Linda's POV.
I smile as I watch Mr. Hartley leave. I can finally do mermaid research, and this time I can finally do it without ruining a life. I've come to terms with the fact that I did indeed destroy the lives of Emma, Cleo, and Rikki. I won't do the same with Bella. She seems pretty cooperative, and I think that we might be able to reach an agreement. I head to the back of the boat, I pull open the door to find Bella sitting up on the bed.
"How do you feel?" I ask her. She looks up.
"Alright I think." She states.
"Well, we'll be pulling into port soon. I need to pick up my assistant Scarlet. She's almost ompleted her training as a marine veterinarian. When she gets on board, we'll get that medical exam out of the way, alright?" Bella nods.
"Kay. But is there anything to eat?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry, your father got here and it completely slipped my mind." I reply. "I'll be right back alright?" she nods, and I quickly head to the tiny kitchen on the boat. There's a plate sitting on the counter. On it is a tuna sandwich, an apple, and a water bottle is sitting beside it. I grab the items and head back to Bella's bunk. I hand her the food and sit down in a chair.
"Okay, I do have questions for you and I would like them to be answered." I inform her. She nods.
"I guess I owe you that much…" she mutters.
"First off why were you in that cave? How did you even get in there?" she stares at her lap.
"I wanted to explore. I pulled myself over the rocks, like you said earlier. How did you get in?" she replies.
"There was a second entrance up on the cliffs." I state. "Are there more of you? Mermaids I mean, and don't worry, they aren't in any danger, I promise to leave any others alone." Bella shakes her head.
"I'm the only one. Which sucks because it'd be cool to have someone to swim with."
"Alright last two questions for now. First how long have you been like this, and how did you get a tail in the first place?" I inquire.
"I've been this way since I was nine. And-" She hesitates. "I can't tell you how. Please understand… I think that it's supposed to be private." I sigh.
"Alright fair enough. Now I don't intend to turn you into a lab rat, but would you let me do some research?" I ask. Bella fiddles with the end of her shirt, clearly debating. After a moment.
"I suppose as long as-"
"I promise you'll be informed of everything I intend to do, before it happens, and you can call it off at any time. I won't make the same mistake twice." I vow. Her eyebrows furrow.
"What do you mean?" I sigh, realizing I said the last part out loud.
"Let's just say that you aren't the first mermaid I've ever met." I admit. Bella's face lights up.
"You mean I'm not the only one with a tail? There are others? Where? How many?" I hold up my hand silencing her storm of questions.
"I met three girls in Australia. They also had tails, and I made a horrible mistake. Got in over my head and carried away. The last time I saw them, they were regular girls. They had given up their powers." I explain, guilt and regret thick on my tongue.
"Wait. You mean you can do that, give up being a mermaid? Why would they want to do that? I mean yeah obviously there are some drawbacks, but it can't compare to the magic." I stare at my own lap.
"Let's just say that it wasn't something they wanted to do and leave it at that. Like I said. Mistakes were made, that's it." Bella opens her mouth to say more but seems to decide against it. She takes a bite of her apple, having already polished off the sandwich. "So we'll be docking soon, when we do, I'll take you up to the lab and get your…tail…examined, make sure nothing is broken. Alright?" Bella nods in agreement, before yawning. "Get some rest and I'll wake you when we arrive." She nods.
"Okay, thanks." She replies, lying down. I get up and silently leave the room, a bit of triumph leaking into my demeanor. I shove it down. I may have one something for science today, but I still have to leash myself. I will have some respect for Bella. She may be a major scientific discovery but she's still legally a human being. This time I have to remember that. No matter what the cost. And then maybe one day I can find a way to redeem myself to Emma, Cleo, and maybe even Rikki. I frown at the thought, realizing that that is truly what it was about; getting rid of my guilt. I shake my head. Then I guess that means I haven't changed. Not truly anyways.
I sincerely apologize for the long wait. I had some computer trouble, but I'm back online now. This chapter was a little boring a vague, but I just got over writers block so please cut me some slack. I will try my best to make the next one more interesting. I'd like to thank all my reviewers, favoriters, and followers, you support is greatly appreciated. And a special thanks to Pixiedragon25 for support and suggestions with this chapter. Like always I truly appreciate reviews, and if anyone has any suggestions for this story, please feel free to share them. I'm especially open to suggestions right now.
-mermaid