It's My Life

Chapter 3 - Speculations

I opened my eyes, looking up at the ceiling, the trophy still clutched in my sweaty right hand. I had probably only been lying there for fifteen minutes, twenty tops, but the memories ha flooded in. Sometimes, like now, I hated my perfect memory. Sighing softly to myself I sat up, pushing my black braid back over my shoulder,  stood up and placed my trophy on my desk, then headed downstairs to the kitchen. I wanted to go for a swim, but I wanted to be here when Mum and Dad got home. Even though I was all caught up with my homework, and had done all the end-of-year studying I needed before my final exams, I pulled my bag to me and pulled out a book, reading through it absently. As I flicked through pages, my eyes alighted on a pamphlet, and I smiled to myself. As a precaution I had applied for colleges after midterms so I could secure a spot at any college I wanted. I didn't want to leave home just yet, so one close by would be ideal, and I was hoping to get into a good marine biology course. Tabby had been hounding me for days, asking whether I'd heard back from prospective colleges yet, but I kept telling her I wouldn't know until exams were over. She wouldn't stop asking me though, relentless best friend. I chuckled to myself as the front door opened and Mum and Dad walked in.
"What's so funny?" Mum asked, hanging her bag behind the door.
"Oh nothing. Tabby has been at me to tell her which college I'm going to. I can't tell her what I don't know, right?" I said, standing up and stretching. Dad moved to the fridge to get himself some iced tea.
"Too true. But you tell her when you're ready, not because she's pestering you. Besides, I'm sure Tabitha and Brad will be very happy no matter where you go." He replied, pouring three glasses of tea. I accepted mine gratefully, and Mum sipped hers with a soft sigh. At the mention of Brad's name, I froze, the glass halfway to my lips.
"I don't think I will ever be telling her." I said quietly. Mum and Dad both looked at me, seeing me with the glass held aloft.
"Cassi? What's wrong?" Dad asked, moving closer to me. Mum moved over too, her eyes wide.
"Well...it's hard to explain." I said, feeling fear seep through me, my hand trembling slightly. I put the glass down and wiped my clammy palms on my pants. Mum sat next to me. 
"Take a deep breath and take your time." Mum said, touching my hand gently. I nodded, taking her hand in mine.
"Well, the spelling bee was today, and Brad came along to support Tabby. She came second." I started. Mum smiled.
"That's great, I bet he was very proud of her." She said. I nodded.
"Yeah. Anyway, Brad and I were talking, when someone called out Doctor Thompson. It was a colleague of his. His intern." I said. Mum's grip on my hand tightened slightly.
"A doctor? What kind?" She asked. I looked away, feeling both of them looking at me.
"He's a genetic scientist." I said softly. Mum gasped, and Dad swore under his breath.
"A geneticist? He's been our friend for years, and never told us." Dad said.
"He thought it would bore us." I replied. Dad pulled a chair over and sat down.
"He doesn't suspect anything, does he?" Mum asked.
"Well, he doesn't, but his intern might. He was watching me intently as I left. I think he saw my look of shock and fear before I pretended to yawn. Do you think he'll mention it to Brad?" I asked, looking from Dad to Mum.
"Sadly, we have to assume that he will. How many people would react with fear?" Dad asked. I lowered my head.
"I'm so sorry. I wish I had composed myself." I said. Dad moved closer.
"You have nothing to apologise for, Cass. You had every reason to react the way you did." Dad said, taking my hand in his, Mum still holding my other hand in a death grip. We all stayed quiet for a few minutes, then I stood up.
"I'm going for my swim. I'll be back in an hour or two." I said softly. Dad nodded.
Be careful honey." He said. I grabbed my towel, then let myself out the back door, walked across the garden to the back gate and walked down the sandy track to the private beach. It was a lovely day, the sun was shining, the waves lapped up lazily onto the sand. I spread my towel on the sand, stripped down to my swimsuit, and walked into the water, diving under and transforming easily, diving deep.

Back at the house, Mum looked at Dad.
"I'm worried. What if Brad finds out about her? She'll never be safe again. We'd have to move." Mum said frantically. Dad moved next to her.
"We can't move for several reasons. Firstly, we both have jobs. Secondly, Cassi is close to the ocean here, and thirdly, if Brad does learn about her, and we have to assume he has already been told, or will be on Monday, then he'll know that we know they know, and will come after her. It's best we stay here for now and play ignorant." Dad said. Mum nodded, sighing.
"You're right." She replied, holding his hands. He pulled her close and hugged her.
"We'll be fine." Dad said. Mum nodded slightly, not allowing herself another syllable for the moment. After a few minutes of just standing in his embrace, she stepped away towards the kitchen.
"I better get started on dinner, and calm down before Cassi comes back. This is meant to be celebratory, after all." Mum murmured. Dad followed her into the kitchen.
"Can I help?" He asked. Mum looked at him.
"Of course. Stay out of the way." She replied, and he laughed as he headed to his study.