"You know Zane's been asking about you," I say, as I run into Rikki on my way home. "I think he still likes you."

"Zane and I have issues. They aren't just going to solve themselves with a small amount of time."

"I was just saying. I don't know why you guys broke up. It's not for me to say if you date him or not."

"I didn't mean to make it seem like I was saying that. I do still like him, it's just better this way."

"Really?" I ask, "That seems like you're just making excuses. If you like him and he likes you, I don't really see the problem. Unless he's gonna be an issue for us other mermaids."

"He knows about us already. He isn't going to tell anyone."

"So let me get this straight, all of you girls told your boyfriends about being mermaids?"

She shrugs, "I guess somewhat. More like found out. It's hard to keep the secret."

"Fair enough," I say my mind wandering to Nate.

"You and Emma seem close. We used to be like that."

"Emma talks about your adventures with me all the time. I'm glad to be a part of them now."

We walk all the way to my house and go inside. The sound of soft crying comes from the living room. Rikki and I exchange looks, then go to investigate. My mother sits on the floor photographs and a box lie on the floor in front of her. I get closer and look at one of the photos- in it is a picture of a little boy.

Mom looks up at us slightly smiling, tears still sliding down her cheeks. "Your grandparents dropped off some stuff they had of your father's. Mostly photos."

My mom starts to pick them up slowly. I pick up a few. I'm looking at one with two boys in it. One clearly my dad, and someone that I don't know.

"That's my dad!" Rikki says suddenly, pointing at the boy next to my dad.

My mom looks at the photo. "Your father was secretive, Melody. I don't know much about his family or friends before he came to Canada."

"We should ask your dad." I say turning to Rikki.

She takes the photo, "I'll go home and ask."

"Okay," I say as she walks away.

I go back to packing away dad's things. "If you ever want to look through your father's stuff go right ahead."

Mom places the box on the shelf then puts a book I've never seen before on top of it. It was clearly locked. It was beautiful, also presumably my dad's. After my mom leaves the room I pick up the book. It has a hand painted mermaid on the front and scattered around the cover was also moonstone. I look at the lock; there isn't a spot for a key or anything, I wonder how you're supposed to open it. I'll bring it to the sleepover and show the girls. It probably means nothing but it is a beautiful mermaid. As I look through some of the photos, I think of how it was back then. I wonder if they knew the secrets of Mako.

Rikki's POV

I walk in the door to our small living area. "Dad?"

"Yes Rikki?" My dad comes out of his room.

"So, my friend was looking at some old photos of her dad, and look what I saw." I hand him the photo.

He looks at it looking shocked. He stares at it a long moment.

"David's here? Back in Australia?"

I shook my head, feeling a little upset that I would have to be the one who told him.

"Dad, he… passed away."

"Oh." His face drops.

"We wanted to know more about his life here. He didn't talk about it."

"Not much to say. Best not dwell on it, it's for the best."

"You guys were good friends?"

He pauses. "Best friends for a long time. Fell out though."

"Anything else you can tell me?"

"Nothing else really to be said. Sorry I couldn't be a more of a help."

He goes outside to work on his bike.

AN: What do you think is inside the book? What do you think happened between Terry and David?