A Mermaid's Tale:

Chapter 20:

Diamond and Nereus started at her. Did they hear what they though they heard? She was no longer pure? "Your what?" He asked. He didn't sound mad. "I'm very disappointed in you. Though as long as you're not pregnant you're still going to marry Diamond."

Serenity couldn't believe what she was hearing. He couldn't do this. "Father, that's against the law." She said softly. "The law says once I'm no longer pure I can choose my own husband."

…

Andrew sighed as he slung his backpack over his shoulder. Darien wasn't there that day. It wasn't like him to miss school. As soon as he got into his car the first place he went was to Darien's house. When he reached the parking lot he got out of the car and walked across the sand to Darien's. After he walked up the stairs he knocked on the door. Andrew was expecting Darien to answer and was surprised when Clare answered. "Andrew!" She exclaimed as she dried her tears.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

Clare was too upset to say anything. She walked over to the table before picking up the letter and handing it to him. Andrew took it from her and read it. When he was done he looked up at Clare. "He's really gone?" Was all he could ask.

Clare nodded as she fell into his arms crying. Her little boy was gone forever. "It'll be alright." He told her as he stroked her hair.

…

King Nereus looked like he was going to yell at her when he suddenly began coughing. "Father?" Serenity asked concerned. "Are you alright?"

The king shook his head. "Go get the doctor." He said between coughs.

Serenity nodded as she swam off to go back to her room. Amy's father was a doctor. When she entered the room everyone was still in there. "Hey." Darien greeted her once she was in the room all the way.

"Hi, Amy where's your father?" She asked one of her best friends.

Amy blinked. Why did Serenity need to see her father? "In his room."

"Thank you." Serenity said before she swam out of the room.

The five looked at each other before following her. What was going on? They watched from around the corner as Serenity entered the room.

When Serenity entered the room she spotted Amy's father, Leith, was sitting at his desk. "Sir, are you busy?"

The older merman looked at Serenity. "No. Is there something I can help you with your highness." Leith asked as he closed the book in front of him.

"My father is coughing badly. Can you please take a look at him?"

Leith nodded as he picked up his doctor kit. The two of them left and swam down the hall to her father's room. The other five followed from a huge distance. When Serenity and Diamond were told t wait outside Diamond went to go get her mother.

As she was waiting for Leith to give her some new and Diamond to return with her mother the five swam over to her. "What's going on?" Lita asked.

Serenity bit her lip as she looked at the ground. "My father's coughing badly." She told them. "I'm worried that he's getting very sick." Serenity's eyes started to water. Darien saw how upset she was so he wrapped his arms around her before pulling her close.

A few moments later they heard a voice from behind them. "Serenity?" They broke apart and Serenity looked behind her only to come face to face with her mother.