The rest of the week had felt like an eternity but Eva was making some progress. She convinced Viola to continue her English lessons while she regained her strength. Eva, at every opportunity, took what photos she could.

By the weekend she would have had a conspiracy board if she had been able to find any red twine. While she had virtual copies she had printed out many of the photos and information she had gathered.

She had even gone to city hall and requested to see the blueprints for the research facility. Apparently, none existed, which puzzled the clerk more than it did her.

Suffice it to say Eva had a whole lot of nothing.

“For the love of god, mom. There is money on the counter if you’re hungry, I’ll be back tonight,” she yelled before slamming the door closed behind her. Odds were that money would just go to booze, she would have to pick up some groceries on the way home.

She already had enough on her plate this week and her mother’s antics only made things worse. She had plans to meet with Felisha and Mike on the weekend so she could truly get them involved. She only had a few days to form some kind of plan and figure out how it would come together.

What she also really needed was to get Phillip on board. He knew the facility better than anyone except Talbot himself. The problem was Eva had no idea how to approach this. Phillip clearly had no problems stretching the rules a little but all-out conspiracy… It was a massive risk to try and get him involved yet Eva couldn’t see a method for success without someone on the inside to such a degree.

By the time Eva locked up her bike and walked across the bridge her mind was already spinning. It took her far longer than it should have for her to realize something was wrong.

It was only when she entered the lobby that she realized Martha wasn’t at her desk nor were there guards at the door. She hadn’t passed any mercenaries at this end of the bridge either.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she hesitated. Where were the guards? This was a heavily secure facility, they wouldn’t just abandon it. Not when there was so much to hide inside.

Panic flared through her as she put two and two together and she bolted for the door. Her ID unlocked the door as usual and she was halfway down the hall before it slammed closed behind her. There were no guards at the metal detector and she ignored the beeping alarm that triggered when she ran past into the control room.

It was abandoned as well but that was less of a concern as she ran to the window. She sighed with relief when she saw Viola on the edge of the platform. It was strange for her to be out of the water but she was here. She suddenly felt somewhat lethargic as the adrenaline drained from her. Her panic that Viola was gone was now receding.

“Ms. Diaz.”

Eva jumped and spun on her heels to find two mercenaries. These ones looked more like thugs than soldiers. She knew where she had seen them before, following Talbot around.

“Mr. Talbot would like a word,” the first man spoke, motioning to the elevator. His outreached hand opened his jacket enough to reveal his holstered pistol.

Her eyes flicked to the only exit which was now blocked by the other man. She really didn't want to go with them but it did not seem like a friendly conversation. The man may not have said they would forcibly drag her if she did not go willingly but it was certainly implied.

She glanced back to Viola who was now watching the doorway to the enclosure with fascination. Without another option she nervously walked past the first man and into the elevator, the second man falling into step behind her.

The first man hit the down button and the elevator lurched in silence. Both men watched her without a word. Eva would have found the silence awkward if she wasn't scared shitless. The door opened to the wetroom and Viola’s panic only increased. Talbot and two more of his bodyguards stood there along with Phillip, Abby and a handful of other staff.

“You're late,” Talbot sneered as she stepped forward.

“What's going on?” she replied, looking around. There was a nervousness that permeated the room and an anger from Talbot that did nothing to soothe her unease. Talbot’s bodyguards wore their usual blank stares but everyone else looked like they had been caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

“It’s recently come to my attention that we’ve had a breach of security,” Talbot sighed. “We don’t allow devices in the laboratories for a reason and yet… it seems that some of you… are too fucking stupid to do your jobs!”

Eva shrank back as Talbot soured and his volume grew. Her heart pounded in her temples, she had been so careful. Was this about her? Could they know?

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“Now a mistake… I can excuse,” Talbot said, composing himself. “But this sort of thing requires my personal involvement. So imagine my surprise, Phillip, when I looked at the results rather than your reports. None of you have made any fucking progress!”

Everyone flinched at that, Phillip was looking green in a literal way Eva didn’t think was possible.

“Analyzing songs, monitoring sleep patterns, drawing with fucking markers!” Talbot yelled, pulling a folder from his jacket and flinging it into the air sending papers scattering. “I wanted the mermaid trained, docile and obedient. You’ve all failed miserably at best and actively stolen from me at worst,” he said, pulling out a pistol and waving it toward Phillip. “Do you think I’m stupid!?”

Phillip cowered, his hands held protectively in front of it. Eva’s blood ran cold. This was escalating far beyond anything she could have prepared for.

“I-I don’t-please,” Phillip stammered.

An explosion of noise reverberated around the room as Phillip crumpled to the ground. All tension left his body in less than a second as red splattered the wall behind him.

Eva clutched at her ears as the sound seemed to claw into her skull as it reverberated around the wet room. She could vaguely hear someone screaming over the ringing as she stumbled and tripped on something.

“Fuck!” Talbot hissed, clutching his own ears. His suffering made Eva feel a little better. She glanced towards Phillips and immediately felt nauseous. Blood oozed from a bullet wound in his head. Talbot had killed him. Jesus fucking Christ, Talbot killed him!

Abby was screaming. Talbot’s goons had handled the sound far better. Either used to it or having prepared for it.

