The first thing Aria noticed was the warmth of the sun, a feeling she hadn't experienced in what felt like a lifetime. It pressed against her pale, chilled skin, unfamiliar and almost overwhelming. Her arms shook as she crawled through the wet sand, her legs trailing uselessly behind her. She tried to stand, but her knees buckled immediately, sending her back down with a soft cry. The world seemed too heavy – gravity too intense, the air too rich. Every breath hurt. Every muscle hurt.

But she was here. On land. Free.

Her chest ached with relief and exhaustion as she turned her head, taking in the scene around her. The beach was nearly empty, save for the soft crashing of waves behind her and the occasional gull crying in the distance. It was a far cry from the colorful, bustling chaos of Kaelen's world. The scent of salt and seaweed filled her nose, bringing tears to her eyes. Images of the cave flashed behind her closed eyes lids as the smell invaded her nostrils. The only think reminding her that she had indeed left that place was the feel of sand beneath her hands. In the cave there was no sand.

She dragged herself a little farther until her fingers touched dry, coarse sand. Her arms gave out then, her face pressing into the gritty ground as she let out a sob. She was free. The joy she felt was almost suffocating, but it was mixed with a strange emptiness that she couldn't yet name.

When she rolled onto her back, the sky above her seemed impossibly vast. She stared up at it, overwhelmed by its endless blue. For months her world had been confined to underwater caverns and Kaelen's presence. Now, here she was, a single human beneath a sprawling sky, finally free from the ocean's grip. Her hand weakly reached up to the sky. It was so beautiful. So fulfilling. So freeing.

The sound of crunching footsteps startled her from her thoughts. She tried to sit up, her body trembling with the effort, as a figure approached. A man, older, perhaps in his sixties or seventies, was walking toward her. He wore a thick jacket and sturdy boots, and his face was lined with both age and warmth. A small frown was present on his face as he approached her slowly. He took slow and steady steps towards her trembling form. As if approaching a scared animal. At this point that might have been exactly what she was. She felt feral in every way. But the kindness in his eyes – so different from Kaelens – allowed her to calm down just a little.

"Good heavens, miss, are you alright?" he called out, his voice rough but kind.

Aria froze, her heart hammering in her chest. It had been so long since she'd heard another human voice – so long since she'd spoken her own language – that it felt almost foreign. Words tumbled through her mind, slipping away before she could catch them, as though they were locked behind a fog she couldn't clear. It was strange. She'd grown so accustomed to speaking Alathai that even her thoughts had abandoned the rhythms of english. The mans words reached her, but they seemed sluggish, delayed, as if swimming through a sea of exhaustion and disuse before they finally registered.

The man stopped a few feet away, his brows furrowed as he took in her appearance. Her bikini – ragged, discolored, and barely clinging to her body – must have been a startling sight. And her pale, trembling form, only added to his concern.

"Miss?" he tried again, his tone softer now. "Do you need help?"

Aria swallowed hard, forcing her thoughts to settle. The words came slowly, haltingly. "Yes... I—help... please."

The man immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The weight of it and the sudden warmth made her gasp. She clutched it tightly, feeling its rough fabric against her fingers. For the first time in months, she felt truly warm. The kindness of the gesture overwhelmed her, and tears spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them.

"Th-thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking.

The man knelt beside her; concern etched into his face. "Don't mention it, lass. You're freezing. What on earth were you doing out there?"

Aria couldn't find the words to explain. She shook her head, biting her lip as she tried to remember how to speak properly. "Water... I... lost. Long time. Don't know."

The man's expression softened even further. "Alright, alright. Don't strain yourself. Let's get you some proper help, eh?"

Aria nodded, still clutching his jacket. "So warm," she murmured, her words more to herself than to him. Then, overcome with gratitude, she leaned forward and hugged the man tightly.

He stiffened in surprise but quickly patted her back gently. "It's alright, lass. You're safe now. We'll get this sorted."

When he pulled back, he gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You're not from around here, are you?"

Aria hesitated. The question startled her, and she had to think carefully before responding. Her mind worked to translate his words into something familiar, and then to craft a response in return. She nodded slowly. "Not here. Far. Long way."

The man raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Let me call someone for you. We'll get you looked after, alright?"

Aria nodded again, her body still trembling from the cold and exhaustion. She watched as he made the call, speaking quickly and quietly to someone on the other end. When he hung up, he turned back to her with a kind smile.

