Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah

Blah: thinking and dream

'blah': reading

"blah": talking

Discovery

A few days had come and gone since the night of the party and Marina was trying to avoid Verg as much as possible. Not because of fear, but because she didn't want Amonyushuu to feel obligated to pick sides if they had another confrontation.

Verg seemed to have the same idea. If she entered the room, he would leave immediately while muttering something akin to "Damn human."

In the meantime, she would walk down to the beach and visit with Katsuma and the girls.

During her visits, Katsuma would tell her all about his life since he had been captured and even a few things he had learned about the colorful sea nymphs. She learned that in return for their kindness to him, he had taught them how to speak.

One sunny day, Marina and Amonyushuu sat on the beach enjoying the warmth of the sun's rays and talked about anything and everything. They had only known each other for no more than a week and they were already as thick as thieves.

Marina stared out at the crystal blue waters with longing. Oh, how she missed the feeling of the water against her skin.

"Is something troubling you?" Amonyushuu asked. "You're being distant again."

"Sorry, back at home I swam everyday but the water here is to cold for me. In case you haven't noticed, I love the water almost as much as they do." She pointed to a few heads poking out of the water in the distance. "When I'm in the water my worries just melt away and I feel…free."

Amonyushuu cocked her head to the side, studying the expression that had covered her new friend's face. She seemed so happy. Serene. "Well, you could always use one of Papa's dry suits."

Marina blinked with surprise. She hadn't even thought of such a thing. " Would it really be okay? I mean I'd be using your father's stuff."

"That's okay." Amonyushuu grinned. "You're already staying in his room."

Marina paled. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? No wonder Verg doesn't like me, I'm invading sacred ground. I'd try to kick me out too." She put her hand to her forehead to massage the headache forming.

The cat-girl's face fell into a look of remorse, her ears folded back in a beseeching gesture. "I'm sorry, but that room was the only one available. My room is too small for the both of us and I didn't think you would want to share a room with Verg."

"I don't. How did he find out about me anyway?"

"I told him that a human had been found and that they didn't pose an immediate threat to us. I didn't tell him you would be staying with us until after you were bandaged up. He wasn't pleased." She refrained from saying that he had actually wanted to break down the door and murder the human in her sleep.

"So, what's stopping him from killing me?"

"I am. Being his sister has its perks." Amonyushuu smiled slightly but still looked upset.

Marina decided to change the subject before things got anymore awkward.

"So, where can I find a dry suit. The water is calling my name and it would be rude not to answer."

"Follow me." The young cat-girl replied taking Marina's hand.

When they entered the house, Amonyushuu took her to a large door at the end of the house. "There should be some dry suits in Verg's closet."

"Aww man, you mean we have to go into his room?"

The cat-girl nodded apologetically.

"He's not in there is he?" Oh boy, that would be bad.

"No, and since we didn't see him out in the water, he must be out sparring with some of the other males. He does that to keep the warriors in peek fighting condition in case of an attack and to help him blow off steam." She opened the door and went inside.

Marina hesitated but followed her in. She looked around the lair of Verg in stunned silence. "Your brother has quite a collection." She observed.

Every wall was covered in a variety of weaponry. Most of them being swords.

Amonyushuu nodded again as she rummaged through the closet. "He always had a love for swords and stuff."

Marina noticed a bookshelf near the large bed in the corner of the room. "I never thought of Verg as the intellectual type. I didn't even know he could read."

"He can, it just takes him a while. He's getting better though and I think he enjoys it. It seems to help him relax."

"That's good. A relaxed Verg is a Verg that won't try to bite my head off." Marina walked closer, wondering just what sort of reading material a guy like Verg would be interested in.

Stacked neatly on the bookshelf, were books on weaponry, battle tactics, and a few other random choices. From what she could see, there was a book on sea life, a copy of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, and for some reason a tattered old dictionary. Interesting. She explored the rest of the room in hopes of finding out more about her reluctant host.

In the closet, she noted, were rows of red billowing pants. Some of them varied in shade and a few were more like shorts but each one had the same metal waistband.

"You think he likes red?"

Amy grinned. "In case you haven't noticed, red is his favorite color." She pulled out a heavy pile of suits from the back of the closet and handed them to Marina. She inspected each one and handed back the ones she didn't like. "This one has a hole, this one's too big, that ones too small, these two might work. Why does he have so many anyway?"

