Chapter 13

Zane's POV

"Wake up Zane"

"Whose there?" I asked the voice.

A woman appeared out of nowhere.

"Rikki?" I asked the woman. She looked like Rikki, but something was off.

She laughed and said, "No, I'm not Rikki. My daughter did get my looks didn't she?"

"Wait. Your Rikki's mom?"

"Yes and you're Zane. The man who broke my daughter's heart and almost got her turned into a science experiment. But, let's not dwell on the past. What I need to talk to you about is the present. Rikki is in danger. You have to wake up and find her. Her secret will be revealed, along with Cleo's, Emma's and Bella's."

"How do you know about their secret?"

"I'm her mother. Why wouldn't I know?" she asked me.

I didn't know what to say, and she laughed again.

"Wake up and go save her. Also, don't rush her on the big question. She's used to being on her own and taking care of herself and her dad."

"Okay, but I am so confused."

"All will be answered when the time is right. Wow, I sound like a bad movie," she said as she laughed, once again. "Goodbye Zane. Don't upset my daughter again."

She disappeared and I began to wake up.

Rikki's POV

"What? I gave up my powers."

"I don't believe you. What happened to you doesn't just go away." Denmen looked at me. "What's it going to be? Are you going to show me your tail, or let you boyfriend die?"

I look to the sea and see the mermaid.

I looked at her and gave her a pleading look.

"I'll check if he is in there," she said and dove into the water. Can I count on her? She might just disappear again.

"Rikki? What's it going to be?" Denmen asked, bringing my attention back to her.

"I don't know. How can I show you my tail when I don't have one anymore?" I asked her, trying to buy some time.

"Don't lie to me, Rikki. We have a better relationship."

"Relationship? You tried to experiment on me. That isn't a relationship, that's abuse, in some way."

I looked back at the ocean and saw that the mermaid had come back.

"He's not in there," she said as she dove into the water and swam away.

I turned to Denmen and said, "I know that you wouldn't endanger a human. Your job is to kill mermaids, isn't it?" I asked her.

"He is in there," she said. I could hear her voice crack. Filthy liar.

"You liar," I said and started to walk away.

"If you really did hurt Zane, you're going to wish that you didn't mess with me. When people mess with my friends and my boyfriend, I get pissed. So, you better watch your ass, you bitch," I said and walked off the beach.

I started to run. I ran all the way to Zane's house. He still lived with his dad. He said that it was a punishment for letting Rikki's close.

I knocked on the door and Zane's dad answered.

"Is Zane here?" I asked him.

"No. I haven't seen him all day," he told me.

"Oh my god." I sat on the lawn and started to cry.

"Rikki? Where is he?" he asked me.

I looked at him and said, "I wish I knew. He left my trailer and I haven't seen him since. Denmen has his phone and I swear if that bitch did something to him, I am going to-"

"Rikki!" his dad interrupted me. "What do you mean Denmen has his phone?" he asked me.

"Denmen is back and text me from his phone. I thought it was him I was meeting at the beach, but it was her. She lied to me and said that Zane was drowning in her boat. I knew she was lying. Zane is smarter than that. He wouldn't let someone do that to him." I looked at Mr. Bennett. "We have to find him."

"Why is Denmen lying to you?"

"She wants information."

"On what?"

"She wants to know if we're still mermaids," I said quietly.

"Are you?" he asked me.

I looked at him. "You're with them aren't you? You just want to know if I'm still a mermaid so you can kill me. It won't work." I got up and started to walk away.

"Rikki, wait!" I looked back at him. "I want to find Zane. I have no idea what you are talking about. I just found out that Denmen was back in town from you." He was telling the truth. "But, if you want my help, you have to tell me the truth. Are you still a mermaid?"

"Yes."

"How?" he asked me.

"Denmen wanted to know how too. Are you sure you're not working with them?" I asked him.

"I swear that I am not working with Denmen, or anyone who wants to hurt mermaids. I just want my son back."

I believed him. What the hell? Since when do I agree with Zane's dad?

"Since when do you care about Zane?" I asked him.

"Since I almost hurt you in that cave. Zane tried to get me to stop, but I just wanted money. I almost lost what was really important to me. My son."

"Okay, I believe you. Where would Denmen keep him?"

"First, tell me about what happened at the beach."

I told him everything. Even the part about the unknown mermaid. He had a hard time believing that, just like everyone else.

We tried to think of places where Denmen would keep him.

"Does she have a second boat?" I asked him.

"Well, if she sunk the one she had, she would have bought another one."

"I'm going to the docks, you think of other places and go search there." I started to head to the docks, but Mr. Bennett stopped me.

"You can't go by yourself," he told me.

"Watch me." I ran off.

"Zane please be okay," I said to myself as I ran to the docks, "I can't live my life with you gone. You are the most important thing in my life. If you were in the boat, I would have given up my secret. You would have yelled at me later, but it would have been worth it. I love you Zane. I am so sorry that I ran off when you proposed. I'm sorry I didn't give you an answer. I am so selfish and when I see you, I will try to remember what I'm saying to myself. Then I will tell you what I said. Just, please, please be okay!"