It's My Life

Chapter 26 - A Makeshift Solution

"Cassandra?" I heard and opened my eyes, but no one was there. Thinking I had finally snapped, I rolled over and closed my eyes.
"Cassandra, can you hear me? My name is Cora White, I'm Tom's mum." I heard, and almost jerked upright, but managed to stay still, knowing that if I reacted like that the guards would be worried, or suspicious. 
"Yes, Mrs. White, I hear you." I said, a little hesitantly.
"Just relax. I'm here to help you. Thomas has filled us in." She said. I felt tears well up, and was grateful I was facing the wall.
"I'm scared. They want to do more tests on me, cutting me to see how I heal, in the morning." I sent.
"Unfortunately we can't do much about that, but if things work out how we want, then all record of you will be destroyed, and you will be safe." Cora said. I smiled to myself.
"Thank you, Mrs. White. Please...say hello to Tom for me." I said. I could almost feel her amusement.
"You can do that. He is waiting. Though you do feel terrible." Cora said.
"I do. I feel strange, and weak. Being cooped up isn't good for me, I'm used to being free." I said.
"I am having trouble hearing you. Just know we will rescue you." She said. I could barely form the words "thank you" before I started crying. I felt a brush of warmth before the connection was severed, and I felt suddenly alone.

"She's scared." Cora said to Tom and Andreas. All three were sitting in the White's lounge, and Cora had just cut off the connection.
"I don't  blame her. I would be too." Tom said. Cora looked at him.
"She's also very weak. I could barely hear her. I think we leave her alone until tomorrow." Cora said, looking pointedly at Tom. He looked dejected but nodded. She needed her rest. Andreas uncrossed his legs and stood up.
"I agree. The minute we rescue her we will need to get her to the ocean. Every minute she's out of water now is a step in the wrong direction. The detail is ready to go, we just need to wait for the all-clear." Andreas said. Tom nodded, though he wanted to go to Cass right now.
"Could you pinpoint where she was?" Tom asked. Cora nodded.
"The building at least. I'm sure she'll be easier to find once we're actually in the building." Cora said.
"I want to come along tomorrow. She'll understand it all better with a familiar face, even though you still won't tell me anything." Tom said.
"The less you know the better, son. We can't have you rushing in." Andreas said. Tom frowned but didn't question his father's words. He knew better.
"So what time do we depart tomorrow?" Tom asked. Andreas picked up his phone and looked at the memo.
"There will be a meeting in the morning, then we will go from there. Gods willing, the latest we go to her will be noon." Andreas said. Tom opened his mouth, but Andreas shook his head.
"No, you can't come to the meeting. But you can join us on the rescue. As you said, a friendly face is what she needs." Andreas said.
"I will go with her into the water." Tom said. Andreas looked at him.
"A whole group of us will be entering the water, but I think it best that you two go first, we don't want to overwhelm her." Andreas said.
"And her land parents?" Tom asked.
"An official car will go to them too, one of our Land Operatives learned where they were being held, they will meet us at the designated location." Andreas said. "They are to be commended for all they have done in looking after Cassandra and keeping her safe." Andreas added. Tom found it a little odd the way his father had worded his answer, but brushed it off. All he cared about was Cassi. 
"Do you wish to spend the night in your room here, Thomas, or go back to your apartment?" Cora asked, and Tom looked around at him. Andreas was going through his papers and looked at them.
"I'll stay here if I may, Mother. That way I'm ready to come with you in the morning." Tom said.
"I said you can't..." Andreas started, but Tom shook his head.
"I know I can't come to the meeting, but you never said I couldn't come to the Embassy. I need to be there." Tom said. Andreas and Cora looked at each other, and Tom could swear there was a private conversation going on that he couldn't hear.
"All right. We leave at eight. Have a good sleep, son." Andreas said. Tom nodded and went to his room. He always kept spares here, then realised he'd left his phone charger at home, so he grabbed his keys and wallet and headed downstairs to the door.
"Going out?" He heard in his mind, and smiled.
"I left a few things at home that I need. I shan't be too long." He said to his mum. He felt her smile, and then slipped out into the night.

"Yes, come in." Jones said as he heard a knock on his door. A guard came in.
"Pardon the interruption Sir, but Cassandra has requested a large bucket or container." The guard said. Jones looked at him.
"She didn't look sick, did she?" Jones asked.
"Well, a little yes, but she came from the bathroom before getting our attention, and she hadn't been sick or anything. It may be for something else." The guard said. Jones pondered this a moment.
"Find a big container in storage, and get Dr. Warden or Dr. Tucker to go with you. Tell them Cass may be considering bathing in salt water and may need assistance." Jones said. The  guard nodded and left.

