Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, bathing the beach in golden hues as Rikki walked with determined steps toward her destination. Zane, her boyfriend, had promised a surprise, and although Rikki wasn’t sure what to expect, she knew there was always something unpredictable in the air with him. Their relationship was, in many ways, as explosive as she was—fiery, intense, and often leaving her on edge. But that dynamic kept her alert, always on guard, and sometimes, in conflict with herself.

Before reaching their meeting spot, something unusual caught her attention. A guy, whom she hadn’t seen before in town, was struggling with a boat on the shore. He was unsuccessfully trying to start the engine, his frustration evident in the way his hands gripped the key, turning it over and over. Rikki paused, her curiosity piqued, and watched him for a moment. There was something almost mesmerizing about his persistence.

—Maybe you should give up —Rikki said with a friendly smile, trying to soften her intervention.

The guy looked up at her, his expression a mix of surprise and challenge. His eyes met Rikki’s for a brief moment, and she felt a strange flicker of connection, though she quickly dismissed it.

—Maybe —he replied, his voice tinged with contained frustration. His gaze lingered on her for a beat longer before he turned back to the engine, his stubbornness clear as he continued his efforts.

Rikki stepped a bit closer, her curiosity growing as she observed him. There was something different about this guy—something that made her want to learn more about him, even though she knew she probably shouldn’t.

—Where are you headed? —she asked, keeping her tone casual, though her mind was already stirring with thoughts of what his answer might mean.

The guy followed her gaze toward the horizon, pointing at Mako Island.

—To that island —he said simply.

The name Mako made Rikki’s heart skip a beat. Mako wasn’t just any place; it was a site that held secrets—secrets she wasn’t willing to share with strangers. Her muscles tensed as a wave of unease washed over her.

—Mako? Isn’t it a bit late for that? —Rikki tried to keep calm in her voice, though a hint of alarm slipped through her words. She didn’t like the idea of an unknown person heading to the island, especially so close to nightfall.

The guy, however, didn’t seem to catch her concern.

—It’s the best time to go diving —he replied with a smile as he returned his focus to the engine. There was a mix of enthusiasm and determination in his voice that made Rikki hesitate. She knew she should deter him, warn him away from Mako, but something about him—perhaps his persistence, or the way he seemed so sure of himself—made her doubt.

Finally, giving in to an impulse she couldn’t quite understand, Rikki decided to help him.

—Don’t flood it so much —she advised finally, her tone softer, though still laden with the ambivalence she felt.

The guy looked at her, weighing her suggestion. After a moment of consideration, he decided to follow her advice and turned the key more gently. To his surprise, the boat roared to life.

—Thanks —he said, giving Rikki a genuine smile that caught her off guard.

Rikki returned the smile, though an unease continued to thrum in the back of her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this encounter meant something more, something she couldn’t yet understand. The intensity of that feeling made her uneasy, as if she were on the brink of something she wasn’t ready for.

Before she could dwell on it too much, Zane surprised her from behind, pulling her attention away from the guy boarding the boat. As she reunited with her boyfriend, the familiar warmth and intensity of Zane’s presence engulfed her. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the stranger now heading toward Mako Island. There was something about him that unsettled her, an intuition telling her that this wouldn’t be their last encounter.

The guy arrived at Mako Island with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, his heart pounding with the thrill of discovery. He didn’t know exactly what to expect, but the marine landscape promised to be stunning. As he began to dive around the island, the underwater world opened up before him—a realm of vibrant coral and shimmering fish. Drawn to a small cave, whose glow seemed to invite him inside, he decided to venture further.

Guided by curiosity, he swam into the cave, and what he saw amazed him: the interior of a volcanic crater, with beams of light filtering through cracks in the rock, casting an ethereal glow. Although it wasn’t very large, something within it called him to explore, to learn, to stay.

As he moved forward, he noticed flashes of light dancing over the rocks, and the gentle roar of a waterfall in the distance. The sight was mesmerizing, almost magical. However, the magic that had initially fascinated him soon turned dangerous. When he turned around, he saw what had emerged from the pool: a water tentacle, shimmering with an otherworldly energy. Though he tried to approach it, curiosity overcoming caution, the tentacle, made of the same magic that surrounded him, attacked, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.