"Papa used to have people that worked with him. That was long before Verg and I were born."

"That explains it then. I'm going to try these two on, be back in a few."

"I'll wait in the kitchen."

She left for her room and tried on each dry suit. She really hoped one of them would fit.

The first one, she soon discovered, was too snug for her rather ample bosom but the second fit fine. The top half of the suit was blue and the lower part was black with a bright purple stripe running down the sides. It reminded her of a tropical fish. She tied her hair back, grabbed a mask Amy had handed her earlier, and went to the kitchen.

The cat-girl was washing dishes when she came in.

"Do you want me to help you with that before I go?" She didn't want to go have fun while her hostess had to do chores.

"Oh no, I'm fine. Go ahead and go for a swim. It's very nice out today and you should enjoy it while it lasts."

"Alright, if you say so. I just wish this suit had a cap to keep my head warm but I guess I'll just have to keep my swim short." She started to put her the mask on her head when her fingers brushed against something. "Hey, do you think my bandage can be removed now?"

"I don't see why not." Amonyushuu grabbed a pair of scissors and carefully snipped the fabric away.

"How does it look?" Marina asked as she adjusted the mask's strap.

Amonyushuu scrutinized it and then gave her verdict. "There's still a bruise but the cut has scabbed over."

"Good. That means it's healing nicely. I'll see you when I get back."

Once she reached the water, Marina dove into its icy depths. A feeling of exhilaration overwhelmed her senses as she glided through the water. She did a few barrel rolls like a seal for pure joy of the sensation. Oh, how she had missed this.

The water was truly her element. Friends and family had always joked that she should've been born a fish or dolphin.

Soon the shore got further and further away as she swam into deeper waters.

It didn't take long though before her lungs were burning for air. She broke the surface and took in a few breaths. I'm farther out than I intended to go. She noticed, looking at the shore behind her. I better head back before I get too tired or I might drown out here. Try explaining that one to Amy. She turned to head back to shore when something caught her eye.

In the distance, the large head of one of the deep sea mutios was staring at her and it was slowly closing in.

She was about to wave, thinking the head belonged to Oceana, when she noticed something else. Something that chilled her blood.

For one thing, this head was wearing a very angry expression, something Oceana did not seem to do, and also she had a large chunk missing from her right ear. Oceana didn't have that. This was not Oceana.

With a thunderous roar, the female leviathan lunged forward.

Marina closed her eyes awaiting the inevitable. It never came.

From behind her, Oceana reared to the surface with a frightening roar of her own. She made several guttural barking sounds that sounded almost like language. It sounded like an order of some sort.

The other female stared at her in astonishment then looked down at Marina with a scowl but did nothing to the bewildered human. She dove back into the water, and swam away.

Marina looked back at Oceana, relieved that the giantess had come to her aid. "Thanks. If you hadn't come I would have been done for."

Oceana stared at her with a thoughtful expression and submerged. She resurfaced moments later beckoning Marina to follow.

Taking the hint, Marina took a deep breath and dove under.

Katsuma had told her earlier that the large mutios could communicate underwater by a special form of echolocation similar to whales. He said that underwater Oceana sounded like some kind of no nonsense sea goddess.

Sure enough, Oceana spoke in a low and resonant voice that Marina could feel as well as hear. "Please, forgive my sister. She has lost many of her daughters to the humans."

Marina tried to tell her that she understood but her words came out garbled.

"Go to the surface if you wish to speak but keep your ears submerged so that you can understand me."

Marina did as she was told. "I understand the loss and anger she must feel." She said gently.

Oceana nodded slowly, creating small waves. Most of her head was submerged by the water.

"What did you say to her, if you don't mind my asking."

The large female smiled warmly. Her eyes sparkling. "Such a sweet little human." She said softly. "I don't mind at all. I told her that you were a friend of my daughters and that if any harm came to you she would pay dearly." For a moment, her eyes glittered dangerously.

"Would you really hurt your own sister over me?"

Oceana nodded again. "At first, I thought it would be foolish to bring you here and that you could not be trusted but when I met you after you woke up, I sensed no danger from you. Besides, my daughters seem to be fond of your company." She looked thoughtful again for a moment. "You said before that you would help us in anyway you could, correct?"

