A Story A Day. Story 55 of 365: Footprints (VIII).

Dana opened the door, two dark figures were standing at the doorstep. Genevieve wasn't lying, they were sea people. The older one, Nemo, was more than 6 foot tall, the other one, Shore, was even taller. As Genevieve had said they had dark scaly skin and big yellow eyes. Dana was speechless, fortunately Genevieve went to the rescue. 

-Nemo, Shore, these are special agents Williams and Spencer. They came because the neighbors were worried about your footprints. 

-I told you they had seen them.- said Shore to his father. 

Nemo was about to reply when Genevieve cut him.

-Anyway, this is going to end soon.

-Do you mean...?- Nemo reached for her, looking desperate. 

-Yes, my time is coming, you already knew that.- she was determined, accepting her fate.- Would you mind leaving us alone?- Dana and Tray started heading to the door, when Genevieve added.- You too, Shore. 

He opened his mouth to protest, but after a second he followed the humans outside. Dana and Tray sat on the bench, but he stayed on his foot looking at the town lights. Dana joined him after some thought. 

-How is life down the sea?- she asked.

-Not too different from up here, I believe, we have our problems, most of them related to you, but we live well enough.- his voice had a sharp edge she hadn't noticed before.- Still, it's difficult for me, there are not so many hybrids, my childhood was hard. Only now people have started to respect me. 

-I'm sorry.

-Don't be, it was love what made them do it.- he looked into her eyes for the first time.- And love,...- he left his words die off, suddenly struck with something.

The door from Genevieve's house opened, and Nemo's head stuck out of it. He told something to his son in their language and got back in.

-We should get inside, Genevieve wants to talk to us all.- Shore said. 

Genevieve was lying on her bed, looking frail and old, as she was supposed to for her age. It was such a big change from only some hours ago that Dana and Tray couldn't believe it was the same person. She made her son approach her first and told him something. He just nodded and hugged her. After that she made the special agents approach her death bed. 

-I want you to promise me that you're never going to tell this to anyone. 

-No one would believe us, anyway.- Tray responded quickly. 

Dana was too distracted, she could feel Shore's eyes on her back, she remembered his words. 

-Dana?

-Of course, we won't tell anyone. 

Genevieve looked at her strangely, and smiled. 

-I believe you. Stay, kid, I want to talk to you. 

She made Dana approach and whispered something into her ear. Dana's eyes opened wide with realization. Dana stood up and walked up next to Shore and Tray. Nemo went back to his beloved and kneeled next to the bed to hold her hand as she exhaled her last breath. Tears streamed down everyone's face, human and sea people alike. When there were no more tears to weep, Tray spoke up. 

-We should get going, Dana. There's nothing we can do in here. 

-No, I'm staying.- she said reaching for Shore's hand.- I've found what I didn't know I was looking for.