While all this was happening, Rikki was enjoying her evening at the old JuiceNet Café, now renamed Rikki’s. Everything seemed to be going well: Cleo was a bit uneasy, but nothing out of the ordinary, and Nate had been replaced as the café’s singer by Bella, a new girl in town. The café had customers, and the night seemed to be a success.

At one point, Cleo wanted to talk to Rikki alone outside the café. She seemed serious, her usual calm demeanor replaced with an edge of concern. But just as Rikki was about to follow her, they were interrupted by Bella, her voice breaking through the tension. In the midst of what was about to become a discussion, Rikki was suddenly grabbed by a water tentacle and yanked toward Mako Island. There was no time to react, no time to think.

Without hesitation, Cleo jumped into the water to save her friend, even though it meant revealing her true nature in front of Bella, a stranger. To Cleo’s surprise, Bella also leaped into the water, transforming into a mermaid before her eyes. The sight left Cleo momentarily stunned, but there was no time for shock; she had to go after Rikki.

Thus, the three girls ended up in the Moon Pool. Once they combined their powers to get rid of the tentacle, they were finally able to talk about what had just happened. However, their conversation was abruptly cut short when they realized they weren’t alone: the guy from the boat lay unconscious on the ground, his body still and pale against the stone.

The girls approached cautiously, checking if he was okay. When the guy woke up, he was agitated, his memories fuzzy, but the fear and confusion in his eyes were unmistakable. He vaguely remembered the tentacle’s attack and the moment he lost consciousness. Seeing the three girls around him, especially the one who had helped him earlier, he tried to recall and make sense of what he had seen before blacking out. It all seemed impossible, like a dream, but he knew it was real.

—Are you sure you can make it back on your own? —Bella asked, her concern evident, as she helped him sit up.

The guy nodded, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. He felt weak, disoriented, but there was a determination in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

—My name’s Will —he said, trying to ease the tension and maybe ground himself in something familiar.

—Bella —the new girl introduced herself, offering a faint smile.

After a moment of silence, Will turned and dove back into the pool, heading toward his boat. The girls, just as confused as Will, didn’t fully understand what had happened. But Rikki knew one thing for sure: Will had seen what occurred, and that could mean trouble for them and their secret. And Rikki was determined to protect it at all costs.

Chapter Text

The first day of senior year at the high school always had a different vibe. The promise of freedom hung in every conversation in the hallways, but for Rikki, Cleo, Bella, and Lewis, the excitement of a new school year was overshadowed by a deeper fear. As they walked toward their classroom, the girls couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened the night before at Mako Island. The water tentacle still lingered in their minds, a reminder that something strange was at play.

Bella, walking beside them, seemed more relaxed, with a light smile that contrasted with her companions’ concern.

—Will is going to study here too —Bella announced enthusiastically, almost as if that detail could change the tense atmosphere.

The name made Rikki’s steps slow. Will. The guy from the boat. The guy who had seen too much.

—Do you think he’ll remember anything about the Moon Pool? —Cleo asked aloud, returning to the topic she couldn’t stop dwelling on. The possibility that Will might remember something about the cave, about what had happened, was a risk none of them wanted to take.

Rikki frowned, her jaw tightening with a resolution only she understood.

—The less we see him, the better —she replied coldly. It wasn’t just about the Moon Pool and the secret they shared. There was something about Will that deeply unsettled her, and the thought of running into him in the school hallways was the last thing she needed.

With that determination, Rikki split from the group, taking a detour toward her locker. The bustle of students filling the hallways served as a momentary distraction while she put away her things. But her mind remained on Mako, on the tentacle, on the dangerous magic that surrounded everything. Hopefully, she could avoid Will all year, she thought. Although that hope faded as soon as she shut her locker door.

On the other side, she found herself face to face with the last person she wanted to see.

