Katelyn, Aaron, and Vylad all decided to go get food for dinner while Aphmau and Garroth stayed behind. She insisted that he put on the shirt immediately, him going into the public bathroom to do it. When he came out, she laughed, seeing that the shirt was a size too big for him.

"It looks perfect!" She exclaimed though, clapping her hands. Garroth only laughed with her and said; "Thanks! You really didn't have to get it for me..."

"Are you kidding? It was really cheap and besides, you deserve a gift from me for not getting you out of there sooner." Garroth frowned. He hated that she thought she could've done better. I mean, he was out, wasn't he? Why was she so hung up on it? "Aph...you did everything you could. I don't mind that it took this long. I'm out and that's all I could ask for."

Aphmau looked down and played with the ends of her hair. "I just...I know how much you want to go back.  Now knowing that you're someone really important and you have a family down there, it just gives me more of a reason to-"

"Hey, stop it,", Garroth said, taking her hands. "This is why I didn't want to tell you. Don't stress yourself out. I know I'll go home one day and I'm okay waiting. I'm here with you and everyone else. So there's something to stay for."

Aphmau smiled up at him and hugged him tightly. It was actually the first time she's done it on dry land. The blonde seemed to realize as well and hugged her back, savoring the moment. Is it weird that he noticed that her hair smelled like coconut? They stood there in each other's arms for a bit but, parted soon after. "Well, your highness, I would love to hear more about your life now that I know who you are. Care to sit on the beach with me?"

Garroth smirked and took her hand again, saying; "Gladly."

For the next forty-five minutes, the two of them just chatted about life. Nothing too serious. Garroth told her about his life as the Prince of O'Khasis and she talked about life here on the surface. Garroth did have a question on his mind though that he wanted to ask. "So...how much do humans actually know about my world?"

"Well,", Aphmau trailed off, twisting her hair, watching the waves hit the shore, "not much really. We only know a fraction of what's really out there. I think that's why I wanted to do this job. To help discover more."

Garroth nodded and leaned back, his hands in the sand. Aphmau knew that the two of them would have sand sticking on their shorts for the rest of the evening but, she didn't care. It was just part of the experience really. The blonde went on saying; "You know...merfolk only knows a fraction about the human world too, if it makes you feel better. We had no idea how advanced your society was...and how nice most of you are."

"Gee thanks," Aphmau teased him, sticking out her tongue. He only playfully pushed her, saying to her; "You know what I meant. I just...from what everyone tells me, humans are just selfish monsters and that I should be afraid of you." He leaned his head on his knees, looking over to her. "But, I don't have an ounce of fear talking to you."

Aphmau grinned again, rest her hand on his'. "I'm glad..." She then leaned her head on his shoulder, staring at the waves still in the distance. Garroth's heart rate picked up speed but, he remained silent as he watched them with her. She muttered to herself; "I wish we both could discover everything about each other's worlds."

Garroth heard it and an idea popped into his head. It was stupid but, just a suggestion. "What if...What if you came with me?"

She sat up again, looking at him like he was crazy. "W-What?"

Garroth realized he would have to go into more detail...so he did. "W-Well, with that potion my mother has, you could turn into a merfolk like me. Also...you'd be able to explore the ocean. Discover new things just like you wanted. Maybe...start a new life without the stress here." He was specifically thinking about her mom and this supposed brother she had. He picked up on the fact that she wasn't in a good place with either of them at the moment. "It was just a silly idea though,", He sighed, trying to remind himself of that fact. "I don't even know how it would all work and you do have a life here...with your friends and work. I was just thinking-"

"Garroth, you're just rambling now,", Aphmau interrupted him. "And it's not a stupid idea. It's sweet that you're so caring of me and my dreams but..." She thought about her life here and how she truly did find it unfulfilling. Especially now since she wasn't required to work at the moment. But, it was a silly idea in the sense that she would be packing up and leaving. "...there are things here that I can't leave behind, like you said. My family...I might now be on the best terms with right now but, I need to solve them before I move on. You know?"

