Howdy people :P First off, I am going to say that after this chapter I refuse to update until I have re-read the entire Ingo series. Because, to be frank, I haven't read them for at least a year and I feel that my writing is lacking because of that. The reason I have avoided reading them for so long is pretty much because every time I read them…this is going to sound stupid, but…well I get totally addicted to them and get really depressed and low because I still haven't found a way to live in Ingo :P It's true! That's how much I get into these books!

Also, sorry for not updating sooner; firstly I was on a creative writing course, which Helen Dunmore herself actually sometimes teaches, but she didn't teach the one I went on, sadly. But my teachers were still great :D Plus, if Helen had been teaching, I would probably have been staring at her, awestruck for the entire trip and I would have been too scared to read anything out XD. And then after that trip, I managed to get quite a bad chest infection, which was complicated by my asthma, and then I had a load of University visits and conferences and then I had family drama and drama at school and then I've had exams to revise for (and still do :S)…it's all been a bit blegh! In other news, however, I have finally found a new Cornish dictionary which I am extremely happy with, so Mer speech incoming! :D I hope you enjoy the chapter!

The lyrics used are from 'What The Water Gave Me' by Florence + The Machine

In addition, thank you so, so much to everyone who has taken the time to review! I'm over 100 now! I can't believe it! This is the most reviews I've ever had! I screamed when I saw I had over 100! So this chapter is dedicated to hhh, anon, Kera and Julia-xo. Thank you! 3

Chapter Twelve

I hastily shove my feet back into my school shoes, which make a soft squelching noise due to the fact the bottom of my tights are now soaked with salt water. The sun is growing low in the sky as I swing my bag back over my shoulder and head along the track towards the cottage. The weight of the bag almost feels like chains around a prisoner, weighing me down and dispelling the light, free thrill of Ingo.

I sigh softly and push open the gate, just far enough so that it doesn't creak, and slide through the gap, shutting it securely behind me. I slip silently up the path and try to open the front door as noiselessly as I can. Luckily music is blaring from the radio in the kitchen. I listen closely and I can hear Mum and Roger in the front room, talking softly. No Conor. I silently send up a prayer to anyone who might be listening that he's not lying in wait for me, ready to pounce and ask me where I've been. Not that he'll have any trouble guessing. The worst thing will be the disappointment in his eyes.

I shudder, and then shake myself, slipping off my shoes and slowly padding towards the stairs, using the music to cover and creaking floorboards. I recognise the song; actually I think Rainbow lent me this album once, actually. She said a couple of songs on there reminded her of me.

And time goes quicker between the two of us;
Oh, my love, don't forsake me;
Take what the water gave me…

The song lyrics seem oddly appropriate. I smile to myself slightly, ascending the stair case towards my room, the song still echoing from the living room.

'Cause she's a cruel mistress,
And a bargain must be made.
But oh, my love, don't forget me,
I let the water take me…

I sigh and push open my bedroom door; although I suppose technically at the moment its Conor's room, because he's sleeping in here. Sadie's curled up on the bed; she sees me and bounds up, lolloping towards me and jumping up, barking happily and licking my face. I scrunch her ears gently. "I'm here…" I mumble, kneeling down and wrapping my arms around her neck, burying my face in her sleek golden coat. "I came back. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

"Sapphire?"

I turn, hearing Roger's voice from outside the door. "Is that you up there?"

"Yeah." I call back, standing up, quickly pulling off my wet tights and slipping my feet into Conor's slippers. Having feet covered in sand and salt water would be a bit of a giveaway.

"Could I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure." I reply and he opens the door, stepping inside and shutting it behind him.

"Sit down, Sapphire." He says, gesturing to the bed, and I do so, shifting to make room for him as he sits beside me, feeling my stomach sink slightly. This is beginning to look suspiciously like an attempt at a heart to heart.

"Now, Sapphire." He begins, shifting slightly awkwardly. "I know I can never replace your father, and I want to make it clear that I absolutely in no way try to intend to…"

Oh God. It is a heart to heart. I feel myself automatically wrapping my arms around myself, like an attempt at a defensive barrier.

"…but I just want you to know that if you have a problem or anything you need to talk about, you can come to me. I do care about you, and I want to be there for you."

We had one of these little 'talks' after the wedding, and it was an excruciatingly awkward, although not entirely unexpected, experience which I never wanted to experience again. But why is he giving me one right now? Is it because of the baby? Is he trying to stop me from feeling replaced?

"I know you're getting older and now that you're sixteen, you're probably going to have a lot of feelings and emotions which you are going to be confused about…"

I feel my eyes widen. Oh my God no. Don't let be that kind of 'talk'. Don't let this be that kind of 'talk'…

"…especially when it comes to boys. You are going to have certain urges…"

No. No. Nononono. It is that kind of 'talk'.

"And I just want to make sure that you are aware-"

"Roger!"

He stops talking, shifting uncomfortably.

"What bought this on?" I ask, grimacing slightly. "I know about this stuff…they tell us about it at school…"

"Oh." He looks rather relived. "Sorry."

"Why were you even…why did you feel the need…?"

"Sapphire." He's smiling in an understanding way. "I know where you've been going when you've said you're going down to the cove."

I blink. "Y-you do?"

"Yes. I saw you today."

Oh God.

"Y-you did?"

"Yes. Sapphire, have you got a boyfriend?"

"What?! No!" If Rainbow has spread this around, I am going to annihilate her.

"Sapphire." He said gently. "I saw you with him today. Down at the cove. You don't have to be embarrassed."

I stare at him, my eyes slowly widening.

"Does Conor know?" he puts a hand on my shoulder. "Is that why you haven't been down to the cove lately? Does he disapprove?"

"Er…I'd prefer not to talk about it, thanks." I mumble, staring at my feet.

"Of course, of course…" Roger nods and stand up. "Well if you ever need anyone to lend an ear, you know where I am."

I manage to give him a convincing smile, which falls from my face as he leaves the room. Roger saw me with Faro. Roger saw Faro. I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself. He probably just thought he was a guy with his wetsuit pulled down to his waist, like I thought Elvira was when I saw her for the first time. Nevertheless…we've got to be more careful. Much more careful. It's Saturday tomorrow; I'll go and tell Faro then. I have got to warn him, just in case. I'll get up early, sneak past Conor and make my way down to the cove. Faro will be there, and if he's not I'll go and find him. If Roger finds out…I can't even bear to think about what might happen. Images of Faro being taken away, locked in a tank, cut up by scientists float through my mind. And it won't be just him. Once humans know about the Mer, who knows what they might do? Once they have a taste of the money they could make, they'll never stop. Whispers my Mer blood. They'll be the death of Ingo.

I shiver, feeling suddenly cold, and yank the window shut. I stare through the glass at the streaks of scarlet and sienna beginning to light up the sky, and sigh, resting my head against the cold glass. I can see the sea from here, just over the edge of the cliff, and suddenly I feel tired, so, so tired, tired of fighting to stay evenly rooted in two worlds, tired of trying to balance things between Conor and Faro, tired of having to go to school every day and go through the endless cycle of lessons and homework and revision…tired, tired, tired. I just want to sleep. Just go to sleep forever. It's similar to the feeling the current gave me three or four years ago, when it swept me away upon my emergence from the Deep. Tired. Empty.

With a sigh I sit down on the bed, kicking off the slippers. I'll just rest for a little while. But when I close my eyes, I am instantly lost to the world.

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