—Nice to see a familiar face —Will said with a calm smile, as if the encounter was casual, as if there was nothing strange about what had happened the night before.

For a moment, the horror of the situation flickered across Rikki’s face, but she quickly forced herself to adopt a neutral, even friendly expression, plastering on a forced smile.

—Oh, you’re talking to me? —she replied, feigning surprise as if she hadn’t recognized him.

Will observed her for a moment before continuing, his tone curious but somewhat hesitant.

—I remembered something about the cave... —he said, his voice filled with intrigue, waiting for some reaction that would confirm he hadn’t been imagining things.

Rikki felt her stomach drop. The last thing she needed was for Will to remember anything about what he’d seen. She forced a look of false surprise, playing the part of the clueless girl.

—Oooh... that was you! —she said, as if only now realizing who he was.

Will nodded, clearly relieved that she at least remembered the encounter. But his tone became more serious as he continued.

—Something strange made me fall.

That was the topic Rikki didn’t want to touch. Not now, not ever.

—Look, Will, I’m really not interested —she said, hoping to shut down the conversation before it could go any further. She couldn’t let Will’s curiosity dig any deeper. She couldn’t allow him to explore what he had seen.

He, however, didn’t give up.

—So you do remember me —he said with a note of hope in his voice.

Rikki’s smile faded instantly. She couldn’t waste any more time on this. She needed to get away and put an end to the boy’s persistence. With quick steps, she resumed her path toward class, hoping her sudden exit would be enough to discourage him from pressing further. But Will followed her.

—I need to go back —he said, his voice determined.

Rikki let out a frustrated sigh and quickened her pace.

—Why? You went in, you fell, we found you. That’s it —she replied without looking at him, trying to keep her tone as casual as possible.

But Will wouldn’t stop.

—What were you girls doing there? —he asked, each word heavy with curiosity.

The question caught her off guard. She had to think fast, come up with an excuse before he could ask more questions.

—We like to explore —she said with a shrug, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

—In party clothes? —Will pressed, pointing out the contradiction in her story.

—You’re lucky we found you —Rikki responded, her voice colder now, as she continued walking, hoping to leave the subject behind once and for all.

Will wouldn’t give in.

—How did you get there? —he asked, his tone more inquisitive now.

Rikki stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn’t let this continue. She needed to end the conversation once and for all.

—Obviously, we found another entrance —she replied, crossing her arms as she stared at him, hoping he’d understand there was nothing more to say.

Will, however, remained intrigued.

—Would you show me? —he asked, taking a step closer.

—I’m not going back there —Rikki answered firmly.

—At least tell me how to get in —he insisted.

She shook her head, frustrated. She couldn’t give him any clues, and she needed him to understand that this topic was closed for good.

—I don’t think I’d know how, even if I wanted to —she said, giving Will one last look before turning and quickly walking away, hoping that would be the end of it.

Will stood there, watching as she disappeared down the hallway. Though Rikki had been clear, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more behind her words, something she wasn’t telling him. And while his priority was figuring out how to get back to that cave, he couldn’t ignore the feeling that Rikki was the key to doing so.

Shortly after her encounter with Will, Rikki met up with her friends, her expression still tense from what had happened in the hallway. She couldn’t stop replaying the conversation in her mind, the way he had insisted on returning to the cave. Her first instinct had been to avoid him at all costs, but now, after talking to him, she wasn’t so sure that would be enough.

—He wants to go back?! —Cleo exclaimed, clearly worried. She understood the risk that entailed. Mako’s magic wasn’t something to be taken lightly, and if Will was getting too close to the truth, things could get very complicated.

—I couldn’t convince him not to go —Rikki added, feeling the frustration rising inside her. She had tried everything to divert Will’s attention, but nothing seemed to work.

Cleo bit her lip, thinking hard. Finally, she spoke, her tone leaving no room for debate.

—We have to go with him —she said, and her words carried a determination that even surprised Bella.

—We shouldn’t encourage him —Rikki replied, still clinging to the idea of keeping Will as far away from Mako as possible. For her, the smartest move was to ignore him, act as if nothing had happened, and hope he’d do the same.

