Two Moons of Sera by Pavarti K. Tyler Page A

my side. Tor’s shoulders hunched, shortening him, but even so, I could
see how he towered over Lock and Ada. I was the same height as Lock and a
little taller than Ada. I hadn’t noticed their size until it contrasted against
Tor.
    “Let’s go. We could use some rest, don’t you think?” I
encouraged.
    “Huh,” he replied, slipping his warm, rough hand into mine.

12
     
    Ada led us to a short building with gray and black walls.
Inside the front door was a small room leading to two more doors. One was
labeled “MEN,” the other “WOMEN.”
    After some encouragement, Tor and Elgon went with Lock,
while I entered the women’s area. It had been difficult to assure Tor I would
be safe alone. I didn’t want to let him out of my sight, either. In this
foreign place, he was the only thing grounding me. But we had to fit in, slip
through undetected.
    “Here are the tubs and shower stalls. Towels, robes, and
slippers are stacked against this wall,” Ada explained.
    I clutched my bag, trying to memorize everything Ada said.
The walls were bright blue and everything else gleamed white. The sharp
contrast made the room feel bright. Benches and shelves lined the room, and
high hooks meant for hanging towels and clothes away from the damp floor.
    No semblance of privacy, though. I was supposed to bathe
here, presumably with others. At home, with my mother, I didn’t care. I hadn’t
been raised to think clothing was particularly necessary. Here, my nudity could
betray my genetics. My pale, semitranslucent skin might go largely unnoticed
even if I was naked, but my webbed toes would certainly draw attention.
    How could I walk around and not have anyone notice my feet?
    I fidgeted with my dress while Ada showed me how to turn on
the water for washing as I stood. A shower. It looked like a waterfall and
might be lovely to stand beneath, but my eyes were on the pool.
    She followed my gaze to the shallow water. “You’re welcome
to bathe in the wading pond, if you’d like,” she offered.
    “Pond?”
    “That’s just what we call it. It’s filtered water just like
the shower, but we keep it running all day so the water is always warm and
clean. You should take advantage of being the only one in here.”
    “I will. Thank you.”
    I stood before her, not sure what to do next. I wasn’t about
to start undressing with her there, and getting in the pond with my makeshift
shoes still on would probably draw attention.
    “I’ll let you enjoy the water alone,” Ada said. “It’s such a
luxury to have a chance to soak. Out the back door is a lounge. I’ll be there
when you’re done.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Besides, I have to find you a placement! I bet you can’t
wait to be in a real bed again.” Ada smiled amicably and turned away. It took
every ounce of strength I had not to cry with relief as she left.
    Alone at last, I stepped out of my clothes and waded into
the shallow bath. The pool wasn’t deep, but the water came up to my waist.
    The warm liquid wrapped around my body like home. My eyes
drifted shut, and I sank to the bottom, completely submerging my head. I opened
my senses and listened to the water circulating around me. No salt peppered the
bath, which gave it a strange, oily feeling against my skin, but the warmth
soothed me and stilled my mind.
    I drifted into a thoughtless peace and absorbed the water
through my skin. My lungs closed and my muscles lost their tension as I
remembered the peace of the ocean. Allowing my eyes to open, I let the moisture
replenish me.
    I soaked underwater, not wanting to emerge. Being submerged
was the closest thing I’d ever experienced to being held. When I cried, I
always retreated beneath the surface, where my tears became one of the millions
shed. In the ocean, loneliness could not claim my heart.
    Before long, I worried Ada might return. I stood, letting
the water run off my hair and down my back.
    My feet slid into the slippers, hiding all evidence of my
genetic