Jeff's father glanced outside at the dawning sun. "You... cut that awfully close sun. What was worth the risk?" He asked neutrally. "I thought we agreed. We are always at home or a shelter within 2 hours, using the time to ensure we can't be changed by windows, or doors."
"Stuff," said Jeff, not willing to say much more as he took off his coat to relax. He took his bags, frowning a little as he realised he could not get them to the mermaid now. Not until sunset anyway. Ordinarily he would summon Ricky, but that ship sailed ages ago. Maybe if a postman arrived? He would have to keep his ears open.
His father shook his head at his son's lack of a reaction. "Do you want to be one of them, son?"
"No! Of course not!" Jeff said angrily.
This display appeased his father a little. "Hm... flirting with the sun like that, you make me wonder."
Jeff glanced back to him defensively. "I- won't do that. Today was just an accident. I just went to the shops, and someone stole my car." It was all well timed... really. It wouldn't have been that close. No more then an hour, normally.
"Let me put it this way boy..." he said getting closer to him. "Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth the risk." He said with a serious tone. "The changed... are weak, Jeff. It's not admitted often, because it isn't politically correct. but.. they are. It's a sickness. A disease. That woman, essentially lost her legs." he said gesturing to the outside door to the garden.
"She gained fins," Said Jeff quietly.
"Oh, I'm sure that's very useful," he said chuckling. "Do you want fins?"
"No!" Said Jeff angrily again. "Of- of course not!"
"Neither did she. But that's what the sunlight does. It destroys lives, takes away one's ability to do anything. Some are rooted to the spot, entirely dependent on others... I've seen them all on video. if you still have hands and legs, consider yourself extremely lucky. that mermaid would go hungry without us. She can never be anything... she can never make anything of herself. She's little more then an invalid."
Anger was rising in Jeff. This was another thing his father put into his head. It was this attitude that made him want Belle to avoid such a fate, so much so he risked everything for her. Yet... did his father, actually have a point? People often said that for every loss there is a gain. But what did that mermaid gain? Nothing worthwhile. She might swim faster then them but... was that really, well and truly, useful? "I-" Jeff tried to say something. Anything to deny those words. But he couldn't. He just couldn't.
His father came down on his head, staring into him with cold eyes. "Never take the risk boy. Never. I never do... not worth it. Believe me, if there was a war tomorrow between the changed and human-kind, humans would win. We have evolved naturally and survived everything this godless world threw at us... the changed have no chance. Humans... still and always will be the masters of this world. That will be your future too."
"I'm supposed to rule above them like some sort of king?" Asked Jeff. "It isn't going to be like that."
"With wealth comes power. Your heritage is human, and must be preserved. Considering that the changed have forms based on human imagination... all they can do is serve," Jeff's father said wistfully.
Jeff found himself thinking of Belle, 'serving' some... some...one. With not a thing he could do about it.
Then... then he realised...
she was going to serve him.
He was becoming his father...
"Time to get ready for school!" Muriel said calling.
Jenny did so, smiling in thought. She wondered what they would lean today? She glanced at her bracelet, and put it on her arm. The white haired girl was surprised as her sister was... watching her. She seemed to be trying to mimic her. Of course, she had no bracelet any more. It got a little odd as she tried to mimic her exact way of walking and tripped over her insect-legs.
"Watcha doin'?" asked Jenny as she helped her up.
Melanie tilted her head. "Understanding the task to get ready for school." she said simply. "I was not ready before. I did not know the time to get ready. So I waited for when you were to get ready, and learn it from you." she yawned a little suddenly. She seemed surprised at the sound, and tried to do it again- but found she couldn't. How strange.
"I- er- you were waitin' all this time for that?" Jenny asked.
"I... have no other function," she said, casting her eyes down. "I was given no other task."
"Oh... well... maybe if..." she didn't know quite what to say. Maybe... maybe she could keep an eye on her? How much trouble could Melanie get into at school?