"Yes, do you need help with something?"

"I noticed my daughter, Mutio, has gone through a few changes and is staying away from the others. This isn't like her. I was hoping you could help her figure out what is wrong with her."

"I'll do my best to help." Marina replied as she continued to tread water. Her arms were getting very tired. "Where is she?"

Luckily, Oceana sensed her weariness. "I'll take you to her. Climb onto my back. You can use my hair for support."

Marina swam over to her, scurried up, and grabbed a large wad of the coarse, hair like tendrils.

"Okay, I'm ready. You're sure this doesn't hurt you?"

"Not at all."

Marina pointed in a random direction. "Then lets go help Mutio."

They found the younger female sitting in the shallows with her arms crossed over her chest. She seemed to be hiding something and was unresponsive when Marina swam over to sit beside her.

"Mutio, is something wrong? Oceana told me you had gone through some changes. Let me see so I can help you."

Reluctantly, Mutio dropped her arms to her sides.

Marina's eyes widened in surprise.

Mutio's chest was larger than what was normally seen on her species. Marina hadn't noticed it before because Mutio was always submerged. The younger female seemed very embarrassed about the sudden change and covered herself from further scrutiny.

Something else was off too.

"Mutio, your pink chest things, they're gone. What happened to them?"

Mutio looked down sadly and opened one hand to reveal two withered appendages. "They fell off yesterday." She said softly. "Marina, I think there might be something wrong with me. My chest has gotten bigger too and I can't swim as fast as I used to."

"When did this start?"

"I think it started sometime last year." A tear rolled down her ivory cheek. "It's so strange. The others make fun of me for it and my sisters yell at them. I don't want anyone to argue because of me. What do I do? Am I going to die?"

Marina put her hand on Mutio's shoulder to comfort her. "Don't worry sweetie, we'll find out what's happening to you. I'll go back to the house and see if Amy knows anything. Will you be okay until then?"

Oceana made a rumbling noise from her spot in the water. As if to say that she would stay with Mutio until Marina got back.

"Alright, I'll be back as soon as I can." She ran back to the house as quickly as she could with her mind buzzing with thoughts. This is strange. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Mutio just went through puberty.

When she reached her destination, she found Amy reading a book on the couch.

"How was your swim?" She asked when Marina walked into the room.

"Wonderful but freezing cold. I think I'll have to put on a bikini and soak up some sun later but right now that isn't important."

"What is?" Amy placed her book on the table.

Marina told her all that had happened during her outing.

The cat-girl looked thoughtful for a moment and then her ears perked up.
"I think Papa kept a journal on his bookshelf. You might find some answers in there."

"Fantastic, thanks kiddo."

She went to her room and searched through the books.

After a few minutes of scanning, she finally found a thick, worn-out journal. "This has to be it. It certainly looks like a journal a scientist would write in." She skimmed over the pages and nodded. "This is it." She placed the book on the bed and sorted through her trunk, pulling out a bundle of swimsuits. She had decided that she would soak up some sun to warm her goose bumpy skin. She could read the book while she kept Mutio company. She picked out a lagoon blue set with teal trim and put it on.

There was a timid knock on the door. "Can I come in?"

"Sure."

Amy walked in. "Did you find the book?"

"Yeah, it's on the bed."

"What are those?" Amy pointed to the bundle in her hands.

"My bikinis."

"Why do you have so many?"

Marina smiled. "Well, every birthday and holiday I get a new set. Its kind of a well known fact in my family that I love to swim. When I was packing for my trip, some of my friends and cousins wanted me to bring the bikini they had got for me. They started arguing about it so I just said I would bring everyone's. I have quite a collection don't I?" She placed a bikini aside. It had two different shades of purple and the top was tied like a kerchief in the center.

"What's that one for?"

"I noticed Mutio seemed self-conscious about her body's new development so I thought I would give her one that I haven't worn yet." Marina explained. "The top and bottom on this one looks a little too tight for me but it should suit her just fine. It's practical for her and stylish." She grinned. "Not to mention, it will keep the boys from seeing more than they need to."

"That's very nice of you."

Marina turned to her. "It's really not a big deal. I'm glad to help her out."

"What's that blue thing?" Amy pointed curiously at a blue mark on her left hip.

