I'm Back! Only took me like several months. Wish I could've came back sooner, but it's honestly hard for me to sit and write for several hours at a time like I used to do. I promise I haven't forgotten about this story and want to get back into writing it. Anyway, here's chapter 67!

Chapter 67: Captive

Pain… There was only pain she felt. Her head was pounding angrily. It almost felt like a hangover. Most likely the worst hangover she had ever had. Emma kept her eyes closed as her mind slowly came back to reality, and the fog she felt in her brain was beginning to lift. She didn't open her eyes though… The pain was still too great in her brain. She focused on where she was laying. The surface felt hard, like solid ground and not a bed. Where am I? She thought to herself. What hap-... Oh no…. The memory came flooding back to Emma of the full moon, slamming into her with a huge weight. I was put to sleep some way… How did I get here? And where is… here?

Emma slowly opened her eyes, allowing her eyes to adjust to the bright lights. She looked around once her eyes were better. She was in a metal dome of some kind. There were no windows, so it was hard to tell where she was or even what time it was. Emma was on a man made island of some kind, with a few palm trees and rock formations. But around that was a moat of water, creating that perfect island home. There were no edges on the dome, so it was impossible to even tell how she had gotten into it and put onto the island. Emma's head suddenly became woozy as the gravity of her situation became made known.

Emma looked to her left and saw the bodies of her other girls lying on the ground near her. She recognized all of them. "Cleo! Bella!" She shouted, running to her two friends lying in the sand. She grabbed them and shook them vigorously.

"No Lewis…" Cleo mumbled, still asleep. "I don't want.. Go fishing…" Emma shook her harder, and Cleo's eyes snapped open, staring deep into Emma's eyes. "Emma…" She trailed off. "What is going on…" Cleo sat up, staring around her at the metal dome. "The full moon!" The memory hit her hard.

By this time, Bella was fully awake as well. "What the hell is going on?" she questioned. "What is this place?

Emma only shrugged. "I wish I knew. I only woke up a minute ago. We seem to be in some kind of metallic dome. The police must've taken us after we tried to stop Anna and Fallon… They must've brought us here."

"Obvious next question. But where is here?" Bella pondered sarcastically.

"A secret underground government base where they'll do experiments on us to the end of our days. Just spitballing here," Cleo joked. Nobody laughed at the attempt at humor.

Emma glanced over to the two other girls sprawled out on the sand. Anna and Fallon looked peaceful and still-like, blissfully unaware of the painful scenario they were in. Emma sighed. "Think we should tell them what happened?"

"As much as it pains me to... They need to know," Cleo affirmed. "Being a mermaid is serious business and the full moon got the best of all of us. I wish it didn't have to be this way."

"They've only been mermaids for a month and this is what happens… I've been a mermaid for the longest of anyone and nothing has happened," Bella spat. "Look where we are now."

"We can't be that hostile," Emma argued. "It was pure bad luck that lead us to this point. They didn't do anything wrong… Just with the reveal of mermaids has made a lot of things exceptionally worse."

"I agree with Emma," Cleo confirmed. "We can't just be angry at Anna and Fallon because they didn't do anything wrong. We would've done the same were we in their shoes."

Bella sighed. "I suppose so. Well, let's wake them up and tell them the story."

Emma nodded solemnly. She turned and strode over to the two girls, still peacefully sleeping off their tranquilizer drugs. She knelt down, grasping the two girls' shoulders. Emma gently shook them, and in a moment, both girls' eyes snapped wide open.

Their suddenness surprised Emma, and she jumped back up to her feet, taking a few steps back. Anna and Fallon yawned, rubbing their eyes and shaking their heads to get back to full awakeness. "Where are we…" Anna moaned, still shaking off the last of her sleepiness. "What happened?"

"Anna… How do you feel?" Emma asked cautiously.

Anna yawned once again, slowly shaking off the cobwebs in her mind. "I feel a bit foggy at the moment but…." then a realization came over her. Anna's eyes grew wide. "It was the full moon! Wasn't it? The last thing I remember is seeing the moon and then… nothing. Oh god… what did I do?"

"You were acting really strange," Fallon interjected. "You basically assaulted a police officer. We ran after you through the police station and then… I don't remember anything after that! I saw the full moon too…"

Anna had a ghastly look on her face. "Oh my god… I attacked a cop? I… I… I didn't mean to!"

