Regaining consciousness is like crawling out of a deep, dark pit. Every part of my body feels like it's on fire. My eyelids are swollen, but I manage to crack them open. A bright light blinds me seconds after I open them, making me wince. After my eyes have adjusted, my surroundings become clearer. I'm in the ruins of an old house—Rosewood Manor, I realize with a jolt—debris surrounding me.

A mermaid swims in front of me, her clothes and body covered in silt. My eyes widen, my face paling as I look at a face I never thought I'd see again—the black hair and piercing blue eyes hitting me head-on. Melody Blackwell and I stared at one another, eyes wide and faces pale.

A jolt runs through me as I remember finding her body all those years ago. Before she so much as opens her mouth, I shake my head, grabbing my notepad and handing it to her.

What happened? Where are we? Her hands shake as she writes, causing the paper to tremble in her grip. Something moves out of the corner of my eye and I flinch, pushing Melody behind me. A gaunt face stares back at me, his dark blue eyes livid.

Tiger Shark is the one who looks away first, his gaze going straight to the pendant around my neck. As if in answer, the ghosts reappear, furious expressions on their faces. Melody touches my arm, her eyes wide as she notices the pendant. He lunges for me, his hands going for my neck. I can't move, can't breathe as the world blurs, then fades to black.

My head felt as if someone had dropped an anvil on it as I opened my eyes and saw familiar, worried faces swimming in my vision. Jay. David. Bella. Meri. I gasped for water, eyes wide as I looked around. Jay's face was deathly pale when he met my gaze, releasing a tense breath. He grasped my hand, the worry in his eyes hitting me like a slap to the face.

David swam to my side, putting a gentle hand on my back. What happened? We found you on the ground outside the house and you were barely breathing. Are you okay?

I shook my head, hands trembling as I signed. I saw her. The words were directed at Meri, but my gaze was focused on the wall in front of me.

Her face was creased in confusion, the worry in her eyes deepening. Who?

I finally met her gaze, face pale and eyes haunted. Melody. She was trapped in the pendant. I was in Rosewood Manor, looking at the aftermath of the explosion, when a hand landed on my shoulder. Melody was in front of me. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, I saw movement behind me.

Recognition flared in Meri's gaze. I knew she would remember Melody, because we had been friends when we were little. I was panting as I signed, struggling to focus. Tiger Shark was behind me, his dark blue eyes livid. He looked away for a heartbeat, his gaze going straight for the pendant on my neck. The ghosts reappeared then, stronger and hungrier than ever. Melody swam to my side, putting a hand on my arm. Her eyes were wide as she noticed the pendant. Before she could do anything, he lunged for me, his hands going for my neck. That's when I woke up.

Jay's own face was pale as he looked at me. Where's the pendant now? He signed.

My hands were trembling as I reached into my pocket, fingers closing around the pendant. As soon as my fingers brushed against it, the ghosts reappeared. I took slow, even breaths, struggling to block them out.

He shook his head as he took it. This has caused you—all of us—nothing but pain and suffering. We should get rid of it.

Jay clutched it in his hand as he rose and swam out of the room. Deep, heaving sobs wracked my body as he left. David smoothed a lock of hair off my face. You should get some sleep. I'll stay with you until Jay gets back.

He supported me with a gentle hand on my back as we swam to our room. Despite myself, I couldn't stop looking over my shoulder, convinced that Naia would be waiting behind me. David helped me into bed, then sat in a chair beside the bed. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here.

I wanted to stay awake and wait for Jay, but the shock and anger of today's events took over, causing sleep to overtake me in a matter of seconds.

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