Yeah I know, it's been a few days since I last updated this one. I was writing the chapter in a notebook, and it took me forever not because I had writer's block, but because the chapter was really long. So I apologize.

Chapter Six: Hydrophobia

"Mercy!" her mother called, "Hurry up and get dressed, your father's taking us to the beach."

A seven-year-old Mercy quickly went to her room, put on her swimsuit, and put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to go over it. She then went back out to the kitchen where her mother was waiting. Taking Mercy by the hand, her mother walked with her out to the car where her father was waiting.

Mercy climbed in the car and buckled herself in. Her father then drove the hour-long drive to one of the many beaches along the great Lake Ontario. Her parents had promised to teach her how to swim, and the little girl was extremely excited.

Once they got to the beach, the family claimed a picnic table and set up their beach umbrella and laid out their towels.

"Ready to swim?" Mercy's father asked after they finished setting up their things.

The little girl nodded and her parents led her out to the water. Mercy stuck her foot in the water and discovered it wasn't too cold. Thus, the girl waded out into the lake following her parents. Once Mercy was chest deep in the water, her father went to show her a stroke. The little girl went to try it, but tripped and was sucked underwater.

Her body was scraped against zebra mussels and through seaweed as a current caught her and started pulling her out deeper. Mercy could feel her cut and bleeding body being slowly suffocated. She groped for the surface, but her hands never left the water. She tried calling for help, but her mouth was filled with water instead. She felt her lungs giving out and her strength leaving her.

Unable to try and reach for the surface again, Mercy gave up allowing herself to be consumed by the great body of water.

Mercy jumped awake and sat bolt upright in her bed. She was clutching her throat and gasping for breath. Cold sweat ran down her face causing the android to shiver. Glancing over at the clock, she saw it was 3:32am. Megatron was snoring softly from the couch and knowing he was sound asleep, Mercy left the room.

The girl went out to the living room and sat down in the center of the couch. She curled herself into a ball and sat there trying to calm herself down. The images of the dream kept playing back in her mind though, and scared her even more.

"What's wrong Mercy?"

Mercy looked up to see Megatron standing before her, the moonlight silhouetting his dark figure. She hadn't even heard him come out and he had startled her.

"N-Nothing, I-I'm fine," Mercy stammered.

"I'm not convinced. Now pull yourself together and get back to bed."

"Why is it so important that I rest?"

"The more rest you get, the more energy you give off during the day," Megatron explained, "Now go."

"Can I just stay here for a few more minutes?" Mercy asked.

"What happened?"

"I had a bad dream."

Megatron muttered something inaudible and sat down to the left of her on the couch and sighed, "It was just a dream, don't worry about it. Come up with a happy ending to it and go back to bed."

"Just how am I supposed to come up with a happy ending for death?"

"Who died?"

"I did."

"How?"

"I drowned."

Megatron laughed, "Oh Mercy, you're an android now, you don't need to breathe unless you want to."

"I'm afraid of water."

"You coward, did you not hear what I just said?"

"I did, but how come I still breathe without even realizing I am?"

"It must be a reflex, trust me on this Mercy, now go back to bed," he remarked glancing over at her, "Hold on a minute."

"What?"

"Just hold still," Megatron said taking hold of her jaw with one of his powerful hands. He then touched her left cheek.

"Ouch, stop it!"

"I guess I punched you pretty hard, that's a pretty nasty bruise you got there."

"Let go of me," Mercy stated twisting out of his grasp.

"Go back to bed," Megatron ordered giving her a little push.

Mercy got up and returned to her room. Megatron watched as she disappeared into her bedroom. "I don't think I've met anyone as pathetic as her," he exclaimed stretching and lying down on the couch not bothering to return to the sofa in Mercy's room.

The next morning Mercy got up and got ready. She was just about to grab her backpack when she stopped and examined her cheek in the mirror. The bruise wasn't that big, but it was a deep purple against her white skin.

Megatron came up behind her suddenly saying, "I don't think you should go to school with that."

"I have to."

"Why?"

"If I don't go to school, someone calls home to see where I am, then the next day I have to have a written excuse from a parent saying why I didn't go to school," Mercy explained.

"I could pose as your legal guardian," Megatron suggested.

"No, I'd rather you not."

"Just what are you going to tell people when they ask about it?"

"I'll think of something," Mercy stated turning from the mirror and grabbing her backpack.

"You better," Megatron remarked and followed her out of the door turning invisible.

Mercy walked up the stairs to get to her locker, only to discover Brenna standing next to it. The android paused for a moment and then went over to her locker and started doing her lock combination.

"Hey LeCroix," Brenna stated obviously not noticing the bruise.

