REACHING THE BOUNDARY of the beach resort, through the chest-level wall, they checked the next resort for any presence. They both stared at the man who brought the siphon tube, walking back to the main house or hall. A few seconds later, when they were out of the man's peripheral vision, they quickly climbed up the wall and jumped to the resort's property. Asceia felt the wet, soft, and rough sand touching her sole as she landed. She quickly followed Marko and together, they headed to the hall.

Leaving the sand and climbing up the stairs to the cemented grounds of the hall and cottages, they chose to dove into the area full of flowering plants. Even if the place is dark, still they ducked to hide from direct exposure. From their position, they looked around, trying to spot any movements or presence. Up close, they noticed that the other end of the siphon tube was laid inside the hall.

"Where are the guards? This place seemed like abandoned. I don't hear anything from the inside," Asceia said to Marko's mind.

"No guards are patrolling..." Marko whispered, informing their team. "So far, we only saw one and he's gone."

"Marko, activate the device," Troy ordered.

From his pocket, Marko pulled out a rectangular, small, and black device. He pressed the only button on the side of it and a small bulb lit up.

"Done."

"Alright, thank you. I'm hacking into the surveillance system of the resort. I will be your eyes right now."

"Tell us what you see."

"You're currently positioned near the main hall, right? You're clear. The hall is free."

"Ask him about the siphon tube."

"What about the siphon, Troy? Where does it lead?"

"It is out of my sight, but wait...let me check something." Their line of communication went silent for a second and all they heard was the sound of keys being pressed. "Based on the structure of the building, I think it leads to the theater room. Just follow the tube and be careful. I will warn you if I'll see something."

They stepped out of the dark area, Asceia left the binoculars and headed to the entrance. Their steps were calculated and slow, trying to avoid making noises. The blue siphon tube served as their guide. They walked the silent corridor until a few minutes later, they arrived at the red wooden door that was left ajar for the siphon tube to get through.

"This must be the theater room. I can hear splashes of water inside," Asceia said to Marko's mind. She slowly pushed the door and walked in.

Inside, she was shocked to see a rectangular pool below, judging by the rubbles and materials around it, it must be newly dug and built. The end of the siphon tube was in the pool, filling up the spaces with seawater. But what disturbed her and Marko the most was the sight of adults and kids, including Epifanio, jumping into the pool, and drinking the seawater they scooped through their hands. They all looked so thirsty. They were uncontrollably drinking to quench their thirst. And on the corner of the theater, Asceia noticed something. It was a big glass tank containing memraes settling in the water.

"Asceia, Marko...what's your status? Over."

Asceia was about to take a step when she heard something from behind. She turned around and there, she was caught by surprise after the door was busted open. Everything happened so fast and the next thing she knew was the punch that threw her off. Her sight was blurry as she rolled over and over down until she got trapped in between chairs. She endured the pain that quickly faded, she immediately got up and assessed what happened.

Marko was nowhere in sight and the only thing that caught her attention was the man running towards her position. For a split second, she looked back to see Epifanio and others getting away through the backdoor. She clenched her first and her barbed stingers were drawn out. With all of her force, she punched the stinger to the chest man that was about to attack her. She felt how his insides were torn and watched how his blood flowed and stained his blue polo shirt. But he didn't flinch, instead, he bashed his head to her face and kicked her away, removing the buried stinger in the process.

"Asceia? What is going on?"

Again, she was thrown off. She felt her back hit the edge of the metallic chairs before her face was slumped to the floor. She got back up again and witnessed the fight between Marko and the wounded man he was trying to pin down. Punches and kicks were thrown, and both sustained damages, but no one surrendered. She didn't waste any second and rushed to help Marko. She kicked the man away that was beating Marko's face and again, drew out her barbed stinger from her right wrist.

Using her free left hand, she pulled his hair at the same she punctured the hole of his nose with the stinger. She drilled right through his brain. Retracting the stinger, pieces of his brain were left on its serrated edge and the man dropped to the floor, lifeless, with blood flowing out.

"What the fuck is that?" Marko groaned in between his breaths. "Damn! I fought men before but he's fucking strong."

She went to him, held his arm, and pulled him back up. "Let's go. Epifanio's getting away."

"Troy, we're fine. Do you have eyes on Epifanio?"

"I did not see him leave the resort through the main gate. He is still there..."

Asceia stopped for a second and closed her eyes. Shutting her vision, she heightened her sense of hearing and searched for any noise. Aside from the waves and the machine of siphon tube that kept on collecting water, she heard footsteps. Heavy footsteps of not one but more than three individuals going somewhere. The moment she opened her eyes, she immediately ran back to the door where they came from.

Reaching the beach, she saw Epifanio trying to get away, heading to the speed boat that was standing by on the water, with a man ready and waiting to take off. She doubled her pace and opened her mouth to scream, but no voice came out of her throat. She was frustrated to see them get away and disappeared in the darkness of the night. But she didn't stop, she dove right into the water, tore off the bikini, and let the seawater change her.

••°°••

You can share your thoughts on the other social media platforms by using our official hashtag: #EverAfterSeriesWP #WavesOfScales