Aria spent her whole life believing she was just like everyone else-ordinary, with nothing out of the ordinary world. That all changed the day she made the choice to visit Mako Island.
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'I'm lost without you, but I'm better off without you.'
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Aria's POV:
I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was her—those hollow eyes staring back at me. In a desperate attempt to escape the grip of my nightmares, I grabbed my camera and headed to the beach, hoping to capture something beautiful that might wash away the lingering dread.
As the morning sun broke over the horizon, the crisp air hit my face, refreshing and invigorating. I took a deep breath, allowing the salty breeze to fill my lungs, and began snapping pictures. With each click of the shutter, I felt the weight of my worries start to lift. In those fleeting moments, it was just me and my camera, nothing else mattered. I forgot about the mermaid world, Zac, and the heavy locket resting against my chest, each reminder of the secrets I was keeping.
As I printed out one of the photos, anticipation buzzed within me. I flapped the damp paper gently, watching as the image began to develop. But when it finally came into focus, my heart dropped, and a chill ran down my spine.
There, in the picture, was a shadowy figure emerging from the depths of the ocean—an unmistakable silhouette of the woman who had been haunting my nightmares. I squinted, hoping my eyes were deceiving me, but no, it was her. The same hollow eyes and ethereal presence that had plagued my thoughts now stared back at me from the print.
Panic surged through me, and I dropped the photo as if it burned my fingers. I had had enough of this nightmare. Forget about capturing beauty; I needed to get back to the grotto. It felt imperative to regroup with the girls, to discuss how to stop Zac from getting stronger and potentially uncovering the truth about the Trident—far more important than whatever horror show I seemed to be living through.
As I stepped into the grotto, the tension in the air was palpable. The first words I heard cut through the murmur of concern.
"We keep him out of the moonlight. If he goes into a Moon Spell, he'll head straight for Mako and the Trident."
Rita nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "And you can't let that happen."
I felt a surge of determination and spoke up, catching their attention. "And how are we going to do that?"
"Aria's right," Nixie chimed in, her brow furrowed with worry. "We couldn't stop him last time, remember?"
Lyla crossed her arms, her tone defensive. "At least this time we know what we're dealing with."
Nixie shot back, "What about next month? And the month after that?"
The debate hung in the air, thick with anxiety. I could see the weight of their fears mirrored in their eyes. The reality was undeniable: if Zac fell into a Moon Spell again, we would have to confront not just the danger he posed but the truth behind the Trident and what it meant for all of us.