Emma sighed. "I have the rest of the story," She spoke solemnly. "We don't want to blame you for what happened. The full moon affects so many of us in different ways."

"What the hell did we do?" Fallon questioned.

Emma filled the two of them in on what had happened the night of the full moon, including all the tough details of what they did while under the moon's spell. She continued with waking up in the metal dome and their best approximation where they were. The faces of the two girls dropped significantly. Anna took it hardest. She felt like she was the instigator of everything. "So… that's where we are now," Emma stated after summing up to the two of them. "I know it can be hard… But we have to stick together now more than ever."

Emma had just finished and Anna stood up in the middle of everything, turning away from them toward the watery moat around their rocky island. "Are you ok Anna?" Fallon asked, standing up and putting her hand on Anna's shoulder.

Anna shook Fallon's hand away without turning back toward her friend. "I… I… I need some… time to think," Anna spoke, her voice wavering, filled with a confused emotion despite her best attempts to conceal it. Before anyone could argue, Anna took off toward the water, diving beneath the surface within seconds.

"She's just gone…" Fallon spoke quietly.

Emma sighed. "She needs time to come to terms with what happened. Although it isn't hers or your fault, she feels like she caused all of this. It's important for us to give her some space now." Fallon nodded silently. "Come now. Let's group up with the other two. We'll get something figured out eventually."

The two girls went back over to where Bella and Cleo were still mingling about. They had sat back down against a few of the rocks, trying to get comfortable. Emma and Fallon picked different spots and sat down opposite Bella and Cleo. "Where's Anna?" Bella asked.

"She needs some time to think," Emma answered. "I'd probably do the same thing if I were in her shoes too. She took the news pretty hard."

"She probably thinks we hate her," Cleo added.

"And do you hate us?" Fallon questioned.

"No," Cleo answered back quickly. "I'm angry at the situation we're in, but we need to stick together as mermaids no matter what. The shit timing of the Full Moon kind of took over. That's more what I'm angry about right now."

"So… What do we do now?" Bella asked, trying to change the subject. Unfortunately, no one had an answer for her. The girls all grew quiet. Despite sleeping for who knows how long, they were all pretty exhausted. The sense of impending doom hung over all of them like an ominous cloud. They couldn't shake it no matter what positive thoughts they had. It was always there, making them feel scared.

A grinding of metal on metal woke the girls out of their lull, and a shot of adrenaline coursed through them. "What is that now?" Fallon questioned.

"I wish I knew," Bella shrugged. "Maybe this is when the dissections come."

Cleo stood up, feeling defiant. "Whoever is coming, it'll be the first people we see since we were brought here. It's probably gonna be some scientist who wants to poke and prod us like we're animals. I'm not going to sit here and just let them come in and take us. I'm going to meet them head on, remind them that we're still human."

"We're behind you, Cleo," Emma spoke.

Cleo strode forward rounding one of the rocky features on their island home. She was not going to sit back and take whatever came to the mermaids. She was going to show her humanity and resist the pain and evil that some mad scientist was going to unleash on them. Just as she remembered dealing with Denman several years ago. She wasn't going to sit there and take it lying down.

She rounded the bend and her heart jumped up to her throat, then slammed back down into her stomach. Coming down a metal ramp extending toward the island, with the same cocky smile she loved was Lewis. She missed him so dearly. Tears began to fill her eyes, nothing she could do to stop it. All the pain and worry she faced melted away in front of him. He stopped at the end of the ramp, his foot barely touching the sand of the fake island. "Dr. McCartney reporting for duty," he joked. And Cleo couldn't contain herself.

She sprinted to him, hitting him broadside with a massive hug, pulling him close into her. And, at the moment she began bawling her eyes out on his shoulder. For what seemed like several minutes she sobbed on his shoulder. Emotion poured out of Cleo, as she held Lewis close to her. Lewis only stayed still, silently caressing her. After a minute, Cleo regained her composure and released her tight grip on Lewis. She looked deep into his eyes, hope and joy brimming behind the tears in her eyes. "I… How… did you… like… What are you doing here?" She stuttered, barely getting the words out.

"I told you I'd come for you," Lewis spoke succinctly, before giving her a quick kiss. "But, there's work to be done."

By that time, Bella and Emma had heard Cleo's sobbing and had rounded the rock to investigate. They gasped when they saw Lewis hugging Cleo closely. "Lewis?" They both exclaimed in unison.