Marina looked down. "Oh, that's my tattoo. My friends talked me into getting it on my twenty-first birthday. It's supposed to be the kanji for mermaid. Hurt like a bad sunburn too." She pulled out a beach towel with a sun and moon pattern. "Do you want to go out with me?"

"Okay, let me go get my swimsuit."

"Wait, you have one too?" Marina raised a brow in question. I didn't think they would have a shopping mall in a place out this far.

"Yeah, I have a friend who likes to make clothes. She made one for me a few months ago. I'll go put it on."

Marina was about to follow her out of the room when something in the trunk caught her eye. She dug it out of the heap of clothes. "My camera. I wonder if it still works. It should, it's waterproof." She turned it on and was pleased to see it come to life. "Alright, now I can get some pictures of everyone." She headed out the door with the extra bikini, towel, and camera in tow.

Amonyushu was waiting patiently in a sage green swimsuit with dark green trim.

"Do you like it?" The cat-girl asked sheepishly.

"You look fabulous dahling, smile for the camera." She took a few pictures. "Lets go, Mutio is waiting for us."

They found Mutio sitting in the exact same spot that Marina had left her.

Marina stretched out her towel, sat down, and handed Mutio the bikini.

"What's this?" Muto asked, taking the clothing.

"It's a bikini. Clothing that you can wear in the water. I thought maybe you would like something to cover your new…you. Hopefully, it will help keep the boys from ogling so much." She glared warningly at a pair of male chimeras as they ambled by. The two wisely picked up their pace and left the area. They were still a little intimidated by the strange human woman.

"Thanks. Um, how do I put on the top?"

Marina helped her adjust the top then sat down again. "Purple is a good color on you. You look fabulous dahling."

Mutio blushed and thanked her for the gift.

"No problem. I brought the book so I can read it out here. You two go ahead and swim for a bit. If I find anything I'll let you know." She watched them dive into the water. I wish I didn't mind the cold. She opened up the book and sorted through the pages until she came across something promising.

'My previous fears of the larger deep sea mutios killing their smaller kin has been extinguished. To my utter shock and delight, the larger females have even adopted selected individuals and treat them as a mother would her own children.

Even though they are born sterile, it seems they still have maternal instincts…

….I have discovered a most astonishing thing today when I went to see the progress of the new litter of developing mutios. One of the females has red eyelids instead of the usual blue and her overall coloring is brighter in contrast to her sisters. A sure sign of genetic diversity. I do hope she survives so that I can study her further….'

Amazing, Marina thought. There was a red eyed mutio before this one. She skipped ahead a few pages and stopped on a certain page.

'….Another genetic breakthrough, the red eyed mutio has lost her pink gills and has stayed for longer intervals on land. She has even begun a shaky attempt at walking upright. I have yet to see this happen in other females.' The paragraph was followed by a large sketch of the pink appendage and its functions. She studied it and then went on to the next page.

'Another strange thing is that her breasts have become larger and her body seems more developed. Like a mature female human. I believe she may have reached sexual maturity, just like a human female. The females must reach adulthood a lot slower than my other chimeras and I am led to believe that the females with the color mutation can adapt to a more amphibious lifestyle than their aquatic sisters. I would have to dissect her in order to prove my theory but I hate to kill one of my dear creations just to sate my curiosity…..'

Marina glanced over at her swimming friends. "I think I'm about to solve this mystery." She read on.

'…..Tragedy has struck today. I received a report that the red eyed mutio was killed in battle. Her body is still intact and I plan on studying her internal organs when the body arrives…

How awful.

….My suspicions have been confirmed. After I dissected the mutio, I discovered fully developed milk glands. This mutio had reached full sexual maturity and could have become pregnant if a suitable mate was found. Her leg muscles were much stronger in comparison to her sisters and could very likely allow her to walk upright on land. Her lungs were also adapted for taking in more oxygen than the other mutios. I believe, since she had lost her gills, that she would be capable of holding her breath for long intervals like a whale or seal when in the water.

Since I haven't seen this development in any other mutio her age thus far, I am led to believe that this is a genetic mutation. Albeit, a very strange and miraculous one. But I shouldn't be too surprised. After all, she is a conglomeration of many different species….'

"That's it." Marina exclaimed. "Mutio your body changed because it's reached maturity. Don't you see what this means? You can have babies now. Little mini mutios."

"But why am I the only one who changed? There are others who are older than me and they don't look like this."

