Into the Deep Read Online Free PDF Page B

the body of a mythical creature and my other leg bobbing like a cork.
    “What are we going to do?” Alarm enters my voice with full force. The tail twitches and flops in agitation as a frantic sob pops out of my throat. “Charlotte, help.”
    Without waiting for her to answer, I turn over and struggle to reach dry land, my tears dripping into the surf. I can’t be seen with this, this…fin. I’ll be experimented on, put in a tank, and studied. I’ll probably even be poached and served up on a platter. Running fingers through my tangled hair, I breathe. I need to regain control of my imagination, concentrate on the obvious problem—changing back. Since the change happened when I entered the ocean, I figure if I’m dry it will be reversed.
    Charlotte realizes what I’m trying to do. She grabs me under the arms and starts yanking with all her might. After a few minutes of struggling, we emerge from the surf. As soon as I’m out, I ache to be in the water with a passion I never imagined possible. Every single cell of my being cries out, aching to be in it again. The hurt is so intense I almost crawl over to the waves lapping at the shore.
    Instead, the tingling returns and warmth rushes up the tail. We watch as an iridescent light surrounds the fin. It grows brighter, completely obscuring it. As the tingling climaxes, the light fades and my single leg is there once again, along with my stump. I reach up to check if the gills are gone. They are.
    I sit in stunned silence, dripping and shivering either from being wet or amazement. Strange as it sounds, I miss being a mermaid. I glance over my shoulder at the rolling waves, filled with the desire to be whole again. “I’m afraid I’m going to explode, Char, but I’m also yearning to go back.” A tear rolls down my cheek.
    “I can’t believe that just happened. Finally, certain things are clear.” Her hands shake slightly as she grasps them together and I recall her saying it answered a lot of questions.
    “I’ve always been terrified of the water,” I argue, gaining a tiny bit of control over myself, but the cold rock of fear sits firmly in the middle of my chest. I never felt comfortable with myself to begin with. From here on out, it’ll be a million times worse. I pull my prosthetic to me, letting the hard material anchor me to reality.
    Her eyes narrow. “You’ve been afraid because your mom drills it into your head all the time. Think about it. There was the shark attack, which your mom constantly reminds you of. You grew up believing her when she ordered you to stay away from the ocean. Turns out it’s because you’re a mermaid.” She shrugs. “She knows.”
    I consider what she said. It makes a perverted kind of sense. Mom has to be aware of this, which means I need to talk to her right now. “I have to go.”
    Scrambling, I quickly try to attach my leg, but it’s not working. Everything is too wet. The prosthetic requires suction, a perfect seal, and the water isn’t helping.
    “It’s not working,” I hiss.
    She assists me into a standing position and I hop with one arm slung across her shoulders toward the fire. I’m too frantic to care about being embarrassed, until Scott veers in our direction. “You can’t tell anyone, Char.”
    “Are you okay, Zoey? What happened?” Scott asks with concern.
    I shift my prosthetic behind me a bit, thankful I have on a maxi skirt. “Rogue wave. It came out of nowhere and capsized us. I’m fine.”
    “I could give you a ride.” His gaze flicks over me and I fidget. Normally, I’d jump at the chance, but not after what happened.
    “Thanks. I’m okay. It’s been a rough week. See you later.”
    I hop off, trailed by Charlotte and instantly forgetting about boy problems. What are they compared to myths and fish tails? I glance over at my friend. “Seriously, this has to stay a secret.”
    “You can count on me. Friends to the death, remember? Just be careful.”
    Her warning causes me to slow