Larceny

The cell door swung open. "Your twenty-four hours of holding are up," Calvin announced. It had been significantly longer, but he was betting she didn't know that. "You're free to go."

From her nest of tissues on the floor, the young woman looked up at him, blinking in curiosity. Had he come with more food? She'd like that, please.

( Oh this was gonna be an ADVENTURE. )

"Oh!" Ralph said, reaching into the backseat to grab the box of tissues they'd brought with them. "Here you go. Don't wanna forget..." He straightened up and looked around. "...these..."

She was gone.

"Oh no."

[Mostly establishy save for the one what knows who they are]

Today was the best day she'd spent on land so far.

Last night, she'd found this place - an miniature ocean on land! She'd snuck inside just as the tiny suns had all gone out inside the building, leaving only the ones that were illuminating all of the seascapes. At first, she'd been too bemused to do anything but wander through. There one was section devoted all to jellyfish that made her laugh with their dreamy conversation and another full of sharks that she'd quickly scurried past while they eyed her with silent menace. Sharks rarely spoke much. Just stared.

Then she'd found one that was all warm water and fish and coral reefs that almost reminded her of home. Best of all? It was filled with any number of different kinds of fish, from tiny little ones that darted around to fat, slow ones that lurked towards the bottom. *Ah, I'm so relieved,* she'd said with a hungry gulp. *I thought I was going to die from hunger.*

( Aquariums are basically buffets for mermaids )

Once again, the tiny suns went out in the building and all the humans went home. She knew she couldn't stay in here forever - humans seemed to get mad about a lot of things and she would get mad if someone came through and ate all her fish she'd been saving - but what could one more night here hurt? And it felt good to be able to get some time in just swimming around and stretching her fins.

She'd figure out what to do...later. After another good meal and some time in nice, warm water. Ahhh. She'd missed this.

[For the troublemakers, please!]