"Apparently, the same mutation that caused your coloration has made you develop more like a human female. Your body has an adaptation to allow you to stay on land like an amphibian. Your sisters haven't changed because they are meant to stay primarily in the water and their bodies need to stay streamlined in order to function that way. I think the reason why we never heard about this before is because the only other female like you died in battle and the older mutios never survived long enough to reach full maturity because of the war. Now that the war has ended, the surviving mutios can find mates and start having families of their own. Isn't this amazing?" She read aloud her findings to confirm her statement.

"So Mutio changed because of a mutation?" Amy inquired.

"Looks to be that way and according to another page, without her gills she can stay on land for a longer period of time than her sisters." She smiled at Mutio. "I bet you could even walk like me and Amy if you wanted to." Marina's mind was reeling from her discovery. What other seemingly impossible things could the chimeras do?. This was all so fascinating. She wanted to find out more.

"Really?" Mutio asked, unsure.

"Yeah, I can help you if you want."

Mutio looked down at her reflection to think about the offer. If she learned to walk on land, she might impress Verg. "Do you think Verg will notice me?"

"Wait a minute." Marina sat up, shock written clearly on her face. "You want him to notice you? Why?" Just when I thought I had you figured out girl.

Mutio blushed and turned her head shyly. "I-I have feelings for him."

"I knew it." Amonyushuu cheered. Her arms lifted up to the sky. She quieted down after Marina gave her a stern look. "Sorry, I've just known something was up."

Marina turned back to Mutio. "Why do you like him? He's mean." Not to mention a terrible conversationalist.

Mutio blushed again. "He showed a gentler side when he cried for Papa and he's always nice to Amonyushuu. I think he has some good in him. You just have to look real close."

Oceana snorted nearby.

"Mother doesn't like him much."

"I can see why." Marina scoffed, absentmindedly tucking a strand of raven black hair behind her ear. "He hasn't exactly been a gentleman." She had learned what Verg had done from Mutio's sisters. She did not approve in the least. How anyone, besides Amonyushuu, could stand him was beyond her.

"Promise me you won't tell him I have feelings for him." Mutio looked at them both beseechingly. "He already avoids me and I don't want to make things worse."

"I promise." Amonyushuu raised her hand as if reciting an oath.

Marina was skeptical but decided to agree. "I promise not to tell, but I swear if he does anything to hurt you, I will punch him into next week." She turned back to Amonyushuu. "Sorry, I'm a little protective."

Oceana rumbled in approval and Amy shook her head in awe. This human was something else.

"So, when do you want to start learning to walk?" Marina asked, changing the subject to a less delicate one.

"Right now, I guess."

Marina set the book aside. "Okay, first of all I want you to try standing for me." She stood up just in case Mutio needed some help.

The girl in question, carefully went into a standing position. She wobbled dangerously and Marina caught her before she could fall.

"So far so good. Lets see if you can take a few steps." She took Mutio's hands and guided her onto land. "You're doing it." She cheered.

Mutio smiled as she took several shaky steps.

Once she thought it was safe, Marina had Mutio walk back and forth between her and Amonyushuu. Both helping her with words of encouragement and outstretched arms.

Marina felt elation as she watched Mutio's slow progress. The same elation a mother would feel watching her child learn to walk.

Oceana watched them for a while but then decided to tend to her other daughters. She knew that Mutio would be in safe hands.

Several hours passed by and Mutio was able to walk a short ways without assistance. Marina had taken the opportunity to take some pictures of the three friends after explaining what a camera was and its purpose. The younger two were fascinated by the gadget and were ecstatic when offered to take pictures.

Once it started getting dark, they decided to call it a day.

Mutio left to find her sisters and to show off her new outfit while Amy and Marina headed back to the house.

Amonyushuu started dinner while Marina took a quick shower to rinse off the salt and sweat of the day.

Once finished, she walked back into the kitchen wearing a pair of jeans and a dark blue t-shirt with a red squid on the front. Its eyes were heart-shaped and its tentacles wrapped around the shirt. Underneath it were the words "Cuddle Fish." The shirt was one of her favorites but the neckline of the shirt was too low so she had to put on a mint green sweater underneath for modesty.

"I like your shirt." Amonyushuu said reading the glittery writing.

