"Two weeks? Ugh, that sucks," Cassi groaned as they took turns feeding the sting rays in the touch pool. "I'm really sorry. Guess it could've been worse huh?" Cassi had no idea. Hadley had debated whether or not to tell Cassi what had really happened that night, but still wasn't sure if the girl would even believe her. As the days slipped by even Hadley wasn't even sure if she believed it. If it hadn't been for the boy she would have dismissed it all as some weird hallucination. The truth was, a part of her needed that boy to be real.

          "It's not your fault," Hadley replied, with a shrug before reaching over to grab the back of a child's jacket in order to keep him from trying to climb into the water. The kid gave her a dirty look and she stuck her tongue out at him before he ran off. "I was the one who lied."

          "Yeah, but my parents are the ones that ratted you out," Cassi declared as she reached past Hadley for another handful of shrimp. She handed one to an eager little girl before she turned her attention back to Hadley.

          "They didn't know," Hadley protested. "How did the rest of the night go?"

          "Well, since you asked, I met this really hot guy, his name is Craig and, get this, I think..." she leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "I think he's in college!"

          Hadley couldn't help but smile, it didn't take much to distract Cassi. "He sounds like quite the catch."

          "Yeah, I guess," Cassi replied with a shrug. "Miles and Conner did what they usually did - nothing. Eli was a total buzz kill though. All he did was mope around after you left."

          "Hey! Get down from there," Hadley called towards a little girl climbing onto a rock display. She pouted as her mother turned and pried her off the rocks.

          "Oh yeah?" Hadley added, trying to sound as disinterested as possible. While Eli was the last person she wanted to talk about it secretly pleased her that he was feeling so guilty. "I don't even know why he bothered to show up at all."

          "Come on, Hadley, he felt really bad, and I know you're still upset, but... maybe you should just talk to him?" Cassi suggested. "He's been asking about you at practice this week. You could just hear him out?"

          "I just... I need a little more time," Hadley replied with sigh. "I'm going to take this stuff back into the kitchen. I'll see you later, okay?"

          "Sure thing," Cassi called as Hadley gathered up the empty buckets and toted them back towards the kitchens. "Oh hey!" Hadley paused and looked back towards Cassi questioningly. "I'm leaving early today, dentist appointment." She made a face and Hadley shook her head and laughed.

          "You have tons of fun with that," Hadley called before continuing on her way.

          Hadley hovered just outside the archway of the last exhibit and simply stared into it. Normally she didn't think twice about the darkness that greeted her, but with the memory of the creature fresh in her mind she was hesitant. She knew that just around the corner the gloom would be broken by the occasional, illuminated hole in the wall. Within each space lay a window offering a glimpse into the swirling world of Hadley's all-time favorite sea animal: jellyfish. The graceful creatures were brought vividly to life by an array of black lights mounted above the tanks.

          Even on busy days Hadley made an effort to visit the exhibit. The entire world could be crashing down outside, but when one crossed the threshold into this mystical underwater sanctuary, it commanded a silence that even young children seemed unwilling to break.

          Tonight, however, with the vision of the creature dragging itself to the forefront of her mind, she couldn't help but feel on edge. Every shadow grew deeper and the darkness seemed to take on a life of its own.

          Taking a deep breath, Hadley shoved aside her fears and stepped inside. When nothing horrible happened, she let the air escape her lungs in a low rush. Moving deeper into the exhibit she felt a little silly for being so worried. Still, she didn't linger quite as long as she normally would, her feet carrying her quickly towards the opposite end of the exhibit. Every now and then she'd offered a cursory glance one way and the next - ensuring that no one was attempting to stay behind after hours. She was nearly home free when something caught her eye and caused her to stop short.

          Ahead of her, where light from the hallway beyond spilled across the carpet, she had glimpsed movement, a shadow had shifted she was certain. Even as Hadley stared, she grew less and less confident that she'd really seen something, and more convinced that her eyes had been playing tricks on her.

          A muffled thump from behind her nearly had her running out of the exhibit. Instead, she held her ground, determined not to overreact when it was probably some kid trying to be funny. It wouldn't be the first time she's found someone attempting to hide back here.

          "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice softer than she had intended. She held her breath, waiting for one of those creatures to emerge from the darkness.

          After what seemed like an eternity a tall figure stepped into view instead, silhouetted by the dim light of an observation window behind him. Hadley tried to get her feet to move, but it felt as though they'd been glued to the floor.

          With her heart hammering in her chest, she reminded herself that this was probably just a guest who hadn't realized it was closing time.

          "You'll have to make your way to the front exit, sir, we're closed for the evening," she offered hoping to elicit some sort of response or reaction. The stranger stepped forward and into a pool of light filtering down from the ceiling above. Almost instantly Hadley recognized him. It was the young man who had come to her rescue in the alley the night before.

          Before she could say anything else his eyes settled on hers and she noticed a faint glow that seemed to come from some sort of internal illumination rather than an outside source. Oddly enough, it reminded Hadley of the way an angler-fish used the glowing bulb to lure in potential prey.

          As though moving with a mind of their own, Hadley's feet carried her closer. As the distance between them began to fall away, she felt an odd sense of panic swelling in her chest.

          "Your eyes," she blurted. Perhaps it was the panic in her voice, but the statement caused him to abruptly avert his gaze rather sharply. The moment his eyes slipped away Hadley felt as though she'd been released from some sort of spell.

          "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." he began, looking almost embarrassed. Clearing his throat and straightening his shoulders, he spoke again.

          "It's not important right now," he said as he looked towards her again. The intensity of his gaze had not diminished but the ethereal glow felt muted somehow, much less vivid than before. "You need to come with me now, Hadley. There isn't much time."

