Page 97 of Found at Sea

Kellan caught me against his chest as I stumbled, and a pained whine escaped his throat as he pressed his head to mine.

The survivors in our crew approached, covered in sweat and blood, and Dax yelled for everyone to stay back.

“Captain Flynn,” Alek said, looking calmer than any other man would’ve been in his situation. “If he takes me to the king, you know what’ll happen. You have to do it.”

Kellan’s eyes widened before he shook his head. “No.”

“What are ya asses goin’ on about?” Dax grumbled, stepping onto the plank. “Say your goodbyes. The boy is goin’ with me.”

“Kellan,” Alek spoke in a shaky tone, and the fear finally showed in his eyes. “Please. Don’t let him. What I’m asking is not fair, but please.”

Kellan held me with one arm, and I knew I’d lose consciousness shortly. I didn’t know what Alek was trying to say. OfcourseKellan would stop Dax from taking him. Right?

My confusion turned to comprehension when Kellan raised his pistol.

“What are ya doin, ya bloody bastard?” Dax shouted, seeing the weapon. He held the blade so close to Alek that a thin line of blood trickled down his neck.

Men from the enemy crew shouted, and some of them started rushing back to our ship.

“Do it!” Alek cried.

“Forgive me,” Kellan whispered.

As the shot pierced the air, and I saw Alek fly backward, I cried out so loud it felt like my throat tore open. Kellan had shot him. The force of it knocked Alek and Dax backward and both men fell overboard.

Mustering all reserves of strength, I ran toward the railing.

Dax lay face down and floated in the water, his blood fanning out alongside him. Alek was on his back, and his eyes found mine before they closed.

I cried out his name and started trying to lower the ladder to go in the water, but Kellan grabbed me from behind.

“He’s gone, boy,” he said, and I could hear the emotion in his voice. The tears. “He’s gone.”

“No! He could still be alive.” I thrashed in the captain’s arms, refusing to leave my best friend to be claimed by the sea. “He can’t be dead!”

I didn’t feel my stab wound anymore. All I felt was the pain of losing my friend. The grief of a broken heart.

Alek’s body sank beneath the waves as arms came around him from below. Arms with violet forearm fins. A blue-green tail smacked the surface of the water before sinking under as well.

And then I collapsed to the deck as the world turned to black.