Lewis and Cleo and released each other, and they turned to the two girls. "What are you doing here?" Emma questioned. "How did you get in here?" Then, she noticed his white lab coat. Her expression immediately went from surprised to angry. "You're working for them aren't you… You've betrayed us haven't you?"

Lewis was taken aback by Emma's sudden accusation. He lifted up his hands in surrender. "I haven't betrayed anyone!" He exclaimed. "There's a good reason I'm here!"

Cleo turned to him. "Lewis… What's going on?" She asked quietly.

"This situation is definitely tense right now, more than you might realize. There… may not be a lot that makes sense to you all. I'm running under the assumption that you have no idea what happened from the full moon until now But, I'll try to make things as clear as possible. They aren't going to let you free for a while. The authorities, more importantly the FBI, won't allow you to be released until they do sufficient research on 'the mermaids' to make sure they understand exactly what you are. What your capabilities, are you a danger to society, and just a better understanding of what your 'species' is. That's what they're trying to accomplish," Lewis explained. "I've been brought here to make sure it is done correctly and with the most respect to you."

"I highly doubt the US Government would let you just waltz in here and work with us, especially the fact that you know us!" Bella chimed in. "What did you have to do to weasel your way in here?"

Lewis sighed. "An ultimatum. In order to get the chance to work with them, I had to give them all of the research I have collected over several years of working with all of you. Every science experiment I ran on you all over the years is now in their hands. It was the only way I could make sure… I couldn't allow them to torment or dissect you. Even so, this could be my 'dream job.' Plus, giving up my research is giving this team a headstart so it might be quicker for you all to get out of here. That's the hope anyway."

"And so you turned in everything you had," Cleo responded softly. "Your entire work from high school up until now…. Just gone."

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that you all are free to live the life you want to live. We all have to make sacrifices. I love you Cleo, and I would never let anything bad happen to you. This is the one way I see to do it," Lewis spoke. "No matter what. I'm here for all of you."

"It seems like you all are getting reacquainted," Spoke a voice behind Lewis. They all turned to see a dark haired woman with glasses and a lab coat tap a few things on her tablet. "I waited a minute to give you some time for your reunion before we get down to work."

"Lewis… Who is this exactly?" Emma questioned.

"This is Dr. Amy Hausman," Lewis introduced. "She's my boss and the scientist who's going to be overseeing all of the experiments… that are going to be done on you."

"So… we are actually going to be experimented on like lab animals," Bella groaned. "Many years I've done this and this is how it ends. Should've figured as much."

"As long as she doesn't dissect us," Emma chastised.

"You're very much in luck my mermaid friends," Dr. Hausman spoke, barely looking up from her tablet. "I know very little about you besides the gleaning of information I've gotten from Lewis. However, based on logic and application of scientific ethical principles, I have concluded to take the utmost care in this research. Not only are there principles guiding how scientists such as myself can deal with aquatic species, you as well are most likely going to be considered 'endangered species' since there are so few known of your kind. Add in the fact that you all have mental capabilities of rational thought, speech, and empathy which is, for obvious reasons being that you were all born as humans, on par with normal humans, there is little I can do in the way of doing anything that could be considered slightly harmful to you."

"Well that's a fucking mouthful," Fallon complained from behind all of them, they turned to see her walking up from behind. "A mermaid for not long at all, and I'm already considered a different species. I definitely did not see my sophomore year of high school turning out this way. What does that mean anyway?"

Dr. Hausman looked up fully from the tablet in her hand. "It means I have to respect you. Yet, I'm still going to do this research, whatever it takes," she admitted. "But, as a scientist at the highest of ethical code, I will be doing my utmost to preserve your dignity."

"Right. Duly noted," Bella scoffed.

"Anyway…" Lewis interjected, trying to change the subject. "Dr. Hausman, this is my girlfriend Cleo Sertori, my friends Emma Gilbert and Bella Hartley, and their protege Fallon Hale. I don't see their other one, Anna McKay at the moment. But, she's around here somewhere. Treat them with respect and you'll receive it back. They're still people after all."

"Pleasure to meet you," Dr. Hausman nodded.

Lewis turned back, "Dr. Hausman, can I have a quick word with them? They are obviously still tense and I'm going to make sure they're ok."

Dr. Hausman nodded. "Remember Lewis," She spoke mysteriously, changing up her tone, "My neck is on the line for you. If you convince them to be slower, if you give them ways to try and escape, or if you destroy evidence, you will immediately stripped of your position and be in deep legal trouble. Do I make myself clear?"

