Heart of Glass

Chapter 7

Two days passed by in silent agitation, but no more was said of the events of that day. Ariel had waited for them to ask. Her cheeks were sore from constant biting whenever someone approached her.

"Do you want some watermelon, Ariel?"

Emily held out a plate of fruit and took a seat on at the garden table, opposite her. Autumn sat next to her. Her body was wrapped in multiple layers of clothing. A single leaf was beginning to curl against her cheek, and Ariel knew it was bothering her. Whenever she thought no one was looking, she would try to flatten it out or cover it by resting her chin on her palm.

"Thanks." Ariel took a piece and ate quietly. Emily and Autumn had suddenly become her friends. She didn't think it was her charming personality that had won them over, but more a sense of pity about her scar. Normally it would have made her angry, but she was letting it slide. She had to behave so the Doc would take her seriously.

She caught Emily looking at her shirt, in the area over her heart. Her eyes quickly flitted away and Ariel's patience snapped. "Stop sneaking glances and just bloody ask!"

Emily and Autumn jumped. "I'm sorry," Emily spoke hastily. "I didn't mean to."

"We want to ask," Autumn said. "But we can't."

"It's not that hard, just open your mouth – "

"We can't ask because you aren't ready to tell us about it." She finished gently.

"What? Can you read my mind? How would you know?" Ariel snapped.

"Because we've all been there." Autumn motioned to Emily. "When Emily first arrived it took her months to before she could tell us what had happened."

"I used to hide in my room, terrified of everyone finding out." Emily offered a timid smile. "I thought it was my secret and I had to deal with it myself. I was also embarrassed. I mean, turning into a mermaid, it's not as fun or cool as they make it out to be in television shows. It's painful."

"I think we're getting off topic here." Ariel muttered.

"What I mean, is that when you are ready to tell us, you will. One day, you'll wake up and you'll want to tell us about it. Until then we will wait." Emily picked at her watermelon. "I'll try not to stare in the future."

"It's fine." Any anxiety that she had been feeling in the last two days dissipated. She still couldn't get used to their kindness. The urge to break the mood and say something callous rose up but she quelled it down.

A cream coloured cat jumped up onto the table, meowing loudly. His blue eyes were focused on the fruit. Annoyed, Ariel shoved him off. "Stupid cat."

"Oh don't be mean to Oscar," Emily gave him a pat as he ran past. "He doesn't mean any harm."

"I don't like cats. They creep me out."

She watched the creature slink across the garden to Samson and Michael who appeared to be in a heated debate. Both were speaking rapid Italian but they seemed to be enjoying the argument.

The Doctor appeared from the side of the house, walking with Mrs. Grimm and a mystery woman. Her long black hair snaked down her long back. She stood an inch above the Doctor, thanks to her long boots, which stopped just below her knees.

"Who is that?" Ariel motioned to the woman.

"That's Amelia," Autumn replied. "She works with the Doctor."

So that's the other curse hunter, she thought. She certainly looked the part with her dark clothing and piercings. Her ears were filled with studs and rings as was her nose and eyebrow. If there had been a lightning storm she would have been a perfect conductor.