Orphange (6)

Shelby helped the reluctant Ingrid out of the water and then onto her lap on the wet floor. She wrapped the large towel handed to her around the little girl just as the beautiful scaly flesh faded right before her eyes.

It had been light to start with, and from afar, it only looked like Ingrid's skin had been glistening under a bright light. Only those really close to her would have seen the changes in themselves. Out of the water, none of those changes remained.

"Are you okay?" Shelby asked, looking at the slightly excited girl. That was the first time Shelby had seen Ingrid come out of her shy shell. She had seen the little girl's eye twinkle and shine when she sang or when music was around, but nothing like what Shelby saw at the pool site.

Shelby had even forgotten about the little fact that something had tried to pull her into the pool.