After requesting the container I'd relaxed on the bed again, feeling a little tired but not overly so, but I was determined to do what I needed. A few minutes later I was about to get up to get the guards attention when the door opened and the guard walked in holding a massive container, along with a bucket, followed by Warden. I stood up and Warden came over to help me.
"Where do you want this?" The guard asked.
"In the bathroom, please." I said. The guard nodded and took them through the door to the bathroom, placing them in the middle of the room. It wasn't a big bathroom, but it was big enough for the tub. Warden watched.
"I figured you'd want to bathe in some salty water." She said. I looked at her, feeling a rush of gratitude towards her, and we went into the bathroom. As I have also stated before, my upper body strength isn't great at the best of times, but after filling the bucket with hot water I could  barely lift it out of the sink, and the guard helped, pouring bucket after bucket of hot water into the container.
"How much salt?" Warden asked. I looked at the bag. It was still three quarters full, and I shrugged.
"About a cup. I wonder what they'll do with all that salt when they...let me go." I said. Warden looked at me, eyes slightly narrowed, but she seemed to brush it off.
"I don't know." She said, then nodded. "I think it's ready. Is it hot enough?" She asked. I touched the water and it felt very warm but not too hot to scald.
"It feels good." I said and started to take off my top.
"Here let me help you." Warden said and moved over.
"Thank you." I replied, and she lifted the top off, then helped me finish undressing. I got into the large container, the water sloshing slightly, and looked up to see her staring at me. At first I thought my scales had started to form, but looking down I looked plain and normal.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I didn't realise how skinny you were. I'm sorry." She said. I used a cloth to wash myself over with the water, and Warden helped me with my hair and back, the salt feeling wonderful all over me. Tears fell as we continued, but it felt wonderful too, as close to ocean water as I could get without everything else needed from the sea. At one point I felt control slip from my grasp and my legs started to change, to shimmer and go silver, and I saw Warden staring, her eyes wide, and I wanted to cry as I struggled to control myself, my legs going back to pink and smooth.
"Please...please don't tell them." I begged, tears filling my eyes. She looked at me a moment, and I could see the struggle in her eyes, but she touched my hand.
"I won't." She said. I washed everywhere, and Warden watched as I finally stood up, holding out a clean towel to me. I managed to step out of the tub and dried myself off. Warden rubbed my hair with a towel as I dressed slowly, then I sat on the bed to brush my hair.
"Here, let me." Warden said, and took the brush from my hand. She pulled the brush through my black hair, detangling it and then braided it in a neat plait down my back, securing it with a tie.
"You rest up, and don't stress about tomorrow. You'll be asleep most of it, and they won't hurt you, then I believe they are taking you to the beach again in the afternoon." Warden said, picking up the towels and dirty clothes, taking them to the door, waving to indicate she wanted to be let out. I lay down on the bed and looked up at her.
"I wish they would let me go. They're killing me." I said softly. Warden looked at me as the door opened.
"Don't stress. You'll just make yourself feel worse. Have an early night and relax." Warden said, then left. My eyes felt heavy, and within minutes I had dropped off to sleep.

Tom arrived at his flat and found his charger within minutes, but he was hesitant to leave again. He hated feeling helpless, and he hated all the confidential red tape even more. He understood it, and (mostly) agreed with it, but tonight he hated it. He moved towards the door, his keys in his hand and sent out his senses. He thought he could feel Cass, but her mind was a gentle murmur, and he sighed.
"I'm so sorry, Cassi." He said aloud to the empty room, then set up a wall in his mind against her. From what he'd felt all day, she was not well, and he needed to be well rested to help her the next day. He drove back to his mum and dad's place, parked in the garage, and went inside, walking up to his room. He was startled to see his mum peer out from her room.
"I didn't feel you come in. Why are you so closed off?" Cora asked.
"I don't know how strong Cass is, and I'm afraid she'll project strongly in her sleep. She's weak when conscious, but she could be a fire cracker when unconscious." Tom said. Cora tilted her head.
"I hadn't thought of that. Sadly your father can't shut off, but I'll warn him. I will close off too. Good night." She said, and went to bed. Tom entered his room and changed for bed, feeling bad for Cass.