Chapter 10
Seeing mermaids for the first time was unnerving to say the least. Ferra found a map of Evel that Hyacinth had tucked in her bag. Also in her bag, she had a supply of medicine, a few protein bars, and the letters they had found days earlier. Since leaving, Jess had improved significantly. The teens had scoured the map and discovered "the river rush" was actually a large, man-made lake, so they headed towards it. The problem was: it was on the total opposite side of the land. They knew they needed to head out, but after seeing the finned creatures, they were hesitant to embark on this long and perilous journey. But, as Ferra quickly pointed out, there was no other option. Once they had been traveling about two hours, Lucy said something most disturbing, "My thermometer says the temperature is rising." Everyone flocked around her and saw it was true. With this curious news, they continued to walk. Another hour later, as Ferra was trying to separate a fight between Lucy and Trevor and Sean was consulting the map, Jess fell to her knees. All watched in horror as she clutched her throat and gasped for breath. She tried to stand but fell again, causing her leg to bleed. They rushed to her side but knew there was nothing they could do to help. Her gasps for breath grew slower and less frequent, until she gave up once and for all.