Lewis chuckled. "For the millionth time yes, you don't have to worry about me. I want what is best for them, and the best thing for them is to finish this research."

"And yet I still will remind you of your obligation to my research. And, just in case, if these girls do escape, whether by your help or not, you will be the suspect number one," Dr. Hausman warned.

"I understand more than you realize Dr. Hausman," Lewis reminded. He understood the stupidity of trying to release the mermaids from a maximum security area. But, that doesn't mean he couldn't do his best to help the girls. But… they still needed a back up plan if the girls were never allowed to actually live there life. These were baby steps, and despite the captivity, they were safe here for the moment.

Dr. Hausman stepped away slowly, allowing Lewis to have more freedom to talk with the girls. Emma, Bella, Cleo, and Fallon crowded around Lewis closely, eager to hear what he had to say about the outside world of which they were locked away from. "What is it Lewis?" Emma questioned.

"I think you should be aware of what's going on in the world since your capture. And since these arseholes haven't giving you any news or contact to the outside, I guess now it's up to me. Several things have happened since your capture, and it may not exactly be good at all" Lewis spoke, trying his best to be straight to the point with his words. "While you were being held in the police station, Zane and Sara returned to Gold Coast to confront a girl who was going to reveal how a person could possibly become a mermaid…. That girl, Raven, turned herself into a mermaid purposefully for some sense of fame and fortune. And that's when Sara fought her and almost killed her with her… abilities. Sara fled somewhere far away and nobody knows where she went."

"That's awful…" Bella trailed off.

"We have a duty and an instinct to protect… the island..." Emma spoke, keeping her voice low. "I don't think violence was the answer, but I understand Sara's anger."

"There's so much more…" Lewis sighed. " More than just Sara disappearing." The girls pressed in for more information, eager to hear what Lewis had to say. Lewis cleared his throat and continued. "Mermaids are now considered dangerous species after your debacle with the police…"

The four girls turned their heads downward in dismay, guilt, and regret. Especially Fallon. Becoming moonstruck, and even though it really wasn't her fault, she felt the worst about it besides Anna of course who was still sulking underwater. "We ruined it…" Cleo trailed off.

"Nobody blames you for what happened," Lewis spoke. "You all were put into an impossible situation with no way out. We understand. But we must understand where to go from here. Anyway, there's still more news… Now, this is where it gets weird," Lewis sighed, turning toward Emma. "Em… Your brother…"

"Oh my god is he alright?" Emma blurted out, interrupting Lewis.

"Well he's alive… Some good news first. I heard from Zane that he has a new girlfriend so that's even better news," Lewis chuckled. Emma allowed a tiny smile, even though in the back of her head she knew whatever was coming next would be tough to hear. "This is where it gets weird. From what Zane told me, he… was on the island… during the moon," Lewis continued quieter this time to avoid being heard, trying to be vague yet have the girls understand his point.

Emma raised an eyebrow, until the meaning of Lewis' sentence slammed her in the face slammed her in the face. Her mouth opened slowly, unable to control itself, as her face went pale. "Wait a second," Cleo chimed in for Emma who was still in shock. "You're telling us that Elliot… is a merman?"

"Yes… That's exactly what I'm saying…" Lewis answered. "The whole world knows about it. He was revealed on TV when Sara went crazy and injured the other girl. Both him and his girlfriend Elizabeth were changed at the same time."

"My poor brother…" Emma spoke, slowly recovering from the shock. "I had hoped to protect him from this whole thing… But he got completely wrapped up into it. You're right Lewis, everything has changed. How has he been adjusting to it?"

"I wish I knew," Lewis shook his head. "I lost contact with them after learning that. What I do know is that your brother, his girlfriend, Zane, Mia, and Katy have fled Gold Coast on Denman's research boat. They're now fugitives and a lot of law enforcement want to find them, at the very least for questioning." Lewis raised a finger when one of the girls was about to ask a question, silencing her so he could fully finish. "There's still more. Denman, Rikki, Farley, and this other girl Luisa escaped from California with an associate of Denman's. They are well, as far as I know, but they're gone as well."

"There's so much going on," Cleo spoke, putting a hand on Emma to steady herself. "The entire world has changed for the worse… There's gotta be something we can do?"

"We can do this research," Emma spoke. "No matter what happens, we have to stick together and we get through this."