I woke up to the sound of the birds in the trees, the sun was kissing the edge of my bed through the window I had forgotten to shut last night. I stare up at the ceiling, the familiar comforter hugging my skin. It was nice to sleep in my own bed again. I was able to take a moment to just breathe, something I hadn't been able to do in a while. I focused on my chest heaving up and down in the sheets. Something about this was too perfect. Everything as calm and it felt like there wasn't anything wrong with the entire world.

I sat up quickly, looking around the room. All my mermaid research was still hidden from my parents stay. I decided to get out of bed to pull all of that back out. I kneel down on the ground, searching under the bed for the black box we had hidden. Pulling it out I was able to get it open and pull out all of the things hidden away. Pages upon pages of research sat in the box. I pulled them out, organizing them of importance and then hanging up them up in the cork board on my wall. I searched over everything we had figured out, looking through the images we had taken of my different transformations. My fingers grazed the image of my angry transformation, the scales sharp like razors, my teeth came to a point, and my entire body was covered in the same blue-green scales my fin was enveloped with.

That's what I needed to defeat her, those razor sharp scales. I set the picture on the ground. My shoulders dropping as I realized I sounded insane. Asada hadn't done anything to me, beside gash my shoulder. I glanced out the window in the direction of the ocean. Maybe Gage knew something about her?

Pushing myself from the floor I decided to go take a shower. I hated how much of a chore it was just to wash my hair anymore. I had to grab my clothes, hop in, transform, do whatever I need to do, and then wait for my body to air dry and change back into my human form. I groan just thinking of the process. Digging through my clothes I was distracted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," I mumble waiting for Sammy to appear. Just as I had expected the redhead comes barreling into my room nearly crashing into me as she rushes around the corner.

"We have a problem!" She shouts, a thin sheet of paper held delicately in her hand. I shook my head, dropping the clothes I was holding in my hand.

"What do you mean we have a problem? What else could possibly go wrong." I slumped down to the floor taking the paper from her hand as I did so. Turning it over. Words that looked like they were written by a six-year-old were scribbled across the paper.

"Read it," Sammy ushered, pushing it even closer to my face.

"I'm trying," I swat her hand away, my heart racing at the idea of yet another problem. I paused for a moment looking at the blood soaking through the sleeve of my shirt. "Do we have a wrap? I need to clean this wound up." Sammy nodded her head yet again pushing the note closer to my face.

"I will go get one if you just read the note already," She groans heading off into the kitchen. I turned back to the paper, the words calling to me.

You've seen too much, and now things are going to get worse. I have the one you seek, and I will keep him until you leave my sea.

My heart sank in my chest as the words dance across the paper. I read the words over and over until Sammy returned with a gauze pad for my injury. She went to work on wrapping my shoulder, the paper falling from my hand.

"Does this mean she took Gage?" I mumbled, my eyes glazing over as I tried to think of anything other than what my life had become.

"I don't know exactly but we really need to head over to his house and check." Sammy's voice seemed worried, my heart felt like it was going to explode from everything that had happened in the last month and a half.

"Ouch," I gripe, Sammy's finger slipping into one of my cuts.

"Who did this to you?" She questions after mumbling a quick apology.

"Who do you think," I roll my eyes, looking at the wound as she continues to dress it. Wrapping the gauze around my shoulder she pats it lightly.

"You are done." I quickly stand up heading for the mirror hung delicately on the wall. I searched over my shoulder, inspecting it for any mistakes.

"Perfect," I mumble quickly grabbing my jacket from my closet. I stood in my pajamas staring at the redhead sitting in the corner of the room. Placing my arms in the sleeves I quickly pulled my hair up into a ponytail.

"Let's get over to Gage's house." Sammy jumped from her seat heading for the door of my room. I trailed along behind her following her through the house until we got to the front door. Quickly putting on some flip flops I paused waiting for Sammy.

"What are you waiting for?" I question after only a moment of standing by the door awkwardly.

"Are we really going to war?" She holds the brass doorknob, blocking the entrance of the house. I nodded my head pushing past her. Opening the door I rushed out onto the street in the brisk cold air. Regretting not changing my clothes. We needed to get to Gage, there was no time to change. I pulled the jacket closer to my skin before starting the trek down the sidewalk. Turning to look at Sammy as she tried to lock the door, her fingers fumbling with the key.

"We will see when we get there."