Chrysolite's transition gave a shocking shuddering emotion. Her gaze still rested on Mary, that was when Ashley and Sardius walked into the swimming hall.
"Jasmine, Michael! What are you......", Ashley's voice trailed off immediately she saw what her friends were staring at.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!" Ashley screamed.
Chrysolite swirled around in an instant, then she saw them. Her legs grew into a beautiful red tail that resembled one of the sea goddesses they usually read about. As her eyes left Mary, Mary fell with a loud thud.
Sardius's heart seemed to tear to pieces as he recognized Chrysolite. Why? How? When? When did she transform into a mermaid? He took a balance at Ashley, Jasmine, and Michael. Michael was already strikened, it almost looked as if he were going to swoon and barf.
A splash was heard, Chrysolite had dived into the pool. The red light that illuminated the room suddenly vanished. Ashley fell against Jasmine who was struggling to maintain her balance. Sardius ran to the edge of the pool and took a quick peek at the interior of the pool.
Nothing.
Then crying of Mary was heard, and her footsteps were heard racing across the hard marbled floor out from the swimming hall. The hall was exceptionally quiet except for the bell which rang out loudly. Sardius was waiting for Chrysolite to come out but he saw no sign of her. So, he began to unbutton his shirt.
"Are you out of your mind!" Michael yelled pulling Sardius away from the pool in a furious, tight grip.
"She's still down there!" Sardius yelled back into his face.
"And I asked you, are you mad?" Fear was written over Michael's face. Sardius stood, speechless, unable to reply to his friend but without hesitation, he pushed his friend away and dived into the pool.
"He is mad!!" Michael said to the others, slightly looking insane.
Jasmine pulled Ashley up who was left immobile at what they had seen. Something was amiss, Sardius showed no iota of fear. He knew! He knew about Chrysolite.
"She has red hair and red eyes....," Flashed through Jasmine's head. The very day she walked into the swimming hall and saw Chrysolite and Sardius in the locker room..... It all made sense. Sardius had been hiding Chrysolite's secret from the rest of his friends because he liked her.
Sardius finally came out of the pool, drenched to the skin. He was bemused by the powers of Chrysolite, he hadn't seen her in it. She had vanished into thin air. How? He shut his eyes briefly then bent to pick up his shirt when he opened them. Jasmine walked up to Sardius and faced him squarely in the face. "You knew about Chrysolite." She started.
"What are you talking about?" He asked her.
"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about." Her eyes shot angry darts.
Sardius pushed her out of his way as he began to wear his shirt. Jasmine fumed then turned back to the pool. "Come out Chrysolite! Why are you scared? Why be such a coward? I know you're still in there!!!" Jasmine yelled out.
"She's gone, Jasmine." Ashley's voice was shaky and weak.
Jasmine turned to look at Ashley who was struggling to brush off some drops of tears from her eyes. Sardius had stopped to look at her.
"I didn't know my.....f... friend was a mermaid. I never knew I swear." Ashley cried as she looked at the others. "She was like my very own sister... I'm still...in shock. Did you know about this Michael since you were much closer to her?"
Michael looked surprised at such a question. "If she was a sister to you, then what was she to your brother?" Jasmine asked. Sardius didn't seem to understand Jasmine, how could her jealousy be this toxic even to herself?
"You're my friend too, Jasmine, and I'm proud to call you a sister too," Ashley said to her, wiping her tears away.
"The question which you asked Michael should be directed to Sardius. He knows exactly what is going on." Jasmine's tone was bitter.
Michael turned to look at Sardius who was already buttoning up his shirt. "What do you mean?" Michael asked stunned.
"Sardius knew something about this all along. He can explain."
Everyone turned to look at Sardius but Michael shook his head in negation, disbelieving. "No. I knew something about this. Remember our friendship date. Chrysolite and I were playing in the water fountain. I saw it, I saw her hair glow." Michael explained. Jasmine remembered that was why Chrysolite had her hair covered with Michael's tux.
"I'm leaving," Sardius announced.
"Where are you going?" Ashley seem concerned.
"Don't you want to find your friend?" Sardius threw at her.
"I...I don't know Sardius. That doesn't look like the Chrysolite that I know. I'm afraid of her." Ashley replied to him.
Sardius wasn't surprised when he heard that, then he turned to look at Jasmine. "You know how much I hate her, so do not ask me," Jasmine told him disdainfully.
"Michael?" Sardius called, awaiting his reply.
"No, she's better on her own. I won't find her." Michael said.
"Didn't you have feelings for her?" Sardius didn't look the least surprised.
"I don't think I do anymore," Michael replied.
Jasmine gave a wide grin at that. She nodded her head greatly pleased at the outcome of events. Sardius gave them a hard stare before he turned away. Chrysolite's friends had forsaken her all because she was a strange being which they feared would hurt them. All they felt towards her were fear, anger, and pain.
*******
Chrysolite had seen Sardius when he dived into the pool but she had unlocked the key of invisibility within her. When she heard all that her friends had said about her, her heart broke into pieces especially what Michael who had confessed his feelings a thousand times to her. Tears of pain and hatred for herself stabbed her heart. She hated herself the more. Finally, she disappeared.
******
Coral Marble awoke from her trance immediately she felt the massive surge of power around her. No one was home except her. Chrysolite was in trouble. She must save her. She dialed Onyx's number on their home phone but there was hardly any reception. She dialed Beryl's, Onyx was actually with her as Corral Marble heard Onyx's laughter in the background.
"Onyx, something is wrong. Don't you feel it?" Corral Marble asked when Beryl gave the phone to Onyx.
"No, I don't feel anything. What's wrong mother?"
"It's Chrysolite. Your daughter is let loose."