My eyes can't focus on the scene in front of me any faster than my brain can register the blood on my hands. I look around for Tiger Shark, but don't see him. I did see a familiar face, however. The shock and heartbreak in his gaze hit me like a punch in the gut. I swam toward Jay, my gaze pleading. Tears filled my eyes as I reached for his hand. He recoiled before we even made contact, his eyes wide and disbelieving.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and spun around, feeling as if all the breath had been knocked from me. Familiar emerald-green eyes met mine, a smirk playing on her lips. We're finally together as a family, Nerissa. Just like Mom would've wanted. Naia's smirk faded slightly as she mentioned Mom, but was back as quickly as it disappeared.

I shook my head, turning back to Jay, my hands trembling as I reached for him. Disgust was written plainly on his face. You lied to me. His words were like rocks being pelted at me.

Jay, please. I... I only did it to protect you. All of you. You don't understand. Let me explain. A tear slipped down my cheek as I finished signing.

My husband, whom I loved more than anyone in the world, scoffed as he turned his back on me and swam away. As he did, I felt a piece of my heart shatter. I sank to the seafloor, staring blankly at the blood on my hands.

My surroundings blurred as I slowly woke up, biting down on a sob. I got dressed in a daze, barely even realising that I got to go home today. When I looked in the mirror, I hardly recognised the woman staring back at me. My black, curly hair was limp around my shoulders, and my dark blue eyes were dull, void of the sparkle they usually held. I washed my face with trembling hands, then got dressed and swam downstairs.

Various servants nodded at me as I swam, but other than that, no-one acknowledged me. I ate breakfast, barely tasting anything, then swam back to my room. As I put my hand on the knob, I noticed a note in front of the door. Picking it up, I wondered who could be writing to me.

My eyes widened at the familiar script. It was short and brief: only two words, probably to keep from arousing suspicion. Come outside. I quickly gathered my things and raced through the manor. I swam outside, and there he was.

Each of Jay's features were exactly as I remembered them—right down to the green in his eyes. I flew into his arms, shaking with the force of my sobs. He held me as I cried, stroking my hair. When we finally pulled away, he wiped the tears off my cheeks as we swam home.

I flinched at every sudden movement, my body trying desperately not to sink back into the fear that my dream had instilled in me. If Jay noticed, he didn't let on. His grip only tightened on my hand as he glanced at me, relief in his eyes. I didn't even realize I was trembling until we got home and I collapsed in a chair.

He just held my hand until the trembling ceased. I could see the worry in his eyes, though. You want to see the others, or just sleep? In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to collapse in bed. But the anxiety and fear from my dream was starting to overwhelm me. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until I got some of my... experience out in the open.

They're here? I'd known Meri would be, but I thought David and Bella would've been back in Pelathas.

Jay nodded, guiding me to the living room. Familiar faces turned toward me, filled with a mixture of worry and love. Meri swam up to me first, tears in her eyes. Buried underneath that sadness, however, I noticed quiet anger brimming inside her. I wrapped my arms around my sister, holding her tightly. When we broke apart, David was next. He read the emotion in my eyes and nodded, wrapping me in a hug.

Bella was last. Like David, she recognised the emotion in my eyes. We hugged for a minute, then I took a shaky breath and dove in. By the time I finished explaining, I was numb.

I craved sleep, but dreaded it equally as much. If I let myself sleep, I'd just be back in that scenario: the bodies littering the seafloor and Jay looking at me like I was a monster. I felt the tears before I even realised I was crying. My body shook as we settled in bed, Jay wrapping an arm around me. I turned to face him, folding an arm under my head. I... I can't.

He nodded, stroking my hair before gently kissing me on the cheek. This is real. You're safe. I'm right here.

Despite my apprehension, exhaustion quickly won out. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Read and review!