Scales: Mermaids Are Real Page #2

personally.

I just... I feel like

I'm a burden sometimes.

We're kids, we're supposed

to be a burden.

It's like our right.

My dad's a bit intense, I guess.

I just never know

what's real with him.

I mean, he's convinced there's

a way to really save me...

but I don't know, he drove away

my mom trying to find a cure.

My mom's gone, too.

I'm sorry.

It's okay, just don't treat me

like I'm a special case, either.

So, where are we walking?

Honestly, you're the local.

I don't have any idea

where any of these paths lead.

Well then if we follow this path

back, it should take me home.

Okay, yeah, that one I knew.

Goodnight!

Goodnight.

Hey, wait up.

Are you wearing my present?

Yeah.

Good.

It wasn't cheap, you know.

Hey, Siren.

Hey, Adam.

That was really fun yesterday.

Yeah, it was nice.

I like your necklace.

It really catches the light.

Thanks.

Anyway, I'll see you around.

Siren, stay away from him.

Why, do you have a crush on him?

No! I mean, yes.

I have a crush on him,

so stay away.

I'm coming over for dinner

tonight, okay?

I'll have to check with my mom.

No, you won't, it's happening.

It's my job to tell her

when the time is right.

Yes, I agree and guess what,

it's time.

Mom?

What?

I'm just saying, this

is Emerald's daughter...

we're talking about

and she deserves to know.

I mean, look at Crystal. She's

known since she could talk.

It's different for you. This is

a world that makes sense to you.

I'm not one of you.

Yes, you are, honey.

Emerald chose you.

That's good enough, tell Siren.

Tell me what?

Hey, honey.

Your mom invited us over

to have dinner and to talk.

Talk about what?

Why don't you just come

in first and let's eat.

Just try not to freak out, okay?

Saying that's making me

freak out.

Anyone want to tell me

what's going on?

This isn't gonna be easy, so I'm

just gonna go ahead and say it.

Say what?

Quinn has something she'd

like to tell you.

Right... Crystal?

Oh... wow... okay, here it goes.

So, you know how my mom goes off

to work every couple of years...

and I come live with you?

Three years at sea,

three years on land.

For your job right?

Well, she actually

goes into the ocean.

Like on a submarine?

Like in the ocean.

Mom, are you sending me away?

No, baby.

I mean, you do have to go

into the water for a little bit.

Like three years.

What are you talking about?

Um, you see...

half-breed mermaids live

three years in the water...

and three years on land.

And you are a...

Could you help me here?

Uh... honey, you're a mermaid.

So is your birth mother.

So am I.

Quite a few women in this

town actually.

Okay, very funny.

Then how come I've never spent

like any time in the water then?

Because the change doesn't

happen until your 12th birthday.

Sweetie?

Crystal?

Mom?

Joke's over, right?

My 12th birthday is this

weekend.

I'm not prepared for this.

Okay, remember how I had

to go to summer school...

but that school was out of town?

They were training me

to live in the ocean.

My birthday is before yours,

where's my training?

Your mom made me promise

to protect you...

and she wanted me to keep

all of this secret.

This would explain why I can

control water.

I thought I was losing my mind.

You can do what?

Control water.

That's a mermaid thing, right?

Wait, show us.

This is what you were trying

to show me yesterday?

She showed this to you?

Well, tried to.

I just thought she was going

a little cuckoo.

This makes you very unique,

Siren.

Well, I feel unique.

Why do you all look so worried?

We'll need to discuss this

with the others.

If you can do this...

it's possible that your blood

may also have healing powers.

Which would make you very

desirable to the Hunters.

The Hunters?

Well, this has been a really

great dinner!

Thanks for coming over!

Should I go after her?

No, honey, just let her

process it.

Is she taking a bath?

You'll be okay.

Oh, honey, that's a great idea.

You should take a bath and get

used to being in the water.

Leave me alone, Mom!

Bye.

Bye.

Siren, are you okay? Open up!

Siren, open up!

Okay now, sweetie,

when she wakes up...

let's just go slow with her,

okay?

Okay.

We don't want to overwhelm her.

She's had enough for one day.

I understand.

My feet!

Hey, hey, you're okay.

Quinn, where's my mom?

You know, she just ran home to

grab a few things...

but she'll be back very soon.

You were out for a bit.

Siren, how are you feeling?

I thought I had a tail.

What's happening to me?

This is normal, honey,

everybody goes through this.

Everybody does not go

through this!

Everybody that's like us.

And how many people is that?

Well, I'd say about 10 or so

in town...

but there are more of us

out there.

Out where?

In the ocean and in other towns.

I want to know the names

of the others in town.

Why has no one

told me this earlier!

What do you even eat

in the ocean?

How do you breathe?

You are going to develop gills!

What?

Okay, Mom, you're not good

at delivering news.

Okay, they're not bad.

They're actually pretty cool.

How can I turn this off?

A woman's body goes through

several changes...

at your age, honey.

This is not puberty!

I know, but...

Is my real mom alive?

Yes. She lives in the ocean.

This is all a bit hard

to explain.

Can you at least try?

Okay, all mermaids have to stay

on land until they are 12...

and then the half-breeds,

they live in the ocean...

for three years and on land

for three years.

They can't control it.

But the purebloods,

they can go in and out...

of the water as they please?

Wait, my mom could come

and get me anytime she wants?

It's not that easy, Siren.

She's trying to protect you.

From what?

Well, your mom's not just

a mermaid.

She's the leader.

My mom's the leader?

And I barely know how to swim?

Tiffany was keeping you safe,

hidden.

To her, that meant not telling

you all this...

until the time was right.

So she's been lying to me

about everything!

Shh, honey, not here.

Someone might hear us.

Yeah, keep the freak out

to a minimum.

Hi, how are you feeling?

I would like to rest, please.

That's something I can prescribe

without the doctor's consent.

Okay, Siren, we'll be just down

the hall, if you need anything.

Send a nurse for us.

I'm fine.

Bye.

Do you need anything before you

go off to slumber land?

I could use some water.

Coming right up.

I was sensing some...

I don't know...

unwillingness to accept

the truth.

Yeah, there was a little bit

of that.

Other than being totally

freaked out...

and hating her mom

for lying to her.

I think she did okay.

Well, she can't stop this.

I'm just hoping she allows us

to help her through it.

Yeah.

One cup of sleepy-time water.

Hello? Hello?

Ms. Phillips?

You about to throw stones at me?

No, sir, at your window...

but I decided against it

before you came out.

And who are you?

I'm Siren, Adam's friend.

Siren

Well, that's a curious name.

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