Chapter 11: Treasure Hunting

(Present day)

As Roxie and Becka finished eating Sophie finished telling the story of what was in the letter; of how, 16 years ago, their parents had planned to entrust Sam with the knowledge of the mermaid secret. Also they had gone to an old man called Max, who knew of the secret, and had him create a fourth locket for Becka.

'Is Max still alive today, maybe we could go talk to him' Becka asked curiously.

Sophie shook her head 'he's gone, he died a couple of years ago, I tried to ask him about the lockets and where the girls might have hidden them…but he was as stubborn as me…he said nothing.'

Roxie frowned thoughtfully into her empty plate 'so Sam was the person you were meant to send us too?'

Sophie nodded 'I saw no point for numerous reasons; firstly Sam was only to be contacted if no one else knew of the mermaid secret…I did and Charlotte did.'

'That still wasn't what my mother asked you to do' Roxie said angrily 'you should have sent us to her, where is she anyway, I thought she was married to Don Sertori?'

'She is, technically, but she works a lot and so is away from home for long periods at a time' Sophie replied.

'One of the lockets has been found' Becka said 'Cleo's locket was in her house and Kayla has it now.'

Looking at Becka, Sophie said 'really, interesting, I wonder what it was doing there, the letter said the girls were going to hide their lockets.'

'Her sister Kim had it, she didn't say where she got it' Becka added but she was cut off by Roxie kicking her under the table.

As the three of them got up and began cleaning the table Roxie leaned closer to her sister 'I'm going to call Kayla, you keep Sophie busy.'

Roxie swiftly moved up the stairs when Sophie wasn't watching, somehow Becka got the feeling Sophie had seen her go but she doubted she knew why, Sophie may have eyes like a hawk but she wasn't psychic.

'So what do you think, barbeque' Sophie said casually 'with charlotte and the girls?'

Becka shrugged as she carefully put away the dishes, making sure they were dry when she touched them.

'I think it would be a good idea, try and make a fresh start, well me and Charlotte need to anyway, I realize you and the girls are close…so for your sake we should try to get along' Sophie replied smiling at her as she washed the dishes.

Becka smiled, she liked the sound of that, perhaps things were looking up.

As Becka entered her room she heard Roxie getting off the phone with Kayla, saying 'alright, sounds good, see you tomorrow.'

Roxie turned to her 'hey, feel like going treasure hunting tomorrow?'

Frowning Becka sat down on the bed 'treasure hunting?'

'Yeah, we're going to go looking for the other lockets' Roxie replied 'it's time we found them.'

The next day Roxie and Becka met up with Kayla and Elayne not far from the Juice Boost 'hey guys, ready to get started' Roxie asked curiously.

Elayne smiled 'we're way ahead of you, we already did a little fishing…no pun intended.'

Rolling her eyes Roxie sighed 'what did you find out?'

'Nothing unfortunately, we were hoping Sam might know something, we tried calling her…but she knew nothing about it' Kayla replied, fiddling with her locket.

Elayne nodded 'so far as we can tell, our parents are the only ones who know where the lockets were hidden.'

'And obviously we can't ask them' Roxie said nodding in frustration.

There was a beep from Becka's phone and she took it out, looking at it 'it's Sophie; she says the plan is on for this afternoon.'

'What plan' frowned Elayne.

Roxie shook her head 'she wants us all to have some sort of barbeque…apologise for the way she's been behaving to Charlotte over the years I guess.'

Kayla and Elayne frowned at each other in confusion 'yeah we don't get it either' Becka added shrugging.

'I don't like it' Elayne said 'a person like Sophie doesn't just turn around and change like that.'

'We'll worry about it later' Kayla replied 'right now let's look into the lockets.'

Elayne laughed 'how exactly, I want to find them too but we don't even have somewhere to start.'

They were all silent for a moment as they thought 'what about their homes' Becka suggested 'where they…we lived, before the accident.'

'Those homes will have other people living in them now, the furniture in them and all the stuff would have been…auctioned off or something' Elayne replied.

They all looked at each other wide eyed 'auctions…you don't think' Roxie said quietly.

'So what now' Kayla asked frowning, unsure.

'You and me are going to do some research about auctions that took place a while after the accident' Elayne said to Kayla turning to Roxie she added 'why don't you guys check out Mako, maybe they left them there.'

Becka snorted 'that would be way too obvious, if I were my mum I'd never do that.'

'Ok' said Roxie turning to her sister 'if you were her…where would you hide it?'

