Page 59

Alexa Play: Autumn by Paolo Nutini

I t took hours for them to find Finn’s body.

The ocean had pulled him much farther out than anyone had expected, which explained why I hadn’t been able to touch him to bring him up to the surface.

They’d needed to execute a recovery dive to find him, and I overheard some of the rescue team saying that the chop had been so bad they almost lost another person when one of the Sea-Doos was rolled by a rogue Leviathan.

The sun was setting by the time his body was found.

“Baby, you don’t need to see this,” I whispered to Finn, who I’d wrapped up in my arms hours ago.

He clung to me. Wordless and shaking. I heard him swallow as a Sea-Doo appeared, dragging a sled attachment with it .

What could only be Finn’s body was wrapped and strapped to the sled, and he shuddered violently at the sight of it.

There was an inhuman wail, and Turtle rushed to the sled. He threw himself on top of it, sobbing and screaming Finn’s name over and over again.

“I have to… I have to go be with him,” Finn croaked, tugging away from my embrace.

“Okay, baby. We’ll go together,” I whispered, and he looked at me with so much trust and sadness in his eyes that my throat closed up.

“Thank you…” he whispered.

I nodded, my voice cracking as I spoke. “Of course.”

We approached the sled and an inconsolable Turtle. A few people tried to pull him away, but he threw them off and curled around Finn’s body as if his touch alone could bring him back to life.

“Finn… please… no… we gotta have that bonfire. You said! You said we were gonna chill later. We were gonna celebrate. Shelly and I need you, man. Please! You can’t be dead. You can’t be.”

“Turtle Man…” Finn whispered, dropping to his knees next to the sled. Finn’s body was wrapped in a black, waterproof tarp, and I sent a silent thanks to the recovery team for that small blessing.

Finn reached out to touch Turtle’s hair. His fingers passed through him, but he stroked him just the same.

“It’s gonna be alright, brother,” he whispered as Turtle shook and sobbed over his body. “You gotta take care of Shells for me, okay? Take her to Hawaii… I’m sure you can get her on a ferry or something.”

Pride swelled through me at Finn’s brave attempt to comfort his friend.

I wasn’t sure if Turtle could sense him there on some level, but he slowly calmed down as Finn continued to stroke his fingers through his hair.

Jet appeared, his expression dark. He had tear streaks on his own cheeks as he reached out with a bloody hand to touch his grieving friend .

“Hey, man. Come on. Let’s let the paramedics get him out of here. You can come crash with Kai and me tonight.”

Turtle looked up at Jet with swollen, red eyes. He looked lost.

“I can’t leave him, man. He wouldn’t want to be alone.”

“Hey…” Jet said softly, crouching down next to Turtle. “He’s not alone. My buddy Jake’s looking out for him.”

Turtle sniffed and dragged his wrist across his puffy, tear-stained cheeks.

“Yeah? You really think so?”

“I know so, man. Jake’ll make sure he’s alright.”

“He’s right,” I said softly, even though they couldn’t hear me. “I’m here. I’ll make sure he’s never alone.”

Finn looked up at me, his own eyes finally welling with tears. I hated to see him cry, but tears were a good thing. It meant he was processing what had happened to him.

“You promise?” Finn sounded so small and broken.

I nodded, giving him a sad smile.

“If you’ll have me, baby, I’ll take care of you forever.”

He came to me, succumbing softly to his tears as Jet led Turtle away to where Kai was waiting by their truck.

Finn wrapped his arms around me, and I tucked him into my chest, kissing the top of his head softly.

“You’re alright. I’ve got you,” I murmured against him as he cried quietly in my arms.

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

You’re not alone, baby. I’m right here.