"Valerie! It's nice to see you around again," Aunt Beth greets Val the moment she enters the house. They exchange small talks as I join Uncle Seb on the couch who is watching the news. 

The police has found new evidence of supernatural beings who typically are not capable of fitting in with a human face has disguised themselves with some sort of tech. The tech is available in the black market at a very cheap rate. 

People are arguing about the fact of whether supernatural beings are allowed to hide their true faces or not as this could potential affect the safety of human beings. It is bad enough that humans are powerless and scared of things they do not understand.

"The Chief of Police has released statement that all disguise technology are illegal and whoever is caught will be brought to court. The use of disguise technology prove to bring more harm than good to the general public..." the newscaster reads out.

"General public," Uncle Seb snorts. 

I hush him to concentrate on the next segment of news. 

"The President has announced a nationwide Identification Test conduct on all its citizens. Anyone who doesn't comply or submit themselves to the Test will be sentenced to either a fine or prison, depending on the severity of the situation," the newscaster continues with a serious look on her face. "Here's what the President have to say on this matter."

"All citizens have nothing to fear," the grey-haired President addresses to the media. "The government has offered full transparency to the public in order peace to be maintained. We ensure that there is diversity in the cabinet, whether it is race, disability, or species. 

"The Identification Test is another step to document all of its citizen so that any measure of safety or protection can be taken appropriately. We have our brightest minds protecting the privacy and data of everyone, just as before with birth certificates or driving licenses.    

"My government and I accept feedbacks from the public to ensure that incidents like the Florence Fire will not happen again. Our main goal is to lead this generation into an age of peace where humans and supernatural beings alike can live without fear of each other. Thank you."

Uncle Seb straight away mutes the TV and runs off to call dad. 

"Lovely," I say sarcastically. Jasper's going to have a lot of say about this. I take out my phone and start to text him.

We're in the middle of a political crisis.

We need an underground bunker, lots of food, and books on how to grow plants.

I roll my eyes at his response. Dramatic guy.

You watch too many apocalypse movies.

You have no idea how paranoid I was during the year 2012.

I mentally face palm at the thought of Jasper as a young boy watching the movie 2012 and then finding out ways to find some ship to save himself.

"Mel?" Valerie says, bringing me out of attention from Jasper's text. I sigh when I realise that our talk is inevitable. I really do sigh a lot lately.

"Let's go for a little walk," I suggest. There's no way I can risk Aunt Beth or Uncle Seb listening in on our conversation as they think that we are still friends. Val accepts the suggestion and we start to walk towards the beach. Dad is keeping the perimeter checked so he makes sure that the coastline is clear from any unwanted visitors. 

"I heard you were nearly caught by the Siren hunter," Valerie begins. 

I shrug in response. "What's done is done. I'm fortunate to be alive."

Valerie frowns in concern. "That's not right. I wish there is a way for you to go for your swims in peace and no one bothering you..."

"For the time being, dad's been accompanying me on my swims," I admit. "The mermaid came a few times, but dad caught him and threatened him about trespassing private land. It is basically dad's right to his territory, unless if the mermaid order a search warrant and the list goes on."

"Search warrant?" Val repeats worriedly.

"The mermaid doesn't have much evidence. His sniffing turtle is a trained animal that spotted me that day, but even turtles can be unsure. Think of them as guard dogs. As long as any mermaids or people spot me, I'm safe."

"Oh that's good..."

"Why are we doing this, Valerie?" I cut the chase, anxious for her answer. "Why now?"

"I don't know..." she says with a lost look on her face. "I miss you around. I miss being able to be this open and be honest about myself."

I want to give her a piece of my mind. Yet when I see the girl who looks like she lost a part of herself, I resign to being a good friend and ensure her sanity is intact. The both of us sit on the clean white sand, staring at the beach.

"You didn't tell Elise about your family?" It isn't a question. It's a statement.

Val shakes her head. "Vaughn knows that I'm with Elise, and he doesn't think it's wise to tell her. It is bad enough that Alpha Eleanor is trying to keep the Minotaurs' identity a secret. Now that the Identification Test is approved, I have no idea what's going to turn up on the charts. I'm scared that whatever is the result, I'll be a freak. Not human, not demigoddess, and definitely not Minotaur."

"You're scared of Elise judging you for what you are?" 

Val shakes her head, and then after a moment of thinking, she nods in defeat. "I don't know... I'm confused. I mean, I can finally know what's in my DNA. However, I don't know if I can accept the truth about myself. I've accepted the fact that I'm human and powerless, but I have hope that there is something special and have some sort of power... Ugh, now I sound selfish."

I remember the times Val ranted to me. The reason why Val didn't do a proper testing on her DNA is because her parents are afraid to take the risk of anyone finding out. It's bad enough that Miss Lisbeth - Valerie's mother - is in hiding to ensure universal peace or whatever. The last thing the Kingston family is leverage against the Peacekeeper. 

I wonder what are the Minotaur's plans for Val during the Identification Test if the government finds out about Val's heritage and Miss Lisbeth's powers.

"I totally get it," I assure her, thinking about her priorities. "I think you should tell Elise, if you trust her. Rather she hear it from you than other people who peeked at your Identification Test result later on. But if you don't think you trust her enough yet, then don't tell her. You are entitled to your privacy even if you're in a relationship. Don't let being committed to someone make you lose your individualism."

Val's mouth gaps open in surprise at my advice. Well, whatever she wants to do is up to her. 

"I'm so sorry for distancing myself from you, Mel. I've been so blinded by the fact that I'm finally in a relationship that..."

"Don't sweat about it," I reply. "It's normal. You apologise and now you have to put in effort to receive forgiveness. I'm pissed, sure, but I think I'm willing to forgive. You're my only friend in the school, Val. You threw me into a pit of sharks and I have to swim my way up."

"What an ironic metaphor," she weakly jokes.

I roll my eyes. "Can't help it since I am technically a Siren."

"About the Identification Test," she brings up, looking at me worriedly. "What are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing."