Chapter 8: Night watch

Bella's Pov.

Hope you enjoy this. It's a suspenseful chapter…. Thanks for all the reviews and for some reason my computer doesn't like the evil marine biologist's name. I have no idea why but in place of her name is D.

Rikki woke me up with less force than I expected. I knew she was strong and probably was trying not to hurt me or she could have just been really exhausted. I woke up in a doze myself and I believe that Rikki told me when my shift would be over. I have no idea what she really said though, I was too sleepy. I know she said something about waking her up if something went wrong. I really hoped that nothing would go wrong during my shift.

After a while I got really thirst so I decided to go to the kitchen and get something to drink. I also had to go and get something from Cleo's room. When I got back I just sat down on the couch and waited. It took me a minute but I finally realized something was wrong. I looked to my left where Emma was laying before I left to get a drink. Now Cleo and Rikki were lying on the couch. I had a really weird feeling like something bad was about to happen and that it had to do with Emma.

All of a sudden I heard a noise that sounded like it came from outside the front door. I cautiously made my way to the front door. I was beyond freaking out on the inside. I had the craziest feeling like something bad was about to happen.

I wasn't expecting what happened next. Someone grabbed me from behind. I tried to scream but wasn't successful at all. Then I saw the door open and step inside. Luckily for me she blocked the moon's light. Two of her guards entered behind her.

"Hello again Bella. Nice to see you again." D said. Of all the crap she could have said. I was disgusted.

"What do you want?" I honestly was a bit curious to see what she had planned for me and the others.

"What any scientist wants." She smiled devilishly

"What, to dissect me?" I cut her off and I knew I angered her. I also was only talking about me on purpose because I figured if she only wanted me then that would save the others from being exposed.

"No, of course not. I want answers and your cooperation." She answered back. I couldn't believe that she couldn't find anything better than that to convince me.

"So what are you going to do to me if I decline your offer?" I asked for some stupidly random reason. I knew I needed to stall for time I had to figure out something fast.

"Well you can come willingly or," she paused. I guessed what she was going to say next. Especially because she walked over to Cleo and Rikki. "Or, we can do to you as we did to them." She looked down and Cleo and Rikki. I needed to do something fast. She could hurt me if I didn't. I did; however, want to find out what she meant by we. I was way too curious.

"Who's we?" I asked before I stop myself from saying anything.

"I believe it's time you met my assistants. Come in girls." I figured it was Emma so I was really shocked to see who entered. The first girl was some person I really didn't know. I guessed she was Charlotte, the girl Cleo hated. She looked a bit taller than Cleo and had a reddish tint to her brownish hair. I could see why Cleo could hate her.

When the second girl came in I realized who it was immediately. Sophie, my boyfriend's older sister. Why was she here? The sight of Sophie made me fight hard to escape my restraints.

"Bella, I didn't know you'd be here. D told me we were just doing research she hinted toward D. What's going on here? Why is she restrained?" It was obvious that D didn't tell her anything and I was glad. As much as I wanted to say she was lying I knew she wasn't and that she sadly was telling the truth.

"Apparently, you know nothing. Sophie, may I introduce you to the real Cleo and Rikki." She walked over to Rikki and Cleo, who were still unconscious, and grabbed my water. She was about to splash and expose them but I spoke up just in time.

"Wait, I'll go with you willingly." I screamed.

"Thank you Bella, but it's time to show Sophie the truth." I thought of something I could tell her to convince her to leave us alone. I knew I had to hurry.

"Then do it to me. They aren't well you know. They won't change. It's only me and Emma." I quickly stated. I really hated lying but at that point it was mandatory.

"Suit yourself." Instead of throwing the water on me; however, she went over and splashed the water on Cleo. I really hated lying but at that point it was mandatory.

"Suit yourself." Instead of throwing the water on me; however, she went over and splashed the water on Cleo. I waited for Cleo's orange mermaid tail to appear but it didn't. 10 seconds passed and I was in a way both shocked and happy that she didn't transform. I then remembered that tonight was a full moon.

After a minute of being in complete shock, D poured some water on Rikki. Again nothing happened. I was really happy about that. Then she came over to me.

"Well I guess you were telling the truth. Let's see who the real you is and if you were telling the truth." I knew she was going to expose me and I didn't really care at that moment. I just needed to escape even if Sophie did see me as long as I escaped and they couldn't find me then I would be safe.

I was lucky though, she only put a few drops of water on me. Ten seconds later I was a mermaid. I instantly fell to the ground. I looked at Charlotte, who wasn't surprised at all. Actually, she was smiling at me. Sophie; however, was completely in shock she was just standing there staring in amazement.

Having no reason to hold me anymore because of my inability to go anywhere far the man who restrained me let go. That was a big mistake for him. I wiped off the drop of water and transformed back into my normal self. I bolted to the door as fast as I could. I somehow managed to get out of Cleo's house. I didn't have a choice but to leave Cleo and Rikki there. I knew that Denman wouldn't have any reason to take them now. I'd be back to talk with them later. I just had to get away for now. In the distance I could hear D order her men to find me.

I knew exactly where I needed to go. I just hoped I could run there before anyone, especially Sophie, figured out where I could have gone. Before I got there I took out my phone; which, thankfully I had in my pocket. I dialed Lewis' cell phone number and anxiously waited for him to answer. I hoped he would considering it was 2 am in the morning. Luckily for Cleo and Rikki's sakes he did.

"Hello, Bella?" he didn't seem so sure.

"Yeah it's me. Something happened at Cleo's. You have to go wake them up. I think they're moonstruck or something. I'll explain everything later. Tell them that I'm okay and that I'll see them soon. Oh, and Lewis." I paused thinking about how I could tell him. "She knows I'm a mermaid and that Emma is too. One last thing, Emma disappeared. I think D has her. Look I really have to go. They're after me now. I'll call when it's safe. Bye." I hung up giving him as much information as I could afford to give. I ran like the wind, my dirty blonde hair shimmering in the moonlight. I tried as best I could to stay in the shadows. I needed to avoid anyone suspicious as well as any light patches. I also had to be careful not to look up. I did not want to become moonstruck like I figured Rikki and Cleo were. I just knew where I had to go in order to be safe.