At first Becka thought she was joking so she didn't answer 'no seriously' Roxie added 'think about this guys, I know we aren't our parents but Cleo's was in her house…that would be the last place I'd look…if you were them, where would you put them?'

'My mum didn't mean to leave hers in the house' Kayla replied 'Kim told me so, it was Kim's fault for stealing it…that is why it stayed there…if she hadn't it would have been hidden like the others.'

Elayne sighed 'still, Roxie and Becka might be onto something, if I was my mother…I wouldn't put it anywhere that associates it with water or Mako.'

'Why not' Kayla replied.

'Because that is how they found them originally…kind of…that is what Charlotte said' Elayne explained 'I'd put mine somewhere…safe.'

(16 Years Ago)

Emma walked down the long marble hallway of the bank, with a guard beside her 'you sure you want to do this' Lewis asked from behind her 'we can find somewhere else?'

'No, this place will keep it safe…until she needs it' Emma replied.

Lewis sighed shaking his head 'but a safety deposit box…it's so modern age…what if this place gets robbed or something Emma, we should rely on magic to protect it.'

'That is precisely why we should use this…because it is normal…no one will look here' Emma replied, looking down at the locket in her hands.

Rikki walked along the beach of Mako, Zane struggled out of the zodiac behind her and ran along to catch up with her 'Rikki, think logically, this isn't the best place…you have to know that!'

Rikki glared at him 'the others might be hiding theirs in stupid locations' she looked up at the island 'but I have always trusted this place, we have a connection.'

'It's ridiculous, you talk like this place is alive' Zane replied shaking his head 'I can accept its magical but there is a difference.'

She ignored him, she didn't want to fight with him and she knew that is where it would lead if they kept it up 'come on, I don't want to leave Roxie alone with my dad too long.'

Zane gave a small laugh 'he's a good guy, raised you didn't he?'

'I had a mother in the early days though' she lowered her head, she hadn't thought about her mother in years 'don't you dare make me live that life.'

'Hey' Zane said stopping 'I married you because I love you, we might argue…but I'd never leave you and Roxie.'

They briefly kissed and then parted 'I won't be long' Rikki replied as she headed up towards the mountain.

Bella sat in the boathouse, looking at the locket in her hands and then around at the old equipment; the house had once been filled with so many interesting things; shells and diving gear of Will's but now they had a garage for all that, as part of their fairly small house. She missed this old boathouse…she had many fond memories here, some of which made her blush deeply.

Getting up she looked around, was this really the right place to hide the locket…someone could easily come along and find it. She stepped out of the house and looked out over the water…perhaps she could put it in the water…but contain it somehow, stop it from drifting away. Heading back into the boathouse she found an old chest about the size of a football and looked inside; it was empty save for some old lining.

She sealed her locket inside the black container and then placed that inside the chest, locking it and sealing it tightly 'I hope this works.'

Diving into the water she hid the chest underneath the boathouse in the far corner then sped off.

Swearing to herself Cleo shuffled around her room, opening drawers and wardrobes 'where the hell is it' she said angrily to herself. The locket was gone, she couldn't find it anywhere; she had searched all over her room for the past few hours and it just wasn't there, her face was red with exhaustion.

Her mobile rang and she put it to her ear 'hello?'

'Hey Cleo' it was Emma 'you ok, you sound exhausted?'

'I uh…it's nothing' Cleo said god why couldn't she just tell her friend what was wrong, this was serious 'everything go ok?'

'Yeah, Lewis says he'll go get changed and then pick you up from your dad's place, will that work for you' Emma asked.

'Changed for what' Cleo asked frowning, had she forgotten something.

'The reunion of course, it's tonight, we'll get to see all sorts of faces again' Emma replied laughing 'oh hang on a second…Rikki and Bella just said everything is done.'

'Right…reunion, yeah tell Lewis to come pick me up I guess' Cleo replied vaguely, hopefully she could find the locket before then…and deal with it tomorrow or something.

(Present Day)

The girls decided to split up to look into the lockets; Elayne would go and research auctions, Kayla would go out to Mako, both Roxie and Becka would investigate the houses and see if families like the Gilberts knew anything.

As Roxie and Becka walked along the street Becka began to write a list on a notepad 'so…what families could we ask?'

'Well let's see…we could ask Mr Chadwick or Harrison Bennett, they're both still around. The Gilberts are also a possibility…but apart from Sophie there is no family from your side' Roxie replied thoughtfully.

Becka wrote them down 'do you think it's worth talking to the Sertori's?'

'Nah, we have heard all they have to tell us I think, plus we have Cleo's locket.'

Closing the notebook Becka said 'so where too first?'

