I was back in Rosewood Manor again, only this time I wasn't alone. My heart was racing as I swam up and down the endless hallways, banging on every door. Ella was here; I could feel it. The only problem was, I wouldn't be able to hear her if she shouted. My mouth was dry, my skin clammy as I swam, struggling to push down the horror and defeat struggling to rise to the surface.

When a hand landed on my shoulder, I had a dagger in my own before I'd even turned around. Worried grey eyes stared back at me, confusion on the merman's face. I could hardly remember how to move my hands, much less how to sign. Ella. It was all I could manage.

David nodded, anger chilling his features as he swam away, his dagger clenched in his hand. I panted as I swam, tears of defeat streaming down my face. It was only when I'd gotten to the end of a hallway that I noticed one of the doors ajar. My hands shook as I swam towards it—and froze as the full surroundings of the room came into view.

It was small—no more than an attic, really—and mostly bare, save for a chest of drawers and a small cot. A small window above a sitting bench provided some semblance of light. But what scared me more than anything, what made my heart stop dead in my chest and fear steal the water from my lungs, was the little mermaid on the floor. Her tail was tucked up under her as she stared at nothing. But as I swam closer I saw something glinting around her neck.

I froze with my hands outstretched as realisation hit me. The pendant came into view, its dark blue stone glittering in the dim light. I reached for her, my hand trembling—and failed to stop the scream that shattered from me as the room disappeared, a black void swallowing me. When I opened my eyes again—even though I had no recollection of closing them—I immediately felt a small, trembling body against mine.

I grabbed my notepad, scribbling a message before attempting to hand it to Ella. Are you okay?

Her hand didn't so much as move. She continued staring at nothing, her face so pale it was almost white. I bent down so my face was level with hers. I blinked, and I could suddenly see, not just the wall, but what lurked before it. Ghosts. One in particular caught my eye: a merman with pale skin, dark blond hair, and aquamarine eyes. He stared down at Ella, a furious expression on his face.

His stare was like a brand, snapping her out of her trancelike state. Her face drained of colour, her brown eyes widening as her mouth opened. "Please! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!"

Realisation hit me like a slap in the face. This was Drew and the girls' father. I'd never heard Carla or Drew speak of him. My eyes darkened, anger rushing through me. I rushed to her side, putting a protective arm around her. "Leave her alone!"

I couldn't hear myself, but I tried to sound as assertive as I could. The merman's eyes widened as he noticed me, then he scoffed. He focused on Ella, a cruel grin on his face. Her own crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks as she struggled with whatever horror she was experiencing. I wanted to help her, but didn't dare move.

My eyes opened slowly, the world spinning in my vision. For the first time since Ella's death, I felt... heavy. Tears filled my eyes, quickly spilling down my cheeks. That familiar feeling of hopelessness snuck back up on me, filling me with guilt.

I flinched as I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder. I didn't have to look up to know it was Jay. Do you need anything? His hands were steady as he signed.

I buried my face in his chest, that pent-up guilt and sadness coming to the surface. Tears cascaded down my cheeks like a waterfall, dripping onto the blankets. Jay just rubbed my back until they subsided. I finally pulled back to look at him, my head throbbing from lack of sleep and excessive crying.

He wiped a tear off my cheek before signing. Aegrem's new school is finally finished. They want us to come by and see it. Do you feel up to it?

That was one of the things I loved most about him. He never pressured me into anything; never forced me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with. I swiped at my face, swallowed hard, then swam out of bed. Jay steadied me with a hand on my back as I got dressed.

A broken sound cracked out of me as we swam downstairs; I noticed the mermaid and merman floating in our living room. I took a stroke towards them, but crumpled mere feet away, both hands covering my face as I sobbed. Bella's arms were around me a heartbeat later, lifting me off the ground. She said nothing as I cried, just held me. Her own eyes were filled with tears as I pulled back to look at her.

I heard about Ella. I'm so sorry, Nerissa. Her hands were steady when she signed.

David was next. Like Bella, he held me for a few, long minutes, not saying a word. I'm always here if you need to talk. His grey eyes shone with concern.

I sniffled, again swiping at my face in an attempt to make myself somewhat presentable. Today's the grand opening of Aegrem's new school. Want to come?

David and Bella nodded, the latter linking her arm in mine as the former hung back with Jay. We swam to the school in silence, occasionally greeting a passing mermaid or merman. It seemed we weren't the only ones excited about the opening. A huge crowd had gathered around the building, but they parted to let the four of us through.

A mermaid and her daughter were at the front of the crowd, their eyes widening as they saw me. The mother leaned down to whisper something in her daughter's ear. The little mermaid grinned and nodded as she turned back to me.

Jay swam to my side—he would be my official translator from now on. We have had a difficult few months. A difficult year, really. But we leaned on each other when we needed it most—helping rebuild businesses and homes, assisting in cleaning up the city. And it is my hope that with this grand opening comes a new chapter. One we can open up to new possibilities and opportunities. Every child is welcome and encouraged to attend, free of charge. If you can't afford supplies, let me or my husband know and we will provide whatever is needed. Thank you.

One of the construction workers swam up to me, silt on his uniform. His blue eyes were wide, his almond-coloured skin flushed as he bowed. Your Highness. My name is Adrian Stratton.

I inclined my head slightly, smiling at him. Your signing is impressive. Looks like everything went smoothly.

Adrian nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. Yes, your Highness. Would you like a tour?

I gently shook my head, noticing his exhaustion. Go home and rest. You've certainly earned it.

He nodded gratefully before swimming away. A mermaid and two young children were floating a few feet away from me, their eyes lighting up as they saw Adrian. The little mermaid sped through the water, wrapping her arms around his waist as she hugged him. His wife swam up to him, gazing at him before kissing him on the cheek.

I blinked back tears as I watched Adrian with his family. Mermaids and mermen alike formed a circle around me, smiles on their faces as they congratulated me on the grand opening. As the last hand was clasped, breathing became increasingly difficult. For a heartbeat, I wasn't surrounded by merpeople with smiles on their faces. I was on a familiar outcropping, surrounded by angry mermaids and mermen as they sided with Brandon and called me a murderer.

The smiles on their faces transformed into scowls; the joy in their eyes replaced with disgust. Three words ran through my head on repeat, dragging me deeper into that hopelessness and panic: You did this.

My smile was wavering as my heart pounded, my mouth going dry. A hand suddenly slipped into mine, its grip warm and reassuring. Another slipped into my free one, followed by a third coming to rest on the small of my back. I looked up and saw Jay speaking to the crowd. My breathing was shaky as I struggled to get my heartbeat under control.

Then suddenly I was being led away, the tears cascading down my face making it difficult to see in front of me. As soon as we'd swam through the door, Jay was leading me to the couch, keeping my hand in his. His eyes were filled with apologies and guilt. I'm so sorry. I had no idea that would happen.

That was what didn't make sense, though. It never had happened before. The only time I'd ever felt that way was when I was in an enclosed space, like a hallway with no doors, or a small closet. I shook my head, giving him a shaky smile. It wasn't your fault. It was mine.

I slumped against the cushions, exhaustion hitting me like a physical blow. My eyes had barely finished closing before unconsciousness dragged me under.

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