Mercy managed to open her locker and glanced at Brenna saying, "Wouldn't you rather be talking with Brittany?"

"Whoa, cut the harshness LeCroix. And if I wanted to hang with Brittany, I would be over with her right now," Brenna explained, "So LeCroix, are you wearing your piercing?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"I don't want to, it's rather distracting."

"You'll get used to it."

"I'm sorry Brenna, but I'm not wearing it," Mercy exclaimed shutting her locker.

"You're rather uptight today, what's up?"

"It's nothing, honestly."

"Oh, so there is something?"

Mercy felt cornered, "No there's nothing wrong. Just leave me alone Brenna."

Brenna changed the topic suddenly; "We have swim class today instead of gym. Is that any fun?"

"Oh I forgot about that, shoot."

"Did you forget your swimsuit?"

"No, I have one in my gym locker. It's just that I hate swimming."

"How come? All you do is float around."

"I don't know how to swim."

Brenna looked extremely surprised, "How can you not know how to swim?"

"I never had a chance to learn."

"How deep is the pool?"

"Twelve feet in one end, and four feet at the other."

"So just stay in the shallow end."

"I'll try, but Coach Hill expects me to know how to swim by now."

"Coach Hill or no Coach Hill, if you can't swim LeCroix, he won't make you."

"You obviously don't know him then," Mercy said heading towards homeroom.

"I told you not to socialize with her."

"I know, but I didn't listen."

"Mercy, you better listen to me unless you want another bruise on your other cheek to match the one you have now."

"You really think I'm going to listen to you when you keep threatening me?"

"I advise you not get yourself any deeper into this mess."

"Well, don't worry about it," Brenna remarked suddenly falling into step with Mercy.

"I'm not worried," Mercy explained, "I don't let myself worry about anything."

"Nothing? What if your parents stopped giving you money or something?"

"Then I'll get a job."

"Minimum wage isn't going to be enough LeCroix, you should start worrying about a few things."

"What's it matter?"

"LeCroix, you better change your attitude or else I'll tell someone that you're living on your own."

"You shouldn't care so much about me Brenna, why don't you just leave me alone? It'd be best for the both of us."

"That's it Mercy, drive her away."

"Maybe for me, but not for you. Face it LeCroix, you need me."

"My sources tell me you're nothing but trouble."

"And who are your sources?"

"That's a secret."

"Well your sources are wrong. I like to have fun, and you look like you need some of that," Brenna explained.

"Leave me alone."

"Did yesterday never happen?"

"You are the one who wanted to be my friend Brenna, you are the one who said I wasn't that bad of a person, and I am the one who told you that you don't really know me. Now don't you wish you kept things that way?"

Brenna glared at her and walked away. Mercy sat down in her seat in homeroom thinking, "Jeez Megatron you were so worried. Brenna didn't say a thing about the bruise."

"A rather interesting thing you should say considering what just happened."

"I have a feeling that I didn't drive Brenna away for good."

"We'll see, but Mercy?"

"What?"

"I'm interested to know if you're actually going to go to swim class."

"I have to unless I want to make it up later."

"I see."

"Just do me a favor and stay out of the locker room while the other girls and I are changing."

"...Right."

Brenna avoided Mercy during the rest of homeroom and all of first period. Second period came all too quickly for the android though as she reported to the locker room and changed into her swimsuit. Grabbing a towel, she followed the rest of the class to the pool. Mercy had just settled herself on the bench when Brenna suddenly sat down next to her.

"Looking for an apology?" Mercy asked

"No. As of now, homeroom never happened."

"If you say so."

Coach Hill began taking attendance and the class went silent. When he got to Mercy's name, he smirked and said, "Ah Mercy, you can join the rest of us in the deep end today."

"Coach Hill?" Brenna suddenly spoke up, "How about I stay down in the shallow end and teach Mercy how to swim?"

"No, if she wants to live, she'll learn how to swim on her own today."

"You know you can be reported for this," Brenna explained.

"Oh are you suddenly Mercy's mouth now?" Coach Hill asked.

"No, she just knows the meaning of the work friend," Mercy exclaimed.

"Oh really?" Coach Hill remarked, "Get in that pool now Miss LeCroix, and do five laps. You better have one done by the time I finish taking attendance or that will be an after school detention."

"I've had enough of your coach. Get up Mercy, and do exactly as I say."

Mercy got up from the bench, "Now what?"

"Go over to the side of the pool and ask for your coach."

"Alright," Mercy responded going over to the side of the pool. "Hey Coach Hill?" she asked.

"What?" the coach demanded turning towards her. As he turned, his foot connected with some unknown object causing him to trip and fall into the pool.

"Nice one Megatron," Mercy thought with a smile on her face.

"He had it coming to him. Only one person can boss you around and insult you, and that's me."

Mercy rolled her eyes as the rest of the girls chuckled at the sight of their gym teacher, that is until Coach Hill surfaced coughing and sputtering for help. It turned out that he didn't know how to swim either.

"Ah, this could work to our advantage. Rescue him Mercy."

"Can't we just let him drown?"

"Wouldn't you rather burn him?"

"Good point, but how am I supposed to rescue him if I can't swim?"

"Just get in the water."

"But I—

"Get in!"

Reluctantly, Mercy eased herself into the water clinging tightly to the wall of the pool as she did so. Summoning all her will power, the android extended her arm reaching for her coach. Her coach seized her hand and ripped her from the wall suddenly.

"This is all your fault!" he shouted punching Mercy in the face and shoving her underwater.

It was quite apparent at that moment that Coach Hill had been pretending to drown and really knew how to swim. It was also apparent that the full potential of his anger had been unleashed. Afraid of their coach, no one dared to jump in and help Mercy. No one noticed Brenna run out of the pool room.

Brenna Meyers, though wearing nothing but a swimsuit, ran through an empty hallway to the high school office. The secretary glanced at her before asking, "Is there a problem miss?"

"Yes! Coach Hill fell in the pool and when one of the students went to help him, he started drowning her!" Brenna shouted nearly breathless.

Mr. Cushiant heard her and came out of his office, "Are you sure?"

"I ran all the way down here in a swimsuit, do you think I'm lying?"

Mr. Cushiant turned to the secretary, "Call the vice principal and the superintendent, Brenna, let's go."

Ignoring the rule of no running in the halls, Brenna and Mr. Cushiant sprinted to the pool.

It was almost like in Mercy's dream. Water filled her mouth, she groped madly for the surface but couldn't find it, and her body was being beaten. Yes her body was stronger, but it could only take so much. Mercy tried to fight back, but the water slowed her attacks so that they were equivalent to nothing.

"Megatron help me."

"I can't Mercy; there are too many people around. They'll suspect something."

"Sure, but if I live through this you owe me big time."

"Why would I owe you anything? You've had this coming to you."

"I'm saving your life, but you can't save mine?"

"You're not dying Mercy."

At that moment Brenna and Mr. Cushiant burst into the room. Going over to the side of the pool where Coach Hill and Mercy were at, he bellowed, "I demand you let go of Mercy at once and get out of the pool."

Realizing he was caught, Coach Hill abandoned Mercy and got out of the pool. Brenna dove in and helped her friend out of the water. Taking Mercy's towel, Brenna wrapped it around her friend's shoulders just as Mr. Forde, the high school vice principal, and Mr. Clarkson, the superintendent, entered the room.

"Mr. Hill," Mr. Clarkson exclaimed coming into the room, "I don't know what in the world possessed you to try and a drown a student. Nonetheless, I have contacted authorities and they are on their way."

Coach Hill sat down on the bench, "I had every right to, that demon, that psychopathic witch you call Mercy LeCroix does not deserve to live!"

"She thought you were drowning so she jumped in to save you even though she doesn't know how to swim!" Brenna declared coming to Mercy's defense once again.

"Brenna, you and Mercy go get changed then head over to the health clinic so Mercy can get checked out. Mercy, if you wish you may go home. As for the rest of you girls, go get changed as well. Then stay in the locker room until the bell rings," Mr. Clarkson ordered.

The swim class returned to the locker room and changed into their clothes. Once Mercy and Brenna had finished changing, the two headed for the health clinic.

"Are you alright LeCroix? If that man hurt you then—

"I'm fine."

"That's a nasty bruise he gave you. Are you sure you're alright?"

"You better not keep asking that, and yes, I'm sure."

"If you say so, I'm just curious to know what the doctors in the health clinic say."

"I'm not going."

"Not going? Of course you're going."

"No Brenna, I don't need to. Can you just take me home instead?"

"I don't know, we might get caught."

"It's a three second drive to my house, please Brenna."

Brenna glanced around, "Alright. C'mon, let's go."

The girls exited the school and got inside Brenna's red SUV just as the police arrived. As soon as the police went into the building, Brenna pulled out of the school parking lot and Mercy directed her to her home.

Mercy climbed out once Brenna stopped safely in the driveway. Sticking her head out of a rolled down window, Brenna called, "If you start feeling worse, go to the hospital. I'll be back after school to check on you okay?"

"No Brenna, you don't need to, and thanks for the ride."

"Any time LeCroix, you know you should come over to my house sometime."

"Tomorrow, after school."

"Really? Okay then it's a date. See you later LeCroix," Brenna exclaimed bringing her head back through the open window, shut it, and then backed out of the driveway and headed back to school.

Mercy didn't go inside and instead went out to her backyard where she stood looking at the forest. Images of what Coach Hill did to her flashed through her mind. Angrily she grabbed a handful of snow and threw it towards the forest.

"I'll burn you all," she cried, "I hate water; solid, liquid, or gas I hate it!"

No one heard her and Mercy went into her home where it was safe, warm, and dry. Lying down on the couch in the living room, she stared at the ceiling wondering what tomorrow was going to be like when her teacher had tried to kill her today.

"Where are you Mercy?"

"Home."

"What do you mean home?"

"Mr. Clarkson said I could go home, so I went home."

"Just how did you get back so fast? You couldn't have walked."

"Brenna gave me a ride."

"Mercy! I told you not to let her know where you live! Why can't you listen to me?"

"Do you have no sympathy at all? My teacher tried to kill me!"

"He wouldn't have succeeded even if Brenna hadn't gone for help. Now we'll finish this once I get back."

Mercy didn't say anything and tried to fall asleep. It seemed like she had just closed her eyes when suddenly someone grabbed her by the shirt collar and lifted her off the couch.

"Megatron," she mumbled still half asleep.

"I've had about enough of you not listening to me."

"Megatron I'm sorry," Mercy stated regaining full consciousness.

"No you're not."

"Why do you hate Brenna so? Just what has she done to make you hate her like this?"

"I don't trust her, and if she ever shows up here, I will not let you let her in. Do I make myself clear?"

"You didn't answer my question!"

Megatron went to slap her when suddenly there was a single blare from a police car siren. It was brief and piercing, and both Mercy and Megatron looked to the living room window.

"Oh Primus, just what we need," Megatron exclaimed watching as a police officer got out of his car and stared walking towards the house.

"Don't worry, I'm not in trouble," Mercy stated as Megatron went invisible.

Going over to the door, Mercy let the police officer in before he had to knock. Being gracious, Mercy offered him a seat at the kitchen table.

Once settled he asked, "Are you Mercy LeCroix?"

"Yes."

"I'm Officer Jackson of the New York State police. Would you mind if I asked you some question about Mr. Hill's actions towards you this morning?"

"No, not at all."

"First of all," the officer began taking out a pad of paper and a pen, "What happened when you entered the pool room?"

"Oh good grief, this is going to take forever."

"Don't keep him waiting Mercy."

"I sat down with the rest of the class on the bench and Coach Hill started taking attendance."

"How would you describe his mood?"

"Bored."

"Okay. What happened next?"

Mercy then explained the rest of the events that transpired, explaining each in full detail so the officer wouldn't have to ask so many questions. They then switched topics.

"Let me see your face so I can write down any injuries."

Reluctantly Mercy looked at him dead on, "Tell me what he's writing."

"Bruise on left cheek, bit of a swollen nose—

"My nose is not swollen."

"Just go with it."

"He's still writing."

"Let's see…he's not writing down your so-called injuries anymore, just a couple more notes."

"Well Miss LeCroix, thank you for your time. Now, someone from the station will be calling this evening to talk to one of your parents about this situation. Enjoy your afternoon," Officer Jackson said in a rather monotone and boring voice and then left.

Once he had driven away, Megatron reappeared, "I don't like this."

"You're the one who told me to get into the pool."

Megatron shot a glare at her and then said, "I'll pose as your father so there's nothing to worry about."

"Okay…I'm going back to sleep," Mercy replied yawning and went back over to the couch.

Mercy sat by the window in her room that night thinking about the possible situations her peers might put her in the next day. Would they respect her? Would they view her as a coward for going home? Or would they just go on as if nothing had happened at all?

Megatron had done a good job posing as her father. He actually sounded like he cared about the android for once, but Mercy knew it was just an act to get the police to perhaps leave her alone. And Brenna didn't stop by once school had ended, either she had forgotten to, or she actually listened to Mercy for once.

"Go to bed Mercy," Megatron suddenly said from his spot on the sofa.

Mercy had forgotten he was there, but being tired she slipped beneath the covers of her bed. A thought struck her suddenly Megatron turned off the light and went to leave the room.

"Megatron," she piped up.

"What is it now?" he asked rather impatiently.

"Is it true what Coach Hill said? Do you think I'm a psychopath?"

"Well, I've had my own suspicions about you being one, but there's one major clue that you really haven't given yet."

"And what's that?"

"I'll let you know if I ever see it. Now good night," Megatron stated walking out of the room and going to the living room where he settle himself on the couch, "How ironic it would be if Mercy turned out to be a psychopath just like me."

And so ends this chapter. Another long one, but anyways, reviews would greatly be appreciated!