The first thing I experienced when I woke up the next morning was a throbbing headache. My eyelids felt like weights and it took some persistence to finally force them open. Sunlight streamed in through the crack between the curtains and the clock read quarter to 8. From what I understood about hangovers I figured this is what they were like. But I barely drink. Never heavily, and there was something else too. Something felt... off. 

A faint buzz caught my attention and I saw my phone vibrating on my bedside table. With a quiet groan a grabbed it and unlocked the device. Blinking a few times to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness, I opened the notification and found a text:

Eira? It's Charlotte. I need to see you NOW. By the harbour ASAP!

I didn't understand her urgency at all. Then again, I couldn't remember what happened after we discussed my secret. I felt a cold shiver pass through me. Had she told someone? Had I been seen? I shook it off and hoped it wasn't the case. With a deep sigh I got dressed and headed out.

---

"It's freezing!" Rikki moaned, pulling her coat tighter around her body. "How can people live here without catching hypothermia!"

"It's Wales Rikki, it's supposed to be cold!" Cleo says in annoyance with Bella beside her.

"Guys!" Bella yelled. "Will you stop complaining!" Both girls mumbled quiet apologies and they continued to wander aimlessly around the Bay. When they reached Mermaid Quay the trio stopped in front of the Millennium Centre feeling rather lost.

Rikki looked around before turning back to Bella with a unamused expression. "Do you even know where we're going?!"

Bella bit her lip and looked around. "Um.. Kind of."

Rikki's eyes widened. "Seriously!"

"Well I haven't been here for 8 years!" Bella protested, getting rather frustrated with the current situation.

"GUYS!" Cleo yelled over her friends' complaints. Their voices ceased and they looked at her. She nodded and began. "That's a visitor centre." She said pointing to the Millennium Centre located behind them. "Let's just ask in there if anyone knows Eira."

"Probably not." Rikki mumbled but Cleo had already strolled inside. Bella looked at Rikki, then shrugged and followed. The last mermaid trudged after them shortly. The interior of the building was warm and inviting, yet equally professional and obviously well-kept. Cleo walked up to the information desk and the attendant gave a friendly smile.

"Helo! Croeso i Bae Caerdydd. Sut wyt ti?" She asked with a cool Welsh accent. She was Asian and rather pretty. Bella swore she'd seen her before, but was unsure.

"Um.. hi." Cleo said awkwardly and looked to the others for help. "We don't speak Welsh sorry."

The attendant chuckled lightly. "I said hello. Welcome to Cardiff Bay. How are you?"

"Oh.." Cleo said, feeling a little dim for not getting it. "Well we're--"

"We're looking for a girl called Eira." Rikki blurted out impatiently. "Do you know her?"

The attendant eyed the 3 suspiciously, her gaze finally resting on Bella. She squinted her eyes momentarily, then squealed a little and stood up. "Bella Hartley?!"

Bella stood dumb-folded for a few seconds, then it finally clicked. She had seen her before: 8 years ago. "Gwen! Oh my gosh!"

"You know her?" Rikki said in surprise as the two exchanged a hug.

"Guys this is Eira's big sister Gwen!" Bella said in delight. Gwen gave a small wave to Rikki and Cleo. Bella sighed and jumped straight to it:

"Gwen we need to see Eira urgently." 

---

I quickly made my way towards the docks, being careful not to fall, again. Upon arrival I saw Charlotte standing on the jetty looking a little pale. Now concerned greatly I trotted up to her, only for her to grab me by the shoulders. This startled me and I froze in fear.

"Do you remember what happened last night?!" She exclaimed, fear lining her tone. 

"What? No.." I replied with a shake of my head. Her expression dropped, and I became even more scared. "Charlotte what's wrong?"

Charlotte gulped and turned her attention to the water. With a stiff but seemingly practised hand movement, a sphere of water rose from the surface into the air. Her eyes darted back to me, and I didn't have any words. Charlotte had powers. And that meant one thing:

"Y-you're a mermaid..." I stuttered, and she nodded. 

"Yeah, again." She added plainly with a worried laugh, and we both turned our heads to shouts approaching us. Cleo, Rikki, Bella and Gwen were standing around 10ft from us, with matching expressions of confusion. 

"Charlotte?.." Cleo said in panic, and Rikki glared furiously.

"Cleo.." Charlotte replied, her tone matching as she let the floating water return to the sea. The tension between her and the others could be felt all around, and I knew that things were about to get ugly.

Oh no.. I murmured, hoping I was wrong.