Ocean's Secret

The Plan

"Esa this is Amber, Amber this is Esa." Brie introduced her human friend to her mermaid friend.

"Uh, I- uh." Amber stuttered, she was gaping at Esa's tail, her mouth open so wide for so long, that Esa was actually surprised a seagull didn't fly over and nest in Amber's mouth.

"It's nice to meet you Amber." Esa said, she stuck out her hand, something Brie had told her was a human custom, for whenever you met someone new.

Amber closed her mouth and looked at Brie uncertainly, then she bent down and lightly took Esa's hand. Esa shook it vigorously from side to side and smiled warmly.
Amber smiled back and sat down on the floating platform, Brie sat down beside her.

"I really hope you'll help me get back home. If I don't get back to the ocean soon then... I'll die." Esa faltered and slipped back into the water. If she doesn't help me then I might as well get comfortable here and wait for the inevitable. Esa thought as she waited in anticipation for Amber's reply.

"I don't want to break the law, but... Putting myself in your shoes, uh, fins? I-I would want to get back home too. I'll help you." Amber stuttered often in her reply, but she ended it in a smile.
"Thank you!" Esa laughed joyfully and flipped underwater.

"Esa... Have you ever had cake?" Brie asked, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Ummm, I've had what merpeople call sponge cake..." Esa replied uncertainly.

Amber and Brie exchanged glances and grinned. Then Brie reached into a bag by her side and pulled out a container. "Here you go!"

That was the day Esa discovered cake, a fluffy, sweet goodness that was like nothing she had ever tasted before. "Mmmmm, this is soooo good." Esa closed her eyes and took another bite.

"Dis ih the besht deshsert I have EVER had." She said, her mouth full. Amber and Brie laughed, each holding their own pieces of cake.

"I need to learn how to make this." Esa swallowed and exclaimed, turning the cake around in her hand and inspecting the elements.

"I don't think you'd be able to make it underwater, but... Maybe I could give you some to take back to the ocean." Brie said, popping the last of her cake into her mouth.

"What is the plan of escape anyways?" Amber asked. "Shhhh." Brie and Esa said at the same time, both looking around nervously. "We can't talk here." Esa whispered after she had swallowed the last of her cake.

"And Derek isn't here to discuss anyways, I could relate it back to him though..." Brie contemplated, tapping her finger on her chin. "I've never even met Derek, what is his role in the plan anyways?" Esa whispered again.

"Let's talk in your cave." Brie whispered, she looked over at Amber, "Are you wearing your bathing suit? I know I told you to put it on under your clothes."

"Yes, I am, where should I put my clothing in case a guard comes by and sees a t-shirt and some shorts on this platform." Amber looked behind her as if scanning for guards.

Why ARE there no night guards ever around, and how does Brie get in here almost every night? You'd think that the security would be more strict in this place. Esa narrowed her eyes as she thought.

"Brie how do you get in here every single night and never get caught?" Esa asked. Brie stopped stowing her clothes in a safe place suddenly and looked at me, "I should have told you before, but I um.... Amber hacked the system and got me an all access pass clearance." She said, her gaze flickering around, back and forth from Amber to Esa.

"Only before I knew what it was for!" Amber protested, throwing her hands up in a flustered motion.

"Lets just go." Esa sighed, "and Brie, thank you. I know how much you both are risking in order to help me, and I hope you know that I really appreciate it." She said before all three of them jumped in the water and resurfaced in the cave.

~~~

"So the plan is.... Amber will wait in the van with her laptop and on the signal, she will hack the security cameras and turn them off by wireless. Once that is done we will have only a few minutes to get Esa out and into the tank waiting in the back of the van. Derek and I will come in and he will carry her out to the van, I will go on ahead to make sure the coast is clear and when it is, I will get in the van and be our "getaway driver." From there we will head to the canal, where Amber will hack the system there and open the door so that Esa can swim through the gates to freedom. Any questions?" Brie seemed to explain the whole plan on a single breath and Esa and Amber simply watched.

"Yes, what if we get caught?" Esa asked, raising her hand.

"That won't happen, but if it does, everyone run. Esa, they won't hurt you or send you to jail, so if we have to run without you please don't take it the wrong way."

"Of course not! But if a guard sees us should we run, or hit him on the head and split?" Esa replied, ending her sentence with a question.

"Derek will take care of that. Don't worry Esa." Brie replied.

"When is this going to take place?" Amber asked.

"Tomorrow night." Brie said. "Be ready."