Chapter 3: Deception

Emma's pov

I watched Cleo leave and let out a sigh of relief when she was gone. I didn't care what happened to mea s long as the others were safe. My eyes were still glued to Denman. She seemed happy and I knew why. Her plan was a success. She had a real mermaid. she had me...

"So what do you want with em? I'll tell you nothing." I screamed hoping it wouldn't be too bad.

"Nothing, yet. I just wanted to speak with you. You've been gone a long time Emma, Cleo and Rikki have replaced you." Denman said surprisingly sincere.

"They wouldn't do that." I defended, hoping she wasn't right.

" They already have." She explained

"You're lying."I screamed.

"Fine, don't believe me then. Go and see for yourself." She says with a warning tone. Wait,did she just say I could leave? This is too good to be true.

"I can leave?" I ask with a little sliver of hope.

"Yes, though you'll want to come back after you find out the truth. Rikki and Cleo replaced you, Emma. You can go, but when you come back I won't say I told you so. Here, you'll need these." She hands me a towel as I pull myself out of the pool.

"Thanks, I guess. Oh, and I will prove you wrong." I say as I dry myself off.

"Oh will you now?" she taunts.

"Yes, I will." I say determined.

"Lets have a bet then."

"What kind of bet?" I ask curious.

"If they have replaced you then you come back here and work with me, no questions asked. I promise not to dissect you like you think I would." I can't believe what she's proposing.

"And if I win?" I ask wondering what she'd be willing to bet.

"I leave and never come back. I'll forget about you three." I think about it for a second.

"No, i think I'll just go." I say as my tail disappears.

"So you don't believe in them?" I can't believe she's trying to get me to agree to this.

"I do, but I'd rather just leave." I say walking toward the door.

"So you doubt them that much?" How can she say that? She doesn't know them. I would give my life up for them, they're my soul sisters.

"I don't' doubt them. Fine, if it's a bet you want, it's a bet you'll get." I say angry. I can't believe I just did that.

"Alright, shall we shake hands before you leave to make it official?" I nod and we shake hands. As I leave I hear Denman call out to me a goodbye. My head is throbbing and the reasonable side is telling me the bet was a stupid idea. The other side of me says that i made the better choice of trusting my friends. Either way I'll find out soon enough.

I arrive at the entrance moon pool and notice it hasn't changed much. I missed it so much. The who year i've felt like i should've been there. I swim in and see that I'm not the only one there. There are four other mermaids. Wait, four? There should only be two. They turn toward me and I see two surprised looks and two confused looks.

"Emma, you're safe. Thank goodness." Cleo says and comes over to me.

"Way to go Emma, have you finally toughened up? Did you give Denman some of the punsihment she deserves?" Same old Rikki...

"I got away, isnt' that all that matters." I turn toward the other two mermaids. One of them looks like the girl's picture I saw at the lab as I was leaving. Guess she escaped. I assume that Cleo's to help with that.

"Well, did she do something to you like she tried to do to me?" I nod.

"At least you're safe, that's all that matters Emma." I smile at Cleo, she's still her same caring self. I nod and notice that they aren't wearing their lockets, but rather a crystal like necklace. I notice that the other girl is wearing the same necklace.

"What happened to your lockets?" I question. I have to know if what Denman said is right.

"Same old observant Emma." I hear Rikki say, but dont' acknoledge it.

"So, I know you're Eva, but who are you exactly?" I ask the other girl who's stayed quiet this whole time.

"I'm Bella, I moved here last year. And have been friends with these two sinc eI got here." I smile at here. I'm not sure if Denman's right, but part of me thinks she is.

"So you guys have been busy since I left I see." I say hinting at Bella.

"Yeah I guess we have. We're glad you're back though Emma." Rikki Says smiling at me.

"Well, I'm glad that things can go back to normal now I guess." Bella says sarcastically.

"What do you mean?" Cleo asked innocently.

"Now that she's back." Bella hints to me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I question her angrily.

"Well, i was your replacement. So it's either you leave or I do I guess." I can't believe what she just said. Denman was right...

"Goodbye then..." I say as i turn and leave. I can hear Cleo tell me to stop but I don't listen. I swim away toward the mainland. i have to go back and say I was wrong... This will be fun.

Author's note: I'm so sorry about not updating in forever. I know I have a million reasons i could probably state, but I dont' want to. I'm sorry and that's that. here's the update anyway.. Summer soon so more writing... And updates too. Hoped you liked it. Oh, and please review. I would love to hear your opinion.

I would also like to tank you all for the reviews :) -Chinaluv