Chapter 10
Ten
Keeping the blanket wrapped around her, Angie looked to the ground when she stood.
There, a tan corner peeked out underneath a patch of shrubbery.
Her clipboard, thankfully with all pages intact.
Angie held it close to her, refusing to let it out of her sight until she got it into Bàba or Nick’s hands.
She thought about what Kaden said.
The sentinels will be looking for me.
It begged the question of who exactly he was, and why there were sentinels seeking him out.
Angie made it back to the gangway, fanning the clipboard and drying the papers attached to it. The ink bled on the page, but it was legible enough.
An impending shadow loomed, and an ocean of relief splashed over her.
The container ship she had been waiting for, the MV Castaway, finally pulled into port.
The anchor dropped, and the engine died, the ship rocking with the waves.
Sailors departed, each greeting Angie as they rushed past. She stood by, waiting to step aboard and take inventory.
Finally, Luke appeared at the entryway and waved her in, a jovial smile on his pale, freckled face. Angie returned his smile, following him aboard as he walked her through the ship’s interior.
“Glad to see you’re okay. I was getting worried when your ship was delayed by—” She checked her phone. “Over two hours.”
“I know.” The boy’s tone dropped low and dull. “We hit a giant swell coming in and lost half our cargo. We recovered whatever we could, though. Sorry, I’ll explain everything to your dad, I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“It’s fine, I’ll explain. Besides, my bàba won’t get mad at you.”
“It’s late, I get it.” Luke nodded his head in agreement. “And yes, he will. Or that dickhead Nick will.” His cheeks grew scarlet. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to curse in front of a lady.”
“Apology accepted.” Angie patted his shoulder, and caught him blushing under the dimmed cargo hold lights. “Where was the swell?”
“About five nautical miles southwest of here. Strange. I mean, we hit some choppy waters coming from the Aleutians, but this came out of nowhere. I heard,” Luke cleared his throat and started walking her back to the ship’s upper level, “that it’s merfolk doing it.
A few sailors fell overboard, and we couldn’t save them. Had to turn around.”
Angie eyed Luke, choosing her next words carefully.
Did she want to confirm the rumors and possibly jade him?
The boy was young and innocent. Warning him would be the better idea.
“That’s the rumor.” Her voice cracked. “But be careful, alright? Try not to hang around the coastline. I’ll talk to my bàba about getting you some more work inland. ”
“I like being by the sea.” Luke folded his arms across his chest, tight enough to make his small pecs pop.
Stubborn, the way she was at his age. For his own good, she had to try to get through to him.
“I know, but just for now. You could have been thrown overboard. Please listen to me on this.”
Finally, Luke relented, dropping his shoulders and arms. “Okay, I guess that’s everything for today. I’ll see you tomorrow or the day after? Well, I mean, you know, if you’re going to the ferry, I’ll come with you.”
“Yeah, sure.” A gentle smile formed as she waited for Luke to grab his things.
They walked to the ferry terminal, a short walk outside the docks, together, talking all the way there.
Angie kept her conversation with Luke on point, but she couldn’t stop thinking of Kaden and whether she should look for him again.
If he was willing to talk, then other mer might be, too. She could try to coax information out of him. Why were they hoarding fish, how many, how were they doing it? Use him to find out who and where their leaders were.
Luke’s voice cut into her spiraling thoughts. “When I come back to work the day after tomorrow, can I talk to you a bit about marine biology? I think I want to major in that in college.”
“Oh yeah, sure. You decided on that already?” Angie thought back to how she had an undecided major for her first two years of undergrad.
“I want to own my own dock one day, be close to the water. I don’t care where.
As long as I can hear the soothing crashes of waves on the shore, the seagulls circling the skies, and breathe in the salty breeze.
” They reached the small ferry terminal’s waiting area, where two other dock workers waited.
“Even though it was only for a short while, working with you inspired me to chase my dream.” He spoke such touching words.
“How about we meet for breakfast? I’ll bring some coffee and breakfast sandwiches?”
“Sounds delicious,” Luke replied. “I promise I’ll pay you back. I can’t wait.”
“Don’t worry about it, Luke.” Angie returned to her thoughts. The debate still raged when she boarded the ferry.