Skipper POV

I was awoken by the fishbowl being slid across the cold concrete floor of the platform, again. This was the second time I'd heard it that night and it was a bit suspicious. I sighed and hopped out of my bunk. I climbed up the ladder and quietly shifted the bowl. I poked my head out and saw Marlene sitting with Daisy, both lit by the moon's gaze. I noticed that her cast was off. I could just about hear them from where I was.

"Couldn't sleep, Daisy?" Marlene asked.

"No. I keep on having nightmares about people laughing at me. Everyone does because I can be very clumsy."

"Hey! They just don't know what will happen. I know a story about a duckling just like you. Want to hear it?"

"Yes please!" I could see her eyes glistening in the moonlight.

"Okay. Once there was a little duckling named Marlene. She was always laughed at because she was a grey duckling and her siblings were yellow ducklings. One day, she got fed up of her brothers and sisters laughing at her, so she ran away to find somewhere she was accepted. Along the way, everyone kept on laughing at her. She lost hope of finding somewhere until she found Prince Skipper. He was a beautiful swan. He said to her, 'the smallest sapling will grow into the largest apple tree. Do not lose hope little one, you are young and yet to find out whom you really are.' So with that, Marlene travelled back to her old home. When she reached there, she saw her brothers and sisters where beautiful ducks. She saw a swan's reflection in the water and soon realised it was her own reflection. And when anyone asked 'What's your name?' and if they laughed at her when she was a cygnet, which is a young swan, she always said, 'I'm the grey duckling you laughed at many years ago.' The End."

"Did Marlene and Prince Skipper live happily ever after?"

I saw Marlene scratch the back of her neck in nervousness. "Well, if you want them to, they can. But it's time for bed now."

"But I don't want to go downstairs yet! Can you sing me a lullaby and bring me downstairs when I'm asleep?"

"Sure." Marlene picked Daisy up, cradling her in her arms like a baby and started singing a lullaby. I thought I heard all of the crickets stop chirping when she started singing.

"Follow the river,
Follow the river.
Walk through the valley,
To the gentle flowing streams.

Go where it takes you,
Peace there awaits you.
Follow the river, and you will find a dream.
Follow the river, and you will find a dream.

I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river.
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river.
I've got peace like a river in my soul.

Follow the river.
And you will find,
A dream."

"Goodnight Daisy. Sweet dreams." She stood up and just kept rocking Daisy in her arms. I didn't want to disturb her because she seemed so peaceful but I knew she needed her sleep for tomorrow's training session.

"Marlene." I whispered loudly. She whipped her head round. "Come on, get into bed. I need you ready for your first training session. You'll need your strength." Marlene rolled her eyes. She stood up and made her way to the HQ.

"Here. Let me take Daisy. You go sleep. I'll put her to bed for you. You look exhausted." I said. She raised her eyebrows but said nothing. She handed over Daisy to me and Daisy instantly started to cry. I shushed her gently and she stopped crying. Marlene smiled sweetly and gave me a peck on the beak. I stumbled backwards but regained my posture. I could see a slight blush on her as she spoke.

"Thanks Skipper. For everything. See you tomorrow morning." She smiled and went into the HQ. I looked down at Daisy and saw her sleeping peacefully.

"You are pretty cute." I said and tapped her beak. I smiled when she wriggled about, so I quickly shushed her again. I carried her gently downstairs to her crib in another room. She was sharing it with her brothers. I saw Eggy start to kick in his sleep. I chuckled quietly and pushed him a little bit further from Daisy so he wouldn't wake her. I tiptoed over to my bunk and got into bed. Maybe Marlene does have a reason to care so much about her, I thought. Daisy is of a reminder of what she used to be like.

The story Marlene told is similar to the Ugly Duckling. I just made it up because I never remember the whole story. The moment when Marlene was sitting next to Daisy was a similar situation at the start of 'Barbie in Swan Lake'. The lullaby is a song I sung with my school's choir. I cut a bit out because it's just the same. The real song is called "Follow the River" by Joseph M. Martin (Can't find it on YouTube unless you search 'Follow the River-Wicklund')