Waterline

Aphritrite Sacrifice (Part Two)

Something was off about seeing Clare again. Was it because she was hiatus after the ritual, or was it her features? Clare's appearance didn't feel the same, she was the same girl but different. Mae knew that Clare has changed a lot. Maybe it wasn't noticeable at first glance but when you know Clare for a long time, it's easy to tell when she acts different.

"You want to talk to me? After you killed one of our friends and avoided contact with everyone," Mae spoke up. She look back out of the beach, seeing her friends chatting and waiting until this sacrifice is over. Mae slowly closed the door, blocking the light of the moon. The windows still gleam with light, both of their faces were barely visible.

"I know this is a bad time speak to you, but you have to hear me out," Clare told her. Mae folded her arms but a saddening expression stayed on her face. Mae practically has no choice. This was her last day, she should at least not keep things sour. "Go ahead,"

"You're not doing the sacrifice," Clare plainly said. Was this one of her tricks? Did she not feel guilty at all? "What do you mean? I can't let anything happen Silverfish," Mae said as she backed away from Clare. She slowly inches closer to the door. Clare noticed and grabbed Mae's wrist.

"You are not throwing your life away," Clare spoke.
"What other choice do I have?" Mae stopped walking and stared at Clare in the eyes.
"When I saw you with Penelope, that was my first time I saw you truly happy. Those times you tried to save her, that was your first true friendship," Clare looked at her hand as it held onto Mae's wrist. She then let it go before looking back at Mae.
"I was never a friend to you or Molly like how you've been to me. The only way to repay you is to take your place in the sacrifice."

Mae was astonished, why would Clare do this? "But, why?" Was the only thing that Mae could say. "Micah never loved me, and I lost all of my other friends, this is it for me," Clare answered. Mae wanted to talk Clare out of it but she has done some awful things. This could be her only moment to repay he sins. "What about my friends? They won't trust you to complete it," Mae told her.

"I'll hit hide my face, please, give me your clothes," Clare responds. Mae nod, she didn't know what else to say to her. She starts to take off her robe and untie her ornaments on the clothes. Mae tried to be quick but there was a knock on the door. "Mae, are you ready yet?" She could easily recognize the voice as Conor's.
"Yeah, I'll be out in a few minutes," Mae made sure her tone wasn't too perky.
"Okay, hurry up," Conor answers, she could hear him step away from the door. Mae than continued to take off the robe.

Clare put on the white dress that was sorta tight on her. She had to make sure the robe looked loose on her in order to make it look like Mae was wearing it. Mae and Clare both tied the ornaments around the robe, trying to replicate what Eddie and Allen did. Mae did have to fix Clare's hair to put it in a low bun and to get the headband on. Trying to find a way to hide Clare's face turned out to be difficult. The only idea they had was to stretch out a white scarf to make it cover her whole face and hair.

Mae step back to look at Clare, it was a close enough replica. The white scarf was folded on top of her head so Mae can still see Clare's face. "Before I go, please deliver this letter," Clare picked up the letter that was on the desk. Mae took the letter and looked at the back. The name "Micah" was written on it. "If you ever see him, please give the letter to him," Clare instructs her. Mae ended up feeling guilty for holding the letter. She wanted to hand it back and tell Clare that she and Micah still have a chance. But it would be least likely to happen.

"Thank you for always giving me a chance," Clare said a smile was forced upon her face. "No, thank you for being my first friend," Mae then gave Clare a hug, squeezing her eyes shut. Trying not to cry, trying not to admit she lost another friend to Neptune. "I wish we don't need to do this, I want us to live as friends again," Mae told her still hugging onto Clare.