All By Myself

Chapter 24

After I'd spent the afternoon with Robert, I headed back to Brad's, heading into the kitchen to find a snack as I hadn't had lunch. Cook saw me and shooed me from the kitchen.

"No! You aren't allowed in!" She said, getting me a protein bar and a muffin. "Eat those, dinner is in three hours." She added, and I laughed, moving to the living room. Brad was in his office, Jenny was at work and Tabbi was goodness-knew-where. I turned on the telly, flicking channels, and settled on a nature doco about the ocean and creatures. I relaxed back to watch, eating the food mechanically. It was nice, but I had a lot on my mind.

Three hours later we all had dinner, the conversation light and simple, nothing mentioned about the visit to the lab. After dinner I excused myself and headed upstairs. I was anxious about the next day, and feeling depressed. It would be my first birthday without my parents, and that alone was enough to start an ache in my chest. I had a feeling the following day would be an emotional roller-coaster and I was not looking forward to it. I had told Tabbi to let me be in the morning so I could get 'beauty sleep', but it was so I could mourn the day alone. I watched a movie in bed, headphones in, just in case someone knocked. If they did, I didn't hear it. I watched a family favourite, Milo and Otis, tears falling silently as I laughed at my favourite parts, imagining my parents there with me.

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Many kilometres away, Greg Cashion, Andrew Jones, a few other men, and Greg's assistant Mike were talking, drinking, and laughing. Mike didn't understand why he was there, but as he only lived a ten minute walk away, he had accepted the invite. He had been introduced to Andrew Jones, and then told to hang around after all the others had gone. By midnight, only Greg, Mike and Andrew were still there. Greg gave Andrew a glass of water, the clear serum added to it and, though he frowned at it, Andrew downed the entire glass. Greg suggested they all sit in the lounge and let the alcohol wear off before they retired. Mike sat down on the sofa, Greg sat on one of the recliners, and Andrew sat on the other. They chatted noncommittally, then Greg paused, looking at Andrew. Mike watched them, ready to take any notes, still mostly sober.

"Do you remember what you told me a few weeks ago, Andrew?" Mike asked. Andrew grinned slightly.

"Oh, yeah. My special find. she's a brat, but clever. She has hidden info from us." Andrew said. Greg blinked.

"What information?" He asked. Andrew moved slightly.

"The girl can control each part of her transforming. She has gills, see, and she can have them only, or the whole enchilada. Oh, I'm so hungry." Andrew said, his mind going off on a tangent. Mike had an urge to giggle, but stifled it. Greg got some food from the kitchen and set it down in front of Andrew. He shoveled food in his mouth for a few minutes. Greg looked at Mike, who looked back.

"Did you note all that?" Greg asked. Mike nodded.

"Yes, Sir." Mike replied. Andrew looked at them, brushing pastry crumbs from his  mouth.

"So the girl can control her transforming. Interesting, I must say. You mentioned it was her birthday tomorrow...or today." Greg said, looking at the time. Andrew nodded.

"Yeah, she's nineteen today, and getting the keys to her new home. Avondale. Sounds posh to me. Thinks she's so special." Andrew said, his words slurred. Greg frowned.

"So she's moving soon. I bet you don't like that." He said. Andrew shook his head.

"Nup. But she is grown, I can't order her to stay at the Thompsons. But I know where is at all times." He said. Mike sat up straight at this. He looked at Greg. Greg, seeing that Mike had a question, gestured for him to ask.