"Thanks. I'll have to get you a cute shirt like this someday." Marina sat down at the table as Amonyushuu set the table. Together they ate dinner and talked about the journal.

Verg came an hour later but did not eat. He only went to his room with a muttered "Goodnight."

They noticed, as he walked by, that he slouched in obvious exhaustion. If he was the victor of the day's fights, as he probably was, they would hate to see the losers.

Marina decided that she too would retire for the night and excused herself from the table.

In her room, she sat down on the bed and was about to read more of the journal when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

Amonyushuu stepped in with a timid expression on her face. "Marina, can I ask you something?"

"Sure." She made room on the bed so that the younger girl could sit beside her.

"Well, I noticed you have a lot of nice things. Do you come from a rich family?" The girl inquired. "Please tell me about your family. You never talk about them."

Marina looked down at her lap. "I do come from a wealthy home actually. My mother was born into a noble family in what is now New Britain and my father was a well-respected psychologist who also grew up in a fairly wealthy family. They met each other on a ship sailing for the Galapagos to study the marine life there. They found out they had been going to the same university and that they had a lot in common. They fell in love and my dad popped the question on my mom's graduation day. Her family wasn't too happy at first. They had wanted her to marry into nobility but changed their minds once they met my father and realized how happy they were together. It helped that he had a respectable profession too. They got married soon after and bought a mansion overlooking the sea. It had such a beautiful view." Her eyes began to sting as she remembered her old home. "I was born two years later and we lived happily together until I was ten years old."

"What happened to them?"

"They-they died." She could not keep her tears back any longer. She tried to wipe them away but they just kept coming.

Amonyushuu hugged her, upset to see her friend's distress. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Marina managed to compose herself a little and wiped her tears on her sleeve. "No, it's okay, you didn't know." She looked over at the clock. "It's getting late, why don't we go to bed before we get in trouble with Verg, okay?" She smiled weakly to try and let Amy know she would be okay.

"Okay, goodnight." The cat-girl gave her a final hug and walked to the doorway. "I'm sorry I made you cry."

"It's okay, don't worry about it. This wouldn't be the first time. Sweet dreams kiddo."

"You too." Amonyushuu closed the door behind her.

Marina laid down on the bed and cried again until she finally got it all out of her system. She wiped away her tears and continued to read the book. It would help her get her mind off things.

'….More strange miracles, two mutios have been born with completely different colored markings than the others. One has orange, yellow, and red markings while the other has two shades of purple. I wonder if they will go through the same changes as the red eyed mutio.'

Amazing, there were two other females with completely different colored markings. I wonder just what different colors they can come in. A teal one sure would be pretty.

'Marcello has taken a special interest in them. He calls them the twins for reasons unknown to me. He has requested that they be his personal servants when they are old enough to fight…

…..Another red eyed mutio has been born. She is quite the sweet little thing. I hope she doesn't suffer the same fate as the last one…..

….The red eyed mutio is now about the age of a four year old child. My young son Verg has seemed to take a liking to her. Just the other day, I found him offering her a small fish he had caught all by himself. I wonder if their relationship will blossom into something deeper. I suppose only time will tell….'

So he used to share feelings for her after all. I wonder if he still does. Marina set the book on the little side table and drifted off to sleep. Despite Amonyushuu's wishes, Marina would not have sweet dreams tonight….

Smiling, she reached out to take his hand…

All of a sudden there was a thunderous explosion and the mansion's first level erupted in flames.

Chaos ensued as people ran in all directions, screaming in panic. Marina's father grabbed her hand to lead her away from the danger. "Marina, do you see your mother anywhere?" Her father yelled. She could tell he was trying to keep his fear under control.

Still in shock, Marina searched for her mother in the crowd. She spotted her trying to help the old woman to safety then head back in their direction. She never had the chance to tell her father.

Mere seconds later, the second story level exploded in a shower of glass and rubble. Marina looked up and stared in awe as glass shards fell like deadly rain. They sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. Somewhere in the background, her father urged her to move. "Marina, run get as far away from-"

Out of the corner of her eye, Marina saw a metallic object whiz past the right side of her face. She felt a terrible burning sensation as something wet trickled down her cheek. She touched the spot with her hand. It felt warm and sticky. It stung too.

Before she had a chance to see what it was, something heavy landed on top of her pushing her to the ground. All went black