—Rikki, he saw the water attacking us —Cleo insisted, her seriousness reflecting the delicate nature of the situation. —We need to find out what he knows before the next full moon.

The mention of the full moon sent a chill through the three girls. They all knew how unpredictable and dangerous Mako could become under the influence of the moon. It was too risky to let Will investigate on his own.

—And how do you plan on doing that? —Rikki asked, crossing her arms, her frown still etched on her face. She remained unconvinced that getting involved with Will was the right move.

It was Bella who offered a solution.

—One of us could distract him —she suggested, glancing at Cleo to see if her idea would gain any support. Cleo nodded, seeing the logic in Bella’s plan. Meanwhile, the rest of them could investigate the pool in peace, without Will getting in the way.

Rikki huffed, her displeasure clear, but she didn’t say anything more. The conversation continued, hashing out the details of the plan. Bella volunteered to be the one to keep Will occupied, using her lack of familiarity with the area to her advantage. Meanwhile, Cleo and Rikki would focus on uncovering what was happening at Mako, and whether the magical water would strike again.

The decision was made quickly, although Rikki still wasn’t entirely on board. To her, the best option was always to keep Will as far away from Mako as possible. However, circumstances didn’t seem to be working in her favor this time.

When they finally parted ways and the girls headed in different directions, Rikki lingered in the courtyard a little longer, staring off toward the horizon. Will wouldn’t give up easily. That much she knew. But she was also willing to do whatever it took to protect their secret.

The shadow of Mako Island seemed to grow as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Rikki knew this was just the first of many battles to come. And with the full moon approaching, time was running out.

Later that day, Will strolled along the beach, lost in thought. He couldn’t stop turning over what had happened on Mako Island in his mind. Something strange had occurred, and although Rikki had tried to downplay it, he was determined to uncover the truth. So deep in concentration, he almost didn’t hear the soft footsteps approaching him.

—I heard you’re heading to Mako Island —said a cheerful voice beside him.

Will looked up, startled. It was Bella, the new girl at school. She had approached with a friendly smile, but her comment caught him off guard. He hadn’t told anyone else about his plans.

—Where did you hear that? —he asked, frowning, clearly confused. He couldn’t understand how she could know, since he had only discussed the matter with Rikki.

Bella laughed softly, trying to ease the tension. Her tone was relaxed and open, a sharp contrast to Rikki’s defensive attitude.

She replied with a lighthearted joke, hoping her friendly demeanor would put him at ease. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she asked: —When are you planning to go?

Will looked at her curiously. Her interest surprised him. Rikki had been the complete opposite—cold and evasive, as if she wanted to keep him as far away from the island as possible. And yet here was Bella, seemingly eager to join him. Something didn’t quite add up, but Will wasn’t the type to turn down help when he needed it.

—Why do you want to know? —he asked cautiously, trying to figure out her intentions.

—Because I’m going with you —Bella replied with a confident smile.

Her offer raised an eyebrow. Why would someone like her want to get involved in this? For a brief moment, Will felt a flicker of suspicion, but he quickly brushed it aside. Bella seemed genuine, and besides, her suggestion was exactly what he needed. Why turn down such timely assistance?

After a short conversation, they agreed to meet at Mako Island on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. sharp. Will felt a renewed sense of excitement for the trip; the idea of not going alone made everything seem easier. And although he didn’t know Bella very well, there was something about her that inspired trust.

Bella said goodbye with the same lightness with which she had arrived, walking along the beach without looking back. Will watched her for a moment, intrigued by her willingness to help. Then, he continued his walk, his thoughts now focused on the discoveries he might make that weekend. Now he had company for his adventure, and with any luck, he’d soon find the answers he’d been seeking.

After her meeting with Will on the beach, Bella went straight to tell the girls what had happened. Cleo listened carefully, her concerns about Mako Island and the strange behavior of the water making her open to any plan that could help them uncover what was going on. To Cleo, the idea of going with Will wasn’t so bad; if they could keep an eye on what he was doing and saying, they’d have more control over the situation. The possibility that he knew something important made her uneasy, and she believed the best approach was to stay close and find out more.

Rikki, on the other hand, was not convinced at all. From the moment they first met, Will's presence had made her uncomfortable. His relentless curiosity felt like a threat, and now, with Bella willing to go with him to Mako, the danger seemed even greater. Although she trusted her new friend, Rikki doubted that Bella could truly keep him away from the Moon Pool—and, by extension, their secret. She couldn’t shake the feeling of vulnerability in this situation; the more Will got involved, the harder it would be to control him, and his presence in their lives was already becoming too intrusive.

As Cleo and Bella appeared more open to the idea of investigating, Rikki felt trapped. She knew outright opposing the plan wouldn’t help, but it deeply unsettled her that Will might uncover more about them or Mako Island. And the thought of him and Bella being alone on the island only made her feel more uneasy.

Saturday arrived, and as they had agreed, Bella and Will met on the beach to begin their excursion to Mako Island. Will was well-prepared, carrying two backpacks full of gear. Bella, always eager to help, offered to carry one of them, lightening his load a bit. Once ready, they began to venture into the dense and humid jungle of the island. What Will didn’t know was that Rikki, hidden among the bushes, was following them closely. She didn’t trust Bella to keep Will away from the Moon Pool and was ready to intervene if things got complicated. Meanwhile, Cleo and Lewis were heading towards the Moon Pool to investigate the recent changes in the cave.

Unaware of Rikki’s presence, Will and Bella advanced through the undergrowth, chatting casually. When they arrived at a stream they needed to cross, Bella, knowing that getting wet would mean revealing her secret, encouraged Will to go ahead while she made the excuse that she needed "a moment" alone. Will, suspecting nothing, went ahead without any problems, unafraid of getting his feet wet. As soon as he was far enough, Bella used her powers to create a dry path across the water, ensuring she wouldn’t come into contact with the stream.

However, her plans didn’t go as expected. Just as she was crossing, she slipped and fell straight into the water, instantly transforming into a mermaid. Rikki, who had been watching from a distance, was forced to intervene quickly. Taking advantage of the fact that Will couldn’t see them yet, she approached Bella and used her powers to dry her off, restoring her human form before she could be discovered.

In the distance, Will heard the sound of splashing water, and after calling Bella a couple of times without receiving a response, he decided to return, worried. When he reached the spot where he had left her, he found Bella’s backpack on the riverbank, increasing his concern.

—Bella! —he shouted, searching for any sign of her.

Suddenly, Bella appeared behind him, smiling as usual.

—Hi —she responded in her cheerful tone.

Will turned around, surprised, and his confusion grew when he saw that Rikki was standing next to her.

—What are you doing here? —he asked, addressing Rikki, surprised by her sudden appearance.

—I asked her to come —Bella intervened, trying to smooth over the situation.

—Why? —Will didn’t understand why Bella would have invited someone who clearly didn’t want to be there.

—Oh, you know, I just can’t resist a jungle full of mosquitoes —Rikki replied sarcastically, avoiding a direct answer.

Will, already used to Rikki’s evasive responses, decided not to press the matter further. He turned back to Bella, still looking confused.

—Where did you go earlier?

—I got wet and went to dry off —Bella answered, trying to stay calm.

—Why didn’t you answer me?

—Were you calling me? I was pretty deep in the jungle —Bella improvised.

Will looked at both girls with incredulity, clearly doubting the story they were telling him, but he decided to let it go. Before he could say anything else, Rikki jumped in, trying to change the subject.

—Well, that’s settled. What’s next? —she said impatiently.

—I’m still looking for the entrance to the cave —Will replied, determined.

—The entrance is this way —Rikki said, pointing in the opposite direction.

—Bella told me it’s on the other side of the island —Will replied, pointing towards the direction of the Moon Pool.

—Of course —Bella confirmed, without realizing that she was leading Will closer to the place they were trying to protect.

