Sirena's POV

"A-Aquata," I whisper as Nixie catches up with me, pulling up short as well.

"Is that?" she trails off softly. My heart clenches and my stomach lurches violently.

"Aquata!" I cry out, rushing over to her still form. My panic grows as I see the multiple wrappings that lace around her tail and sides. Many of the white bandages have large crimson splotches that are spreading through them. "Aquata," I repeat, tears pooling in my eyes. "Please!"

"Sirena," Nixie begins her voice sounding far away. "It's going to be alright."

I shake my head and bite my lip hard enough to draw blood. Wake up! I beg silently. "Wake up!" I wrap my arms around her shoulders and bury my face in her still wet hair. "Please Aquata! Don't leave me again."

"Sirena you need to let her go," Sarah orders. "She's still weak." A pair of hands grab my shoulders, pulling gently.

"No," I screech, clinging to my sister. I can't lose her.

"Sirena, let go! you don't want to make it worse, do you?" Sarah demands. She pulls my arms off of Aquata, and the person behind me yanks my away from Aquata.

"No," I beg, my fin smacking against the ground. "Let go of me!" A hand wraps around my tail and Diana lifts me off the ground. I twist in her grip, still screaming.

"Sirena, its okay," Nixie says.

"No its not! you don't know anything," I spit. Nixie steps back, startled. My fin smashes into Diana's knee and she grunts in pain. The door bangs open as Rita and Lyla come rushing in.

"What's going on?" Rita demands. I strain frantically against Diana, my eyes red and puffy, tears still spilling from them. I continue to beg to be released.

"Sirena, please! I don't want to drop you, you need to settle down," Diana states as she moves towards the door. I turn and shove against Diana, trying to pry away from her. A hand presses into my spin and there's a small stinging sensation in my shoulder blade. I start to feel woozy and after a moment I slump against Diana, my chin hitting her shoulder.

Diana's POV

I sigh with relief as Sirena stills. "Thanks," I tell Sarah. She nods, her mouth pressed into a grim line.

She walks over to her patient, gently checking her over. "What got into her?" Lyla approaches the gurney as well, her eyes wide. Sarah tenses. "Don't freak out," she orders. "I will do the same to you."

Lyla shakes her head. "Don't worry, I won't."

"Why did Sirena?" Sarah inquires.

Lyla nods to the injured mermaid. "Because its Aquata, Sirena's blood sister."

I suck in sharply, looking down at the girl in my arms. "Poor girl I had forgotten she had a sister. This has to be a horrible way to be reunited."

Rita runs a hand through Sirena's hair. "How long will she sleep?"

"About an hour," Sarah replies.

"And what are the logical chances of Aquata surviving the night?"

"I don't know. I've never dealt with anything this bad before. Most things attacked be a crocodile, don't get away from it," Sarah admits. Rita sighs.

"I know."

"Could those rings of yours do anything?" I inquire. "The ones you used on Nixie? They made that blue glow?"

"Our moon rings? They might be able to help a little but," Rita sighs again. "They're all back home. I made Sirena take hers off just in case it might be recognized. They slipped my mind when you called."

"What about hers?" Sarah nods to the ring on Aquata's finger.

"Maybe, if it has enough power," Rita murmurs. "But-" Sarah reaches out to take the ring. Her fingers brush against it and there's a blue spark. Sarah curses and yanks her hand back.

"What the heck?"

"Defense mechanism. Human hands can't touch a moon ring that has an owner, it would be different if she was already dead, but that's counterproductive. Most moon rings also have a failsafe. No mermaid can remove it either. It can be used if she was to give it to us, or if it wasn't on her finger, but its useless to us the way it is."

"What about Sirena?" Lyla suggests. "Could it be different for blood relatives?"

Nixie nods. "And Aquata gave Sirena her other moon ring, that could count for something."

"I don't know. It's possible, but we won't know until Sirena wakes up."

"All these defenses. How powerful are those rings?" I ask.

"Very," Rita replies. "They strengthen our magic, and can be deadly if used incorrectly. That's why their designed to attempt to reject humans."

"We could use them?" Sarah inquires.

"No. But your touch would make the magic inside unstable. It would likely backfire and cause a massive explosion."

"Stay away from blue mermaid rings, got it," I confirm. "I don't know much about them, but it sounds like we should leave it alone. We'll have to give her the blood and leave the rest up to her. I'm going to take Sirena to one of the other rooms. My arms are getting a tad sore and she shouldn't be in here when she wakes up." I don't wait for an objection as I turn and ferry Sirena to the second floor.

