"Oh, uh... I-" Naida started but was immediately interrupted.
"Were you kidnapped?" North burst out, dead serious.
"What!" Naida gasped, her nerves tensing. "No, nothing like that at all! Where would you even get that idea?"
"Well, it kinda makes sense actually." Mist mused. "Suddenly disappearing, no contact with anybody, sketchy excuse, a stranger driving you around, having a time limit on how long you can be here, and suddenly having to leave again. It all sounds a lot like a kidnapping." Mist exhaled and sat in the last spot on the couch.
"Naida, you can talk to us. Please, don't hold anything back, tell us the truth!" Miracle begged.
Naida started crying. That's all she wanted to do, tell them the truth, but there was no way they would believe her. "I want to, I truly truly do, but you guys would think I'm lying." She sobbed.
"You already tried lying, if you want to say the truth, then just say it. We're here for you, Naida." Bowen purred and placed his hand on top of hers.
"I..." Naida took a shaky breath, then exhaled slowly. "I was painting when a storm suddenly formed and threw me and my painting off the cliff. I guess I died, but I was saved by some mermen who have gifts, more like powers, that helped me survive underwater. I haven't been able to go on land because the ocean, who may or may not be conscious, brought me back to life, so I can no longer survive out of the ocean for long."
It was silent for a long time.
"Well, if that's the truth." Miracle said awkwardly.
Nobody else spoke, but they all had betrayed looks on their faces.
"The truth, Naida. We want the truth." Bowen urged softly, though his eyes were filled with concern and annoyance.
"No, that was the truth! You say you wanted it, but what you really want is your truth; the truth that makes sense to you! I'm the only one who knows what happened to me, so stop thinking you know better!" Naida fired off, pushing him away from her and standing up to face everyone.
"Well, maybe your story would be more believable if you had proof? Could you show us these mermen?" Ryla proposed, taking a step towards Naida.

YOU ARE READING
The Ocean's Song (pt. 1) (Going through edits)
FantasyFor years, no, her whole life, Naida Muriel has been attracted to the sea. It's rhythmic tide, soothing waves, powerful potential, and the way it seemed to sing to her when she was alone. All of her friends claimed they heard no singing, whether the...