          "What?" Hadley said incredulously. "Are you crazy? Why would I go anywhere with you? I don't even know you. How do you even know my name?"

          For a brief moment his expression shifted, growing sad, as though someone had just told him a loved one had passed away. It didn't last long, the span of a blink perhaps, but Hadley was certain it had been there.

          "I know what you must be thinking and I totally understand. I'd feel the same way if I were in your shoes." He stepped forward and extended a hand. "My name is Destan Calder, I swear I'll explain everything after I get you somewhere safe," he insisted. Hadley ignored his outstretched hand and held up her own up defensively causing Destan to step back.

          "If you think I'm just going to walk out of here with you then you really are crazy," she insisted. "Besides, if I was in so much danger why did you wait so long to come find me? It's been days."

          He ran his fingers through his hair and Hadley could tell by his expression that he was getting aggravated by her lack of cooperation.

          "You needed time and I needed to tie up some loose ends elsewhere," he replied. "That thing that attacked you in the alley," he paced away from her to pause in front of one of the observation windows, "well, there's more of them. A lot more. I knew it would take them some time to track you down, which was why I waited." He looked towards her, his expression grave.

          "That time is running out, and once they've found you -- they won't stop coming after you." Hadley could tell he was trying his best to be patient. "I can keep you safe, you just have to trust me."

          "No... no. What happened that night... it was a hallucination, a dream or something," Hadley replied, though she knew how stupid the words sounded. He'd been a witness to it. So either they had shared some sort of strange delusion or what had happened was real. There was also the possibility that he was the delusion and she was having another right now. Perhaps they were triggered by stress or even fear.

          Destan laughed and shook his head. Hadley felt mildly annoyed, failing to see the humor in her words.

          "Is that what you've convinced yourself? It was a dream? If that's what you really believe why were you in such a hurry to get out of the exhibit? If it wasn't because of the dark and what's lurking unseen -- then why?"

          "I-I'm just anxious to get home, it's been a long day," Hadley replied defensively, feeling her argument slipping away as quickly as water through a cracked glass.

          "You've always been a horrible liar," Destan said with a heavy sigh. He turned to face her and buried both hands in the pockets of his coat. "Fine. If you won't believe me then go home and ask your father. This is his fault anyway."

          "My dad? What does he have to do with any of this?"

          "Everything."

          Without saying another word, Destan turned and strolled towards the exit. Hadley stood there, lost in thought, for quite a while after he had gone. Was he telling the truth? If so, what exactly did she need protection from? As ridiculous as it seemed, it appeared she was faced with one of two choices: believe she was losing her mind or go home and see what her father had to say.

          Hadley had just finished unlocking the padlock on her bike when she sensed movement behind her. Assuming it was Destan come to pester her some more she turned to face him with a scowl. "I still haven't changed my mind."

          It wasn't Destan, however, but Eli. He looked quite taken aback by her reaction to his presence.

          "Um, oookay," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. Hadley blushed, embarrassed by her hasty actions. "Mind if I ask what you aren't changing your mind about? I hope it isn't your love for ice cream, because, we may not be able to stay friends."

          "Eli, sorry," Hadley replied. "I thought you were someone else. What are you even doing here?"

          "Well, I wanted to apologize for missing the show last night, Cassi said I might find you here," he explained. Hadley groaned inwardly. When would that girl stop meddling with everything? "I'm really sorry, something came up and it took longer than I thought... look, there's no good reason, but I still hope you'll forgive me."

          She wanted to stay angry with him; she wanted to blame this whole mess on him. It was easier somehow, took a little of the pressure off. If he'd been there, then she never would have gotten embarrassed and run off stage. She wouldn't have gone outside for air and she wouldn't have gotten attacked as a result. In her heart she knew it was all just an excuse. If she hadn't lied to begin with she never would have been at the club at all. In the end, she was the only one to blame.

          Hadley sighed and let her shoulders slump. "You really hurt me, Eli. You were supposed to be my good luck charm. It was embarrassing and... it just really sucked." Sucked was an understatement, but it was all she had at the moment. Destan had left her feeling irritable and impatient, coupled with Eli's recent transgressions and, well, it was all just poor timing.

         "I know, and I'm really sorry," he said, placing both hands on her shoulders. "It was some last minute family thing. I ditched as soon as I could to get to the club."

          "I'm sure that whatever it was, it was important."

          "It was, but not as important as you," he replied quietly. Hadley felt her cheeks grow hot. As flattering as it was, Hadley did not want to deal with this right now.

          "Listen, I really appreciate that you came down here to say you're sorry, but I really have to go."

          "Cassi told me you were grounded... let me give you a ride," he said hastily, motioning towards an SUV parked a few yards away.

          "No, that's okay..." Hadley replied. She didn't want to impose on him or make him go out of his way for her. Besides, she wasn't sure how her father would feel about it.

          "Please? Listen, it's my dad's car and he never lets me use it; driving you home would give me an excuse to keep it a little longer," he said with a pout. "Plus, I'm going to make this up to you no matter what it takes."

          "Ugh, okay, fine," she replied, unable to keep a tiny smile at bay. He was trying awfully hard to make amends, she had to cut him a little slack. Besides, it was better than riding the bus onto the island. "Straight home, though, no detours. My dad is mad enough as it is."

          "Scouts honor," he said, sauntering backwards towards the vehicle. Hadley followed after him, wheeling her bike along beside her. As she waited for Eli to load it into the back, she took one last look around the empty parking lot. An indistinguishable figure was standing at the far end of the lot. She had a feeling it was Destan, though she couldn't be certain.

          "Hadley? Everything okay?"

           She looked back towards Eli.

          "Huh? Yeah, I was just..." she looked back towards the figure only to discover whomever it was had disappeared, "... waiting."