Roxie smiled 'I think we should pay Harrison a visit, haven't seen him in years.'

'Isn't he some greedy, wealthy businessman' Becka replied putting on a look of distaste.

'I don't know to be honest, always seemed like one, but Sophie says that Zane said he used to be a lot worse.'

The two girls approached the large fancy looking building that was the Bennett house 'well he still has a nice place' Becka said casually as they went up the front steps.

Ringing the front doorbell they waited several moments before the door opened and Harrison stood there; he looked tired and rugged, wearing a loose shirt and baggy trousers. He looked nothing like the man you see on TV that was for sure. He was holding a glass of what looked like alcohol in his hand 'can I help you?'

'Hello Harrison, what…you don't recognise me' Roxie asked smiling at him.

He stared at her for a long moment…squinting 'you look a lot like that Rikki daughter in law on mine…but she's dead, like my son' god the pain in his voice…that was heart breaking.

'Well without being too subtle I'm your granddaughter' Roxie replied stiffly.

Again he squinted at her, taking a sip of his drink 'Roxie?'

Roxie nodded and Harrison continued 'I haven't seen you in years, what do you want?'

'Could we come in a moment' Becka asked 'it would be easier to talk inside.'

Opening the door Harrison stepped aside, letting them in 'so, I suppose you're uh…what's her names daughter' he said gesturing at Becka.

'Bella' Becka replied 'yeah that's right.'

They looked around the house as they went in…it had doubtless once been quite a nice place…but it seemed…empty and it had so much stuff scattered around; it was a house too large for a single man, everything in it was merely reminders of better days.

'You live alone' Roxie asked, concern in her voice.

'Since my wife left me…yes' Harrison replied bitterly, closing the door behind them 'first my son and daughter in law die…then my wife leaves me…you're my only living relative now' he said it with a laugh as if he found it semi amusing.

The two girls looked at each other, concerned, Harrison's drunk behaviour was worrying 'we came here because we're asking around about something' Becka said, trying to steer the conversation away from the sad tragedies in the past.

'My parents didn't leave anything behind did they' Roxie asked 'any keep sakes, any letters…anything they asked to hand on to me?'

Harrison shook his head 'no, Zane didn't involve me much when it concerned you…he wanted to be a good father in his own way. I've lost everything girls…I don't have anything that can help you…just be thankful I'm keeping your secret.'

The two looked at him in shock 'how do you know about that?'

'I discovered about the girls a long time ago…I'm not stupid, it would only be logical you would carry their genes' Harrison replied 'relax, I'm not going to tell anyone.'

The two of them left the Bennett house feeling surprised 'jeez, did anyone not learn our secret' Roxie said, shaking our head.

'So who's next' Becka asked 'Mr Chadwick or the Gilberts?'

As they walked they thought about it 'let's try the Gilberts' Roxie replied at last.

The Gilberts lived where they had always lived, at least Emma's parents did, Eliot of course was of by himself now.

Lisa and Neil were as welcoming as ever 'so where is that granddaughter of ours' Neil asked as they all settled into the lounge room.

'She's…just doing some research…we all are… kind of' Roxie replied 'we're asking around if the girls, Emma in your case, left anything in your possession, like a letter or keep sake?'

Neil and Lisa looked sad at Emma's name but Neil sighed and said 'it's funny you mention that actually, because Emma left two things here…one of them was meant for Elayne and the other was for Ash.'

'For Ash' Becka said 'he's with us, we could give it to him.'

Getting up Neil headed off somewhere into the house leaving the girls with Lisa.

'It's been so hard you know…since we lost Emma' Lisa said 'but at least we still have Elayne…she looks more and more like her all the time…it's both amazing and difficult for us.'

Suddenly Roxie's phone rang and she excused herself to go talk in the hall.

'I've heard a lot of great things about Emma' Becka said sympathetically 'she must have been a really great young woman.'

Lisa nodded, tears in her eyes, 'yeah, she was.'

'We just came from seeing Mr Bennett…he really is a mess' Becka added.

'I'm worried about him' Lisa replied 'we hardly ever hear from him anymore…everything has gone downhill for him. You know when I was a teenager I saved him from drowning…and then when Emma was 16…she saved Zane from drowning too…it's funny how life is sometimes isn't it?'

Becka nodded, yeah it really was, it's like fate just makes things repeat over and over.

Just then Roxie came back into the room 'sorry about that' turning to Becka she added 'that was Kayla, she's had some success.'

Neil returned and handed the girls a letter and slightly larger envelope with something a little heavier inside…a box maybe?