He nodded his head, thinking of his mom. How he needed to talk to her again and try to figure it all out before he left...he wanted answers. Not just for him but his father and brother. He glanced at her and said; "I completely understand. I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"Don't be. Like I said...it was a nice thought."

They both smiled at each other again and gazed into each other's eyes. There was something...and they both knew it but, they couldn't go through with it. They would have to say goodbye at some point. But...why does it have to be now? The thought of just staying did fill Garroth's mind but, Zane was a constant reminder in his head as to why he needed to go back. Aphmau on the other hand, did see a lot of pros of going with Garroth but, she knew that if she left, she would be giving up on everything here. And she didn't want to leave her family...but, what if she considered Garroth her family now?

"Hey Garroth...?", Aphmau spoke up gently, getting his attention even though it was already on her. She wanted to bring up this interesting tension but, she couldn't so, she just changed the topic. "What do you know about this healing blood thing?"

Garroth snapped out of his trance of her and answered as best he could. "I don't know much myself. In all honesty, I thought it was just a myth. Merfolk don't really bleed underwater, due to blood washing out and disappearing. But, there was a tale that we did have these abilities...maybe my mother knows more about it."

"Maybe...", Aphmau mumbled, thinking that maybe it could clarify why Dr. Vick would even want it in the first place. There had to be more motivation...there had to. Unfortunately, their conversation was interrupted by a buzz from Aphmau's phone. She excused herself and looked at her Lock Screen to see that Ein had texted her.

Hey. If those officers come by again, I won't hesitate to tell them about your little secret.

Terrified, she texted back;

What on earth do you mean? I've done nothing!

Don't play with me. I know how much you care for those sea things. The thing could be a sea urchin and you would want to save it.
Look, how about this? You come back and show me this creature yourself, and I won't say anything. If not, the next time I see those officers, I'll give them a tip of where you are and that you should definitely be the primary suspect.

Aphmau thought for a moment, thinking of any excuse as to why she wouldn't have this creature he was thinking of. But, she came up with nothing. Garroth looked over shoulder and frowned, asking; "Who's Ein?"

Hearing his name come out of his mouth, bothered her. She just exhaled and said; "My half-brother. He's a real asshole though. You don't need to worry about him."

The blonde knew though that there was something wrong. Aphmau looked petrified seeing those texts. He looked at her and asked; "Is he the reason why you had that marking on your cheek that one time?"

Aphmau was shocked to hear that come out of his mouth. She swore she covered it somehow but, realized that he must've been more observant. She felt her emotions play at her as she felt all of it build up. Hearing Garroth sound so worried for her made it worse, pushing her over the edge. She burst into tears, letting the phone fall into the sand as she held her head. Garroth immediately tried to comfort her, asking; "What in the world did he do to you?"

Aphmau let it all come out. The hitting, the verbal abuse, everything. How she's really been suffering for months now all because her mom was on her honeymoon. She didn't know why she was so open with him. She just felt comfortable around him and trusted him. "I-I'm so sorry Garroth...I know you don't need to hear this right now."

Something switched in Garroth. Seeing such a positive person breakdown like this bothered him. Aphmau seemed to notice his grip on her tighten. Not in an aggressive way but, as if to protect her. She looked back up at him and asked; "Garroth? Please...don't worry about it."

"Aph...where can I find him?"

"Gar-"

"No Aph. You have helped me so much these past two weeks. Now it's time for me to help you. At least before I leave. Now...where can I find him?"

Just then, the group came back with bags of fast food, Katelyn saying; "I don't know what you like Garroth but, we just got you another veggie sandwich if that's-"

The three of them noticed the tension between the two, seeing the tears on Aphmau's face and the apparent frustration in Garroth's eyes. Vylad knew immediately what it was and asked; "What did Ein do?"

Word Count: 1754