Beep 
Beep
Beep

The submarine’s radar echoed though the metal can, evoking a lonely atmosphere as the crew stared at the expanse of the sea depths. This was their third week out, the first two being uneventful and full of sea squid. But they, and the team of scientists running the show, were hoping to find something new at this depth – the submarine had been made especially for safe capture and transport of new sea life, and the grant they had was nearly unlimited as long as they followed the guidelines. 

Suddenly, a blip appeared on the radar. This was no squid, no – it was larger, but not whale large. (That had been week one.) As the sub approached, the crew watched eagerly out the window for the discovery.

“...no way. Is that a -” 
“Nope, don’t say it. You’ll jinx it.”
“Will one of you dorks get the director on the phone? She’s gonna want to see this one.”

---

Kassandra woke up in a cage. 

Or at least, that’s what it felt like. It was bright, so bright, and she was swimming in strange water. No plants – no fish – nothing else but her! Every time she tried to swim away, she bumped into something invisible. Nothing was working, and there were odd creatures in white coats in front of them. 

“Please help! Let me out!” She banged on the glass, but they didn’t seem to hear her or understand her. Or maybe they just didn’t care. They simply scribbled on their odd-looking scrolls and continued to stare at her. 

Her brilliant orange tailfin smacked the side of the invisible walls again and again, until her dark skin was covered with bruises. “Please. Let me out.” Momentarily defeated, she sank to the bottom and folded her arms over her head. “Let me out...”