RIPPLE

{Seven}

       Aquamarine . . .

       No.

       I shake my head. My mouth feels dry, and I don't realize how dizzy I am until I feel realize the only thing keeping me on my feet is Lachlan's hand on the small of my back. This cannot be happening right now. A million questions run through my mind, and I see her behind the tinted plexiglass window . . . but she doesn't see us, trapped in a room that looks more like a jail cell: everything s white, and she's cuffed to a gray table.

       "Aqua," I whisper, my fingers find the glass that separate us and I know nobody else besides Lachlan heard it, "are you sure this is the woman who dragged that sailor to the depths?" This had to be some kind of mistake. What was she doing here? Unless -

      "We're positive. We found her near the surface. Twelve other fisherman confirmed they saw her. She's been in isolation for twelve hours now."

       Lachlan squeezes my hand. Its meant as a warning.

       I don't think I could sit here and watch this. I swallow a lump in my throat, but I can't swallow the fear coursing through my bones. My father didn't just lose one daughter this past week: he lost two.

       It was strange seeing Aqua with human legs, dressed in a deep gray jumpsuit that brings out the blue of her eyes and her electric blonde curls. It looks like she's been crying; her eyes are ringed with red, and she's tense - leaned forward in her chair with her hands curled into fists.

        It's protocol for Rachel to go in with three guards, along with the King and Queen.

        But Lachlan, Waverly and I watch outside. Waverly shakes her head, already looking bored at my sister's demise. "I'm going to check out the were wolves. If you want to come, you're both welcome to tag along."

        I wait a full minute before knowing she's out of earshot. Lachlan and I should follow Waverly to check out the werewolves. But my legs feel like Jell-O, and I want to collapse in the hallway as I hear the brokenness of Aqua's voice. "My sister," I whisper. "that's my older sister."

        I watch the interrogation, wanting nothing more than the full story, wanting nothing more than a minute alone with her. "He gave me no other choice," and I could tell immediately she was attempting to charm them both. "The sailors took him first... M-my boyfriend. A hook injured his tail, and I was scared. I didn't want them to take me. I didn't want them to hurt him . . . Yes, I dragged a man to the depths; but only in hopes to bring Avery back to the ocean. Where we belong."

        "You used to belong to the ocean, child. Now you belong to us." Rachel says, and I shiver.

        Aqua's sobs grow louder. "Please, please just let me see him. Please tell me if he's alright. You let me on board with him, but the sailors wouldn't let us near each other, and there was blood all over the deck - his human legs were injured - and he was screaming in pain. I was doing it to protect us. Sink or swim."

* * *

        I sit outside the facility trying to catch my breathe.

        I went out alone, excusing myself before I could let Aqua see me. The smells here invade my nostrils, making my stomach growl. The glaring sunlight is no longer a comfort. My chest feels tight, and I can feel the vomit rising, anxiety bubbling in my chest like a water balloon ready to pop.

       How can I stay on the surface no with Aqua trapped here? How can I go back?

        I sit alone near the wall of the fairy exhibit, ignoring the magical fluttering of their wings and the ache to swim in the ocean again. The sky overhead is slowly covering itself with dangerous looking storm clouds, blotting out any light, and I hear his footsteps before I see him.