawned. Blade scooped her off her feet bridal style. "Thats alright. You dont need to swing around a pole to turn me on. You do a plenty good job when your tired in a hoodie." She said. Leah smiled and wrapped her arms around Blades neck. "I missed your charm." She chuckled. "Thats charm? Coulda fooled me." CJ laughed. Blade rolled her eyes and walked Leah over to the couch.

They sat down just as Silver stormed in. "Hey Sil. You ok?" Jax asked concerned. Silver paced the floor back and forth, staring at her phone. "No. No not really. Im afraid that Im failing my job already." She panicked. "Why? Wheres Ashley?" Leah asked. Silvers head snapped over and her eyes twitched like crazy. "Oh shit." Blade was intimidated. Silver took a deep breath and calmed down. "She hasnt talked to me since I went to see her a few days ago, and now she's late! I saw that she had covered up a bruise with makeup and then she lied about it! Somethings wrong. My job is to protect and heal all of you. I cant fail this early." Silver said. "Are you sure you're not just worried about your sweetheart getting hurt?" CJ asked. Silver glared at her and she looked away. "Well then lets go get her!" Crystal said. "What?" They all got confused. "We've faced worse problems together. And Ashley is one of us. So lets go get her." Crystal said. "She lives underwater. I didnt know you were so desperate to die today." Blade said. "No she's right. I can let you all survive down there temporarily. Long enough for us to find out whats going on." Silver agreed. "Sound good to me. Ive been bored for too long. Lets go!" Nova hopped up. The others just shrugged and went along with it.

They all went to the shore and Silver turned them all into mermaids. "My tail!" Blade and CJ were stunned by the feeling. They had to check that their horns and ears were still in tact, and they were. "I still have wings!" Leah smiled. "This way guys." Silver led them into town. Some of them had trouble swimming without legs. Leah zoomed ahead of them all with her wings. She was the only one who could keep up with Silvers speed. "Sil! Wait up!" She called. Silver was in a full blown panic. She needed to know that Ashley was ok. First, they went to the store she worked at, but she wasnt there. "Crap! I dont know where her house is!" Silver panicked. "You could just ask." Blade said. She gestured to Dakota who had asked one of the workers. "Oh." Silver frowned. "Come on. Lets go" Dakota said and they followed her.

Ashley was shoved over onto the ground. She backed up in fear. "Taking unscheduled breaks at your job? And then trying to go out without a word today? Who do you think you are?!" Samantha yelled. "Mom please! I promised my friends Id be there." Ashley cried. "Does it look like I care?!" Samantha snatched her up off the ground and slapped her across the face. Then she kicked her back down to the ground. Ashley crashed back into the coffee table. "Look at the mess youve made! Clean it up and get back to work. Now!" Samantha yelled. "Yes ma'am." Ashley mumbled. The doorbell rang and Samantha swam over to it.

The nine girls waited outside until Samantha opened the door. "Can I help you?" She asked. "Um yes. We're looking for a young girl named Ashley. Does she live here?" Silver tried to remain calm. Samanthas eye twitched. "Yes. Hold on one minute while I get her." She said and closed the door. Samantha was outraged, and immediately swam back into the house. Ashley was still trying to fix the table. She heard her mother coming up behind her and turned around to look. Right as she turned her mother punched her in the face and she fell back into the table. "Ah! Mom what did I do?!" Ashley yelled in pain and fear. "You called your friends to save you huh? You think they can do anything? They cant! They cant do anything Ashley. Whether you like it or not, you need me! And those girls cant ever change that!" Samantha yelled.

Silver could hear them now, and she was pissed. "Break the door down!" She yelled. "What? Why?" Blade asked. "Just do it! Ashleys in danger!" Silver yelled. Leah quickly blasted the door down with her magic and they swam inside. Blade and Jax grabbed Samantha while Silver scooped up Ashley. "Hey! Thats breaking and entering! You dont have a permit!" Samantha yelled. Silvers eyes started glowing gold and her hair started to move on its own. She slowly glared over at Samantha and her eyes widened in fear. "Oh really? Cause this is called child abuse, and Im sure you know thats just as illegal." She spat. "Parents are allowed to discipline their kids!" Samantha protested. "Not like this. Never like this. Feel lucky that I dont banish you from your daughter right now. Feel lucky that you're still alive. Feel lucky that I didnt find you sooner." Silver snarled. "Sil stop." Ashley whispered. Silver glaced down at Ashley laying in her arms. Tears were stained down her face. "Theres nothing you can do. I dont have anywhere else to go." She whimpered. Everyone was silent for a moment. "Yes you do." Crystal said. Ashley looked over at her. "As far as Im concerned. You have nine places you could go, right here." Crystal smiled. "I cant go on land again!" Ashley cried. "I can change that." Silver said. Ashley looked up at Sil and then at the rest of her friends. "You all came here for me?" She asked. "Of course we did." Nova crossed her arms. Ashley smiled and hugged Silver tightly. "Get me out of here." She whispered. "Lets go girls." Silver said. Blade purposely shoved Samantha into the broken table and then took off with the rest of the group.