It's My Life

Chapter 18 - A Recipe for Disaster

Back at the lab, Shields had gone home too, but he had left instructions with his junior staff to continue running tests, and the following morning he was met with a half-dozen reports stating that they had run the tests requested, and had found, along with human DNA, it had traces of fish and an odd trait that they couldn't put their fingers on. Five of the six reports stated there was no more tests to run, and when Shields read those he tossed them aside, frowning. He picked up the last folder and started flipping through the pages, when he came across a scribbled note on a post-it, "NB. Test cells with ocean water." That got Shields thinking. She needed the ocean to thrive, and sea water in her toiletries. He made a note to contact Dr. Warden, then went to get some blood and the new ocean water Dr. Thompson had had created. He would wait until Dr. Warden arrived. After all, it was her idea.

I woke up early on the Friday, my skin tingling. It was as though my skin knew I would be immersing in ocean water, though I wasn't sure it would work, but I had to keep my hopes up. I needed to be positive about something in my prison. My eyes glanced around the dark room, still missing the sound of the ocean, and half wondered, if I asked, would they play ocean sounds for me. I curled back up, closing my eyes, and sighed. Nothing topped the real thing.
The lights came on and I blinked, guessing I must have fallen asleep again. It was always hard to tell in a quiet room with no natural light whatsoever, or a clock. A guard entered with a plate of toast and a banana, then left silently. I didn't say anything, and neither did he. What was there to say? There was only so many times you could ask "how are you" and get the same answer, or a sarcastic answer. I ate slowly, then drank some water and sat on the bed after changing in the bathroom, reading my book slowly.

"Dr. Warden, thank you for coming in. I wanted to talk about your notes on Miss Silver." Shields said. Brad was sitting on one of the chairs opposite Shields, intrigued. The young woman standing by the desk looked from one to the other.
"Is something wrong, Dr. Shields?" She asked. He blinked.
"Oh, no of course not. On the contrary, I'm impressed with your work. Of all the interns given the information, you were the only one that suggested testing her blood and DNA with the ocean water. Even Dr. Thompson and I didn't think of it. What made you think of it?" Shields asked. Warden visibly relaxed.
"Well, I had read that there was sea water in all of her toiletries, and when at the beach she managed to stay underwater a long time, and for some reason the movie Splash came to mind. See, the main character is a mermaid..." she started, but Shields held up a hand.
"We're familiar with the movie. So you think she's like the mermaid in Splash? But Madison changed when water hit her, any water, but Cassi didn't seem to need to, and we saw her stay in human form in the ocean." Shields said. Warden looked perplexed.
"Yes, I think she is but, I don't know. Maybe she can control any change, if there are any changes." Warden shrugged. Brad and Shields looked at each other.
"That's what we need to determine. I have some blood and DNA ready to be tested with ocean water and the replicated water that Dr. Thompson has created, I want you to head that research and do it as quick as possible. How long do you think that will take?" Shields asked.
"Well, if I start immediately, with some help, I should have it finished in an hour, tops. Depending on the reaction of the cells, if they will react without conscious thought or effort." Warden replied. Shields smiled and looked at Brad.
"Don't do it just yet, we're about to take her downstairs to swim. If she shows no signs of transformation, then I think it will be necessary to test everything. We have set up an observation room. Would you care to join us?" Brad asked. Warden nodded.
"Yes, thank you Dr. Thompson." Warden replied. Brad stood up, as did Shields.
"Shall we get started then?" Brad asked. Both Shields and Warden nodded, and the three walked out.

The door opened and a guard entered, the second standing in the doorway.
"I've been instructed to inquire if you have a bathing suit and to put it on if you do." The guard said. I nodded.
"I have, and I'm wearing it now. I need a towel though." I said.
"They have towels ready. Come." The guard said. I stood up and moved over to him, and he indicated I move ahead of him. The other guard led the way to the left, and again I was told to face the wall as the lift moved silently. I assumed we were heading down because I remembered Shields mentioning it was in the basement. Once the lift stopped  I was escorted out and through some double doors, and I could smell the sea water and, though it smelled slightly weird, I stumbled slightly at the scent. A guard took my elbow, and I stayed upright, feeling grateful. I was led through another door and saw the large pool, deep enough to get a deep immersion. I would guess it was around ten feet deep. I smiled to myself, but I knew I wouldn't be going deep. I had no intention of transforming. Brad was standing near a bank of equipment, and he looked up as we entered. He saw the guard still holding my arm, and frowned.
"Something happen?" He asked.
"She stumbled as we came in, I thought she needed help." The guard replied. Brad looked at me.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I nodded.
"I'm fine. Just the smell of the water got to me." I said. He looked at me calculatingly.
"And? Does it smell the same as the ocean?" He asked.
"No. It smells different, cleaner, untouched. Free of fish." I said. He smiled.
"I understand. There are towels ready, are you wearing your bathing suit?" Brad indicated the towels to the side.
"I am." I replied. He stepped away and I looked around the room. There was a camera on the wall pointed directly at the pool, and I sighed. I definitely wasn't transforming any part of my body today. Not with the camera on me.