"The police are on their way. You just sit tight, alright? They'll help you figure this all out."

Aria's heart sank at the mention of the police. She didn't know what to tell them. The truth was impossible to explain, but even half-truths felt like a betrayal of everything she'd endured. Still, she nodded.

When the police arrived, she felt her stomach twist into knots. A man and a woman stepped out of the car, both wearing dark uniforms and friendly, yet professional, expressions. They approached cautiously, their eyes darting between Aria and the older man.

"Is this the young lady you called about?" the female officer asked.

The older man nodded. "Found her crawling out of the water, poor thing. She looks like she's been through hell."

Aria struggled to her feet, using what little strength she had left. The female officer stepped forward; her tone gentle as she spoke. "Miss, can you tell us your name?"

Aria hesitated. She knew her name, of course, but the question felt strange. She swallowed hard before answering. "Ala...Aria." Her voice wavered, and she cleared her throat. "Aria... Anderson."

The officers exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting to surprise.

"Aria Anderson?" the male officer repeated. "You've been missing for nine months."

Aria blinked, her heart skipping a beat. "Nine... months?"

"Yes," the female officer said. "Your family reported you missing last summer. They'll be relieved to know you're alive. What happened?"

But Aria couldn't answer, her knees nearly gave out at the revelation, and she had to lean against the older man for support. Nine months. She'd been gone for nine months. She knew it had been months, but nine? It felt impossible. How had she even survived that long.

The male officer stepped closer. "We'll need to ask you some questions at the station. We'll call your parents on our way in. We'll make sure you're safe and comfortable until they get here."

The older man gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You'll be alright, lass. They'll take care of you now."

Aria looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes again. She shrugged off his jacket and handed it back to him, ignoring the cold which bit into her skin at the loss of its warmness. "Thank you. For... everything."

He took the jacket with a small smile. "Take care of yourself, Aria. You're a strong one, that's for sure."

As the police officers guided her to the car, Aria glanced back at the man one last time. She needed to move forward now.

The male officer quickly grabbed a blanket from the car which he gently placed around her shoulders. Aria was thankful for the warmth it provided her as she blinked into the car. Her eyes darted over the open ocean as she did so. She wondered if Kaelen was still there, watching her. It was a thought which sent a shiver down her spine. She didn't want to think about him anymore. The care started rolling along the quiet coastal road and Aria lazily stared out the window, her head heavy with exhaustion as she leaned on the glass. The beautiful landscape blurred into shades of grey and green. So different from the black and blues of the ocean.

Neither officer spoke much as they drove. The woman at the wheel occasionally glanced at her through the rearview mirror, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. The man in the passenger seat kept his gaze forward, his posture stiff but not unkind. Aria suspected they were giving her space, but the silence felt almost suffocating.

Her thoughts were a tangled mess. Words floated through her mind in two languages, twisting and blending until she didn't know which one to grasp. Her heart pounded every time she thought about how she'd answer the inevitable questions. What could she even say?

The male officer turned his head slightly. "Are you feeling okay back there?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Aria blinked, startled by the sound of his voice. The words took a moment to register, and she struggled to form a response. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Was she supposed to say Ilan? Or was it yes?

The officer waited patiently, his brow furrowing slightly when she didn't answer right away.

"I... yes," Aria finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. She clenched her hands together in her lap, frustrated by how foreign her own language felt.

"Good," he said, offering a small smile. "We'll get you sorted out soon."

The car fell quiet again, and Aria tried to focus on steadying her breathing. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably, a mix of nerves and hunger gnawing at her. She hadn't eaten since... Well, since then. The thought of food made her mouth water, but she pushed it aside. There were more important things to worry about.

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the blanket as she tried to think clearly. The officers' earlier words echoed in her mind. Nine months. She'd been gone for nine months. The realization hit her again like a wave, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block it out.

"We'll stop up ahead for a bit," the woman said suddenly, her voice cutting through Aria's spiraling thoughts. "There's a café just outside of town. You look like you could use some food and a bit of a break before we head to the station."

Aria opened her eyes, blinking at the woman's reflection in the mirror. Food. The word sparked something in her, a flicker of excitement that felt almost childish. She nodded quickly, her stomach growling in agreement.

The car pulled into a small parking lot a few minutes later, the smell of baked goods and coffee wafting through the air as the doors opened. Aria hesitated, unsure if her legs would hold her, but the male officer was already at her side, offering a steady hand. She took it gratefully, her steps shaky but determined.