Rikki, sensing they were getting dangerously close, refused outright.

—No, I don’t think so —she said, looking at Bella to make her understand that they needed to lead Will away from that path.

Will, with a mixture of defiance and distrust, turned to Rikki:

—You said you didn’t remember where it was.

Without responding, Rikki was trying to find a way out of the situation. However, Will, determined, started walking in the direction he thought was right.

While Cleo and Lewis investigated the mysterious changes in the Moon Pool, Bella tried to get more information from Will about how he had ended up in the cave that night. For Will, the conversation with Bella was surprisingly easy. Unlike Rikki, Bella was kind, approachable, and they shared some common interests. He liked Bella’s company; after all, he hadn’t had many chances to make friends since he moved to town.

As they moved across the rocks, the tension between Rikki, Bella, and Will grew with every step. The cave entrance was getting closer, and with increasing excitement, Will declared:

—The cave entrance must be around here.

Rikki tried to stay firm, though inside she was fighting frustration. The plan to distract Will had failed miserably, and now they were exactly where they didn’t want to be. As they crossed the rocks, Bella misstepped, lost her balance, and fell out of sight.

—Down here! —Bella shouted from the bottom of a hole. Rikki and Will looked at each other, confused by her sudden disappearance. Rikki's face showed terror; the place where Bella had fallen was none other than the direct entrance to the Moon Pool. All their efforts to keep Will away from the cave had been in vain.

—Are you okay? —Will yelled, leaning over the hole to try and find Bella.

—Yes! —Bella replied from inside the cave, her voice echoing off the walls.

The echo of her shouts did not go unnoticed by Cleo and Lewis, who were inside the Moon Pool investigating. Hearing them, they exchanged worried looks, knowing the plan had failed and Will was getting dangerously close to discovering the place they were so desperate to protect.

Without wasting a second, Will jumped into the hole. Rikki, trying to keep her composure, yelled from above, hoping at least to give Cleo and Lewis a warning of what was coming.

—Are you okay down there? Will’s coming to get you! —she shouted, hoping her words would alert her friends.

Once Will reached the bottom, he stumbled upon Bella, who was still recovering from the fall. He quickly rushed to help her up, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. Just when it seemed like everything had calmed down, a loud crash interrupted the moment: Rikki, in her usual impulsive manner, had decided to follow them and fell directly on Will’s legs.

—Are you okay? —he asked, offering her a hand to help her up. However, Rikki, in her typical pride, stood up on her own, ignoring his gesture.

Determined to continue exploring, Will wasted no time heading deeper into the cave. Bella and Rikki were left behind for a moment, exchanging glances that said more than words could. Bella, with a guilty expression, understood that she had failed, while Rikki looked at her with a mix of indignation and hopelessness. They knew there was no turning back.

When Will finally reached the Moon Pool, he found Cleo and Lewis, who were trying to hide their surprise at his unexpected arrival.

—Hey, guys —Cleo said, trying to sound casual and ease the tension in the air.

Lewis took the lead to distract Will, eagerly pointing out the walls of the Moon Pool and explaining that it was just an ancient volcanic crater, nothing of any real significance. Will listened, though he didn’t seem fully convinced by the explanation. Meanwhile, the girls took advantage of the moment to observe the pool and check for any changes. Bella, always more understanding, thought about how to use this opportunity to figure out how much Will remembered from that mysterious full moon night.

Rikki, more impatient and worried about the situation, decided to confront him directly:

—Did it look like this? —she asked, arms crossed, her tone clearly hostile.

Will, confused by the blunt question, hesitated to respond.

—I'm not sure... —he replied uncertainly.

Bella, always the peacemaker, tried to smooth things over:

—What exactly did you see?

Will tried to remember, but the images were still blurry. However, little by little, he began recalling more details.

—I only saw it for a moment... —he murmured, starting to relive the experience in his mind—. The glow on the walls, and the waterfall... it was huge.

Rikki, frowning, kept her eyes fixed on him. She wasn’t going to let him off that easily.