I gently ease the door open and peer inside. Sirena is sitting on the roll-out bed, her eyes glazed over and far away. Her hands are folded in her lap and her hair is frizzing out. I walk over and sit beside her. She pulls out of her daze slightly, her eyes flicking to me before returning to stare at the wall.

"Sirena-"

"Is she going to be okay," Sirena murmurs, cutting me off. I smile softly, unsure of what to say.

"Sarah is going to do everything she can. I'm glad you're awake, how are you feeling."

"I'm fine," she mutters.

"Are you sure? I know this has to be hard on you, but it will be alri-"

"Diana?" Sirena interrupts, her voice cracking. "Can you please stop talking about it?"

I nod. "Yeah, come here." I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her closer. She tenses, but doesn't fight and seconds later a scalding sob escapes her.

"I can't lose her," she sniffles. "Not again." I rub her back and don't say anything, knowing she just needs to vent. "She's always looked out for me, and I was s-so worried when she had to leave. She was so far away and I didn't know if she was okay. Now she isn't and I can't help her. I'm scared. Please, she's got to be okay." Sirena's tears begin to soak through the sleeve of my shirt.

"Honey, I know it's hard," I begin, choosing my words carefully. "But Sarah is really good at her job, she won't quit on Aquata. Your sister has the blood she needs and the best care we can offer her."

"It won't be enough will it?"

"I-" I break off. "I honestly don't know. But you know your sister, and if she's strong, she can get through this. And we're all here for you." I feel her swallow.

"Thanks. And I'm sorry for freaking out earlier. I didn't hurt you did I?"

I shake my head. "No. You worried me, that's all. You didn't hurt yourself either right?" she shakes her head but doesn't respond. "Are you hungry at all?"

"No."

"Is there anything I can get you?" she doesn't reply. "Come on Sirena, there's got to be something that can make you feel a little better."

She pulls away from me, lying back and curling her legs up. "My sister," she whispers, closing her eyes. I feel my heart crack. I rise and silently leave the room, sensing her need to sort out her emotions. I walk down the hall and run into Nixie.

"How is she?" Nixie asks. I shake my head helplessly.

"Distraught, in pain, scared. She hurting and I think she knows that Aquata is going to have to struggle to survive."

"Does she really have any chance?"

"Yes," I assure her. "Every minute she continues to breath is a sign she's trying to stick around. Tonight will be the worst. If she makes it through the night, then her chances will increase quite a bit. I'm worried about her tail though," I admit.

Nixie frowns. "Why?"

"Because it's quite damaged. Even if she heals, I doubt it will ever be perfect again. And if it heals wrong, then she might never swim properly again. Tell me, is Aquata able to dry out like you girls? We've been keeping her wet just in case but…"

Nixie shakes her head. "No. All of us are capable of it, but we need to use the moon rings. Aquata would never do that. She's probably the most honor bound and cautious mermaid I know. She would never willingly come on land or get legs. Why?"

I sigh. "Because there's good chance she'll retain extensive damage, to the point where it may cripple her. If she was to agree to gaining legs and using a cane or crutches, she could potentially stay with Rita and forge a life for herself here, it would be easier on her," I explain.

"She won't ever agree to it," Nixie objects. "The three of us willingly used the ring and even I can't stand to be away from the ocean for more than a day or so. Rita left entirely and she can manage a week before she needs to swim it off for several hours. Aquata wouldn't last long that way. Besides, her place is with the pod. Gaining legs is breaking a big rule, and Aquata would likely choose to die first."

"Then I suppose I'm not left with many options. We'd better hope for a couple miracles, because otherwise," I take a deep shaky breath. "Otherwise I may be forced to make Aquata's home here… permanently."

Dreary chapter… sorry if not much happened in it, I wanted to focus more on Sirena's reaction than anything in this chapter. I got such inspiring reviews on the last chapter that I had to write this ASAP. I really appreciate all the support all of you are giving me. so what do you think? I'm not sure how I want it to play out. Should I make it tough on Diana, forcing her to make such an undesirable decision, or should those couple of miracles happen. I don't think any of us want Aquata to die, so we're at a fork in the road, full recovery, or permeant addition… I'll let you all mull it over, what would make the story most interesting? Let me know, as always, I love to hear from you all. :)

-Mermaid