Inside, the warmth of the café enveloped her, and the sight of pastries and sandwiches behind the glass counter made her heart race. The male officer gestured for her to sit at a small table while he went to order.

"Anything in particular you'd like?" he asked, glancing back at her.

Aria froze, the question catching her off guard. She opened her mouth, but once again, the words didn't come easily. Her mind fumbled through options – she wanted something familiar, something comforting. "No... just... food," she managed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Why was this so difficult? She clutched the blanket tighter around her body.

The officer nodded and disappeared toward the counter.

A few minutes later, he returned with a tray holding a sandwich, a small cup of soup, and a bottle of water. Aria's eyes widened as she stared at the meal, her stomach rumbling loudly. She barely managed a mumbled "thank you" before digging in.

The first bite of the sandwich was overwhelming. The bread was soft, the filling rich and savory. It was nothing like the raw nael she'd been eating for so long. She nearly choked as she chewed, tears springing to her eyes from the sheer joy of it.

"Valor," she murmured through a mouthful of food.

The officers exchanged a look. "What did you say?" the woman asked, her tone cautious.

Aria froze, the word echoing in her mind. Valor. That wasn't right. That wasn't English. She swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing. "Food," she corrected quickly. "Sorry. Food."

The officers' puzzled expressions didn't fade, but they didn't press further.

"You're okay," the male officer said, his voice kind. "Take your time."

Aria nodded, focusing on the food in front of her. She finished the sandwich and moved on to the soup, savoring every bite. It was the first real meal she'd had in so long, and she felt a warmth spreading through her body that had nothing to do with the café's heater.

By the time they returned to the car, Aria felt more grounded, though her thoughts were still a chaotic swirl. The officers remained mostly quiet as they drove, only occasionally asking if she was comfortable or needed anything. Aria appreciated their patience, though she couldn't shake the growing anxiety in her chest.

When they finally reached the station, the reality of her situation hit her all over again. She was led inside and given a seat in a small, brightly lit room. A cup of tea was placed in front of her, but she barely touched it, her hands trembling as she waited for the questioning to begin.

The female officer sat across from her, a notepad in hand, while the male officer stood near the door.

"Aria," the woman began, her tone gentle but firm, "can you tell us what happened to you? Anything you can remember?"

Aria hesitated, her throat tightening. The truth wasn't an option, but she had to say something. She took a deep breath, her words coming out haltingly. "I... was taken. By the sea."

The officers exchanged a glance. "By the sea?" the woman repeated. "You mean... a current?"

Aria nodded quickly, latching onto the suggestion. "Yes. Current."

"And where were you all this time?"

"On... an island," she said slowly. "Cave. Stayed in... a cave."

"What did you eat?" the male officer asked.

"Fish. Raw fish," Aria replied, catching herself before she said nael.

The officers looked at each other again, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. "And how did you get back here?"

Aria hesitated, her mind scrambling for an answer. "I... don't know. Just... lucky," she said finally.

The female officer's pen paused above her notepad as she looked at Aria with a sharp gaze. "So, you were on an island... for nine months. Alone?"

Aria nodded, her throat tightening. She could feel the weight of their eyes, the skepticism thick in the air. The male officer exchanged a look with his partners, his brow furrowing. "And you didn't try to contact anyone? No phone calls? No sign of who might have helped you?"

Aria swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest. The questions felt like a trap, and she was slipping deeper into it with every word. "No... no one. Just... the sea," she muttered hoping the vague answer would be enough.

The woman leant forward slightly, her voice going more probing. "You've been missing for months, Aria. Your family thought you were dead. Are you sure there's nothing else you're not telling us? Were here to help you."

The room felt smaller now, the walls closing in as the truth pressed against her chest. Aria's hands trembled in her lap, the blanket slipping form her shoulders. Her mind raced, but the only thing she could focus on was the sharpness of the officer's gaze.

"I... I don't know what you mean," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words were hollow even to her own ears. The officers' stares were unyielding, and Aria wasn't sure if the lie would be enough to protect her.

The questioning continued for what felt like hours, each answer leaving Aria feeling more drained. She stuck to her half-truths, revealing just enough to satisfy the officers without giving away the impossible reality of her ordeal. After all they would surely call her insane if she told them she'd been captured by a merman.

By the time they finished, her head was pounding, and her body ached with exhaustion. All she wanted now was to see her family, to feel their arms around her and know she was truly safe.