—Where was that waterfall? —she asked skeptically—. Because all we have here is a trickle.

Will, uncertain, responded:

—I know... but it filled everything, it was... huge.

Lewis, backing Rikki, shook his head.

—That’s impossible —he said, trying to get Will to drop the idea that something supernatural had happened.

However, the memories in Will’s mind kept taking shape. The bursts of water, the figure that had formed in the pool, everything seemed so real in his memory that he felt overwhelmed.

—There was a shape in the water... it seemed so real I tried to touch it... —he recalled, with a distant expression.

Bella, worried by how shaken he seemed, asked softly:

—Are you okay?

Will looked confused, as if he was losing grasp of what was real.

—I don’t know... —he murmured, doubting himself.

Rikki, on the other hand, was determined not to let Will figure out more. She knew they had to nip this in the bud.

—You know what I think? —she said, raising her voice—. You hit your head and dreamed the whole thing.

Bella tried to intervene calmly:

—Rikki...

But her friend wasn’t stopping.

—You were delirious —Rikki continued—. You have no idea what you saw.

Will, confused and frustrated by Rikki’s hostile attitude, looked at her with a mix of disbelief and bewilderment.

—Do you really think I imagined it?

Rikki, leaving no room for doubt, responded defiantly:

—Show me, and maybe I’ll believe you.

Bella tried to calm the situation.

—Rikki...

But Rikki pressed on:

—I see everything normal. We were here that night too, remember that? Do you remember?! We didn’t see anything. So come on! Show me!

Rikki’s aggressive tone finally pushed Bella over the edge.

—That’s enough! —she interrupted, raising her voice for the first time, surprising everyone. Although Bella also wanted to protect their secret, she didn’t agree with how Rikki was treating Will. It wasn’t fair to make him doubt himself like that.

Rikki’s words, however, had already planted doubt in Will. He questioned what he had seen. Had it been real, or was it all in his head? In the end, Rikki’s accusations and tone left him completely confused.

—I don’t know... —he said in a low voice, surrendering to the doubts she had planted.

Feeling the need to escape the situation, Will looked for a way out.

—I need some fresh air —he muttered, before quickly turning and leaving the cave.

Cleo and Bella were left with a bitter feeling. They knew Will wasn’t lying, but they also couldn’t allow him to discover what really happened in the Moon Pool. Meanwhile, Rikki, though relieved she had diverted Will, felt a mix of guilt and relief. She knew she had done what was necessary to protect their secret, but the cost had been higher than she had imagined.

Bella went after Will, who had returned to his boat with evident frustration. She found him loading his things, visibly dejected by the situation.

—I must be crazy to come here looking for something magical... —he murmured, almost to himself, as he threw a backpack into the boat—. I’m a lunatic...

—You’re not —Bella said softly, trying to comfort him.

Will, searching for any confirmation of his version of events, turned to her with a glimmer of hope.

—Did I really imagine all that? —he asked, recalling the argument in the cave.

Bella, aware that the truth was too dangerous, tried to strike a balance between protecting the secret and not hurting him.

—The truth is, when we found you, you were in a bad state. You were saying things that didn’t make sense... I suppose you must have hit your head pretty hard.

Will’s face darkened. Disappointment was clearly reflected in his eyes at hearing what he didn’t want to believe. He felt like he was losing the only thread that connected him to that strange experience.

—I’m sorry for dragging you into this... There’s nothing in that cave —he said with resignation.

Bella made an effort to show him that not everything was lost.

—Don’t be sorry. I had a good day.

—Really? —Will responded with a faint smile, surprised and comforted by her words. He hadn’t found what he was looking for, but at least he felt he had gained something more: a connection, a friendship.

With a somewhat calmer expression, he offered to take her back to town, but Bella declined the offer with a kind smile. Will nodded and, with nothing more to say, started the boat's engine, leaving the island behind. As he sailed away, still uncertain about what he had seen, one thing was clear: Bella hadn’t left him alone in the midst of it all. Although he felt lost, at least he had gained a friend, someone who made him feel less crazy, if only for a while.