XII. Safe Harbour

Zane was in a bind.

Rikki couldn't be a mermaid for the simple reason that mermaids didn't exist. But too many things about his dad's story weren't adding up.

He'd researched the name of the drugs he was giving her and found no trace of anything like it. Whatever it was, it wasn't yet on the market, or even known to any of the pharmaceutical experts he could get in touch with. Since Lewis had a knack for breakthroughs in science, he phoned him as a last resort, only to hear from an emotional Mrs. McCarntey that Lewis, Cleo, and Emma had been missing for several months, and more cases of missing young people were popping up every day. She hadn't heard anything about Rikki's accident, but then she hardly knew Rikki, and was obviously more focused on finding her son.

Only then did he realise just how out of touch with his old mates he'd been since finishing school.

He considered flying back to talk to Rikki's dad, but was afraid of what might happen to her if left alone. The possibility of him unravelling the mystery only to come back and find she'd been transported elsewhere was not a thought worth tolerating.

Then there was the matter of the tank she was kept in. It was quality work; an aquatic paradise by the looks of it, but as far as he could tell, the water that filled it wasn't anything special, and Rikki didn't ever seem to need air. He supposed if modern medicine could fit her with a tail to keep her psyche intact, an invisible breathing apparatus shouldn't be such a stretch of the imagination. Still. Why weren't any of the doctors involved in her procedure named in the placard? Why wasn't the hospital she was taken to, or the research that went into her case mentioned? If this was something that could help others, there should have been more information. Plus, he couldn't see his dad missing a chance to ask for donations in the name of a good cause. There was something eerie about the whole thing.

He decided to talk to her; this time with more of an open mind, and no needles.

She made it easier by coming straight up to the surface as soon as she saw him. He held out his open palms in a sign of good faith. "Hey. I didn't bring any drugs."

"That's something, at least," she sighed, and he missed her fiery retorts.

"Rikki. When's the last time you saw Lewis?"

"At Dr. Denman's research facility of terror. Why? Did someone finally tell you he was missing?"

"You say she's got more of you there?"

"Cleo, Emma, Lewis; plus thirteen others at least. But that was just when I was there. Denman was collecting more, as often as she could toss unsuspecting humans into the moon pool. She called me number seventeen." She let him take it all in before asking, "Does this mean you finally believe me?"

"I don't want to. I'd rather believe you've been sick and I've been helping you this whole time. I'd rather not think about the consequences of my dad being in cahoots with a secret kidnapping ring."

Rikki gave a sad half-smile. "But you have to admit; crazy as it sounds, it makes sense. It explains everything. You say you want to help me. You can. It's not too late. Let me out of here. Let me dry off, and I'll show you. If you still don't believe me after that, you can do whatever you want." She put a clammy hand on top of his closed fist. "Give us a chance. Please."

Zane's eyes darted around to make sure they were alone. He extended his hand, and she scoffed. "You really think you can hoist me up, tail and all, with one hand?"

He rolled his eyes, and jumped into the shallow channel, hoisting her up enough so she could shimmy her way out.

"Now what?" he asked, dripping small puddles of water beside her pool. "You can't flop down the stairs."

"Just take me somewhere safe to dry off until my legs come back. Then we can get out of here."

Zane took her by the underarms and carefully navigated the stair way, dragging Rikki as he walked down backwards. He found a private lounge, set up for business meetings and intimate parties. It had plenty of space to hide a mermaid's tail, but was still tucked away in a dim corner of the restaurant-to-be.

Rikki wouldn't let herself get emotional at the feel of a soft couch beneath her; a standard piece of furniture that to the men that might have sat and watched her act would have taken completely for granted. There was time to get the sniffles later. Right now, she needed to concentrate.

She stretched her fingers as if exercising her limbs. She had no idea if the magic suppressants had stopped the energy flow for good, or if Denman's decision to make the dosage every twenty-four hours was based on more than over-eagerness.

"What time is it?" she asked, and was grateful that once again, time mattered, and someone answered her question.

"Almost four, I think."

Twenty-nine hours.

She stretched again, focusing all her thoughts on drying Zane's pants. He jumped back with a cry when they began to warm and gave off steam. "What is that?"

She couldn't answer. She knew if she said anything, she would begin to wail that her powers were back. It wasn't time for the flood of emotions. A bit more effort and she had her hair and tail dry, too. She bit her lip at the glorious feeling of her lower half reverting back to a human form.

Zane stood by in silent shock, not moving until she attempted too soon to walk, and ploughed right into him. He fell backwards into the booth. Their faces were very close. Rikki was—by definition of the phrase—sitting in his lap.

"My legs..." she whispered. And then she decided it was time to cry—quite fiercely, too. He put an awkward hand on her back and patted it until she'd exhausted all her tears, and gently pushed herself off to sit beside him.

"Rikki..." he said, taking her hand, "What can I do?"

"Get me out of here," she sniffed. "I want to feel safe, again."

-x-

It was later that evening when Zane was called back to Mermaid's Wake. Mr. Bennett was incensed. Zane was just glad they hadn't got the security cameras running, yet.

"What's this?" he fumed, "How did she just disappear like that?"

Zane tried to look disinterested. "I dunno. Mermaid magic?" He raised an eyebrow in challenge.

"That's impossible! The magic suppressants should have worked! Denman swore...!"

"You don't even try to deny it!" Zane raged. "Dr. Denman!? She's not a surgeon, she's a scientist! I thought you said Rikki's legs were lost in an accident. You told me you saved her life!"

"I did...! I... Zane, what she does to the ones she keeps is worse. I really did make her life better."

"By putting her in a prison and making her act for a profit? What was her life worth to you, Dad? How much did you pay for Rikki?

"Whatever," he cut him off, "Don't answer. I'll pay you back. Somehow, I'll make up the money on my own and get it back to you. Wherever she is now, it's got to be better than here."

"Zane," Mr. Bennett scoffed, "what are you talking about?"

"She might have been bought and sold as an exotic fish, but at least she's not stuck with a sick bastard as a father."

Author's Notes: There you are! Who feels sorry for doubting Zane? Now he can get to work buying her some creature comforts, like a house, and a ring, and a baby crib... am I getting ahead of myself? *huffs* Fine.