Eva felt cold and lightheaded. She had to get out of there. Stumbling towards the gate she opened it. Movement caught her attention as someone moved towards her. In a panic she grabbed at the broom handle, fumbling and failing to grab it for a moment before her fingers wrapped around the end. She pulled it up and swung. She couldn’t hear the sound it made as it connected with Talbot’s goon but it couldn’t have been pretty.

As he collapsed she hit the button on the computer, the gate opened and she scrambled out. Practically tripping on Viola who was right on the other side.

“H-he killed him,” she muttered. She heard Viola reply with worried clicks. Her ears were finally beginning to recover.

“Please-“ Abby’s voice was cut off by another gunshot before several others followed. This wasn’t an execution, it was a massacre. And they were coming for her.

Why was Talbot doing this? Had he lost his damn mind? What could he possibly gain from doing this? Killing anyone who knew anything about Viola was insane. I don’t want to die.

Viola scurried back at the sound of the gunshots, her movements clumsy and panicked outside of the water. Eva turned to face the gate, the silence worse than anything else. Viola whistled at her but Eva was frozen. With nowhere else to run her flight instincts had compromised on freeze.

She hadn't had a hope of making it to the elevator but she was even more trapped here. This cage could hold Viola and it could certainly hold her. A thunk announced the gate opening as Talbot stepped through, wiping blood off his lapel and shaking his head to clear the presumed ringing.

“That was rather messy,” he grumbled. One of his bodyguards stepped through after him and offered him a handkerchief as if they hadn't just massacred the staff. Another guard stepped through, this one with a bloody nose.

Eva clutched at the broom handle, her only weapon against these monsters. Viola whined a worried whistle which offered no answers. Talbot’s beady eyes finally glanced up, pinning her to the spot.

“Y-you’re insane,” she laughed with disbelief. Her voice sounded foreign and strange.

“I’m practical. This facility was just temporary, you and I both know the mermaid wouldn't survive here,” he grinned. “Phillip’s been a pain in my ass for years and I had to clean up loose ends.”

“Where are you taking her?” Eva swallowed, not wanting to focus on how casually he spoke of murder. She didn't have time to think about that right now or she would fall apart.

Talbot laughed, “You really are the mermaid whisperer. I’m about to put a bullet in your head and you’re still worried about her.”

“You can't…” she begged as he raised the gun. Viola whistled in protest but kept her distance, prepared to jump into the water at any moment. “You need me,” Eva continued. “Viola doesn't trust anyone else, if you want to keep her under control you need me.”

“Ah yes, Viola. I can’t believe you named her, I suppose it will do,” he snorted. “Well… if you can keep her docile while we transport her then you’re valuable enough to keep alive. What do you say, mermaid whisperer?”

Eva really didn't like the patronizing look of amusement he gave her. Nor was she a fan of his offer. She glanced back at Viola who was watching them from afar, it felt like betrayal to help Talbot but what choice did she have? She had no doubt Talbot would kill her otherwise. She didn't even know if Viola would listen to her. “Fine,” she spat. She couldn't think of another way out.

“Great,” he grinned, his smile all teeth. “Being her over then.”

Eva swallowed the lump in her throat. Viola was watching Talbot with open disgust but was smart enough to know she couldn’t simply hide in the water. “Viola, come here,” Eva asked. The waver in her voice gave away her nervousness.

Viola’s daze did not soften on her as she glanced between Eva and Talbot. She’s weighing her options. Please please please don’t get me killed.

Viola clicked something before pulling herself towards Eva. Her scowl never disappeared even as she reached her side.

“Impressive,” Talbot clapped, too slow and still holding the gun for it to be reassuring. “If you keep her from hurting any of my guys while they restrain her… then you can live.”

As if on cue several of Talbot’s mercenaries emerged from the wet room, these men were soldiers rather than thugs. They carried rope, some kind of large sheet and guns which seemed strange to Eva. Viola whistled, her anger palpable.

“Viola please,” Eva begged. She knew what she was asking was wrong, but she wanted to live. Viola was smart enough to make her own choices, they had no chance of freeing her, she could only hope Viola was kind enough to not get her killed in the process. That was of course assuming Viola understood any of this.

But Viola seemed to. Either out of curiosity, exhaustion or fondness for Eva, she let herself be wrapped up by the mercenaries. As the four men bound her just how giant she was was made obvious. She could have fought and probably won if it were not for guns yet she behaved and in turn, saved Eva’s life. Once she got out of here she was going to spend the rest of her life trying to repay Viola for this. Assuming Talbot kept his word, she wasn’t feeling particularly confident.

Viola whistled in pain as one of the mercenaries injected her with something. Despite the danger, she ran to her. She could tell Viola was scared. Bound, helpless and out of water. Eva was scared too and the guilt already gnawed at her. “Shhh, it’s ok,” she said gently stroking Viola’s cheek.

“Scared,” Viola croaked, quiet enough to be missed by anyone not paying attention.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Eva replied, having to blink back tears.

Hands were suddenly pulling her away from Viola, she didn’t bother to put up a fight. “You know, I’m actually impressed,” Talbot said with a thoughtful expression as his goons held her tightly.

“I did what you wanted, let me go.”

“That wasn’t the deal.”

“You said—“

“I’m not gonna kill you, Ms. Diaz, you’re far too valuable,” he sighed, waving away her concerns as if she was being ridiculous. Dread coiled in her stomach moments before something dark was pulled over her head and something stabbed into her arm. Everything quickly became fuzzy after that.