'Thank you so much for this' Becka replied.

'Yes really, thanks so much' Roxie added 'why don't you all come to our barbeque later?'

Lisa smiled 'we'd love to, we'll call Eliot and see if he can come too, no promises of course but we'll definitely be there.'

Once they left the house they looked inside the letter but left the envelope, that was for Ash, the letter contained a one of those key card keys used in safety deposit boxes at banks. Along with the letter was a note:

"Dear Elayne: I hope I will still be alive and well and will hand this to you myself one day. However if something unforeseen should happen to me I have left something of great importance in a safety deposit box in a bank in Brisbane. Never lose this item and never take it off, you and the other girls will all have one and they are a symbol of your unity as mermaids. I have always loved you and always will, never forget that."

Emma

P.S There is a message for Ash at my parents, if you ever meet him again please get it to him.

'Well it is obviously the locket' Roxie replied simply 'that much is obvious.'

Becka nodded 'we should give this to Elayne though, this is for her to do, not us.'

Roxie agreed and they headed home.

When they got there they saw Kayla and Elayne waiting out front, sitting on the front lawn.

'Hey guys, any luck so far' Elayne asked curiously.

'Yep we know where yours is' Becka replied handing Elayne the letter and envelope 'there is also a message there for Ash, both of them were being held by Neil and Lisa.'

'And look what I found' Kayla replied holding out the locket with the ruby stone 'it was on Mako Island' she handed it over to Roxie 'all yours.'

Roxie was speechless 'I…thank you…where was it?'

'Well hidden' Kayla replied 'in the cave…took a lot of searching.'

'So that's three down, one to go' Becka said 'I wonder where mine was hidden.'

Elayne was reading the note that had been left for her and her eyes were getting watery 'hey, are you ok' Kayla asked her.

'Yeah I'm fine' Elayne replied sniffing 'so…it's in Brisbane…in a bank…clever, I wouldn't have thought to look there.'

'Did you find anything in auctions by the way' Roxie asked but Elayne shook her head.

'No, there was nothing there…I don't think any of them got taken…the last one is still out there…somewhere.'

The sky was beginning to fade into that afternoon glow, they were out of time for today…but they'd made a lot of progress for one day.

'I want to see what is on this' Elayne said holding up the envelope for Ash.

'Is Ash home right now' Kayla asked as they headed into the house.

Shrugging Elayne looked around the house 'Ash?'

Both Charlotte and Ash came in from the backyard 'what's up' he asked 'we're just setting up the backyard?'

'We found something for you, from Emma' Becka said 'it was with her parents...it's a message.'

Sounding shocked Ash rushed in 'what…a message, what kind of message?'

'We don't know' Elayne replied, she handed him the envelope and he opened it. A small box holding a DVD fell out.

'It's a video message' Elayne said sounding both shocked and excited.

Ash crouched down and inserted it into the player then pressed play, the others all heard Charlotte move in behind them to watch as well.

The screen lit up to show Emma, she looked fairly old compared to pictures the girls had seen but how old exactly was hard to say, needless to say she was certainly a young woman now and not a teenager.

She stood far enough back from the camera to show her down to about the waist, she wasn't pregnant so it was either filmed before or after Elayne was born.

'Lewis is it on, ok…good' Emma was saying 'Ash I hope this message reaches you one day, because there isn't a day that goes by I don't regret our break up…a lot has changed in my life so I had to grow up real fast…I got pregnant can you believe that…I have a kid…her name is Elayne.'

Ok so that answers when it was filmed Elayne thought to herself but then she was born before the other girls…just.

'I'm recording this because I want you to know that…the father was… I can't even explain it… he was no one important…haven't you ever done something impulsive. But that doesn't change the fact I love Elayne more than life itself…and if you ever meet her…I want you to know that as far as I'm concerned you're her father…because you're the man I loved. I don't want to burden you but that is how I feel and I hope you can understand. Hopefully I will have no need for this message and I'll see you again myself…I guess we'll see.'

Elayne could feel Ash looking at her…it was a strong look; she wasn't sure what to make of it.

'Ash, are you alright' Charlotte asked him finally.

Ash nodded 'yeah, I just need a little time alone…I'll talk to you all later ok.'

Going upstairs Elayne found Ash in his room, looking out the window 'Ash…are you ok?'

'I don't know if I can do it Elayne…I wish I could but…looking at you is just so hard for me' he said.

'Because I look like my mother?'

He nodded 'I'm sorry…just give me some time to think about it ok.'

Elayne silently turned and headed back downstairs, the others were waiting for her at the bottom.